When I first saw Pinterest I knew someday somebody would find a way to leverage this tool to drive traffic to what ever site they wanted.
That was several months ago, when I first saw my daughter scrolling through “girlie” type images. Now let me explain what I mean. My daughter 17 at the time, was “re-pining” images of wedding dressing and recipes. Cool apartment layouts and hip furniture. So before you get all uppity on my “girlie” remark…well now you know where I’m coming from.
And if you’ve been looking Pinterest you can understand what I’m talking about. This site was designed for women.
Or maybe it was the women who just understood it and started using it the most first. Either was you cannot argue this growing phenomenon is not going away. oh there are some out there who don’t get it and that’s ok. But at least now we have some sort of clue as to what it is.
Simply put Pinterest is a site where you can add photo’s and a brief explanation about the image. You’re probably thinking…Something similar to Flicker. And you would be correct. images, social media, viral reposing. But where Flicker stopped (with limitations for the free account) Pinterest picked up the dropped ball and ran with it. This invitation only site has taken social media by storm.
Pinterest By The Numbers
Following a recent report in Agbeat.com it’s stated that Pinterest traffic is out pacing Twitter and Facebook in their early days. However most people understand web 2.0 sites and how to engage them faster than before.
What is most interesting is now some are claiming that the average time spent on Pinterest rivals that of Youtube. Certainly it’s worth noting right. Speaking of Youtube I’ve found that you can upload videos to Pinterest as well. Hmm…can you say “send more viral traffic please?”
Want to get your mind blown with even more Pinterest Stats… check out that board! just don;t get to lost in their just yet.
Ok before I let you in on a little something fun I created for bloggers I should give you brief run down of the terminology.
Pinterest Terminology
- Pin – An image that you can upload. Pretty simple. However Pinterest does have Terms and Conditions you might want get familiar with. Basically you should have the right or permission to pin something. Yawn…legal stuff!
- Board – think of a cork board your mom used to have. Yeah you get the idea. Lets take it one little step further. You can create a board for each of the different things you like to pin. they are your categories for all your images…er sorry, pins.
- Re-Pin – Just like sharing a status on Facebook you can “re-pin” a pin on Pinterest. Tread lightly around the terms and you’ll be fine.
- Like – You know this one right? Facebook…
- Comment – Another simple concept. You can leave a comment on someone else’s pi or on your own. Engage with others it’s socially acceptable.
Now for the good stuff…
Pinterest Perpetual Blog Roll
Pinterest Blog Roll with comments equals more visibility!
Now lets get to why we’re here. Recently I was taking a closer look at Pinterest. While watching the explosion of this popular site I starting to see how I could leverage Pinterest for my own traffic.
Side note – If you have been following me for any length of time you know that when I find something good I give it away first and then it comes back to me…usually 5-10 fold. Similar to the secret comment group or my Empowered Tribe syndication group on Facebook.
So what do we do about this Pinterest thing that is exploding all around us?
Glad you asked…
We create a Pinterest Perpetual Blog Roll! Doesn’t that just roll off the tongue?!
Let me lay out the simple concept…
First You need to understand the law of reciprocity. You do for others what you want done for you. Got that? Good…
Second you need to understand the leverage model of syndication. Sharing each others content is similar to “re-pinning” each others blogs.
Now here’s where the fun comes in. You send me your blog and picture and a simple bio of your blog and I pin it to my Blog Roll board.
Then I promote YOU BLOG to my list! When you see the emails I send you, you re-pin the blogs to your board. Yeah…this is high interaction but very easy to do. I do most of the work setting up the blogs for US to promote.
It’s a win win win win or a 4 way win….how ever you want to look at it. Here’s what I mean.
- See when you send me your image to pin we mutually agree to Pinterest TOC’s.
- When I upload your pin to my board I’m paying it forward to you.
- When you re-pin the pin on your board that you create you’re paying it forward to someone else.
- When I promote YOU BLOG to my list YOU are getting more visibility.
Now if you got all that and want to play then here’s what we need to do next.
Don't be shocked when you see emails like this...5-10 people re-pinning your blog!
Go to Pinterest Blog Roll and watch the quick video. Sign up and let the re-pinning begin! Oh and if you need an invite shoot me a message…after you have joined.
Ken Pickard
The Network Dad
P.S. Leave a comment for the community if you are using Pinterest to drive traffic or if you have joined the Pinterest Blog Roll. And if you have a favorite blog you wish to promote share this with them. Together we can leverage Pinterest and create that 4 way win!
I started “pinning” this month, and I feel it’s dangerous…. for it start to drive traffic, as I did not especially pin on purpose for that! and plus, I’m addicted with only one sip of it…..
well It’s a good exercise for discipline, discip-pin…. and it’s healthy!
Brigitte Charlon recently posted..Network Marketing Business: 5 Keys To Get Sign-ups
Brigitte,
This is looking good for all of us and yes it’s fun and a little dangerous. Dangerous as in addicting! But I’m looking to you to hold me accountable. hahaha…
Ken
What a surprise to find my mug in your Pinterest post. Nice Ken, thanks!
I’ve been repinning the blogs and I’m now seeing Pinterest on my list of traffic sources. It’s right now in the #14 spot but I have a feeling it will be moving up soon. People are finding my information and they’re curious to see what I offer and from there it’s up to me to entice them to stick around.
So we have you to thank for that Ken. I love it when you get something in your head to try and give the rest of us an opportunity to get on board. I say that everyone should definitely take you up on your offer.
Great job Ken and thank you so much.
~Adrienne
Adrienne recently posted..How I Finally Stopped Failing In Network Marketing
Thanks Adrienne for the comment and compliment.
Yes it’s a passion to true and turn a need into an opportunity for others. I know it comes back to me so I don’t have to worry about it. the time and effort is well worth the cause.
The day will come when there are hundreds of blogs re-pinning each other and everyone will get the benefits.
But like you said it’s up to you to entice the reader to stick around. The same rules apply from all traffic sources. And they are not all the same. Search engine and personal referral will still be tops. But lets see where this new source of traffic takes us.
I appreciate you stopping by.
Ken
Great tribe opportunity, Ken. So glad to be apart of it. (Thanks for showing my name in your blog post:)
Bonnie Chomica recently posted..How To Create Your Customer Avatar
Bonnie,
You got a little extra exposure there huh?! You’re welcome. And that’s not even the biggest email I’ve received from Pinterest. This is getting good to say the least. Thanks for playing along.
Ken
Hey Ken. I had no interest in Pinterest until you introduced it to me. I’m a long time follower of your blog and a faithful triber. When you came up with the idea of a blogroll, I just jumped right in. Why? Because I trust your judgement. You were playing with Pinterest and came up with a great idea.
Since I’ve been on it, I have made so many new friends. Yes…a lot from those girly things like my shoe board, but the they got interested in me and “followed” me. From there, it was Facebook and then to my blog.
I use the same principles we use on the Empowered Tribe. Reciprocity! When a person comes to one of my boards to follow me, I immediately follow them back. Then go to one of their boards, see what I like “like” it and comment and sometimes repin it.
It has the same concept as we do and is working well.
I thank you for starting this blogroll because those who are in it are under “blogs I follow” and I’m sure that if someone likes my shoes, they will hunt around to the blogs too.
Thank You Ken!
Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted..The Art of Active Listening
Donna,
You are right on the money!
It’s the exact same concepts we been sharing for a long time now. Reciprocity, connections and building relationships. it’s the long term vision not the short term gain. Although you can be quick about and with a little effort for the next blog partner, customer or business partner.
The traffic ad conversion issues show that Pinterest may not be yielding the best traffic as say search engine. I think that’s becasue the bigger sites are only looking for the large automated process and have yet to figure how to leverage the traffic.
Blogs or smaller sites or social media peeps like us get it. It’s in the relationships. I love this game!
Ken
Hi Ken,
This is such a great idea and very, very nice of you indeed. I love your pinterest blog roll. I have to you over there right now and repin each blog.
Sylviane Nuccio recently posted..What Is Showing About You On Google?
Sylviane,
Thanks for playing along with us. It’s starting to take hold that’s for sure. The emails of several people re-pinning are pretty fun to get and read to see who’s active. Pinterest is hot right now. We might as well take advantage of it!
Ken
I totally joined! Been getting your emails, too, which is always fun plus I get to check out all these cool new blogs. I think I need a clone just to keep up with all this great reading!
Carol Lynn recently posted..Stop Listening To Chris Brogan, Get Off Twitter, Play Dumb, And Other Smart Marketing Advice
Thanks Carol,
Can you imagine when there are hundreds of bloggers re-pinning each other. How cool would that be to have them delivered right to you. I love this stuff. It does take a bit to set up but to me it’s a passion and well worth it. Thanks for joining.
Ken
I love being a part of the Pinterest Blog Roll. As a blogger it is really cool to meet other bloggers and connect with them in this way. Syndication is an important part of being a blogger and when you can connect with like minded folks and create a tribe, it gets to be even more fun. Thanks for putting this together Ken!
VaNessa Duplessie recently posted..7 Day Coaching email series now available
VaNessa,
Thanks for stopping by and playing with our new toy. The blog roll seems to be a hit so far. I’ve received several emails and notices about it. And it’s just getting started. I have a vision to get over 500 blogs there. Can you imagine that many bloggers re-pinning that many other blogs?
Love this game!
Ken
Pinterest is a really great site! At first I loved it just to pin things and enjoy myself. I never thought of the social implications I guess that shows how creative my thoughts are. Then I started reading all these articles about Pinterest as a traffic driver.
Elena Anne recently posted..Insomnia and Nutrition
Elena,
Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. I’m always looking at new traffic sources but more importantly looking at them in a way I can bring mutual benefits to my fellow bloggers. Case in point of this post. Pinterest can get a little addicting at times, but since I have a purpose there it’s worth it.
Although I try not to spend to much time on just the fun stuff. What are some of your favorite boards?
ken
I read your blog post, and we are actually in agreement. You’re right-if you’re just pinning images to your boards that are hosted on other sites around the interwebz, well, that’s not going to do much good for your business, website, or blog. But if you’re pinning images to your boards that are hosted on your own site, then there is a much better chance people will follow the breadcrumb trail back to your site. Especially if that pin piques their interest, like it leads to a how-to or a recipe or a DIY or something like that.
Appliance Repair Arcadia recently posted..Viking ice machine by Marvel with drain valve. Tech Manual.
Sorry I didn’t get your name. Normally I would not approve a comment like this but I wanted to connect since you took the time to chime in. And your topic is well worth the discussion. Yes the pictures that are pinned on Pinterest are just to pique interest. Some recent studies suggest that the traffic is not as good as say from relevant search engines.
That could be because the images are not congruent to the page they are linking to. Or they are not attracting the right audience. The balance between tragic and conversions is always an issue when you’re looking to grow a presence online. This blog roll answers that issue. It’s for bloggers by bloggers. So the right people know up front what this is for.
The right people want to see other blogs in their niche. Hopefully this makes sense. Looks like it’s working so far. Are you seeing the same issues with other boards?
Ken
Oh my – I want to thank you for everything you have done on this Ken, but I still haven’t quite got there yet. As you know I have had a challenging couple of months and now playing catch up before I delve in here, I hope (in reading this) that I have not let anyone down yet! Looks like I need to get in there quick and start pinning!!
Next on the list of things to learn!
Nicky
Nicky recently posted..Setting Up a Blog is Easy When You Know How
Nicky,
No worries! There is always way to much to do. But what I really like about this is we can do this together. So far it’s been working pretty well. I’ve seen a ton of comments and re-pins. As well as heard that people are connecting and meeting new bloggers…which is the main reason after all. So anytime you’re ready…we’ll leave the light on!
Ken
I am still finding it hard to gel business and Pinterest together. What i really need to do i think it just register and see what it is really all about. Thank you for a great informative post.
Sarah recently posted..Oracle’s Latest JavaFX move: Too little, Too Late
Sarah,
Like any social media site the 80/20 rule applies. 80% give and only 20% take. So this blog roll is a better than perfect place to start. Everyone is sharing everyone elses blogs. Bloggers helping each other. Like a rising tide lifts all ships. Together we can find out what works and what doesn’t. Let me know if you need an invitation?
Ken
Hi Ken
I just found this post. I love that you did your board for the blogs. It is awesome.
When I first saw Pinterest I did not get it (unlike your daughter). I am still learning.
Thanks again
Sue
Sue Price recently posted..Success in MLM
Sue,
Thanks for the comments and the participation in the blog roll. The cool thing is that this is for bloggers by bloggers. So it should help scew the traffic and conversions to our favor. The main thing is we’re trying this together.
Ken
Hello ken, I’m back and I brought good and bad news about pinterest. The bad news is “in my part pinterest really not work for me and I think not all business get a great promotion doing it. The good news is I keep doing it for some reason.
Farrel recently posted..Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Quad
thank you for sharing this post full of useful information i am sure this will help a lot of people and i am one of them, i am still learning about pinterest. Great post i really enjoyed learning more.
Andrew recently posted..Phone Scam Targets South African Users
It really is no wonder why women are dominating pinterest. Pinterest is a great tool for organization and details which is what women are good at. I have just recently joined pinterest but haven’t really started putting it into good use. Your post just reminded to start on it now.
Reese recently posted..American Express Business Gold Card Review
This article was very enlightening. I started using Pinterest myself and now I’m hooked! I even created a blog to share my pictures. If you havae time it’s called Pinteresting Pics:
pinterestingpics.weebly.com
Stacy L recently posted..Would you live here?
Stacy,
I love it. Thanks for sharing. It’s amazing what we can do online now a days to help spread our messages and passions. Have you seen much interaction between Pinterest and your new site?
ken
Although we did not use any other social media network but pinterest is slowly but surly making its way in our life’s.
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Moshin,
Thank you for your comment. The traffic from Pinterest may not be the best but it is worth noting and trying to see what can be done. You’re more than welcome to join our blog roll.
Ken