CNN ran the announcement that Pinterest released new mobile apps on the front page of their website today. There’s no better reminder of the importance of social media than seeing it covered so highly in the mainstream media. In case you’ve been hiding under an internet rock, Pinterest is a social bookmarking service that skyrocketed in popularity to become a social media powerhouse behind Twitter and Facebook. Yes, they just released an Android app, an iPad app, and a refresh of the existing iPhone app.
CNN Pinterest Apps Article
The second interesting point, is that Pinterest held a special event as their press release, rather than an online announcement. According to CNN:
The summer-themed event featured paper lanterns, finger sandwiches and stations inspired by popular Pinterest topics — a polaroid photo booth with mustache props, DIY postcards, temporary tattoos and a design-your-own terrarium table with the ultimate Pinterest staple, mason jars…An in-person announcement is a departure for Pinterest, which typically rolls out features slowly and announces them on its blog. However, the shift to mobile and the gathering of people tied into its newest theme: using Pinterest to do more in the real world. “Our goal is to actually get you offline, to get you to go out,” said Pinterest co-founder and CEO Ben Silbermann, citing the large amount of do-it-yourself actionable content people pin on Pinterest.
Pay attention to this shift in “offline” thinking and how to integrate your message, product, or service to a mobile format. Go where your customers are. Take a look at the new apps to look at how Pinterest is managing this, and consider how to apply this in your business.
If your business, or an aspect of it, is a good fit for Pinterest then it should be a big part of your social media strategy. Pinterest is not perfect – with all the attention, comes spam. Count on the fact that at some point they’ll roll out filters to control it. As always, play by the rules of the platform you’re using and any future updates can only improve your standing.
Pinterest continues to get big time press and there appears to be no stopping it. The fact that they are recognizing the importance of “offline” content by going mobile, is a trend to consider in how you market your own business.