Facebook "Out," Pinterest "In": A social media usage enhancement

by Kelly S. Digital Marketer

Share it, like it, and Post it, is now replaced with Pin it and Re-pin it, following an impressive 1,047 percent increase in the comparative usage of Pinterest. Once the Social Media titan, Facebook showed a 4 per cent drop-off in use, while Tumblr grew by 55 per cent, according to a reputed Nielsen's 2012 Social Media Report.

Pinterest analytics quoted noteworthy news that 50 brands including popular ones like Gilt, Martha Stewart, JetSetter, and Shape Magazine used Pinterest as a platform to market their brand. And the result was the brands boosted 125 per cent pins per day and their engagement rate jumped by 156 per cent.

There are several ways on Pinterest, through which brand can market their offerings. Users share photos, pin and re-pin company products, interact with brands, and search for gifts using Pinterest. There are companies like IT firms who do not sell product, but services. Therefore, it is important for marketers to create content that is not only engaging, but also can be pinned.

As explained by Sharad Verma, The Pinfluencer's Chief Executive that there are four ways through which brands can engage users using Pinterest. He explained First, asking users to come to your website and pin the products they like; second: creating a board and pre-populate it with pins, asking users to re-pin; third: creating a scavenger hunt; and fourth: running daily winner contests for prizes for those who pin your content." Marketers should use all the ways and tools offered by Pinterest in order to earn upon its potency.

Pinterest contests are a great way to attract larger eyeballs and increase sales. Pinning the images is simple and interesting. It is not something people will be bored doing. Remember "A picture is worth a thousand words." You can convey your message simply using a still image.

Companies can organize a weekly contest. For instance, create a unique image out of scrap, pin an image that contains maximum hues of color, which will be termed as the "most colorful image of the season, and lots more. Such contests are certain to grab most attention as compared to Facebook. Verma stated "Facebook is really about conversation and brand awareness," he said, adding that Pinterest drives sales."

The engagement rates mentioned in the Nielsen's 2012 Social Media Report are definitely a great help for content marketers who are looking to enhance their marketing strategies.

Pinterest boasts followers, viral views, and ultimately sales. Can you afford to head with your business without a strong tool in 2013?

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