The Ultimate Pinterest For Business Checklist, Part I

It's no secret that Pinterest is one of the most popular social media websites in the world. In this two part series, we'll share tips on how you can maximize the power of this social media powerhouse for your business. Today's post includes a handy Pinterest checklist to keep everything in order.    

Create a recognizable profile image

This can be your logo, a branded avatar, or a headshot. Whichever you feel best conveys your brand to your right people. It'll show up on everything you pin, and thus will be seen a lot around the Pin-o-sphere. It should be clear, unique, and recognizable.   

Make it easy to find

Don't use special characters in your Pinterest username. Not only do they make it more difficult to find you, they don't translate well in the URL. It may also confuse customers, leaving them wondering if they're in the right place. Using misspellings can also make it difficult for people to find you. Unless your business name is known for having an unusual spelling, try to keep the spelling standard.   

Write a good about/bio section complete with keywords

Create something complete, catchy, and likable. Pinterest allows only 160 characters here, so efficiency is paramount. In your professional bio, you'll want to use your actual business name, not your personal name, unless that also happens to be your business name. Don't forget to add your URL to your profile.   

Add your social media links

If people like what they see on your boards, they'll want to know where else you hang out online. Make yourself easy to find by sharing direct links to your other online stomping grounds.   

Add your location

Sharing your city and/or state on your profile adds a bit of a personal touch. It's nice to let people know 'where you're coming from'. You may find common interests with people geographically nearby or even potential clients or people to network with.   

Verify your website

There are three great reasons to confirm your website on Pinterest: 1. You're letting pinners know that they've reached your 'official' Pinterest business account. 2. It adds a profile image to pins that come directly from your site. 3. It gets you access to your site's Pinterest analytics. It's pretty easy to do and the benefits are invaluable. Here's how.     

Make it personal

Businesses sell solutions, not products. That's why it's so important to make an emotional connection with customers. The best pins focus their content on the lifestyle benefits versus the actual product itself. This, in turn, makes the customer identify with the pin and share it because they believe in it.   

Picture This

On the Pinterest visual playground, imagery is everything. When it comes to choosing pictures for your pins, here's what you need to know: 

• Pinterest images that appear in the grid are 235 pixels wide.
• When they're expanded, they're 736 pixels wide.
• Your images should have an aspect ratio of 2:3 to 1:3.5, with a minimum of 600 pixels.

 To help, SproutSocial made a handy 'always up to date' social media image size guide, here. Just find Pinterest on the bottom tab and click to get the latest. Using a unique image will stop scrollers in their tracks. Lighter images with a clear focal point are fan favorites. Images that have  red or orange in them statistically do well, also.   

Write a great description

Pins with descriptions get pinned more often. Probably in part because they're more easily found because they contain keywords. No description=no keywords.  Plus, people want to know what they're looking at. Tell a quick story, give a brief 'how-to', or share a snippet. Offer something valuable in the description field. Make people want to share it.   

Create niche-centric boards

Off-topic, errant boards that don't seem to have any connection to your brand or message can seem out of place and confusing- not to mention distracting. Focus your boards on the things your right people want to (and expect to) see from you. You can always set up a second Pinterest account for your own, personal interests.   

Research trends and pin accordingly

People are always searching for something timely and relevant. Pinterest does us the favor of showcasing the hottest and latest pins in the aptly named category 'Popular'.   

Pin and be pinned

Don't just pin your own stuff. Not only does Pinterest frown upon it, we all do. It's sort of like dominating the conversation. Share and share alike.   

Be legit

One of the underlying fears of virtual sharing platforms like Pinterest is that people will pin your content without giving you proper credit. And with all of the bazillion pins out there, you’d probably never even know. Always credit photos & state the source. Adding the @ symbol in front of the name of the person you’re tagging will alert them that you’ve mentioned them. Not only is it flattering, it's the right thing to do (morally and legally). You should also click through to the actual website of the pin to ensure that not only does the link work, but that it's going where it's supposed to. (Spammers suck, but they're out there in droves.)   

Take advantage of Rich Pins

Rich Pins are Pins that include extra information right on the Pin itself. There are 6 types of Rich Pins: app, movie, recipe, article, product and place. This tutorial will help you enable them on your website or Shopify store.   

Pin client images

Sharing your client's images not only makes them feel appreciated and valued, it shows them that your business relationship is more than a 'one-way street'.   

Make it a convo

Make it a habit to not only comment, but to answer people back when they comment. Engaging conversations not only benefit you and your business, but others who happen upon the interaction. They may even want to chime in with their own two cents. Politely sidestep or ignore any rude comments designed incite anger. Unfortunately not even Pinterest is immune to 'trolls' looking to entertain themselves by riling people up. Remember how you behave represents your business. Take the high road and others will notice.   

Use hashtags

Hashtags act as a gathering mechanism to round up all pins with that same keyword. Used properly, they can help make things more searchable. It's a great idea to create unique hashtags for your business and for any promotions you're doing. *Side note: Use hashtags in your descriptions, but don't use them in your board titles.   Speaking of Boards...Check out PART II to find out how to get better performing boards and how to boost your marketing for a better Pinterest presence.  

What do you think... did I miss anything so far?