When the NY Tech and NYEBN Meetup groups sent out hundreds of emails reminding its community members to sign up for the newest social media site Pinterest, I joined right away.  I have signed up for every major social media site, iOS integrated App, and free communication tool that I’ve come across on the world wide web (it’s a hard job, but someone has to be virally aware).  If you Google my name (Kalli Meisler), you can discover that half of the profiles I’ve created are graveyards (ghost blog posts of Kalli’s past…I warned you, you’ll come across my LiveJournal from 2004, with entries that over-dramatize how “stressful” my senior year of college was…and if you figure out my Myspace password, let me know- I’d like to change my contact information, and make my wall private!).

I can’t deny it: I’ve become pintastic!  I am addicted to re-pinning recipes, cute outfits, awesome arts and crafts projects, and do-it-yourself decorating.  I live for adding links to my Pinterest- knowing I am showcasing my thoughts, wardrobe, ambitions and decisions (you can figure out who I am, what I want, and who I think has great ideas).  About 9 weeks ago I found an amazing painting online; I loved the movement of the brush strokes, and decided to send it to my Twitter network, through my Things I Love Pinterest Board.  Within several hours there were over 30 repins, and multiple likes.  My Facebook status updates (ranging from “I love my cat” to “I’m going to change my OKCupid profile to must cuddle kittens”) do not get 8 “likes” each hour; my Twitter has hundreds of followers, but doesn’t have that strong of a re-tweet ratio; I rarely have Tumblr users reblog my information, even if I add multiple keyword tags.  When I recognized this pattern- that my pin-junky friends were more likely to re-distribute my posts on melted Crayon art, than like my Facebook status about my haircut, I saw the value in using Pinterest to promote events and products.

Unlike Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Tumblr and YouTube- Pinterest is a micro-sharing network; Pinterest appeals to a niche audience (educated and professional women).   No wonder I’m pinerrific!

The demographic of Pinterest is skewed- there are more women then men using the site (in comparison to the number of men that were using AOL before women, this shows that time has created a noticeable gender divide in online culture, and the use of different outlets to express yourself).  Pinterest is a phenomenal way for your business to reach women that spend money in the marketplace.  By connecting your Facebook and Twitter streams to your Pinterest profile, you can filter in all of your contacts that already have profiles (following each of these individuals as your clothing store will drive them to follow you back, and they will then see the stream of information you post).

I love social media tools, and the value of using Pinterest as a business to consumer marketing platform is huge.  Your business will thrive with each link you post online; these backlinks are incredibly valuable.  With each permanent link on the Internet, you are cementing your online presence.  These links will tie back to your website, and there are indefinite numbers of shares and re-pins that each item can get.  Using Pinterest naturally climbs your businesses website higher on search engines (this is the same type of backlinking that social media specialists charge $7-$10 a post for).

Social Fulcrum recognizes the client response and growth through the use of Pinterest.  As we grow your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube, we will develop out Boards on your Pinterest.  Let us help your business succeed: with more links online, you are reaching out to many more potential customers.

Follow me on Pinterest!

About Andrew Krebs-Smith

Andrew sings our praises to anyone that will listen. Before founding Social Fulcrum, he developed and managed social media strategy for accounts including Pfizer, Ocean City MD, The National Aquarium, and Strayer University. Andrew loves food, travel, music, exercise, and tea. Connect with Andrew on Twitter and LinkedIn.