Pinterest Marketing through Contests

Social media marketing is effective in product promotion. However, there is more to social media than just Facebook and Twitter. Pinterest marketing is an underappreciated option that can take your business to a whole new level. It makes it easier to pin your content and allow users to share by re-pinning or clicking on the content to learn more on your website. You can also pin and share other users’ content. Pinterest is usually ignored due to its overwhelming UI, but it definitely a great tool for contests.

Why use Pinterest for marketing?

Pinterest is a social media site that makes it easy to share content and drive traffic to your website. Although the user base is not as large as that on leading social media sites like LinkedIn and Facebook, studies show that Pinterest generates remarkable results when it comes to traffic generation.

Here are some of the ways you can use Pinterest marketing:

Pin original content and re-pin other users’ content. On Pinterest, 80% of pins are re-pins of other people’s content. This leads to scarcity of original content. To become the brand that everyone is talking about, Pin original content.
Pin for a target audience. People will only share and click the pins they want. Therefore, to achieve higher brand visibility, apply the ‘target audience’ mindset when pinning and repining content.
Use pins to give a sneak peak. Followers want to know what usually goes on behind the scenes. You can create a pin of your employees working in the office or attending events. Pins of your products and services production and planning stages are also great. Such pins will give a human touch to your business. With this strategy in Pinterest marketing, you can get more followers and more appreciation from your audience.
Use Pinterest as a gateway to your website and other social media sites. Interlink your social media pages. This will help amplify your campaigns.

For a more detailed explanation read this article on Soldsie

Pinterest works for what kind of businesses?

Pinterest covers almost every topic. Every kind of business can benefit from Pinterest marketing. All in all, the platform is perfect for businesses with highly visual components such as restaurants, jewelry designers and fashion retailers. Here are all categories on pinterest as shared on Agorapulse.com

Categories on Pinterest

How contests are useful in Pinterest marketing

Contests generate a lot of engagement. This is because they make use of the nature of general Pinterest use. When it comes to social media contests, no platform offers a fair ground than Pinterest. Unlike other platforms such as Facebook, Pinterest is less strict. While browsing through a few articles I came across this article on HubSpot Here are two interesting Pinterest contests by popular companies:

ModCloth

ModCloth launched a contest (Something ModCloth, Something You) where they asked their pinners to create pinboard to inspire ModCloth’s spring 2012 wedding campaign. The winner would get $100 ModCloth gift certificate. The contest worked because it engaged audiences that were already planning their wedding. The use of #modcloth and #wedding hashtags further promoted the brand.

Homes

This is a website for searching homes. They partnered with a blogger to launch a ‘spring into the Dream’ Pinterest contest in 2012. Bloggers were asked to create posts and Pinterest board giving details on the ‘spring into the Dream’. The contest worked because it engaged readers on the blogs and allowed readers to participate in the contest to win a prize. Participants were required to re-pin at least two items from the Homes pinboard. The contest led to increased traffic.

Pinterest marketing represents a huge business opportunity. Just like all other social media platforms, you have to be active. Good luck!