I’m a big Pinterest fan, personally and professionally. As we continue to see Facebook reach decline,  Pinterest will only be used more creatively by business brands, especially with the Pinterest Place Pins function.

Pinterest place pins allow for a board to be turned into a visual and informative map. On a personal level, this can be fun for folks making travel plans, pinning their favorite places and discovering new adventures for the future. But more excitedly (for the marketer’s brain) this opens up a new world of possibilities to engage our online communities.

How to Use Pinterest Place Pins

Let’s start with the how. When creating or editing a previously created board, slide the “Add a map” button to yes.

Ta-da… you‘ve got a new map! Easy peasy. I  picked a board I’ve had for some time now with all the places I want to visit.

If you already have pins on your new map board, you can go back and add locations and details to each pin by clicking the “+” button. I chose to add a location to a pin featuring an image from Flathead Lake. I just typed in the name and several options showed up to choose from. I picked a tourist location on the lake and it automatically drew in important information to add to my pin including an address and phone number.

Pinterest allows you to search specific locations to find pins that are located in that same place. Plan trips or just take a  look at amazing photos from around the world!

Why Pinterest Place Pins Are Great for Marketers

Why is this great news for digital marketers? Think of the possibilities Pinterest place pins create for your Pinterest strategy!

• Does your business have several locations around the city, United States, or around the globe? If yes, then you can create pins with the locations of your flagship stores or create entire boards for specific demographics. If your company was “born and raised” in Chicago, create a Chicago board noting some of Chicago’s best.
• Encourage buyers to show your products when they travel. Picture it, you’re an umbrella company and a customer of yours pins a photo of them walking the rainy streets of Paris carrying YOUR product. Give an incentive to those who pin or send in vacation photos with your products featured.
• Show your inspiration! I admit, I am a Tiffany and Co. fan; I just love their designs and the stories behind them. What places inspire your company’s mission, products, lifestyle and staff? Create a board that highlight’s your organization’s inspiration. This can be anywhere from the cities and places that grow your wine’s grapes to brick-and-mortar mom and pop shops that you love!
• Small businesses, UNITE! I love Small Business Saturday, shopping local and showing support to the little shops that just feel homey. If you run a small business, create a map of other small businesses that you love and support. Chances are they’ll appreciate it and will share the love in return.

These are just a few ideas to get your juices flowing. Please COMMENT below with some of your ideas. Let’s help each other out and start using Pinterest for more than just random pinning. Have fun!