THE POWER OF THE PLATFORM: VISUAL STORYTELLING ON SOCIAL NETWORKS 61 TIPS for Engaging on Pinterest • If you want followers to engage with memes or send in pictures of themselves your pins, make sure to like, follow, repin, using your product. and comment on other people’s images. • Decide on the story you want to tell with Pinterest makes it easy for you: the more your images. people and boards you follow, the more • Focus on your customers. What images ideas you will have for pins to share. would they find useful, entertaining, and • Pinterest is all about creativity and having inspiring? fun, so think about the lighter side of your • YouTube videos can be pinned to boards brand. Southwest Airlines has boards for in the same way as any other thumbnail, plane-related crafts and plane party ideas. so you can show off your expertise with • Create images for marketing with Pinterest how-to videos for aspects of your business. in mind. For example, each blog post • Show behind the scenes at your company should have a strong image that can with boards about your staff, local environ- be shared on Pinterest to amplify your ment, and industry, or find other ways to message. use interesting images to help people find • Your boards should stand out if they are out about what you offer. going to attract followers. Choosing a • Make use of what is possible with the strong theme and great images are obvi- Pinboard format by putting together looks ously central to this, but so is giving it a and lifestyle ideas, or show your products snappy title to attract people’s attention. in real environments to show how they can • Images don’t have to be professionally work. shot, but use images that are colorful, well • Pinterest has a very current format: popu- balanced, and interesting. lar images often reflect seasonal trends or • Add “Pin it!” and other social sharing events, such as holidays (Valentine’s Day buttons to your website, so your fans can and others) or movie releases. spread the word. • Popularity on Pinterest comes from shed- • Find ways to involve fans—perhaps a ding a typical “brand” profile and really competition in which fans create their own getting behind the network’s ethos.