Have you heard of Pinterest?

Have you heard of Pinterest?

If you haven't, you will soon! It is now one of the top 5 social networking sites on the web... ahead of LinkedIn and Google+!

Why is it a big deal for the salon/spa industry? because it is unlike the other social networking sites in a way that is parallel to our industry. It is based on being visual.

Pinterest is a social network that allows users to visually share, co-build, and discover new interests by posting (AKA 'pinning') images or videos to their own or others' pinboards (i.e. a collection of 'pins,' usually with a common theme) and browsing what other users have pinned. Using a visual emphasis, the social network is very much focused on the concept of a person's lifestyle, allowing you to share your tastes and interests with others and  discover those of likeminded people. The social network's goal is to "connect everyone in the world through the 'things' they find interesting."


Not convinced this is for your salon/spa?

the user base is 80% women, over half are between 29-44 years of age

So...Now that i have your attention, how can you use it to your advantage?

As with most social networking sites, outright advertising your business is frowned upon, however showing how your business enhances your clients lives and the beauty of the results your salon or spa creates is encouraged.

• Your clients and your employees love your salon because it is your salon, and the environment and culture you have built... use Pinterest to showcase Your Salon or Spa's Personality.. capture on a pinboard what makes your salon the place to be.
• Hold a contest on Pinterest that asks users to create a Pinboard on their own account to demonstrate what they love about your salon, products, or services.. have them send you the link to their pinboard, and then re-pin their pins to your page. The coolest pinboard gets a giftcard to your salon/spa!
• Create a User-Generated Pinboard: let your mind wander on this, you can create a pinboard, and then have others populate it for you by pinning their pictures on it... create a general topic and let your clients run with it...you could end up with some brilliant marketing possibilities, created by the people that matter most to your salon...your clients.

To make using Pinterest even better, you can post all of your Pins to Facebook or to your Twitter followers with a click of a button.

Happy Pinning!

Until Next Time,

Cheers.

Chris.