Stop Being Crap Online: How to be a big player on Pinterest
This week Hannah explores her latest online obsession, Pinterest, and gives us some tips on how we can make the most of the service
Pinterest's meteoric rise to popularity has captivated internet marketers and social media pundits, but the service itself has captured the imagination of millions across the web - from stay at home mums to fashion bloggers.Yes, as much as I'm sure the guys would love to get in on the action, it's the ladies who are really loving this online curation tool, with a hefty majority of their 6 million 10 million 12 million+ users in the female camp.It's a powerful prospect, all those women, super-engaged (some might say addicted), sharing and spreading the word about their favourite things (often items for sale, like holidays, clothes or beauty products *ca-ching*). I mean, it's what makes the Internet go 'round: tonnes of people, taking a lot of action, getting out their credit cards, sharing content...it's a beautiful thing.All that awesomeness, all that growth, and they're still in beta!If you're not already excited about Pinterest, well, I think you should be. For a number of reasons:
- It's gone mainstream! It's always exciting when a site like this makes it to your grandma - it's a simple concept that everyone gets, which means user adoption in demographics that wouldn't usually be reachable in this type of format
- What a case study for start-ups: If the product is good, they will come. And if you make it hard for people to actually access the service, the more they'll want it, um, theoretically...
- The platform facilitates and encourages 'viral spread' - doesn't hurt to have another opportunity to get yourself out there
- There are lots of pictures of sparkly things
If you haven't already requested an invite to the service, do it today and get creative with your pinning to see its potential for your website, blog, business, or even your personal online brand.And if you need some inspiration on what to pin, this swimsuit garnered 30 likes in five minutes the other day. I think that means I'm officially a trendsetter.When you're ready to get cranking, check out the video below for some tips and info on Pinterest to help you stand out from the crowd and make the most of the time you spend on the site. Because if you're anything like me (i.e. female), it'll be a lot of time!