Pinterest just helped me close a customer

By
Home Builder with The Flooring Girl

I knew I could put Pinterest to good use.  I've written about Pinterest twice.  First in Pinterest has piqued my interest  (I explain how to get started...from a newbie perspective and some ideas I had on how I could apply to my biz) and then again in Need some kitchen remodel ideas? where I shared an idea to help people with kitchen design ideas.  Yesterday, is when I realized the true power of Pinterest for my business.


pinterest boards 

So, I've been having fun with Pinterest and collecting pictures...both fun ones, and more importantly, ones that I knew would help me with my business.  Among my many boards, I have a kitchen board, a backsplash board, hardwood flooring, floors that score, patterned carpets, fancy wool carpets, eco-friendly flooring, molding and wainscoting...all with the idea that I can show these to customers so they can visualize their project (and also to cover me when I don't have the all the right samples in my car).  I've used it a few times, but yesterday showed me just how powerful this can be.

 

pinterest floors that scoreI had an appointment for tile for a kitchen floor.   When I got there, it was apparent that tile would be prohibitively expensive for them, especially given the their floors are on plywood and not flat.  As it turned out, the wife actually preferred hardwood but mistakenly thought this was more expensive.  So, I was better able to meet both their budget and their preferences.  But, the husband couldn't visualize what wood floors would look like in the kitchen.  So, they had an iPad and I showed them my Pinterest boards.  Very quickly, I was able to show them many kitchens with hardwood and help them pick a color for their hardwood and color for their cabinets (a friend of mine is doing their cabinets).  We also found some possibilities for granite.

 

Kitchens that Kook - PinterestWe didn't stop there....once we figured out the big 3 for the kitchen (floors, countertop, cabinets), we started to look at backsplashes.  I directed them to my "Backsplashes that make a splash board" where we picked a pattern/style and a general look for the stone for the backsplash.  (I then showed them some backsplash tiles from my car...but advised them to hold off on picking which one until after the granite slab is selected since the color may look slightly different.

 

They were thrilled.  They went from overwhelmed and confused to wow, we are getting close on our kitchen.  I can't wait to see the end product (and hopefully it will be done by the end of the summer as they need to wait a bit).

 

Here's a link to my pinterest profile if you want to follow me and see what I'm doing.  I have lot more plans for Pinterest and I'm excited about the possibilities.

Comments (35)

Mike Warren
Real Estate - Colorado Springs, CO

Pinterest is really awesome! I'm happy for yah!

Jun 03, 2012 02:39 PM
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Debbie, what a great story about the uses of Pinterest! I started early and shied away from it because of all the scare blogs, but I'm going to take a look at it again. I absolutely LOVED it and I definitely can see how it could help even my buyers when they are preparing for the design center! Thanks!!!!!

Sharon

Jun 03, 2012 02:48 PM
Sally Weatherley
EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Debbie - Checked out your Pinterest site - you've got some great work "pinned" there.  Have to say, I loved the Classic & Classy board - Audrey Hepburn, Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly... all my faves!  Fab that you were able to use Pinterest for business.  I've got to get on the Pinterest bandwagon!

Jun 03, 2012 02:54 PM
Gary Frimann, CRS, GRI
Eagle Ridge Realty / Signature Homes & Estates - Gilroy, CA
REALTOR and Broker

Thanks Debbie.  I signed up a while back, but have yet to use Pinterest.  I will check your blog posts on it and try and put it to good use.

Jun 03, 2012 03:05 PM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Debbie. earlier it was a blog here and now, Pinterest....this shows you are the best 'Internet Marketer' around!

Jun 03, 2012 03:09 PM
Rachell Lara & A List Properties
eXp Realty / 619.316.7445 - San Diego, CA
A List Properties - San Diego Neighborhood Experts

Great way to use it. I love the potential, and it is great to see the sucesses.

Jun 03, 2012 04:55 PM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566
Now that is a Great story. Are the collages from ipiccy? You put them in Pinterest groups, too!!
Jun 03, 2012 05:00 PM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Debbie:  You proved beyond a shadow of a doubt how someone within our industry can creatively and positively use Pinterest to expand and improve their business.  I know many express doubt about this site and its future ... mostly because of the copyright issue, but I've got a great feeling about it.  I'm trying to develop my boards and broaden my visibility and following using its popularity and fresh approach.  I'm hoping I can prove we lenders are "with it" ... and can reach a new and younger audience in this way.  It's been fun .. and I'm enjoying it.  It's been something my wife and I work on together for me.  Your post has given me some new ideas ... so thank you much.  Congratulations on the great success you have seen with your participation!  (plus the Feature)  I'll try to re-pin if you do!!

GREAT post ...

Gene

Jun 03, 2012 06:36 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Great news Debbie, I'm certain you will be getting more from it in the future too.

Jun 03, 2012 06:55 PM
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

Grrst duccrss story, Debbie! Congratulstions on thr clodr!

 

Jun 03, 2012 07:11 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Ellen - I felt that way at first too, but honestly, it was pretty simple.

Debe - Cool. I"m so glad to hear that.  Yes, I've been pinning more & more...it makes me want to do posts with new pictures.

Jennifer - Yes, it does and I've organized it in the way I need it.

Andrea - Oh yes, that's a great way to describe it.  And, thx for subscribing. I really really appreciate that.

Chrstine - getting there.  I've only been using for a bit over a month.

Mike - I'm glad you like it, too.

Sharon - Yes, it's so fun and easy to use (and a bit addictive).  But, if you stay focused it's good.

Sally - Oh thank you so much.  Yes, the classic and classy board is fun - kind of retro.

Jun 03, 2012 08:14 PM
Dylan Taft
Dylan Taft Broker/Owner Taft Street Realty, Inc. - Woodstock, NY
Ulster County Area Consultant

I was certain Pinterest would work well for you.  Like I said before, you are branding and postioning yourself to be THE go to person for all things flooring.  Great job and thanks, as always, for sharing!

Jun 03, 2012 10:02 PM
Amanda Christiansen
Christiansen Group Realty (260)704-0843 - Fort Wayne, IN
Christiansen Group Realty

Congrats on making Pinterest work for you!  I still haven't done anything with it.  Good for you though!                              

Jun 03, 2012 10:19 PM
Barbara Michaluk
Weichert Realtors | Silver Spring, MD Phone Direct 240-506-2434 - Silver Spring, MD
Leisure World Specialist / Full Service REALTOR

Debbie, thanks for sharing your success and tips on ways to use Pinterest for business. 

Jun 03, 2012 11:00 PM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Debbie, Your marketing is really working. Don't change a thing.

Jun 04, 2012 01:52 AM
Rob Lang
At Home Kansas - Shawnee, KS
Local Expert in NE Central Kansas Real Estate Home

It sounds like Pinterest works perfectly for your business!  I wouldn't have thought to use that as a way to give customers ideas on what they can choose to purchase, but that's a great idea!

Jun 04, 2012 07:30 AM
RealSupport, Inc.
RealSupport Inc. - Schaumburg, IL
- Virtual Real Estate Marketing

Debbie, we love seeing posts like this! We think that for industries like the one you're in and luxury real estate agents that Pinterest is a goldmine that you should DEFINITELY take advantage of. Thanks for the great post!

 

Jun 06, 2012 02:57 AM
Lynn Pineda
eXp Realty - Boca Raton, FL
Real Estate Promises delivered in SE Florida

Debbie, I'm with you...love Pinterest. In fact, Pinterest is where I've had the chance to chat with you a bit :)

Jul 29, 2012 04:59 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Lynn - Yes, I know.  It's been really fun and I love so many of your pins.  You're one of my pinterest buddies.

Jul 29, 2012 11:49 AM
Bobbie Smith
Stroudsburg, PA
570-242-1891

I must have missed this post. Sorry Debbie.  I love Pinterest and I find it very addictive although I am sure I am not using it as "good" as I should be.  This post has given me some great ideas.  You are so creative!  Thank you!

Aug 02, 2012 09:27 AM

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