Pinterest creates identity for your brand while nurturing connections to consumers who want what you have.

At this point, you may be asking yourself where the value is in devoting more of your resources to social media. You already use Facebook a lot and Twitter sometimes, now this?

The value of social media is made clear when you think about another agent having the real estate conversation with your clients.

But which sites are worth your time? A recent article* about Pinterest from the fine folks at TechCrunch mentions two astonishing facts that jolted this blogger to climb aboard:

-         Pinterest is the fastest growing site (ever), hitting 10 million unique monthly US users faster than anyone(…ever).

-         The only sites users spend more time on are Facebook and Tumblr.

This means that your clients are on Pinterest, and if you don’t engage them someone else will.

Strategy

Ask yourself this question before you start pinning: What is your brand and what should people feel when they see it? Create pin boards that perpetuate your culture.

There are the obvious interior/exterior design pin boards that you will make…dream kitchens, awesome dining rooms, home improvement, etc. In addition to that you need to figure out what makes your community unique and desirable. Parks, events, shopping. What are the best local restaurants? Food photos are always well received.

For example, if you are an agent in Huntington Beach you represent Surf City. So you will probably have a surf/beach board. Dog Beach would be a great thing to pin. If you build a connection with a dog lover, then you have made an organic connection that will carry you further than a professional solicitation.

By associating with the things that add tone and color to your community, you add the same vibrancy to your personal image.

Tip

1. The phenomenal growth of Pinterest is proof that people are compelled to respond to imagery above all else. Integrating photos into all aspects of your social media experience is key to gaining the exposure you deserve.
2. Do you have Instagram? Link Instagram to Pinterest and properly tag your Instagram photos; the exposure you gain through Pinterest is extraordinary.
3. Do you blog? If you do, make sure to include images so that people can re-pin your blog and promote all the hard work you’re doing. Ask yourself if your blog is “pinworthy.” If not, consider what changes need to be made to get there.
4. Do you have quality listing photos? Producing appealing images of your listing is more pertinent than ever and if you do this properly, people will want to pin your photos. Just one listings pinboard, please, or you risk being seeing as too commercial in your social interaction.
5. Do you interact with others online? Most people just “re-pin.” The conversation you start when you thank someone for posting something awesome or when you follow their board builds bridges with like-minded individuals. Like everything else in life, you get what you give.

Business is garnered through a combination of the hard work you put in and the way people perceive your brand. What you hope to accomplish by joining Pinterest? If your answer is brand recognition, it’s time to start pinning!

Click here to visit OCAR’s Official Pinterest page.

*Source, Pinterest Hits 10 Million U.S. Monthly Uniques Faster Than Any Standalone Site Ever –comScore, TechSource. Click here for link.