If you are female or have a wife or browse the internet for more than 10 minutes a day then you’ve most likely heard the word Pinterest.
Statistics show that 80% of Pinterest users are female and between the ages of 25-54. Very similar to the average patient base in your practice.
Here are 7 easy-to-follow steps to setting up Pinterest for you and your site:
1. Request an invite. Surprisingly, Pinterest still operates on an invite-only registration. You can request an invite from Pinterest (which can take an undetermined amount of time) or simply request an invite from me. Once the invite is sent you now have access to create an account. It is important that you register with the email address you use for your business Twitter account. This allows you to share anything you “pin” directly to Twitter. At this time Pinterest doesn’t enable you to connect your account to your Facebook business page.
2. Once your account is activated you will want to optimize it under the settings tab which can be found under the top right drop-down menu. Use your company name for your username and complete the rest of the information including logo, location, description and links for connecting with you. Make sure and turn the “link to Twitter” on. While setting up your account it is a good idea to go ahead and download the “Pin it” button to your browser tool bar. This will come in handy later when you find information you’d like to pin. Go to the About drop-down menu and click Pin It Button. There you will find instructions on how to add it to various places.
3. Create “boards” to entice others to follow your pins. What is a board? Pinterest is a virtual pinboard. You can have a pin board for dessert recipes, bathroom design ideas, outdoor area tips, kids’ activities, etc. Each board will have its own theme. A few examples of boards you might start with would be healthy recipes, fitness at home, tips for proper posture, herbs, homeopathics or vaccine info.
4. Now that you have several boards set up you need to add some content. On Pinterest you can search for your board’s keyword. For example, healthy recipes. This will bring up thousands. You can go through them picking several to pin to your board. You can also use the internet or places you visit often for information to pin. Keep in mind that Pinterest is a visual. When you find information to pin make sure the page has a graphic because that is what you will be pinning.
5. You have boards with pins now it’s time to get followers. Use your other social network accounts and your blog to drive viewers to your Pinterest account. Most importantly, add a Pin It button to your blog. This is the best way to encourage your readers to pin your posts. On WordPress one plugin is Pinterest “Pin It” button or if you are already using a share plug-in like Share & Follow simply click to activate Pinterest. Engaging with other pins by leaving comments and following those you want to follow you back is a basic approach as well.
6. Having a Pinterest account now alters the way you do blog post. Every time you write think visual. A photo can quickly be edited using the free online site iPiccy. Always add your website name to all your photos. Another tip is to add text that tells what the article is about. For example, 3 Easy Ways to Improve Flexibility.
7. Don’t be afraid to tell your readers to pin your post. They’ll be happy to share the information you have. Once you get your account set up, pin this post 😉
DC Practice Tools is on Pinterest and can be found at http://pinterest.com/dcpracticetools