Pinterest is an incredible marketing tool for small businesses, but not every business is prepared for Pinterest! Now, when I say that, it doesn’t mean that your business isn’t “good enough” for Pinterest… or that Pinterest isn’t good enough for your business!
What I mean is that it may not be the best match for you at this moment. Smart business owners understand that every marketing platform is a little different. You need to be at a certain point in your business or brand’s marketing strategy to fully reach the platform’s potential.
Here are some questions you should ask yourself before you decide to commit to a Pinterest marketing strategy, and know if you’re prepared for Pinterest.
Do You Have A Website?
Having a website is key. You need to have a website to drive traffic to! Unless you’re being paid by Pinterest to create Idea Pins (some creators already are getting paid for it through the Creator Rewards Program, check my other videos) you really can’t make money without a website.
A website is where the sales and action happen. Your website is where people can get on your email list, read your blog, and buy your products. Pinterest is launching new shopping possibilities, but even with shoppable pins, you still will need to have a website with a shopping platform. I highly recommend having a website in order to be prepared for Pinterest.
RELATED: 4 Best Types of Blog to Post on Your Business Website
Do You Have Content?
You either need to have content or be willing to start creating it right away in order to be prepared for Pinterest.
Your website needs to be more than just a landing page. Remember, Pinterest is a visual search engine. People use it to find things to do, try, and buy, and content like blogs or videos that explain how your product works and can solve their problems is the kind of inspiration Pinners are looking for.
If you’re not sure where to start with content, start making blog posts. Blogs are an important part of this content. Blogs are a bridge for product-based businesses to reach their customers. It’s almost a necessary layer of outreach to help people understand why they should buy your product.
“Blogs are a bridge for product-based businesses to reach their customers. It’s almost a necessary layer of outreach to help people understand why they should buy your product.”
Short form and long form content are the perfect way to introduce your products and services in a non-salesy way. You’ll get more sales and conversions by sharing your products through a blog instead of just driving traffic to the product page itself.
RELATED: How Much Content Do You Need to Get Started on Pinterest?
Can You Do Video?
If you aren’t willing to do video, it will be hard to succeed on Pinterest these days. Pinterest are looking for inspiration and ideas, and users like to see and hear from the people behind the brands they come to love. This doesn’t have to be a super professional video production– reel or TikTok style videos you make on your phone work great!
You’ll miss out on so much if you don’t do video. Over a billion videos are viewed each day on Pinterest– it’s truly become a video platform. Short-form video is key content nowadays, and it needs to be part of your business strategy on Pinterest. Once you have video, you are very close to being prepared for Pinterest.
RELATED: How To Create Quality Video Content for Multiple Platforms
Do You Have A Budget?
Whether it’s time or money, you need to budget for Pinterest.
If you’re willing to spend the time, you can create and manage your Pinterest account and pinning strategy yourself. However, don’t be fooled by people who say that you can have a successful Pinterest strategy in one hour a week. Even as you streamline your process, you will need at least 2 to 3 hours a week to:
- create pin images
- schedule those pins
- make Idea pins (videos or carousels)
- check your account analytics
And note that this is just creating pins– your content creation is not part of this time.
If you don’t have the time, then you will need to budget some money for Pinterest marketing. Depending on the level of expertise and service that your Pinterest professional provides, you may be looking at a serious financial investment. The upside is that you won’t have to worry about spending time running the account and can focus on other elements of your business. Thus you’ll be more prepared for Pinterest.
Can You Be Patient?
Pinterest isn’t the type of platform where you skyrocket to overnight success. Slow and steady wins the race, with steadiness being key. If you’re relying on Pinterest to save your business through the miracle of going viral, it might not be the platform for you.
Your business and its success depend on you, but it doesn’t necessarily matter what platform you use for growth. Even if you’re hustling every day to promote yourself on Pinterest, there’s still a curve for growth within any platform. Pinterest’s success relies on riding that curve over time to cultivate and nurture an audience.
RELATED: 10 Reasons Why You Aren’t Viral on Pinterest Yet
Are You Ready To Be Consistent?
Even if you’ve answered yes to all the other questions, if you’re not ready to be consistent, you’re probably not ready for it. You can’t just pin occasionally here and there– you need to treat pin creation as part of your overall marketing system. Even if you’ve created a business account, connected your website, and gotten verified as a merchant, you can’t stop there. You have to come in and nurture your audience through creating content that brings them value. Remember, they need to know you, like you, and trust you for optimal success!
If you’re not prepared for pin marketing yet, that’s ok! Every business has to start somewhere, and every business is at a different stage in its marketing strategy. If you’re not prepared for Pinterest and you try to dive in too soon, you might find yourself frustrated or see setbacks. But if you are ready to get started, Pinterest is ready and waiting for your inspiration.
P.S – Ready to get started on Pinterest? My FREE Pinterest Starting Guide can help you get started in 15 minutes or less! Download it here.
P.P.S – If you want a more supportive Pinterest marketing approach without hiring an expert, and having direct access to a Pinterest expert, join my exclusive Pin Power Society membership here.
P.P.P.S – 21 Digital expert marketers have come together to create the super juicy Online Business Growth Bundle packed full of amazing training content. (This is an affiliate link and I do receive a commission for any sales made through my link)
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