Pinterest Got Weird In a Good Way

Dear Dex,

Okay, so Pinterest is leveling up its brainpower, which is cool and all. But this “Collage Remixing” thing has me scratching my head. Basically, how do we stop our carefully curated product pics from turning into internet meme fodder? Like, picture our sleek, minimalist furniture getting Photoshopped into a unicorn rave. Fun for the internet, maybe less fun for our brand image. Got any tips on how to ride this user-creation wave without wiping out?

And then there are the trends. Apparently, we’re all supposed to be obsessed with “cherry red everything” and dressing like stylish pirates next year. Seriously, how do we even subtly hint at “cherry red industrial chic” without looking like a toddler finger-painted our entire inventory? My design team is side-eyeing me hard.

Pinterest’s getting all touchy-feely with user collages and psychic about future fads. We gotta roll with it to sell stuff, right? So, spill the beans, Dex. How do we make this weird new Pinterest work for our business without losing our minds (or our brand identity)?

Slightly Terrified But Trying to Be Chill,

Pinning for Profit

P.S. Please send meme-control strategies!

Dear Pinning for Profit,

Hmmm. Minimalist “unicorn rave” furniture – I’m both horrified and strangely intrigued. You’ve hit the nail on the head: user-generated content is a glorious, unpredictable beast. Here’s the lowdown on navigating Pinterest’s wild side:

Operation Meme Control (Sort Of)

You can’t stop the internet from doing its internet thing. But you can try to steer the ship.

• Embrace the Absurd (Carefully). Sometimes, a little controlled chaos can be gold. Consider running a fun, lighthearted “remix our product” contest with clear (and slightly silly) guidelines. Reward creativity, and you might just generate some viral gold.
• Monitor Like a Hawk (But Don’t Strangle the Fun). Keep a close eye on what’s being remixed. If things go truly off-brand, you might need to politely step in (think gentle DM, not full-on takedown).
• Lead by Example. Create some fun, slightly off-kilter remix examples yourself to set the tone. Show your audience you have a sense of humor.

Cherry Red Industrial Chic

• Accent, Don’t Assault. Think cherry red throw pillows on your industrial sofas, not a full-on cherry red steel beam. Small, impactful pops of the trend.
• Mood Boards with a Wink. Create Pinterest boards showcasing how to subtly incorporate these trends into your existing aesthetic. Think “Industrial Edge with a Hint of Cherry Rebellion.”
• “Get the Look” with Options. Show the full-on trend for the brave, but also offer toned-down alternatives for the less adventurous.

Making the Weird Work

• Experiment (But Track Everything). Try out these new features and trends in small doses. See what resonates with your audience (and what makes them run screaming). Analytics are your friend.
• Stay True to Your Core. Don’t completely abandon your brand identity chasing every fleeting trend. Find ways to weave them in authentically.
• Humor is Your Weapon. A little self-awareness and a good sense of humor can go a long way in navigating the unpredictable world of social media.

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Bottom line: Pinterest’s getting playful. Lean into the weirdness, keep a watchful eye, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Who knows? Your unicorn-rave-chic furniture line might just be your next bestseller (probably not, but hey, stranger things have happened on the internet).

Stay (mildly) sane and keep those pins coming!

Dex