Pinterest, the picture sharing social network, is obviously doing something right.
Not only did the site reach 10 million monthly active users faster than any other in history, but it’s generating quite a buzz even as it’s growth slows.
The craziest part of this success story is that it’s not even a new idea!
Pinterest just took an existing phenomenon and refined it.
A Like Button for Images
If you think about it, that’s all Pinterest is. It’s a cleaner, more focused version of Facebook’s photos feature.
Pinterest’s Secret to Success
Pinterest does what so many businesses are scared to do. Pinterest builds upon the success of others.
Have you noticed, by the way, that Pinterest has been heavily integrated with Facebook & Twitter from the beginning?
Why reinvent the wheel right? Pinterest’s founders recognized that they could leverage the HUGE networks that Twitter and Facebook had already built to power Pinterest’s growth.
If you’re struggling to build a platform for growth, you should consider the same tactic.
Instead of starting from scratch, use the resources that are readily available in the world. Here’s some examples:
If you’re a blogger…
…consider guest posting. Guest posting is a great way for two bloggers to share their audiences. It also gives the audiences some variety.
If you’re a retailer…
…consider cross-promoting with other retailers in your area. A clothing store might partner with a salon, for example.
The point is…
…don’t double up efforts. You’ll find that most of the time, your community will be more than happy to pool resources, because there’s plenty of business to go around, especially if you choose someone who’s not a direct competitor.
It’s damn near impossible to come up with a completely original idea these days, so don’t waste time trying. Take something that exists and improve upon it. Besides, originality is overrated.
What do you think?
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