There's a lot of free or inexpensive social media and marketing tools available for authors to work into their marketing plans. One such site that's generating a lot of interest is Pinterest.
I'm new to Pinterest myself, still learning my way around, but I have to admit, its fun. I like looking at the different pictures as they inspire ideas and stories. I like the idea of sharing my likes with other authors and readers. I also find that its a great way to connect with others. Pinterest drives traffic as well, not only to your Pinterest account but to other sites, your website, Faceback, Linkedin and other places you're on.
And, ultimately, isn't that what social media is about – making connections? As an author, Pinterest is another tool to connect with others.
Just a little about Pinterest: the site launched in March 2010 in a closed format. After 9 months it had 10,000 users. Pinterest went viral in 2011, but the way to join is to receive an invitation from a friend who is already registered. You can also create an account by liking it to your Facebook or Twitter.
The goal of Pinterest is to connect people through "things" they find interesting. They do this by "pinning" pictures. You upload a pin (picture) or you can use a "pin it" button added to your bookmark bar or your web browser. I don't quite understand how to do that yet, so if anyone can explain it, I'd appreciate that. I just upload my pictures.
Once you pin a picture, people can either 're-pin it,' 'like it,' or 'comment' on it. Therein lies the fun. And the more you do, the more others will do it to you, thus driving the traffic to your site. I've had a good response to my Pinterest board and I haven't been on the site long, maybe about 2 months. My goal is to spend about 5-10 minutes a day on Pinterest. I figure a little goes a long way.
Interesting Notes about Pinterest:
There's also an app! You can find a Pinterest app for the Iphone.
Who's got a Pinboard? Ann Romney and Michelle Obama!
83% of users in the US are women.
In Feb 2012, Pinterest reported 11.7 million users.
Anyone else have a Pinterest board? What do you like about it? Dislike? Do you think it's a unique social network? If you have a board, leave your name or your link and I'll follow you! Feel free to follow me on Pinterest as well.
Love to hear your thoughts, comments, and feedback about Pinterest.
Stephanie Burkhart was born and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire. She spent 11 years in the US Army as an MP and now works for LAPD as a 911 dispatcher. Her 4RV Books include "The Giving Meadow" and "First Flag of New Hampshire." Her son, Joe's, favorite 4RV Books include: "Spider in my Mailbox," "Angeline Jellybean." Her son, Andrew's, favorite 4RV Books include: "Angeline Jellybean," and "The Marshmallow Man."
FIND ME ON THE WEB AT:
WEBSITE:
http://www.stephanieburkhart.com
TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart
FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBurkhartAuthor
GOOD READS:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart
YOU TUBE CHANNEL:
http://www.youtube.com/user/botrina?feature=mhee
PINTEREST:
http://pinterest.com/sgburkhart/
Nice article! I would like to share about my experience with pinterest:
ReplyDeleteI've used pinterest to optimize my site's ranking and it jumped from #112 to #5 within 2 weeks.
I found that the seller named "pinterest", which ranked first when you search "pinterest" at Fiverr, has produced the best results on my websites. The seller pins my site with 75 different people, not sure how he did this, but it has improve my SERP's ranking. I've tried 5 other sellers who offer pinterest gigs on Fiverr but they can't improve my site's ranking. I don't know why.
Benefits of pinterest for seo:
- Google loves social media signal.
- Links and images from pinterest are dofollow!
- Each pin is considered as 3 inbound links.
Thanks for sharing - and congrats on the jump in rank. Pinterest is social media fun. I don't think I have a Pinterest link on my website, but I'll have to get one. I appreciate you stopping and sharing the benefits you've received from the site.
DeleteSmiles
Steph
I adore Pinterest. Too much :-) How do you limit yourself to a few minutes each day?
DeleteResponding to Anonymous, I have a Pinterest link on my homepage, but I've told Pinterest not to share with search engines. I probably should. Don't know why I didn't
Virginia is a 'widget' you use or do you just use the URL?
DeleteSteph
I am so computer-challenged that I don't do well with these things, but Pinterest sounds interesting. I do know how to post a photograph, though.
ReplyDeleteAnn, I find it easy to upload a 'pin' from my computer, but I haven't figured out how to book mark yet. I have to admit, some of the pictures I've found are gorgeous!
DeleteSmiles
Steph
I haven't found Pinterest to be helpful, but more time consuming with no noticeable results. I'm not interested in following people who have pinned nude or nearly nude people, who fill up their page with as many meaningless items as possible, and who often have nothing but junk.
ReplyDeleteI do try to have all the 4RV books pinned, our authors, our illustrators, and our editors, but most don't have websites with any pictures so that I can add them to the lists. Hey, I can't even get them to send me a short bio and photo for our website.
I'm glad some people have benefited from Pineterest.
Vivian, yeah, you have to watch out for the 'meaningless items.' I think it would be very helpful if we could all 'pin' our covers. I'm going to have to work a bit harder on that, I think.
DeleteSteph
Dear Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteThanks for telling us a little about Pinterest. It's fun to experiment with the new ways of communicating and finding similarities with others.
Celebrate you today.
Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards
Joan, I find you have to spend some time to get to know it, but once you do, it's very enjoyable. I'd consider myself a Pinterest beginner, but I think once I get to know it better and master it, it will be a very effective promo tool.
DeleteSteph
I haven't gotten into it, yet...but I probably will. Thanks for the additional information--I can always use advice and help! Best to you.
ReplyDeleteCelia,
DeleteYou're welcome. Give it a shot. There's nothing more visually simulating than a picture, I believe. Heck, Jimmy Thomas covers definately inspire, but it is time consuming in a way as you begin so budget your time wisely.
Steph
Hey Steph! I got on Pinterest back last August when the nurses I work with were all going crazy on it. At first I just posted books I'd recently read and things I liked, especially the "eye candy" board. Then I started thinking of ways to market my writing without making myself obnoxious. My friend, Vicky Dreiling was using Pinterest to build a "virtual" regency world. I thought....Hmmm...maybe I should make "story boards" for each of my books. Right now I have one for the two published books, and one for a soon to be published book. And of course the cover for each board is the Amazon link image for that book! :)
ReplyDeleteSuzanne, I LOVE the idea for a virtual storyboard world. What a great idea.
DeleteSteph
Hi Steph,
ReplyDeleteI released my first romance novel last month. Pinterest is on my marketing to-do list. In my mind I keep thinking "one more site to keep up with." But, I know I need to do it for the promo of my book. It's good to know its worked for you and others.
Thanks for the article!
Sophie, yes, I totally understand because there times I fell that way myself. I've got a ton to do and Pinterest is another site, but I think it's proven to be very effective once you master it. It might help to organize a daily plan and then follow it. 5 mins on Twitter, 5 mins on FB, 5 minues on Yahoo Groups, 5 on Pinterest, etc and that might keep you "active' with your marketing and give you time to write. You can play with the 5 minutes mind you. Just a suggestion, nothing more.
DeleteSteph
I'm in the same boat as Celia: Pintrest is Virgin territory for me. I'm too snowed under to take up a new thing right now, but I've earmarked you as my pintrest "expert" to bug when I get going on this. Appreciate the info very much. Maggie
ReplyDeletehttp://mudpiesandmagnolias.blogspot.com/
Maggie, LOL!! No, I'm just a beginner. I get the basic, I think. Loraine, LK Hunsaker, I would say would be a good person to go. I think she understands it much better than I.
DeleteSteph
Steph, great topic. I've been on Pinterest for several months and agree with Vivian. I haven't seen any benefit from it and you really have to be careful not to randomly FOLLOW or PIN things. Some people have some racy, if not obscene stuff on there.
ReplyDeleteHEY! If you want to pin the cover of your 4RV book on Pinterest, use the URL for the book on the 4RV Bookstore site. That way orders will come through the company, meaning a bit more royalty for you.
ReplyDeleteI believe I have all the 4RV covers on my Pinterest board for 4RV Books and Authors: http://pinterest.com/vivianzabel/books-and-authors/
Hi Steph,
ReplyDeleteI just start on Pinterest. Unfortunately, I don't have much to put on it yet.
Pinterest is another social media tool that can be helpful in carrying out a businessman’s marketing plans. Since it aims to connect people with same interests in different parts of the world, a businessman can easily focus on his target market. All he needs to do is to pin a picture of his product or service that can satisfy the interests of his target market. Once he pins it, other people can re-pin it again, and make a comment on it. By doing this, he creates connections with various people who patronize his products and services.
ReplyDeleteBy having 11.7 million users in February 2012, Pinterest can be a great marketing tool that can help the modern businessman in marketing his products and services. Since it uses pictures based on the same line of interest of the people, it can easily capture the attention of social media users. It can also draw active participation from social media users by re-pining it. A businessman will just identify the prevailing interest of the market, come up with a product and post pictures of it. All the businessman needs to do, is use his creativity in coming up with a visually engaging photo that can lead customers to his website, and convince the people to buy his products.
ReplyDelete