Pinterest recently became the third-most-popular social network in the world with 11-plus million users. 

You're already using SEO to drive your press releases, but how can you use Pinterest to expand your reach? Try these tips:

1. Add an infographic to your release, then pin it.

Infographics are hot. Our clients are starting to use them more and more to help explain useful or helpful information to their customers.  Including a relevant infographic with your press release is still an unusual way to give media and news outlets a visual to go with the story.

For inspiration, try searching using the keyword "infographic." Our favorite is this one about the benefits of gardening.

Run the infographic with your wire release, embed it in your email and BE SURE to upload it on Pinterest, with a hyperlink to the full release.

No inforgraphic? Use a captivating or beautiful photo to achieve similar results!

2. Create a Pinterest newsroom

If you are pinning one press release, why not create a corporate newsroom pinboard to showcase it, along with your other media/news assets? It can mirror your website's newsroom, or enhance it with fresh material. Here is a great example from MGM Resorts.

In addition to press releases and infographics, your newsroom pinboard should include news clips, company blog posts, short pitches or expert opinion comments and video.  Video goes a long way on the web.

Another powerful media tool is an executive staff pinboard, which links headshot photos to biographies, bylined articles, and other content that demonstrates their credibility as an expert resource.

When you quote them in a press release, try linking their name directly to their pinboard for added oomph.

3. Create a pinboard that fits your infographic or news topic.

This capitalizes on search traffic and creates a natural platform for your news and/or infographic.

For example, if your press release is about a fabulous new plant or an event being held at your local garden center, look online for inspiration.  A pinboard on "Fall Festivals" or "New Plants for Spring" or "Garden Trends", might target your audience nicely and complement the topic of your release/infographic.

If your press release launches a new software product, then pinning screen captures and packaging photography might be a great start to your board.

4. Optimize the pin using the same keywords optimized in your press release.

SEO is your best friend on Pinterest. Google likes Pinterest and ranks pages high, sometimes within a few days.  Including targeted keywords from your release can magically propel your pin visibility—and thus your press release—so it's well worth the minor time investment.

Amplify your news results when you optimize your pins for the same keywords used in your release. How? Just include the same primary keyword in the title of your pinboard, wrap them into the description of each pin, then add them as a hashtag.

5. Use Pinterest for free market research.

Not only is Pinterest valuable as a post-distribution strategy, but it can spark great ideas for trend releases and bylined article topics. First, use Pinterest to identify what is being repinned and liked. Create a pinboard around a popular topic, optimize it for search, then support it with a trends or expert opinion press release that links right back to your Pinterest board. Voila—newsworthy content on a very hot topic!

If you're looking for more tips on how to maximize your garden business using Pinterest, download our free e-book: