Company Description

Pinterest is a major player in the information technology and services industry. With approximately 7,400 employees, the company offers an interactive platform that closely resembles social media networks such as Facebook and Instagram, with a unique focus on visual content curation and discovery.

Pinterest.com serves as an online board where users can 'pin' images and contents from across the web. These curated, topic-specific boards allow users to collect ideas, share them with others, and interact with fellow users who share similar interests.

The platform encourages direct messaging and facilitates conversation by allowing users to send pinned content to friends or groups, sparking inspiration and fostering a sense of community. This dialogue is easily accessible via speech ellipsis icons on both desktop versions and mobile devices.

Pinterest sets itself apart from other social media platforms by connecting users with content that aligns with their interests rather than just connecting them with other users. This distinctive attribute makes Pinterest a viable tool for personal entertainment, as well as a valuable resource for social media marketing strategies by directing users back to the original source of the pinned image, providing additional information about the content.

In terms of transparency, Pinterest has made notable improvements in reporting on government takedown notices, although criticism has been made regarding the lack of clear commitment to notify users about content removals and account suspensions. In 2019, the company received a three-star rating (out of six) from the Electronic Frontier Foundation's "Who Has Your Back?" report.

Despite blocked access by Chinese authorities since March 2017, Pinterest continues to thrive and evolve as a unique platform that merges the social interaction of traditional social media with content exploration and discovery.

Sales Plan

1. Target Customer

Company Name: Pinterest
Website: pinterest.com
Industry: Information Technology & Services
Estimated Number of Employees: 7700

2. Customer Pain Points

i. Lack of Transparency and Control

Pinterest has been criticized for not committing to notifying users about content removals and account suspensions^[1]. This could lead to dissatisfaction and trust issues among the user base.

ii. Limited User Interactions

Pinterest's user engagement is limited primarily to following, liking, commenting on pins, and sending direct messages^[2][4]. These tools may be limited compared to other social media networking sites, restricting the way users can connect with each other.

iii. Lack of In-Depth Content Exploration

Pinterest users can click on images to visit the original site for more information^[2]. However, this experience may lack depth and richness, potentially reducing user engagement and satisfaction.

iv. Accessibility Challenges

Pinterest's heavy reliance on visuals may pose accessibility challenges for individuals with visual impairments. The lack of robust accessibility features could potentially exclude a significant user demographic^[3].

v. Insufficient Analytics for Brands and Influencers

There's a lack of comprehensive analytics for brands and influencers to track user engagements with their content. The existing metrics may not provide enough insights like view time, interaction details, or deep behavioral insights^[5].

3. Sales Strategy

i. Approach with Solutions

Approach Pinterest with a software solution that aids in managing, tracking, and communicating content removals and account suspensions. This solution should be geared towards improving transparency and trust with the user base.

ii. Enhancing User Interactions

Offer a software solution that enhances user interaction opportunities by leveraging AI. This solution should suggest collaborative boards or recommend user connections based on mutual interests.

iii. Improve Content Exploration

Propose a software solution that provides enriched and immersive exploration of pinned content. This could include additional information, interactive features, or multimedia expansions.

iv. Improving Accessibility

Offer a software suite that enhances accessibility on the platform. Essential features could include comprehensive alt text for pins and navigational aids for visually impaired users.

v. Advanced Analytics

Suggest an advanced analytics software that offers detailed metrics and user engagement insights. This will help brands, influencers, and marketers devise effective content strategies and optimize their pins for maximum engagement and ROI.