Diary of a Digital Start-Up

I am a writer/author by trade (writer.uk.com) and a mummy by desire. I guess most mums inbetween jobs/projects would relish the downtime and read Fifty Shades or catch up on episodes of America's Next Top Model or similar. Not I. I've opted instead to build my own digital business start-up and put my own advice into practice. Nobody achieved anything from watching Eastenders or Big Brother so I've switched off the TV and am focusing my evenings on developing my new business, WiBBLE (which started life as a Facebook group, growing from 20 members to 300 in one week). TBH, I have no interest in sitting still. I'd rather move forward, learn, soak stuff up, grow and, hopefully, achieve my goals. And if I don't, at least I'll know I've tried. 

Today it is one month until the big launch event and I've been blown away by the generosity of my fellow WiBBLErs - from supplying thank you flowers and bunting for free to sending me encouraging cards and ideas for events. Yes, this week I have learned many things. Did you know, for example, that the best time to post on Facebook or Twitter is between 5pm and 9pm GMT or how to design an infographic? These are new lessons I have learned this week. I have had great feedback about a charity event and Christmas Fayre I'm organising, have downloaded some super helpful products from LaunchGrowJoy and found a whole array of useful resources (more on those soon).

As is always the case with the perpetual roller-coaster of being self-employed, there have been bad times (a potential book ghostwriting project being 'postponed' until the client has more time to focus) to incredibly good times: getting a piece in the local newspaper announcing the forthcoming WiBBLE Launch Event. 

The best boost though came from a surprise source - my brand new business bank manager. He said he found my business exciting, extremely viable and already knew of a few potential WiBBLErs he could pass my details on to. Bish bash bosh - bank account opened and a more buoyant (and relieved) moi.

Next week it's time to get my web copy written (glad I used to run a business called webcopyriter.co.uk - I'm selling the domain if any UK based web copywriters would like to buy it... I stopped writing web copy when I started writing books). Got a website to build, fill with content and test too. Busy but exciting times ahead. Lots of hard work to be getting on with (haven't even found time to promote this blog yet, but I surely shall). Indeed, I'll be trying my best every stage of the way. That much I know for sure. Is there any other way when you're starting a business?

10 Ways To Use Pinterest To Your Advantage

Pinterest is a HOT tool right now for marketing. Hitwise ranked it #5 in it's list of the top ten social networks, above big names such as LinkedIn and Google+. By 'pinning' images to your own relevant pinboards (a collection of themed 'pins') users can share, curate and find visually interesting products, quotes, landscapes and creative ideas. You can repin or comment on other peoples' pins thus connecting with people through 'things' you find interesting.

The virtual pinboard is worthy of consideration for many reasons, not only because of it's rapid growth and uptake, but also because of its huge capacity to drive traffic. Many sites are revealing they generate more traffic from Pinterest than any other social network. For example, Pinterest is now the third biggest referral source to Shopify's partner sites after Facebook, and on par with Twitter.

So how can you use Pinterest to your advantage?

1. Give your Pinterest profile, description, pinboards and pins keyword-rich descriptions. Ideally create boards based on core keywords that you already use as part of your SEO strategy, and make them resourceful, useful and creative. Do this by repinning or commenting on other users' pins as well as pinning your own to enhance your boards and make them the best they can be.
   
2. Include web links within the descriptions of your pins wherever possible to drive traffic to your site.
   
   
3. Share a wide variation of relevant things, not just your own products. For example you might includes 'Quotes to Live By', 'Beautiful Shoes' and 'Amazing Places Your Shoes Could Take You To' if you are a shoe retailer.
   
   
4. Make sure 'Hide your Pinterest profile from search engines' is clicked to 'OFF' so that your profile and pins can get indexed.
   
   
5. Follow users you'd like to follow you back then like and comment on their pins.
   
   
6. Add the Pinterest follow button to your social network profiles and website and the Pin-It button to your website.
   
   
7. Pin a blend of visual imagery, from product photos, photos which showcase your brand identity and ethos, images which symbolise your tagline, book or ebook covers, photos of your customers (with their permission) using your product/service, images from your blog posts, photographs from behind the scenes at your office or from events you've hosted, infographics that tell a story/make a point/reveal industry data.
   
   
8. Use hashtags to improve the search-engine-friendliness of your content and leverage cross-promotion on Twitter and Facebook, et al. 
   
   
9. Your Pinterest profile has its very own RSS which can be found by clicking on the RSS symbol under your profile photo. Post it on your other social network sites and ask users/fans to  add you to their RSS feedreaders. 
   
   
10. Make your website visitors aware of your Pinterest activity and recent pins by using a Pinterest widget, especially if you have a Wordpress site (it'll apepar in your Wordpress sidebar).

Follow me on Pinterest here: http://pinterest.com/wibbler/

If you are serious about harnessing the power of Pinterest, try this highly recommended Pinterest Advantage course. Before signing up it's worth watching this very informative and FREEPinterest webinar. Happy pinning!