1. 1/13/2014
7 smart ways marketers are using Pinterest to drive sales
7 smart ways marketers are using Pinterest to
drive sales
by Courtney Buchanan
Marketers are learning fast that Pinterest boosts business. The red-hot social media site generates on
average 78 cents in sales and two website visits every time a customer finds an image or video she likes on the
web and posts it on Pinterest for all users to see, according to research firm Piquora. Here are some smart
ways marketers are getting customers to “pin” their products:
1. Launch a Pinterest-inspired site
Knowing what customers are pinning is hugely valuable. Target used that knowledge to create a site, currently
in beta, that features its top-pinned products. The site, called Target Awesome Shop, also draws on reviews
http://www.responsys.com/blogs/nsm/social-media-2/7-smart-ways-marketers-using-pinterest-drive-sales/
1/6

2. 1/13/2014
7 smart ways marketers are using Pinterest to drive sales
in beta, that features its top-pinned products. The site, called Target Awesome Shop, also draws on reviews
from the Target website to ensure the top-trending items are also top-ranked, according to CNBC.
2. Share geographic information
Place Pins, which are interactive pins placed on a map, were designed with travelers in mind. Wedding Wire, for
one, uses them to tempt affianced couples with fairytale-like wedding destinations.
http://www.responsys.com/blogs/nsm/social-media-2/7-smart-ways-marketers-using-pinterest-drive-sales/
2/6

3. 1/13/2014
7 smart ways marketers are using Pinterest to drive sales
3. Innovate with board names
Whole Foods already has a leg up on promoting via Pinterest since “recipes” is the most popular word used in
Pinterest board names. But the grocery giant’s photos aren’t the only way its gained more than 160,000
followers. The secret? Naming boards that play on words. For example, “In Love with Love” features heartshaped foods and “How Does Your Garden Grow?” features gardening tips.
4. Alert followers of price changes
Etsy, an e-commerce website for everything homemade, caters to the customer by notifying Pinterest followers
when product prices changes. Customers love the extra service, and sellers are finding that it boosts
sales, according to Entrepreneur.
http://www.responsys.com/blogs/nsm/social-media-2/7-smart-ways-marketers-using-pinterest-drive-sales/
3/6

4. 1/13/2014
7 smart ways marketers are using Pinterest to drive sales
5. Focus on hobbies, not products
Clothing retailer L.L. Bean promotes activities, not its products, through boards with names like “Take Me
Fishing,” “National Parks” and “Outdoor Fun.” The payoff: L.L. Bean gains a better understanding of its
customers’ behaviors and preferences.
6. Be transparent
One reason Nordstrom has positive brand recognition and loyal followers on Pinterest? It makes smart use of
the site’s biography section to identify (and humanize) its social media team. The company also provides a
customer service phone number, according to Entrepreneur.
http://www.responsys.com/blogs/nsm/social-media-2/7-smart-ways-marketers-using-pinterest-drive-sales/
4/6

5. 1/13/2014
7 smart ways marketers are using Pinterest to drive sales
7. Make it a competition
Topshop gave customers a power incentive to pin pictures on its board. The fashion retailer held a competition in
which customers designed their own holiday-themed gift guides on Pinterest in exchange for store discounts,
according to The Guardian.
What are some other savvy ways retailers are using Pinterest to connect with customers?
Related Posts
http://www.responsys.com/blogs/nsm/social-media-2/7-smart-ways-marketers-using-pinterest-drive-sales/
5/6

6. 1/13/2014
7 smart ways marketers are using Pinterest to drive sales
This year’s best Cyber
4 ways to mix social
Monday marketing tactics media marketing with
content marketing
The new trendspotting:
Finding influencers to
boost social media
marketing
9
33
13
5
9
This entry was posted in Social Media Marketing on 01/07/2014 [http://www.responsys.com/blogs/nsm/socialmedia-2/7-smart-ways-marketers-using-pinterest-drive-sales/] and tagged Digital Marketing Strategy, Featured,
marketing best practices, Social Media Management, social media strategy .
About Courtney Buchanan
Courtney Buchanan is a writer for the New School Marketing blog, where she covers best practices for digital
marketers and trends in the marketing industry. Follow her on Twitter @BuchananCourt
View all posts by Courtney Buchanan →
http://www.responsys.com/blogs/nsm/social-media-2/7-smart-ways-marketers-using-pinterest-drive-sales/
6/6