todaysparent.com

Pinterest

Why I started using Pinterest

I saw people tweeting about it and was curious

I checked it out and fell in love with it immediately

What is Pinterest?

What is Pinterest?

Launched in March 2012 by three men

A virtual mood board: you create themed boards

If you see an image you like on a site/blog, you can “pin” it to one of your boards

A linkback is automatically created

You can also “repin” people’s pins. Repins = RTs

Add “pin it” button to your Bookmarks bar

Source: comScore Inc., May 2011

It’s like a visual RSS feed

Source: comScore Inc., May 2011

Pinterest’s reputation

Girly

Weddings, hair, makeup, fashion

“Tumblr for ladiez”?

Creative uses for Pinterest

Source: comScore Inc., May 2011

Mashable has a great list of 21 Must-Follow Pinterest Users

Emphasis on architecture, gadgets, graphic design, photography, etc.

Why people love Pinterest

EASY way to organize and bookmark content

Visual

Highly customizable experience: you can choose to follow specific boards rather than all of a user’s boards

Follow your interests

Source: comScore Inc., May 2011

This GeekMom article talks about the lack of drama and hubbub on Pinterest.

Why did we get on Pinterest?

We noticed other big lifestyle brands were on it: Real Simple, Martha

Popular hangout for women and especially moms

GROW

LEARN

Some stats about Pinterest users

54% of users are female

28% are between 28-34

Majority of users have disposable income

-from Compete.com, May 2011

How we use Pinterest

We currently have more than 1,200 followers

In January #3 traffic-driver for canadianparents.com, #11 for todaysparent.com

How we use it:

- We go on it at least twice a day

- Pin mixture of our own content and from other brands

- Follow users who make sense for our brand (Babble, mommy bloggers) and repin them

- Cross-promote on Facebook and Twitter

What we like about Pinterest

We have gorgeous photography in our magazine, and Pinterest allows those images to live forever online

We get to share our beautiful images with people who may not subscribe to the print magazine

How brands can use Pinterest

1. Create boards that represent the pillars of your brand

Cover a range of topics.

2. Repin other people’s pins.

Pinterest is not just for self-promotion. Be social!

3. Position yourself as a curator/tastemaker.

You are filtering the best of Pinterest for your audience.

4. Create unique boards.

We have fun boards like LOL, Retro, Smart Ideas.

5. Put Pinterest share buttons on your site.

nowtoronto.com did this with their 2011 Gift Guide.

Some downsides to Pinterest

1. The shelf life of a pin is very short (similar to tweets)

2. Pins are not always credited properly

How journalists can use Pinterest

5 ways journalists can use Pinterest

1. Share photos from breaking news

2. Give previews of what’s coming i.e. interview subjects

3. Showcase photo galleries, features, profiles

4. Show off your staff

5. Invite readers to participate (crowdsource)