Using Pinterest to promote your Etsy Shop?

[JennieDidIt]

I was wondering how many people are using Pinterest to promote their shops?

I had someone snatch one of my photos from Facebook (must have happened after Facebook changed their privacy setting, and before I noticed they had made my once private album public *doh*), they then posted it on Pinterest, it went viral, then I found that same photo being used as an advertisement selling decals of it on Etsy (in someone elses shop).

I had them remove my photo from their shop (honestly I was shocked that someone would use my photo to sell stuff in their shop, obviously they've never heard of copy right laws) .. now I'm a little gun shy to post my stuff (mostly graphics) because I'm afraid someone will steal them and I won't just *happen* upon it my accident like last time.

Thoughts?

[MundoMagico]

yes, i use pinterest to promote my shop, but at the momento i don,t know if it have been helpful...

[Galleryatkingston]

I use it all the time, hard to say what you get out of it. I was told to pin something out of your shop that is not getting many views and watch the views on that item for the next couple of days and I have to tell you I saw an increase on that item. Just a thought.
Linda

[JennieDidIt]

Thanks for both of your replies. I decided to go ahead and make the plunge .. and posted on Pinterest. We'll see how it works out lol. I hope I don't regret it!

[LucineDesigns]

Jennie, perhaps you could watermark your images and add link to your shop on your images?

I do promote mine, as well as other Etsians. I have been active here the past 3 weeks, so will wait and see.

[invitationcreations]

I also use Pinterest. I have been getting a few views from it, but not much. But everything I list gets put on my Pinterest page. Hopefully over time, it will help drive some traffic to my shop.

[LucineDesigns]

P.S. I just promoted an item from each of the above stores - and those that showed up as already listed, I'm following

Someone already repinned the T-shirt!

Let's hope all this will translate into sales

[Former_Member]

I have been using pinterest since I opened my store (early December). I have a few repins and less than 10 etsy views coming from pinterest.
But pinning and get repinned by other sellers in terms of promoting each other, does really worth the fuss? Our time is valuable.

The way I act as a buyer when I want to browse or buy an item, is navigating to the website, use the search function and see what my options are. I have never used the social media to search, or get inspired by an item and go for a purchase. This is an other point that discourages me from thinking of pinterest positively or considering it or any other social media as a source of sales. Traffic maybe, sales no.

But again, this is just me. I hear other people in forums praise the social media. Perhaps I am not that experienced to tell.

I do continue pinning mine and repinning/favoriting other sellers' items, but truly, I do it whenever I have enough spare time and have rather limited, not to say none, expectations.

[Former_Member]

I tryed StoreWoot yesterday have a few veiws from Pinterest ,but I am not going to rush and pay to promote anymore not saying I won,t .I found Storewoot looking and reading on Etsy trying to find out how to put photo,s on the team page do I need to make a folder ? If anyone has time to let me know if Iam on the right road Thank you inadvance .

[Rustastic]

I just started using Pinterest...ALMOST have the hang of it!...lol

[Gardenage]

I would love a brief understanding of how to use it. I signed up and it asked me for a website...would I be putting my Etsy URL in there? Not sure how it all works.

[Rustastic]

Gardenage,.. I used my etsy page link...but I suppose you could use any page link...I'm just figuring it all out as well...lol

[JennieDidIt]

Wow, thanks Lucine! When I get home I will do the same on my Facebook page! and pin some from Etsy. I have over 10k pins on Pinterest and 100 boards and many followers!

I made a board with all my Etsy items, then used a link back to my listings when making the Pin & choosing the photos. Hopefully that will generate some traffic & some sales.

I will say, if the link takes me to an Etsy listing (that I saw on Pinterest) I am looking to buy it .. unfortunately most of the stuff I see is old, and once I get there either the listing has been removed or the item has sold, boo for me! (but good for the seller lol)

[Gardenage]

This is all so helpful...thanks!

[Former_Member]

I have never used Pinterest for my shop, I am not certain if it would be worth it or not?

[Former_Member]

I've tried promoting through Pinterest but havn't had much success. Still, I keep my board updated on my favorite new projects just incase I do have some fans. =) http://www.pinterest.com/piercingheartz/humble-me-sew/

[HaloHavenn]

i use pinterest to promote. it has generated low views for me but i do not have many pinterest followers so that might be why

[Former_Member]

I use pinterest for my shop, but it doesn't seem to get traffic. :/
I also have a personal pinterest under a seperate account, which I had about a year ago.

[Former_Member]

I use Pinterest to promote my shop but I don't know it's helpful.