Pinterest the Key to Your Online Branding

By , on February 23rd, 2013

 Why Pinterest is Key to Your Online Branding Strategy 

By

Theodore “The Wisdom Man” Henderson

Best Selling Author, Certified Career & Business Adviser, Entrepreneur

 

PIN IT! (Theo’s Pinterest Boards)


Pinterest by most measurements is currently the fastest growing social media site as of 2012 and 2013. According to Alaska Litho e-news www.aklitho.com report, 2012 saw Pinterest rise sharply to become the fastest social media service to hit 10 million users. Nielsen’s 2012 review shows Pinterest had the highest growth rate of unique visitors (over 1000% on computers and over 4000% on the mobile web!), followed by Google+ in second place and Tumblr in third place.  Pinterest isn’t just about the United States it is a global site and the growth rate is phenomenal in other countries across five continents as well.

So what? Here’s why it is important.  If you are a business owner or entrepreneur who counts Pinterest among your social networking tools, or are at least thinking about adding it, here are some key facts.

  • The demographic is largely under 50 years old
  • Approximately 70% of the users are women
  • The average user is working or is a business owner
  • The average user has “disposable” income
  • The Average user has some amount of college education
  • You can create “boards” (mini sites) for any purpose.
  • Encourage “pins” (re posting of data)
  • You can have both business and personal accounts

A more thorough user breakdown is on the chart from Marketing Profs’ article “Social Network Demographics: Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook” by Lenna Garibian below which uses as its source Pew Center Research.

Graphic from www.marketingprofs.com

If you are asking yourself “Why is Pinterest relevant?” the answer is simple we are visual beings. Pinterest thrives on visual beauty, and the largest demographic participating are “power purchasers” who respond to this visual format.  For an entrepreneur or small business owner this gives you a commanding weapon to market and advertise with.  Before revisiting the facts mentioned above first let me remind you how Pinterest is used.

Pinterest is a social network that allows users to visually share, manage, and discover new interests by posting, also known as ‘pinning,’ images or videos to their own or others’ pinboards (i.e. mini sites or a collection of ‘pins,’ usually with a common theme). Users can either upload images from their computer or pin things they find on the web using the Pinterest bookmarklet, Pin It button, or just a URL.

The demographic is predominantly made up of women who are 50 years old and younger, and generally interested in topics such as food & cooking, pets, travel, fashion, arts & crafts, and other general lifestyle topics.  However they are also business people and workingwomen with business and career interests as well.  Your Pinterest boards when designed properly with visual information such as infographics and with an appropriate SEO strategy should reach this group and create followers.  Providing quality, targeted content will create customers from followers and visitors.

If you instead have a business that consults to businesses you can implement straight forward strategies, such as, if you have a blog or publication you can pin useful and timely infographics and statistics to your “boards” geared toward your audience(s) that have a specific call to action leading back to your business solution.  Create integrated Facebook posts, tweets, and other relevant mentions that drive traffic to your Pinterest page.  Encourage fans and followers to follow you and your company on Pinterest.  To track the effectiveness of your business, or campaign’s Pinterest account, use Google Analytics to identify the exact demographic and traffic flow to the newspaper’s articles.  Knowing your audience is essential to succeeding on Pinterest, and a tool like Google Analytics will be invaluable.

Everything sounds perfect?  You’re wondering why you haven’t done it already?  The truth is this is still a new platform for business.  Even though as marketers we want organic growth it will not happen quickly or without effort.  You will need to share and re-pin images related to your brand. A number of the interior designer and fashion boards that have implemented this business strategy now have thousands of users.  A small number have a million plus users but that number is growing.

Pinterest is habit forming. Time will fly by as you search for content, post content; communicate with other users, etc.  Don’t forget because it is a visual medium the stimulation factor is very high.  Part of what you are doing is demonstrating your commitment and passion to your product or service and that takes time.   Part of your strategy should be obvious, for example, do seasonal or special occasion pinning (you will easily tap into the feeling of the seasons), contest, lists, and tutorials are all examples of strategies which work well for sophisticated users just as they do on other social media platforms.

Even though the field is a bit thin now you will soon see dramatically more in the plugin API department as Pinterest continues its phenomenal growth

Lastly do not forget as an entrepreneur and small business owner you are in the marketing business and your primary purpose is to provide service and value not to just “sell ‘em something”.  Approach your Pinterest campaign in this way and you greatly increase your chances of success.

Periodically I do lectures and workshops on this and other Social Media, career, and business topics.  Access my complimentary Career and Business Strategies Series and for information on my speaking and webinar schedule use the “Contact” tab at my website.

In the meantime connect with me at www.pinterest.com/theohenderson and www.twitter.com/theohenderson.

©2013 Theodore Henderson – THJ & Associates All rights reserved.  www.TheodoreHenderson.com

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February 23rd, 2013 | Tags: , , , , , , | Category: Branding, General, Internet Marketing, Networking, Online Networking, Social Media, Social Networking | Leave a comment

7 Ways Twitter Use Boosts Your Career

By , on February 10th, 2013

7 Ways Twitter Use Boosts Your Career

By

Theodore “The Wisdom Man” Henderson

Best Selling Author, Certified Career & Business Adviser, Entrepreneur

@Theohenderson

 Graphic from www.mediabistro.com

 

I’m a big proponent of LinkedIn as a professional social media site, but just as any good professional entertainment promoter will tell you there is no best way to fill seats or get eyeballs.  You have to use the best tools at your disposal because you never know what may be the best way at any given time.   Twitter is one of my key business tools along with LinkedIn to promote both my business and my brand.  At times it may be better for your purposes than other choices such as LinkedIn or Facebook.  Twitter is a force that can’t be ignored by young or “old” professionals. It’s an excellent place to get connected and stay informed which can power your professional growth. Here are 7 ways to use Twitter for professional and career development.

1. Put up a real photo:

You may think you don’t take good photos, or you don’t want to be online, or people don’t really want to see you, etc.  Stop the excuses and get over it.  You don’t have to have a professional photographer take your head shots, even though I advise it budget permitting, but have a professional looking photo on your profile.

2. Remember why you are there:

Remember you only have a small amount of space to use for your profile description.  With only 160 characters there is literally no room for verbosity.  Maximize the space that you have in your profile by sharing a professional description of yourself. Share your accomplishments and professional interests but only those things that might help you land a job. Professional Twitter names are helpful also. Use your real name if possible or a close approximation.  This is not the place for clever and cute.  The only time to deviate is if you have a business you want to brand but if you are job hunting stay with your name.

3. Be sincere about your brand:

If you are on Twitter you have a brand.  First, create a professional looking background that works with your personal branding. Once again you are looking for a job or to professionally network so keep it simple, direct, and business focused unless you are in the arts and something different is expected of you.

4. Stay up to date on business trends:

Stay informed by keeping others informed.  You can create a Twitter brand by regularly sharing interesting news, articles, and tools for your industry.  In this way Twitter can keep you in the loop professionally. Follow people who share lots of relevant news and insights that apply to your professional development. Your can share general personal info but keep it non-threatening (no politics, religion, etc.) and no more than 10%.

5. Use Twitter as a tool to build your network:

Twitter is an amazing networking tool, and it can be used to connect with both new and old contacts. Make new relevant networking connections, and find people you already know to converse with them on a regular basis using Twitter.

6. Establish yourself as a thought leader:

Developing and presenting yourself as an expert and thought leader in your industry via Twitter is a phenomenal way to actually become a thought leader! Keep abreast of relevant news, developments, and build authority through sharing what you know.

7. Follow back and follow up:

Following isn’t a one-way street. Pay attention to new followers. You don’t have to follow all of them back, but you should at least check out their profiles, and follow the people that are relevant and interesting to you.  Keep thinking quality not quantity.

Obviously there are more than 7 ways to use Twitter but these are both a good place to start and a great way to remember what you should be doing.  Stay tuned as I will be revisiting this topic in the near future with 7 more ways to get the most out of Twitter for your career transition and job search.

Periodically I do lectures and workshops on this and other Social Medial, career, and business topics.  Access my complimentary Career and Business Strategies Series for information on my speaking and webinar schedule.

In the meantime connect with me at www.twitter.com/theohenderson.

©2013 Theodore Henderson – THJ & Associates All rights reserved.  www.TheodoreHenderson.com


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February 10th, 2013 | Tags: , , , , , , , | Category: About Theodore Henderson, Career, General, Internet Technology, Job Searches, Networking, Online Networking | Leave a comment

When Your Job is to Find a Job

By , on January 24th, 2013

When Your Job is Your Job Search

By

Theodore “The Wisdom Man” Henderson

Best Selling Author, Certified Career & Business Adviser, Entrepreneur

 

 

Common Sense Job Hunting Tips

Are you a new college graduate and planning to look for a job? Perhaps you recently quit your job and are looking for a better situation? Are you out of work and have little experience or knowledge regarding ways to get another job? Whatever your situation may be, it would be to your advantage to study the following free common sense tips:

Check Your Resume for Errors

Before submitting your resume to a prospective employer, check your resume for corrections and grammar mistakes at least three times before handing it over. After researching the job posting, it is critical that you format your resume to match the needs of the company. In other words be specific.  For example, if you are applying for a sales job, you should put in detail your relevant sales experience on your resume. Typographical and grammatical errors are a huge no-no. It is also ideal to keep the length of the resume to at least a page and a half long and for the average person no more than two pages.

Taking The Interview As a Serious Matter

As a certified career adviser and former corporate manager I can tell you first hand that candidates for employment made most of their mistakes on their interviews. Actually some of the mistakes they made were of the “easily avoidable” type such as: arriving late, having little or no knowledge about the company or the position applied for, and having a superiority complex, being self absorbed, and behaving in an arrogant manner. The body language of an applicant should denote that he or she is confident yet not overpowering. They should maintain eye contact, have a firm handshake, and avoid looking defensive or lacking in confidence by acts such as crossing their arms. Wearing the right clothing is crucial for projecting a confident stance. As they say, it is better to go to an interview over-dressed than being under-dressed.  As a man it is easier for me to take my tie and jacket off in a casual environment than to arrive and need one!

Answer Questions Intelligently

One mistake I see interviewees make quite often is they tend to get tense and forget the questions asked of them, which has the effect of not seeming prepared for the interview. As a career adviser I focus with my client on how not to let this happen.  It is important to research both the company and the position applied for to prevent being “thrown” during the interview. If you do not know the answer to the questions being asked, it is better to admit you don’t know and add that you will research it and get back with an answer. Look for the skills or expertise the company desires so when the interview comes and the interviewer asks about your strengths and key skills, you will be able to match their needs.

Have The Right Referrals Ready          

A typical company may receive job applications in the hundreds and for some very large firms in the thousands.  Usually 30% to 60% of all job vacancies are filled by referrals and this figure may be higher in challenging economic times. The odds of getting hired when you have a good referral go up dramatically. Having a referral from a company employee can go a long way toward landing an interview.  If you do not know anyone from the company that may give you a referral, then get started networking. Reach out to the alumni network of your college, trade groups, social networks, and professional associations. Remember, having a quality referral greatly increases your chances of getting the position.

The Dreaded Online Application Process

There is no way around it.  With the current technology trend and its integration with business processes, more and more companies are now requiring prospective applicants to submit their application online even if they did not come to the company’s attention in that manner.  Therefore, e-mails regarding your job application should be very polished and articulate. When applying on-line, use the following tips:

* Use complete sentences and do not abbreviate.

Employers generally frown upon receiving application letters that seem to be too casual. You want to make a letter that is both formal and well written. This will give a good impression regarding your capabilities and skills.

* Don’t drag on

When writing an application letter, you must be short and focused on the issue at hand. Save the longer introduction for a phone or face-face interview. If not chances are the potential employer will just get irritated with you and this only reduces your chances of getting hired.

* Keep perspective

Getting the job you want may be a challenge but never lose hope or get down on yourself. It is much better to have a strategy and be patient until you get the job you want rather than getting a job quickly but ending up dissatisfied. Make informed decisions then act on them.

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January 24th, 2013 | Tags: , , , | Category: Career, General, Job Searches, Networking | Leave a comment
 
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