The Power of Pinterest

Hello, my name is Erin Stephanie and I am a Pinterest addict.

Okay, I have finally admitted it long after everyone else around me knew I was addicted to the website – I didn’t receive the title “Miss Pinterest” at my sororities annual awards last year for no reason. Besides my love for the social media site, I have become a big advocate of brands using Pinterest as a way to engage with their target audience.

As an early adopter of the phenomenon that is Pinterest, I have begun to see a rise in consumer focused companies tapping into the Pinterest potential within the past year. Brands such as Whole Foods, Etsy, Modcloth, Southern Living Magazine, and Mashable have been successfully using the platform to engage with their audiences and not only promote their products, but tell their brand’s story. While Pinterest is sweeping the nation and quickly joining the ranks of Twitter and Facebook, the idea of it being used as a marketing tool is still in its early stages.

It is important for a brand to understand that success on this newer platform lies in the ability to fully understand the purpose, audience, and topics.

For those unfamiliar with the website, Pinterest users collect, organize, and share content they find visually interesting to boards within a specific category. This is done through pictures that link back to websites, blogs, or other social media sites, such as Tumblr. Essentially, Pinterest is a virtual one stop shop for organization. The website is user friendly and unlike Facebook and Twitter users, Pinterest users are not as involved in conversation – most of the activity is “repinning” pictures to pinboards.

Here are some quick stats on the average Pinterest user:

• 28 million users per month
• Ages of 25-54
• 79% of users are females
• 57% of users have incomes greater than $50,000

While there may be an abundance of categories on Pinterest, the following are the top 10 most popular categories, according to Mashable: home, arts & crafts, style/fashion, food, inspiration/education, holiday/seasonal, humor, products, travel, and kids.

It is important to note that Pinterest is not a stand-alone marketing tactic, it needs to be used in conjunction with your pre-established social media plan. If you are considering using Pinterest, check out these stats on how Pinterest can help boost your brands social media image:

1. High referral rates

According to a study conducted by Shareaholic, Pinterest rivaled Twitter in referrals to a company website and overpowered the likes of Youtube, Reddit, Google +, and LinkedIn.

2. 70% of brand engagement comes from users not the brands

In fashion and retail this number jumps up to 82% community driven content; the PR girl in me is excited to see this statistic. When I pin on Pinterest, I am saying that I endorse this product, idea, or project. I am showing my followers that this is something to take note of. According toBlogHer, a whopping 81% of users trust the advice and information that they get from Pinterest – significantly higher than Facebook and Twitter users.

3. Pinterest users spend more money

On average Pinterest users spend more money and make more purchases than Facebook users, often spending more than double the amount than Facebook users per transaction.

Before jumping onto the bandwagon and adding Pinterest to your social media marketing plan, consider the following necessary criteria:

• Do you have visually interesting photos to use?
• Do you know your brands story? Brands are not one-dimensional and cannot be treated as such. Accordingly, your pins should consistently tell your brands story.
• Who will manage the account to ensure interaction and compelling content creation?
• Do you have any interest in the demographics of Pinterest?

If done properly, and in conjunction with your established marketing efforts, Pinterest could be a nice addition for your brand!

Happy Pinning!

Originally posted on colesandcolomy.com

Erin, the Carrie Bradshaw of Her Time

I never thought that I would find a full-time gig as a writer, but as luck would have it, here I am in Nashville learning the trade of content marketing. And I absolutely love it. Ask "Erin one year ago" and she would have told you there was no way she was going to do anything but public relations. Her mind was made up. She didn't know that a move to Nashville and one year later would turn her world upside down and she would find a new path developing content strategies for clients. A new passion was formed.

I love planning, as I have mentioned before, and working as a content strategist allows me to showcase that passion. It also allows me to indulge in my passion for establishing myself (or in this case, helping my clients establish themselves) as an expert in almost anything. I have always joked around claiming to be a "jack of all trades" knowing a lot about a lot of subjects. Content marketing feeds this passion with a fury I never knew existed. I sometimes feel like a walking encyclopedia. I like walking around being that person that people can ask questions of and I immediately try to establish myself as an expert in that field. Scarily convincing too. Some find it annoying, I am sure my employer and clients find it endearing.

I have been writing for my company, but wanted to start sharing those posts with you all as well. I am also changing the name of my blog. Originally it was set as Pearls, Curls, & a PR Girl. The name just doesn't fit anymore. The new name change will happen this week at some point. I have a few ideas I am throwing around.

And as luck would have it...

With a simple twist of fate, I find myself at another crossroads. Life has a funny way of doing that. Just when you think you are ready to settle into something good for a while, it bops you upside the head and makes you move along.

Ready for a new adventure, as always.

xoxo-E

Smiling.

Today I smiled.

Like, really genuinely smiled.

Some of you know,many don't, but this past year has been hard. Medical problems which drained me of energy and joy, to the stress of graduation, finals, school bills and sorority stuff. It was overwhelming. I lost my smile somewhere in the mix of it all.

But today, I smiled.

It felt good to finally be happy again. To realize that I had survived this past year, these past five years of school really. I walked away with a degree, a few scars, surgery, and bruises along the way, but I did it. I didn't give up. I walked away victorious.

I left Portland not really knowing what the future was going to hold. I like to plan, so of course I had a vague notion of what the immediate future was going to hold, but not long-term. For me, Portland represents a time of growth. I experienced love gained, love lost, new experiences, best friends, laughter, trials and tribulations, and even some "eventful" college nights where we felt young, alive, and carefree. Portland will forever be that moment in time, frozen in the files of my mind, stories one day to be told to others and laughed about at reunions.

While going through an old memory box, I came across a letter from an old friend. The card read "Sending you a smile...to say have a great day." Inside he wrote, "I saw this card and immediately thought of you - maybe because you've always had such an amazing smile. I miss seeing that smile." I missed that smile as well, but didn't realize just how much. Until now.

It took me a while, but I have that smile back and it feels wonderful. I am beginning to feel like Erin again. Without the stress, without the heartbreak. Happy Erin. I like that feeling.

I don't want to lose that smile again. That feeling I had when I stopped to reflect how great it felt to genuinely smile reminded me why it is so important to our very core to simply smile.

The winter has passed and the sun is shining. It is now time to focus my energy on finding those moments in life that make me smile.

We all should be doing that.


xoxo-E

Saying Goodbye

It is officially official. I am leaving the land of green and gray and headed towards Music City, USA at the end of June. I have actually known for a little while now, but it didn't really hit me until I received my graduation cap and gown the other day. Boy did it hit me. I stood up and had to sit down from the weight of what this all meant.

I am moving. Moving. 

It sounds so weird - I knew it was going to come sooner or later. It feels like this idea of leaving my home for the past 5 years (and all that I love about the best coast, eerrrr I mean west coast) pounced on me with no warning. Not to say that I am not excited, just scared for this huge change in my life - wouldn't you be as well?

Photo courtesy of EYE-LIKEY

The exciting part of this next adventure I will embark on is the place I am moving to! Nashville, Tennessee. I can't help but feel that Nashville is where big things will happen for me. Perhaps this is the same dream many have as they head to the heart and soul of Tennessee - but I feel that this is exactly where I need to be. I am not sure what is in the works for me - I just know that Nashville is going to be the place where I am able to realize some of my goals and dreams. 

An exciting part of this journey is the road trip to Nashville. 

PDX to Nashville clocks in at just over 35 hours, which I will most likely be flying solo on. I will be crossing through 10 different states (9 if you don't count driving on the Iowa border), each with their own unique landscape and history. 

2, 369 miles of open road. My whole life packed in my car. Better get a killer playlist ready.

Have a favorite spot in Nashville that is a must see? Let me know in a comment.

xoxo-E

The Pink Power Bow

I can't deny it. 

I have a love affair with bows. I would wear one in my hair everyday if I could. Red, white, blue, pink, black, teal...the list goes on and on; I have a bow that will match any outfit.

Last summer, I was on a pink bow kick. Whether it was a head band, tiny bow holding my bangs back or adding flair to my ponytail, I donned one! 

Being in an internship with mostly males, there was several mentions of my pink bow. It quickly became my trademark. My pink bow was labeled the "pink power bow."

Courtesy of Polyvore

What seemed as silly, innocent banter about a pink bow by my fellow interns ultimately became something more profound. My pink bow made me feel empowered and others began to see this as well. A bow for me is something special. It is a little bit of sass and a little bit of sweet. I feel confident in who I am when I wear one. 

The symbolism behind the pink power bow was more than I knew at the time. Thinking back on that internship, the men I worked with understood that I was a powerful woman who embraced her position and excelled in her work. 

I was proud of what I had accomplished during that internship. I was not looked down upon because I was a woman, but because I embraced my individuality as a woman and consistently put my best effort towards our goals I was recognized as being an asset to the team. 

By embracing my femininity and harnessing my inner prowess, I stood out. My pink bow had made a statement. I made them take note of my presence. I was empowered.

What is your pink power bow?

xoxo-E

Tweet

Sorority Girl

"Once a Phi Sigma Sigma, Always a Phi Sigma Sigma. This is the most outstanding thought, as well as the most everlasting. How well we shall remember those phrases! We feel some indefinable sensation when we realize that it marks our entire life." - The Sphinx 1926

When I started college I knew I wanted to do something beyond classes and work to develop my leadership skills. I also wanted to find an organization that I could make friends through since PSU is a large commuter campus (only about 1/3 of students actually live on or around campus).

Joining a sorority seemed like a natural fit.

What has Phi Sigma Sigma come to mean to me?

I love my sorority and everything we stand for. The pillars of lifelong learning, leadership through service, and  inclusiveness have helped shape my perspective and outlook on life over the past three years. I am a stronger woman because of the support and encouragement I have received, not only from my chapter, but from my sisters across the country - some have become Facebook friends without ever having met!

Phi Sig tank: The Greek Supply

The thought of knowing that wherever I end up after college I will have my sisters supporting and encouraging me is so comforting.

Overall, if you are thinking about joining a sorority....do it! Through the ups and downs, laughter and tears, smiles and frowns, it has been an incredible journey.

"I believe in faith, love, and sincerity. I will find strength in the lifelong friendships I share in the bonds of sisterhood...Once a Phi Sigma Sigma, Always a Phi Sigma Sigma." -The Creed of Phi Sigma Sigma

xoxo-E

Welcome to my new blog!

Pearls, Curls & A PR Girl: Musings on Life & PR is meant to be a place where I can share my ideas, not only on PR, but also on fashion, sorority and life beyond college, including the job/internship search. My goals for Pearls & Curls are simple. I want to teach about public relations and share the next adventures as I move on from my college years. 

Starting a blog has been something I have wanted to do for a while; I just didn't have a clue what to write about. I couldn't find my niche. It dawned on me one night - I should be writing about what I love! What exactly is that? PR and all things girly. It seemed like the perfect choice. All I had to do was add my own "Erin" flair and voilà a new blog was created!

Why Pearls, Curls & a PR Girl? I mulled over the perfect name for my new blog for a few days. It wasn't until I was curling my hair for work that the name struck me. As I looked in the mirror, I saw a future PR pro who just happened to be wearing pearls with curled hair! It seemed right and so it stuck.

Over the next week I will be establishing my different sections/pages. Things to look forward to: interview tips, cover/resume letter tips, personal branding, thoughts on social media, PR terminology, and a fun little section I will be calling "Pearls of PR" (pearls are little inspirational quotes and advice for aspiring PR pro's - because well, we all need a little inspiration every once in a while). I will also be starting a section called Girl & Book - must reads for every PR girl!

I hope that you take the time to comment and leave your thoughts! 

xoxo-E