As we’ve seen in recent years, there’s always something new happening in the world of social media. Whether Facebook is turning your world upside down with a new layout, Twitter is launching a new design, or you’re told Google+ is more of a necessity for your practice than an option, these days the impact of social media is constantly changing. Make way for yet another social network: Pinterest.
Pinterest was named one of Time Magazine’s “50 Best Websites of 2011,” and data from comScore shows that it’s the fastest growing site, hitting 10 million unique monthly viewers in record time.
So, exactly what is Pinterest?
Pinterest is a social photo-sharing site that allows people to create and share collections of images. Users create themed-based image boards, pinning pictures, videos, discussions or gifts by either uploading content themselves, or repinning something that has already been shared. Pins can be grouped into “boards,” which are sets of pins created on a given topic.
For example, some people have boards dedicated to “Health,” where users pin images of healthy foods, exercises or inspirational quotes. Or, some have boards dedicated to “Weddings & Events,” where they can organize dresses, flowers, cakes and wedding themes that interest them.
Who’s on Pinterest?
According to AppData and Facebook, 97% of Pinterest users are women, with the majority of users being between the ages of 25 and 44. Users share images related to health and fitness, beauty and skincare, clothing, DIY crafts, interior design and much more!
Brands on Pinterest
Brands are also making their way to Pinterest to share pictures, videos and information based on the products and services they provide. To name a few, Whole Foods, HGTV and Mayo Clinic use images on Pinterest to interact with followers and drive traffic to their websites.
Benefits of Pinterest
So what makes Pinterest a useful social network? Here are a few advantages of Pinterest for the online presence of your practice:
• Increases site traffic-The more images from your website you “pin” on your boards, the more traffic your site will get from Pinterest. Remember, all pins from sites will link viewers directly to the original URL.
• Site Visibility and SEO– Pinterest’s growing popularity, with more and more users actively adding and sharing countless links each day, give the new social network great potential as an SEO and link building tool.
• Increases Brand Awareness– Just as having a Twitter, Facebook and Google+ page for your practice increases awareness of your “brand” on the Internet, Pinterest will do the same.
Using Pinterest for your practice
Connect the dots between the services and procedures you offer and Pinterest’s demographics and functionality. Stay tuned to Part Two for specific ideas on leveraging Pinterest in the healthcare industry.
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