Pinterest – the virtual bulletin board that allows users to store and share images and links they find interesting or inspiring – grew to over 10 million active users faster than any standalone website. It immediately secured its place as the social media darling of 2012, and for good reason. But as a business owner or marketing manager you may be wondering, “Is Pinterest right for me?”.

We’d advise it’s time for you to consider Pinterest as an integral part of your social marketing effort, right next to the Big 3  - Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Here’s why: businesses that have effectively used Pinterest as a marketing tool have experienced higher referral traffic, higher quality leads, more sharing through Facebook and Twitter, and increases in sales. Read on to learn how you can successfully market on Pinterest, and follow the example set by the companies that have increased their social reach and sales as a result.