Welcome news today that Pinterest Web Analytics will now give site owners insights into how people are interacting with pins that originate from their websites.

Data will include how many people have pinned from a site, how many people have seen pins, and how many people visited a site from Pinterest. Also useful, data on most repinned, most clicked, and most recent pins will give an indication of pin popularity.  

I'm a big fan of Pinterest for its creative and social marketing possibilities and now with the advent of analytics we'll plan content better and see its impact on on business, too. 

How does Pinterest fit into your social marketing mix? 

Engage fans as story co-creators

Ever more sophisticated and user-friendly technologies now make digital storytelling a more interactive experience for marketers and fans alike. In his post on iMedia Connection, David Kwan, Managing Director at the Famous Group, outlines three ways marketers can structure the storytelling process so it enables (and encourages) user interactivity:

1.   Enlist users in the storytelling process
2.   Let users put their own images in the stories
3.  Give users the tools to create, use, and share their own content

Read the full article:  http://bit.ly/YHnnuy

PINTEREST: VISUAL INSPIRATION THAT SELLS

Product marketing requires lots of hard-sell. Make the pitch, nab the sale.  But the art of brand marketing takes finesse and visual storytelling is a great way to sell ever so softly.

The photo sharing site Pinterest makes it simple to curate a pictorial environment where visitors can stop by, soak up some imagery, and leave feeling excited to buy.

Whole Foods does a great job on Pinterest, capturing its culture and spirit in a seemingly hodgepodge of pictures that project love of food, home, family and table.  On closer look those images aren’t so random; rather, they are artfully organized in thematic sets (or pinboards) that get you dreaming about cooking, serving … not to mention planning your next grocery run.

Peruse the “Eat Your Veggies” board and click on a photo and you'll likely pop open a recipe – not from Whole Foods, but from a fellow foodie and WF Pinterest fan – of which there are now more than 100,000. Check out the “Great Gifts” pinboard and by clicking on any of the yummy treats you'll land conveniently on the product’s page inside Whole Foods website. There are nearly 50 boards to be meandered through - each loaded with visual interest and inspiration … and best of all, there's not an ad in sight.