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Get political with Pinterest: 5 things you must know
May 9, 2013
With more than 48 million users, Pinterest is the world’s third largest social networking site. As a virtual pinboard (think scrapbook), it allows users to gather and share images and videos that reflect who they are and what they want to say. As Pinterest states, the goal is to “connect everyone in the world through the ‘things’ they find interesting.” How can you, as a political activist or candidate, use Pinterest to develop your interests and powerfully influence your audience?
In the meantime, here are five tips to get you started:
1. Create an account and keep up-to-date. For some good step-by-step instructions, read this from Forbes.com. Visit Mashable’s Pinterest section for the latest news and updates.
2. As an activist, pin content that reflects your personality and lifestyle (as opposed to simply your cause or platform). Keep in mind that Pinterest is often referred to as the “Darling of Social Media” and has a lighter tone and more aesthetic culture than Facebook or Twitter. Choose quality images that reflect what you care about and inspire your followers.
3. Act as a resource. Point your followers to the good stuff on the web and they’ll keep coming back. Amy Hawkins, a conservative activist from Michigan, does this well. She says, “Technology is a brilliant thing. But it is a culture and language unto its own… it’s a culture we must embrace.” One example from Amy is her Technology pinboard, a collection of infographics with social media and technology trends that she believes are important for conservatives to know. We encourage you to check it out here!
4. If you’re a political candidate, pin content that tells your audience about your personal side as well as your platform. Pinterest wasn’t largely used in politics until the 2012 presidential election when Barack Obama and Mitt Romney pinned pictures of their families and their political work. This showed the real value of Pinterest for politicians: revealing a more personal, relatable, and human side. Pin pictures of yourself and your supporters. Interact with your followers. Show that they are important to you by responding to comments, following others, and sharing their pins.
5. Integrate your Pinterest account with your other social media networks to increase exposure. Let your Facebook and Twitter followers know that you have a Pinterest account and invite them to follow you on Pinterest.
Download our cheat sheet today and visit our resources page to learn how to best communicate yourself online.