This is the Transcript of the #WeddingMarketChat on May 9th, 2012 with Kelly Werder of Wedbiz. The answers were made on Twitter so responses will appear different.

 

 

Kelly Werder is CEO/Editor-in-Chief of WedBiz Media. She is also owner of No Worries Weddings & Events, a wedding and event planning company she founded in 2006.

Kelly Werder has served on the Board of Directors for the Naples Chapter of the National Association of Wedding Professionals since 2007. In 2010, she was sworn in as President of the Naples Chapter.

Kelly Werder holds an MBA from Suffolk University’s Sawyer School of Business . Learn more about Kelly at www.wedbizmedia.com and www.wedpinning.com to highlight the best wedding pin boards

 

Join Our Wedding Market Chats For Wedding Professionals Every Wednesday at 10:00PST, 1:00EST, and 6:00GMT (UK time) with the #WeddingMarketChat Hashmark On Twitter. Learn something new to help your business grow every week. The chats are hosted by Wedding Market editor Julie Albaugh (@juliealbaugh). Also become a member of Wedding Market where you can share your URL for your Pinterest account.

 

Take a look at Wedbiz Social Media Coach which includes their ebook on Pinterest for Wedding Pros http://ow.ly/aNi4O . Use the code WeddingMarket25 for 25% off

 

 

Information on Pinterest: 

#Pinterest has exploded in the world of social media – from Sept 2011 to Feb 2012 it grew 866% 

 

Brides LOVE #Pinterest! They are pinning and repining like crazy! 

 

Pinterest, when used properly, can drive a lot of traffic to your website or blog which can then be converted to sales

 

Since WED has been on Pinterest, it has risen to a top 3 referral source for our blog – AMAZING! {in 3 months!}

 

Questions: 

Q1: So what is @Pinterest?

AQ1:  Pinterest is an image curating tool that allows you to “pin” images from around the web and collect them into “boards”

Q2: What is a Pin?
AQ2: Basic terms: A “Pin” is the image, “Boards” are the collection of images, “Repin” is sharing the pins of other users

 

Q3: I’ve noticed the use of hashtags in Pinterest. Do you think that’s necessary?

AQ3: #hashtags are helpful if you are going to then Tweet your pin

 

Q4: If Brides are moving to Pinterest from Facebook?

AQ4: not really, they are using both

 

Q5: How can you gain more followers on pinterest with just pins alone?

AQ5:1st follow the tips down below, 2nd follow others pros, wedding mags etc.

 

Q6: What pros should we be following on @pinterest?

AQ6: Full list is on WEDpinning{dot}com but our favs are @StyleMePretty @WeddingChicks @MarthaStewartWeddings

 

Q7: What are the best times to post on #pinterest?

AQ7: Most traffic appears to be during work time BUT sometimes when you post during quieter …

 

Q8: Do you all keep your personal accounts and professional accounts separate?

AQ8A: Good idea to do this!

AQ8B: If you have only one account and post personal items just be aware how you’re presenting yourself to potential clients

 

Q9: How do collaborative boards start?

AQ9A: You create a board & have option to add others in settings (edit board)

AQ9B: Collaborative Boards are great! You need to follow those that you collaborate with

AQ9C: You can remove a pin from a collaborative board

AQ9D: You need to be following that user in order to add them to the board – click “edit board” & see setting

 

Q10: Maybe someone can answer, how is Pinterest any different really from StumbleUpon, and those legal questions…?

AQ10A: If you are putting your photos on blogs, Facebook etc. already it is really no different to share on Pinterest except ..

AQ10B: They got a lot of flack – yes, there are still risk but that’s true of anything on the web 

AQ11C: Except that Pinterest HAD some funky stuff in its terms & conditions–they have changed this

 

Q11: Do you have a preference for how to order boards and what to make as the cover image? 

AQ11: You can rearrange boards, change the cover image of a board too

 

 

 

Here are 5 Key tips for using @Pinterest to promote and market your wedding business: 

 

Tip 1:  Pin images from your website/blog or online store and show off your business

Images pinned from a website/blog will remain linked to their original source as others repin

This may seem obvious, but we see many pinners out there who only Repin and never pin their own work.

Install “Pin” buttons on your blog/site for easier pinning and use them (or the Pin Bookmarklet) to pin from your site

 

Note to Photogs: use a small watermark on your images, put a photo credit and link on all your photos too

 

Tip 2: Write a good description – most who repin the image will leave the original description

Make your description appealing and use key terms.

 

Tip 3:  Include a link to your website/blog in the description for easier access

Although the image keeps the link to your site, this makes for quicker access for potential clients/customers

Yes, it will pick up links – be sure to do full link including http:// 

 

Tip4:  Credit the photographer and other vendors in the photo!

For example, if you are a planner show off a recent wedding, note the photographer and other vendors such as florists

If they are on Pinterest, follow them and you can link to them in the description using @name

 

Tip5: Create interesting Boards that appeal to Brides/Grooms – create collections based on color, style, topics 

 

Combine your original content with Repins from colleagues, wedding magazines, wedding blogs and more

 

Yes – be sure to categorize your boards — use Weddings & Events to capture bride attention

 

 

See Statements From Our Wedding Twitter Friends

 

#WeddingMarketChat statements: I put my website link in all my Pin descriptions of shots I took. People who see my pins at least see my biz name

Answer: Good practice – always include your link!

 

#WeddingMarketChat Statements: Pinterest is great to see what brides are saying about your work in their pin descriptions & the boards

 

#WeddingMarketChat Statements: I have seen increased hits on my website since I’ve been on Pinterest

#WeddingMarketChat Statements: I have my website in my profile- some brides click through from there, but most come through pin sources

#WeddingMarketChat Statements: You can use Pinterest to curate other photos/ideas you like separate from your business

 

#WeddingMarketChat Statements: We’ve seen brides us #Pinterest for discovery and Facebook to get input from friends/family about their discoveries.

 

#WeddingMarketChat Statements: When I first start working with a bride, I ask her to develop a board of her ideas…then we can go from there

 

#WeddingMarketChat Statements: We use Pinterest to develop the look and design for our clients based on their tastes – their pins are so helpful!

 

#WeddingMarketChat Statements: Great for planning destination weddings and working with clients that are far from us 

 

#WeddingMarketChat Statements: Pinterest is like the idea boards they used to do (cut/paste pics out of mags)