Pinterest Can Help You Write

I recently took the plunge and started using Pinterest. I kept hearing great things about it, but I have to admit, like the less than 20% male demographic that use the platform, I wasn’t that sure. As a marketing strategist I decided to explore this in order have some intelligence to share with our authors. However, after exploring it myself I must say, it’s pretty cool! Here’s an few things I’ve discovered so far.

Pinterest Social Media Logo

Pinterest is primarily a photo sharing website that allows users participates to create visual collections centered around specific categories, called pinboards.
Users can browse pinboards for inspiration and share these on other social networking platforms. In 2011, Pinterest became one of the top largest social networking websites with 11 million visits per week.
As a user of Pinterest you can upload, save, categories, manage and share your images and visual content.
While its revenue potential is yet to be seen, even by Pinterest’s founders, it has already begun to be used in creative marketing. Authors are no exception.

Here, are a few ways to use Pinterest specifically for authors:
#1: Make images out of your content

Create charts, graphs, and info-graphics based on the content of your books. Have these professional done so they are attractive and easy to read. Consider how these can be poignant, resourceful, or even humorous. Make your images remarkable so others will want to share them.
#2: Use videos connect with your topics

Did you know that you can pin more than just static images? If you have author interviews, trailers, or other video content, pin these to your boards.
#3: Pin book quotes.

Check out www.pinaquote.com as a resource to pinning quotes from your books.

Pinterest: Pin a Quote Tool
#4: Invite Guests

Create a guest pinner board and invite your readers to post images related to your topic. This spurs your readers to connect and share.
#5: Create boards related to your topics and subcategories

If you’re a fiction author create pinner boards related to elements from your story. Create or find images to pin based on your story research, setting, costuming, etc. Non-fiction authors can pin information or details connecting with the content. Try to expand on your book’s content to extend the reading experience online.
#6: Get personal

Your readers and audience want to get to know you more. Create pinboards devoted to your interests and personality.
#7: Connect socially

Be sure to use your Pinterest account to share images on your other social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.

Pinterest provides a fantastic way for authors to connect socially with potential readers and expand their platform reach. As with any social networking you should not use Pinterest solely for self-promotion. Instead, this as an opportunity to invite your friends to join in, follow other users, and provide visual content for the masses of users. Make sure your have a “Pin It” button clearly visible on your website or blog so that people can share content from your site.