How Business can use Pinterest to Win Big
The votes are starting to come in, and by all accounts, the election goes to…Ann Romney!Oh, I'm not talking about the
2012 presidential election itself – I'm talking about the Presidential election according to Pinterest! You see, 2012 is the
first time that the third-largest social media platform has been around during a presidential election, so this is the first
time we're really getting any information on how important this platform can be in helping to brand a candidate, shape his
(or her!) image with constituents, and raise money for the campaign. Read along and see how business can use Pinterest
to win over new fans with their brand on this platform.
How did Mrs. Romney get the Pinterest edge, and how can you learn from her Pinterest dominance?
1.The Early Bird Still Gets The Worm
This old saying still has a lot of truth, though we usually say it with some fancy words about being an "early adopter" and having and "edge." Team Romney was the first of the presidential campaigns to use the platform, and by all accounts, it's been a success!
While it's hard to be an "early adopter" of Pinterest these days, there are still a few takeaways. If you think your brand isn't necessarily visual, think again. And as social media continues to change and new platforms come on line, it's worth seriously evaluating each one before you write it off. The advantage really does go to the early bird.
2.Stories Sell
Why do I include this in a list of Pinterest tips? Because one of the ways Mrs. Romney is using Pinterest is to tell the story of her husband, Republican candidate Mitt Romney, and the story of his vision for the country. Rather than relying only on words, her images on boards such as "Things I Love" (with an image of a cute little boy holding a hand drawn American flag with the words "Romney for President"), and a board of July 4th recipes and pictures that tell a story of simpler times, Americana, and strong family ties – stories that sell during today's overwhelming sense of economic fear.
3.Feature Your Followers!
One of Ann Romney's pins shows a picture of a supporter at a rally – with a red, white and blue manicure spelling out her support for Romney. Mrs. Romney gave it the caption "Love how clever our supporters are!" What a great way to connect with an individual fan!
Find a way to publicly connect with and praise individual supporters and you'll find your engagement on Pinterest go up in a hurry!
4.Get Involved – Personally
While many businesses outsource their social media management, it's important to stay connected with whoever you're working with to manage your social media to give a personal touch to your Pins (and Tweets and Facebook postings, too). One of the keys to Mrs. Romney's Pinterest success is that she uses Pinterest herself frequently, as do many members of the Romney family. On the other hand, it's reported that the current president and first lady more often outsource their pinning efforts and social media updates to professional social media managers.
What do you think? Are there other standout strategies that Mrs. Romney or any of the candidates have used well in this election? I'd love to hear your take – leave a comment below (and don't forget to go VOTE!)
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Getting involved and staying involved continuously with one's social media presence is … let's just say .. IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT =) Love how you brought in a story from the Presidential Campaign.
Great post, Liz! I need to use Pinterest even more so, thanks! It can be very Powerful
You really do.. It’s a great source for traffic and good for SEO..;) !
Incredible tool to share "views" with others across the nation. The Fiery Grandma learned a powerful lesson with this post, thanks Liz.
Excellent example of the power of Pinterest! Thanks so much for this wonderful post Liz!
I really need to step up my game with pinterest! This is more motivation for doing it
I’m glad it helps get you moving Carl!
Interesting twist. It would be fun to feature a follower. I'm working on my 2013 social media schedule and this will definitely go into my bag of tricks!
Glad it helps Doll! Pinterest is a very productive social media outlet.
Very clever to say the least! Such a great way to capitalize
Thanks Susanne .. I thought it was an awesome way to connect!
I like the idea of featuring followers!!
isn’t that a cool idea..;)
Great article as always. I need to be using this platform more!!! HELP!
you sure do Sue!!! We can so talk and get you going in the right direction !
A lot of great information here. I love #3 about featuring your followers! Thanks and keep great content coming!
Thanks Sweetie!!! i’m so glad you stopped by and can’t wait to meet you and visit your page and site! Welcome to the awesome social Boom family!!!
Very cool! I hadn't noticed that Ann Romney was pinning on Pinterest. Will have to check out her boards! It's such a great platform. Thank you for the discussion on using it effectively.
I love coming here….I get to add onto my list of things to do
Great post on Pinterest and I have shared and bookmarked!
This is fascinating to me; I missed seeing that on Pinterest somehow. I love the fact though that even politicians are using Pinterest. I love it
This is fascinating to me; I missed seeing that on Pinterest somehow. I love the fact though that even politicians are using Pinterest. I love it
It's exciting that everyone's pinning including candidates wives … wonder if any of the now 19 women Senators pin?
it really is !!!
Amazing the power of social media and how people are at the forefront as new tools come out. Thanks for sharing.
I love it and what it gives us!
Oh I have to devote more time to Pinterest! It is that one platform that I forget to spend time on. Thanks for the reminder!
It really has some SEO punch to it as well !
You have convinced me! I must take Pinterest more seriously!! Thanks!!
Wow – there's so much here — I keep telling myself I need to get going on Pinterest – but it really seems now IS the time… hopefully I do it! Thanks for the great post.
You do Lisa! You will gain SEO value from Pinterest as well as enjoy what you find there!
Thanks for sharing this interesting example of how Mrs. Romney used Pinterest. Great takeaways for our blogs and businesses.
Thanks Cathy, I really found it inspiring and fun fact to play with.
How interesting that Mrs. Romney uses pinterest…opens my eyes to other ways it can be a marketing too.
Thanks for posting this, Liz!
Thanks Meryl.. i love to play with it too!
I just learned something new! I had no idea that Mrs. Romney was on Pinterest. Seems like people are finally catching on to this social media thing;)
Elizabeth, if you keep reporting on unusual and intriguing uses for Pinterest, I might actually be forced to get involved! Thanks for tweaking me!
I think it's great they are using Pinterest because it is passive and not invasive like ads on facebook or twitter. I didn't even know she was using Pinterest, and neither did anyone in my network.
Isn’t it insane that we can follow political figures on Pinterest !
Isn’t it insane that we can follow political figures on Pinterest !
Never thought of the politicians using Pinterest! :)
me either. I never thought we would see the day when they would be using social media period!
Ok, Elizabeth, NOW Pinterest has my attention! thanks
If you have any kind of Business it need to have your attention.
This has given me food for thought about the influence of Pinterest. I can't imagine it catching on with the politicians in Ireland or UK. Perhaps the Queen though?!
lol maybe so!
It's amazing how much influence social media has on so many things, isn't it? This is a great post and I will have to check and see if any of our politicians here in Canada are using Pinterest, as well!
I just was wowed about it! They are using Facebook and Twitter so why not?
I had no idea she was using Pinterest, but it is a great way she has learned to market the things she believes in and stands for. Pictures are a powerful tool to create images in one's mind and it seems she has learned just how to make ot work. Great post.
Thanks Barbara! It really has!
Interesting. Although I have to add I could care less about following her on Pinterest. That's where the marketing comes in! LOL I'm sure her base loved it
I think it’s amazing that mainstream political figures are using social media!
WOW! I didn't know that they were using Pinterest! Mind you, now that you've mentioned it, it does make sense! Thanks, Elizabeth! Great article!
Thanks Alexandra! It’s that fun that the President and other political figures are using social media.