How to find out about Pininterest and if its right for you?

What is Pininterest?

You've probably heard that Pinterest is here and in a big way. If you're not already familiar with it, take a look and see if you can understand what the fuss is all about. The site has been around for a couple of years but has only just taken off. I've wanted to write something about Pinterest for the last couple of weeks, but haven't been able to because of work commitments.

So what is it, I hear you ask?

Pinterest is a visual bookmarking tool. There are a number of sites and platforms that serve as social bookmarking tools such as: Delicious is probably the best known one; StumbleUpon, Reddit and Digg are variations on the concept but its main capabilities are booking marking sites, search, with tagging as the common thread that runs through each.

But Pinterest has taken it to another level that appeals to some more basic human needs: the ability to browse content in a minimalist, visual way; and the notion that when we encounter strangers (either online or offline), we make a connection through a common interest and the sharing of that interest.

Enter Pinterest's solution: Boards. Users can create their own boards around anything that they're passionate about, and Pinterest gives a limited number of categories into which your boards can fit: Art, Architecture, Cars & Motorcycles, Design, DIY & Crafts, Education, Film, Music & Books, Food & Drink, Gardening, Geek, Hair & Beauty, History, Holidays, Home Decor, Humor, Kids, My Life, Women's Apparel, Men's Apparel, Outdoors, People, Pets, Photography, Print & Posters, Products, Science & Nature, Sports, Technology, Travel & Places, Wedding & Events, and Other.

The advantages of this site are that it’s simple to use and visual in nature, users have the ability to follow individual boards rather than the entire stream of users. This is not to be underestimated, as user experience across the web is changing to accommodate custom content delivery - busy people what only what's relevant to them. And at the same time, they want serendipitous discovery so they can still find new and different things that inspire them. Check out this article which might inspire you further Jay Baer looks at some of these reasons on Convince and Convert. Here are a couple case study examples of how it’s working and its responses...for one analyst recently observed that he has seen "some of the strongest user engagement, retention, and virality metrics" there and Bessemer Ventures is bullish on Pinterest.

Women vs. Men

While it's true that women make up the majority of users, it's about universal human nature and how we connect with each other.

And yet, we're beginning to see a rise in competitors to Pinterest, some specifically with a male slant such as Gentlemint; another is Dartitup.

Whether or not these other sites are able to match the momentum of Pinterest, the reason we're seeing the competitors is again because the need to share and to bond around common interests is something that humans - both men and women - have baked into our DNA.

Resources

There are some good resources out there with a number of great examples for businesses. These include:

• How to Use Pinterest for Business (Spiral16)
• 30 Resources, Tips and Tricks for Marketing Your Business on Pinterest (Jeff Bullas)
• 10 Tips on Using Pinterest for Your Business (The Next Web)
• How Brands Are Using Pinterest - And What They Can Do Better (Read Write Web)

To me, the brands that will be successful here are the ones that go beyond just using Pinterest as a storefront and use it to unite people around passion points. And of course, you'll want to use Pinterest to drive sales - particularly if you're in the e-commerce business. But think creatively about how you construct boards: rather than just listing products, center around a theme.

Pinterest is bound to become a powerful engine for e-commerce, more so than the promise of "F-commerce" from Facebook, I think. The challenge with the Facebook model (for the most part) is that it required users to have the storefront experience in a custom tab on each company's Facebook page - not necessarily something that translates when you're using a mobile version of Facebook on your smartphone.

With Pinterest, because the mobile versions are just as simple as the web version - and because they're based on image sharing (again, see above), it's more likely that we'll see more retail driven activity.

So that's my current view on some of the things happening with Pinterest. What do you think? Are you there yet? Do you see the value or would you care to debate it?

How to find out the right Marketing Tools for your Business

Here’s 10 tools that are essential for your marketing strategy:

There are tons of social media networks available today and list continues to grow. Every network may not be right for you, but you must find out which ones are important to your target audience before eliminating them. Here are a few that are essential to your marketing strategy.

Tools

Managing 10 different social networks daily can seem like a nearly impossible task, but these tools make it easy to relay a consistent message across multiple platforms.

1. Ping.fm: Ping updates your Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Flickr, Foursquare, and several other accounts with one app! They currently list 32 supported networks on their website and say they’re “always adding new ones.” Did I mention this tool is completely free?
2. Vitrue: Vitrue moderates Facebook comments, generates shareable coupons, and provides powerful analytics.
3. Disqus: Encourages interaction from blog readers by allowing them to respond from their email or mobile devices and receive notifications when other users post or reply.
4. Google Analytics: Find out which social network is the source of your web traffic.
5. bit.ly: Shorten URLs and track clicks and shares. You can also track your competitors clicks!
6. North Social: Create custom applications for your Facebook page.
7. Storify: Collect photos, videos, tweets, etc. online and share with your audience.
8. Brandwatch: Tracks your social media mentions.
9. Flowtown: Find out which social networks your customer and/or prospects are active on based on their email addresses stored in your database.
10. Klout: Scores your social media activity and allows you to see who you influence and who influences you on the topics you talk about most.

If you want help making social media part of your marketing strategy, then submit a brief!

How to find out the right Marketing Channels for your Business

Here’s 10 channels that are essential for your marketing strategy:

Channels
There are lots of social media networks available today and list continues to grow. Every network may not be right for you, but you must find out which ones are important to your target audience before eliminating them. Here are a few that are essential to your marketing strategy.

1. Facebook: Use customized landing pages, tabs, videos, surveys, and other apps to keep users engaged. Read my previous post, 12 things every marketer should know about the new Facebook timelines.
2. Twitter: Customize your background, hold Q&A’s, and conduct surveys. Don’t forget to tweet often.
3. YouTube: Upload product demos and viral videos and integrate them into your website, Facebook page, and company blog.
4. Instagram: Share pictures of your team, retail location(s), events, products, etc. with iPhone users.
5. Tumblr: Post pictures, videos, and text, to your customized page. Your posts appear in a timeline similar to Instagram.
6. WordPress: Having a company blog will increase your search engine rankings. You don’t have to use WordPress so long as you are blogging for your business.
7. Linkedin: Connect with colleagues, employees, prospects, and customers via Linkedin. Also, post jobs, screen candidates, and request introductions from mutual contacts.
8. Google+: Business pages are still new in the Google+ community. Share blog posts and get in the same circles as your customers and prospects.
9. StumbleUpon: Share your company’s blog posts and other useful information that can easily be found by other users based on category of interest.
10. Foursquare: Businesses and brands can benefit from Foursquare. Offer deals provide tips and lists, and encourage users to visit your location.

Benefits of Sponsorship

There are a few projects I’m working on that require me to generate sponsorship for a number of event. So this week I’m going to tell you about what is sponsorship, what are the benefits and what is involved in adding this tool into your promotional mix.

What is sponsorship?
Sponsorship can be defined as supporting an event, activity or organisation by providing money or other resources that is of value to the sponsored event. This is usually in return for advertising space at the event or as part of the publicity for the event.

What are the benefits of sponsorship?
• Sponsorship it provides a means of broadening your competitive edge by improving your company’s image, prestige and credibility by supporting events
• Sponsorship can help to enhance your company public profile
• Sponsorship can enhance visibility, image, differentiating the company from competitors, developing better and closer relationships with, customers – existing and potential
• Sponsorship can be strategic and well conceived. It can boost both short-term and long-term sales
• Sponsorship has a means of accessing a wide range of audiences and decision makers in business
• Sponsorship can heighten visibility due to positive publicity through media.

What’s involved in developing a sponsorship promotion?

• Analyse the current situation; look at which other businesses are sponsoring in the target area. Are competitors already doing this and is it providing them with an advantage?
• Define the sponsorship objectives: e.g. raise awareness of the brand; build an image; promote a product.
• Agree the strategy: how does the sponsorship fit in with other promotional activity?
• Develop the tactics: agree the details of what to sponsor, price, timing etc
• Define the target audience
• Consider what resources are needed to make the sponsorship a success.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities, please contact me at corporate@mistrymarketingevents.co.uk about the opportunities I have to offer and see if they fit in with your business and budget.

My Networking Top Tips

Studies show that 80% of all new business comes from networking, not to mention career opportunities, so use your time at event wisely. Here are my top 10 tips to help you on your way to becoming a highly successful networker, whilst having a great time…

1. Prepare – Make sure you arrive at the event feeling calm and friendly, so know where you are going and for what time, with plenty of business cards.

2. Make the First Move – Take responsibility and don’t come away from an event feeling you have missed an opportunity because no-one talked to you.

3. Start with Small Talk – Calm your nerves by making small talk with someone equally alone about something general: the venue, the parking, the weather or the refreshments.

4. Be Interested – Find out about the person you are talking to by asking questions, so that you can build a picture of them and in return they will be more receptive in hearing about you.

5. Concentrate on Giving - Look for ways you can help others; advice, referrals, even friendship instead of focusing on selling to them as this will naturally follow.

6. Keep your Mind Open – Resist the urge to dismiss a contact if they don't seem to fit your needs because you never know when you might need them in the future.

7. Always Follow up – If you’ve promised somebody information, an introduction or a phone number, make sure you keep your word or you risk damaging your reputation.

8. Build Relationships – Be consistent and regularly attend events so that you become known and build trust with fellow attendees.

9. Have Fun and Relax – some events are social occasions, so treat them as such.

10. Enjoy the Event – If you enjoyed the event then tell your friends and colleagues, bring them along next time and help them network too!

5 productive skills you need to consider to get ahead

Continuing on from 3 week we have covered: 5 key planning skills, 5 creativity skills, 5 key communication skills, here are 5 key productivity skills you need to consider to get ahead:

Productivity

1. Time management - I once had a boss who could never get to a single meeting on time. He would always turn up ten minutes late, red-faced, unprepared, looking like he had slept in a bush. He had a growing collection of excuses and apologies. Time management reduces stress and increases your respect.

2. Meeting management - Most of us hate meeting but they are a fact of business life. There are many tricks from firmly sticking to the agenda through to holding meetings standing up just before lunch. Whatever works for you if you can get meetings to be productive and under control you will get ahead.

3. Leadership - In business it really helps to be able to take the lead. Can you get people to follow you? Are you able to get people to do things they don't want to do for the good of the team?

4. Systems - If you are repeatedly re-inventing the wheel there is something seriously wrong. Effective systems bring consistency, efficiency and reduced costs. Learning how to create and implement both human and automated systems can go a long way to being more competitive.

5. Personal Productivity - What are your rhythms, when are you more sociable, detail-oriented, creative or lacking energy? Where do you excel and which areas are a struggle? Before you can lead anyone else you need to work out how to get the best out of yourself.

Bonus
You may have noticed 20 key skills identified in this list. But the bonus and most important of them all; the ability to switch off! It is so easy for the stresses and strains of business life to burn people out so you must develop the ability to relax and unwind.

5 communication skills you need to consider to get ahead

Continuing on from 2 week we have covered: 5 key planning skills, 5 creativity skills, here are 5 key communication skills you need to consider to get ahead:
Communication

1. Written - Most people in business spend a lot of time communicating in writing. You will spend a good few hours a day fighting your inbox. Add to this reports, proposals etc it's certain you will need to sharpen your word power to succeed.

2. Social Networking - We are not all comfortable socialising, some of us struggle to make small talk. It is a key skill to learn though, it is true what they say, and sometimes it is about who you know than what you know!

3. Speaking - Public speaking ranks high amongst the worlds most popular fears. You must overcome it and the best way is to practice. It might feel more comfortable working from the safety of your desk but at some point you are going to have to present. Better to have some experience under your belt before being forced to perform unprepared when it really counts.

4. Sales - You might think you do not need to sell but we all have to sell every day. In normal life we sell, persuading your partner of family that you really need that new purchase, getting out of that parking ticket ... persuasion skills can come in very handy indeed.

5. Negotiation - If you can't sell perhaps you can negotiate. A lot of the skills are the same but you will find people who have been in business for a while can drive a hard bargain. If you do not have the skills you will lose out each and every time.

I will be back with more tips next week on Productivity.

5 creativity skills you need to consider to get ahead

Continuing on from last week 5 key planning skills, here are 5 creativity skills you need to consider to get ahead:

Creativity

1. Imagination - Many people neglect their creative side feeling that it is better to be all about the logic, but in fact some of the most successful business people are also the most imaginative.

2. Inventiveness - If you can imagine it you can create it, and if you create it then you can sell it! Look around you, think of the things you buy and use, someone had to have the idea before it was built and sold to you. You might be surprised how few mad inventors there are, more products are invented in a office than a garage.

3. Problem Solving - A big part of surviving in business is about solving problems fast and effectively. An employee who is good at keeping their head in a crisis while fighting fires is a worthwhile asset to any business.

4. Brainstorming - Some people think brainstorming is all about having stupid ideas while ridiculing the contributions of everyone else while drinking coffee and eating biscuits or cakes. Perhaps this is why brainstorms get a bad name? If you can brainstorm great ideas, fast then you will be one step ahead.

5. Making connections - Some of the best ideas have simply been about connecting two otherwise unconnected ideas together. Could you invent the next iPhone App?

I will be back with more tips next week on Communication

What you need to do to get ahead in 2012

The greatest people in business have certain attributes in common. Several personal qualities are important, like a thirst for continuous education, personal drive and motivation, strong goals and ambition, clear vision, and always a great deal of passion.

Beyond those personal qualities though, what makes a successful business person stand out from the crowd? Here are 5 planning skills you need if you want to get ahead:

Planning

1. Strategic - A business that lurches from one crisis to another is not going to stay around very long. Obviously if you are in charge then you have to set your goals or objectives. Can you clearly see the road ahead?

2. Project - Project management makes your life and that of your team less stressful and gets things done on time and on budget. It might not be the white knuckle ride that some enjoy but at least you will be able to clock off at a reasonable hour!

3. Financial - The top reason why businesses go out of business is bad financial planning. All the cash flows in the wrong direction and in the wrong hands. Someone needs a firm grip on the numbers and it had better be you otherwise someone might just take a trip at your expense.

4. Risk - I'm a natural worrier which though it annoys my family, does have the advantage in business that I tend to see the potential potholes in any plan. If you can imagine a risk you can set about to mitigate it.

5. Logistics - Money is just one resource you need. Any business has inputs and outputs. You need to have the right people in the right jobs with what they need when they need it to get their work done. Logistics could make you a hero in your office.

I will be back with more tips next week on Creativity