Thursday Press #122: is this creepy or cool?
[7 MAR 2024] using my powers for good
I should've known something was wrong when I was able to send my friend a screenshot of her voting record and full government name within 2 minutes. (I needed it to commit to the bit, obvi)
Or maybe it should've been when I found out where an influencer lived by scouring the pages of “recently sold” homes in the town they just moved to on Realtor.com.
It almost certainly should’ve clicked when I tracked down the filming location of my favorite childhood show based on the background of a village street from a vlog the cast posted on YouTube.
Some say it’s FBI agent behavior, some say it’s creepy…
I say I’m just really good at research.
I LOVE a good Google rabbit hole and sharing “fun facts,” regardless of if it's actually fun or not.
Want a surefire conversation stopper?
Mention that the ancient Egyptians used crochet hook-like implements to remove the brains of the deceased during the mummification process.
We were talking about creative hobbies and crocheting, so… natural transition, right?
Whether you want to call it creepy or cool, as long as I'm using my powers for good, I can feel better about it.
Because there's one thing I believe with every cell of my speed-Googling thumbs… you shouldn’t have to pay for what you could learn from a simple Google search.
Annnnddd, at the same time, I know not everyone is ready or willing to plumb the depths of the internet to find the answer to one basic question.
I know ~content~ is supposed to be moving away from information your audience could find on Google, but I’d rather share it with you than you have to pay for it.
Because that would TRULY be a waste of everyone’s time.
When it comes to Pinterest education (which I’m assuming you're into because hi, you’re here), there’s the good, the bad, and the basic.
I've talked plenty about outdated Pinterest advice and Pinterest mistakes you should avoid, but I don't think there's been enough attention given to the most insidious of them all — the basic.
The basic Pinterest education isn't necessarily bad (hence why it's not "the bad"), but it's generic and, well — basic.
And you deserve better.
It's launch szn for one of the most popular and highly advertised Pinterest courses on the market, and while the info in it isn't bad, the private reviews are telling...
So you could take that course and get your intro to Pinterest moment over with, or you could keep reading this email to get the same info, for free.
Before you “x” out because who the hell has the time to consume an entire course's worth of info in a single email, you should know — this isn't that.
That's what the blog post is for.
But I am going to answer a few of the top, burning, most foundational questions as a little appetizer, because if we're going over the basics, I'm not going to skip a step!
Here's what's coming up below the fold:
What is Pinterest marketing (and what the heck is Pinterest, actually?)
How does Pinterest work for businesses?
Why should you use Pinterest for your business (or should you skip it?)
All the Pinterest Marketing Basics You Need to Know
So, what is Pinterest marketing?
Pinterest marketing is exactly what it sounds like — it's using Pinterest to market your business.
Primarily, Pinterest marketing is a top-of-funnel marketing platform.
It's what businesses use to build brand awareness, attract new audiences, and begin generating leads.
It's less focused on closing sales and building relationships and more focused on reaching new people and bringing them into your marketing funnel.
Whoa whoa whoa… let’s take a few steps back, actually. I don’t want to assume anything (because you know what they say about assuming…)
What is Pinterest?
Don't you dare roll ur eyes, dude.
I did say basics, and understanding the purpose of Pinterest is the first step to knowing how to use it effectively.
Pinterest is a “visual discovery engine for finding ideas.”
You can search for inspiration, browse topics, and save things you love to categories within your Pinterest account called boards.
The primary content vehicle on Pinterest is called “pins” and they can be an image, video, or product.
Pinterest is all about ideas and brands itself as the “positive social media platform.”
But what does that mean for marketing my business on Pinterest?
Pinterest works for businesses by giving them another channel to reach new audiences.
Pinterest is also a great traffic-driver for online businesses, as clicking on a pin to land on another website is the expected (and encouraged!!!) user interaction.
Pinterest pins are ways of promoting other things — blog posts, lead magnets, products, services, etc. You aren't just creating content for the sake of the platform.
That's why every pin you create should include a link back to your website.
Why is it worth my time?
I could tell you that Pinterest can “20x your traffic” and become your number one lead source.
Or I could tell you that because it's a search engine, you don't have to have a huge following to see success and get your content seen.
I could also tell you that Pinterest users browse with intent, which makes them more motivated buyers.
But if we're talking time? The most important part by far is that your Pinterest content lasts forever.
Each pin has the potential to drive traffic, leads, and sales for weeks, months, and even years after it was first published.
Plus, you don't have to worry about ~engaging~ or ~showing up~ on camera every day. An introvert's paradise!!!
So everyone should be on Pinterest, right?
Kinda! Most businesses that have an online component can benefit from Pinterest marketing. That includes, but isn't limited to:
E-commerce businesses
Service providers (online and in-person)
Course creators
Digital product sellers
Bloggers, influencers, and content creators
When it comes to deciding whether or not *YOUR* business should be on Pinterest, that depends on your goals, your content, your marketing style, and your audience.
The only types of businesses I would caution away from Pinterest are brick-and-mortar shops that don't have a way of monetizing online.
It's harder to target specific locations on Pinterest than it is on Instagram or TikTok, so if you're trying to find a hyperlocal audience, Pinterest might not be the best place to invest your effort.
Everything Else You Need to Know About Pinterest
There you have it.
A Pinterest primer from yours truly that's approximately 20 minutes shorter than the average webinar (counting only the actual content, ofc) and 100% cheaper than any other Pinterest course.
Technically, I can't actually calculate the percentage on that because you can't divide by zero, but you get the point. This info's on the house 😎👉👉
If you're not into the sub-tweet email, sorry. 2024 is the year of discovering I'm a low key hater, but only when deserved. I'll be back next week with more actionable Pinterest tips and maybe even some positivity?! Spring cleaning & all, I guess…
But you don’t have to take me at my word.
If you want to do more research or try different things, please do! I fully believe that the best way to see Pinterest marketing success is by experimenting and testing different things.
As the tarot readers on my TikTok FYP always say — take what resonates, leave what doesn’t.
And if you are considering investing in any sort of Pinterest resource, whether that’s one of mine or someone else’s, do your research first. Make sure it’s right for you.
You can always send me a message on Instagram or via email and I’ll be the first to tell you my honest opinions, pinky promise and cross my heart.
UR BASIC BESTIE,
Sarah
P.S. Who has a hook up at Apple that can fast-track a pinky promise emoji??? This isn't a joke, it's a necessity. For reasons. Like fun.