14 powerful Pinterest marketing do's and don'ts

With 459 million monthly active Pinterest users blowing up the boards, Pinterest is one marketing opportunity you don't want to miss. According to statistics on Pinterest usage, as many as 87 percent of Pinterest users have gone ahead and purchased a product based on something they have seen or tried from Pinterest. So styling ideas for your latest jewellery designs, or showcasing the current art piece you are working on - when they perform well on Pinterest, it can really push customers through your doors.

If you aren't already spending some of your marketing time and efforts on Pinterest, it's not too late to start. Here are 14 powerful Pinterest marketing do's and don'ts to keep in mind.

DO put time and effort into the photos on your blog. Half the battle of a Pinterest campaign is coming up with great photos. Think about important factors, like the effects of natural light, the background, and any staging needed to create the perfect shot.

DON'T get too swept up in perfection. Sometimes all the pieces come together nicely and other times they don't. Don't waste too much time creating an internet-stopping Pinterest photo if it means you're missing other deadlines or complicating your day in some way.

DO post something on Pinterest every week. Some weeks you may have more time available for Pinterest than others. At the very least, plan to post at least once or twice and spend a little bit of time clicking around to stay on top of what's happening.

DON'T get discouraged if you don't see traction right away. Pinterest is a bit of a journey more than a destination. Take some time to get to know it and smile as your traffic increases over time.

DO take lots of photos for your Pinterest. You can always use shots with different angles, settings, or points of focus on your other social media pages, on your blog, and elsewhere.

DON'T forget to describe your pins. Add in details about the picture, a few how-to steps, or other pieces of helpful information. You can even use hashtags within the pin's description on Pinterest.

DO take the time to review your analytics. You'll gain knowledge that helps you to see what's working, what's not working, and what could use a little more tweaking.

DON'T get tangled up in analysis paralysis. Knowledge is certainly power, but it's better to keep moving forward even if you can't totally identify or reproduce one of your top performing pins.

DO take time to browse around and see what others are posting. You might want to join in the fun and play along. Inspiration can strike at any time, on the internet or in the real world, so be sure to keep your eyes open.

DON'T be afraid to interact with other pinners as appropriate. Sometimes great partnerships and team efforts can blossom from simple conversations and interactions. Besides, life is more beautiful when you don't think of every single person as competition.

DO integrate Pinterest on your website for two-way traffic. You'll want your readers and customers to stay tuned to your Pinterest account so you can entice them back to your website at a moment's notice with a beautiful new pin. You'll also want to make it easy for pinners to grab a link to your page from any of your pinned photos.

DON'T forget that you can share your Pinterest boards and pins on other social media. This tactic helps you to strengthen your relationships with potential customers while also leveraging your artwork in multiple marketing efforts. Get more mileage out of your photography and your time spent on Pinterest for a win-win working smarter rather than harder.

DO post pins related to timely topics as well as evergreen content. Keep current events in mind as well as major sports happenings and other newsworthy events. Make sure you know your customers and that you're speaking to them. Post about topics that excite or interest them without flooding the same information all the time.

DON'T forget about seasonal and holiday themes. You might be surprised at the spike in traffic that you can see when you post the right pins for the season. Find a unique holiday spin or seasonal topic that relates to your business and have some fun with it.

Beyond these Pinterest marketing tips, the biggest point of all to remember is to just get started. You may not have the true science of social media figured out down to a T, and that's okay. Most people don't, and it's better to just get started and figure out what truly works for your own business. Be creative, be inspired, and focus on helping and inspiring others. As long as you continue to share content and photos that bring value to your customers and prospects, you can win as you pin.