Pinterest launched a new feature that could change the way small businesses and local businesses in particular can increase in-store traffic. But before I get into the nitty gritty of Pinterest for local businesses, I think it’s important to note in order to be successful on Pinterest you must, must, must have images on your site. That’s rule number one. Without images you’re a bit like Wayne and Garth from Wayne’s World…Not-worthy.
Assuming you have gorgeous photos on your site and photo-ops in your store, you’re good to go.
How To Use Place Pins To Increase Local Business
Place Pins are the newest addition to the Pinterest arsenal. And it’s a welcomed feature. Every day people Pin about 1.5 million places. We’re talking big numbers here. 750 million Pins of destinations can be found on Pinterest.
With Place Pins, Pinners can explore Pins in a map like setting. It’s a little bit Foursquare and a little bit Yelp all rolled into one. Because you can access these Pins from your smartphone and on the go, it’s very important as a business to be found through Place Pins. Not only do you want access to those Pinning and getting them to Pin your location, you also want access to those following Pinners.
In essence, Place Pins are like other Rich Pins – they include extra details. In this case, it’s address and phone numbers right on the Pin.
Now that you know what they are, let’s get started.
Step 1. Make sure your images on your site are Place Pins.
Step 2. Create a board that will resonant with your audience. Since you’re a local business, you want to think locally here. This could be a local guide to Main Street where your shop is located, an itinerary for out-of-towners, or, if you’re a larger place, you could create a scavenger hunt.
Step 3. Reach out to local bloggers and let them know of this feature. You want to make it easy for them, so pitch them with ideas on how you can be featured. Think about the lists above. 
Step 4. Hang signs in your store and encourage people to pin your location and website. Offer them an incentive to do so.
Good luck and get found!
[Source: SocialMediaToday]
