10 Brilliant Pinterest Board Ideas From Real Brands

Yes, Pinterest might be the fourth largest traffic driver in the world ... but it's still a pretty challenging network to use for most companies, especially for those in the B2B sector.

Maybe you've claimed your company's Pinterest profile and added a board or two with a few pins. Or maybe you haven't even dipped your toe into the network yet. Or maybe, the last three sentences you just read were nonsense to you because you're rocking Pinterest all day long.

Regardless of whether you're a Pinterest pro or an excited newbie, this blog post has got something to help you do your job better. It's always good to see what your inbound marketing peers are up to so you can improve your own marketing -- so here are 13 of our favorite pinboard ideas to inspire your own Pinterest marketing.

1) Lowe's: Build It!

On Lowe's Build It! Pinterest board, the home improvement company features barely any of its own content ... and that's a good thing. Instead, Lowe's pins DIY projects from external bloggers -- all which can be made from products purchased at Lowe's. We chose this board because Lowe's perfectly balances promoting its own products while simultaneously engaging its blogger community.

Build it!by Lowe's

Take a look at 14 great bookcase designs! They would be so cool to build with your own touch.

Kids Play + Camping Tent - $10 to make +10 minutes to create! Super simple creation that your kids will love!

Sponge towers- cheap and quiet. Great idea!

DIY stone back splash from Airstone! No power tools or grout.

Create a little industrial style with piped-in shelving.

Super easy way to make your own tablet holder. #DIY #tablet #iPad

How to make a no sew teepee! The only tools you'll need are a drill and a glue gun.

Kick up your heels! Hang your shoes from wall-mounted moulding.

Upcycle old drawers into under-bed rolling storage!

Free plans to build an easy DAYBED with STORAGE TRUNDLE DRAWERS- Gain tons of storage with this clever design!

Transform plain baseboards into distinctive customized mouldings that add a dash of color -- all for less than $1 per foot.

Turn a vaulted entry into playroom or office.

An example of a reclaimed pallet bistro table from Etsy.

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2) Petplan Insurance: Breed All About It -- Dogs

We love this Pinterest board because it's a perfect combination of original, educational, and visual content -- all while featuring adorable dogs. Each pin is perfectly optimized as well -- a simple, engaging image; a longer, descriptive caption; and a link to more educational content on Petplan Insurance's site. Kudos to this insurance company for making the most of a visual social network!

Breed All About It: Dogs by Petplan Pet Insurance

Developed for stamina, versatility and of course, cold temperatures, the Elkhound’s form has remained largely unchanged for thousands of years. Her silver-grey outer coat has saddle markings, often with black points, and covers a soft, dense undercoat meant to protect her from harsh weather. Energetic, loyal and devoted to her family — she is happiest when she is close to her people and can make an excellent tracking or agility dog.

The precise origins of the Sarplaninac (pronounced shar-pla-NEE-natz) are unclear, but theories abound that she descends from either the ancient Molosser dogs of Greece, cattle dogs that migrated west from Asia, or the livestock guarding dogs of Turkey. She gets her name from the mountain Shar Planina, located in the Balkans, which stretches from Macedonia and Yugoslavia to Albania.

The Tosa Inu is a Japanese dog that was developed between 1868 and 1912 by crossing several different breeds. Tosas were often referred to as the Sumo wrestler of the dog world, and indeed, they were traditionally used for dog fighting, which dates back to the 14th century in Japan. Dog-fighting is now illegal in Japan and many other countries, and today the Tosa is considered a Japanese national treasure. While his coat is easy to keep he does have a tendency to drool!

The Peek-a-poo (or Pekepoo) is the result of cross between a Pekingese and a Toy or Miniature Poodle. An active and energetic dog, the Peek-a-poo greatly enjoys her daily walks or romps in the backyard, which can help her avoid destructive tendencies. She is loving, affectionate and protective toward her family, and she is known to announce the presence of suspicious strangers with a mighty voice.

The Silken Windhound is a relatively new breed of sighthound, having first been developed in 1987 by a Kentucky Borzoi and Deerhound breeder, Francie Stull. Stull was attempting to create a smaller sighthound with the same athleticism and elegance of the larger sighthounds, with a wonderful temperament, long coat and all-around good health. She combined champion Borzois, small Whippet-based Lurchers and purebred Whippets, and the Silken Windhound was the result.

The Patterdale Terrier gets his name from a small village in the Lake District of Cumbria in Northwest England, where he comes from. His exact origins are unknown, but Lakeland, Border and Bedlington terriers were all used in developing the breed.

The Dutch Smoushond, or Dutch Ratter, is a very rare breed of dog descended from terrier-type dogs in Germany and the Netherlands. He was originally bred to keep stables free of rats and other vermin, but he was also popular in the late 1800s as a gentleman's companion.

Did you know the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is the only dog breed to be named for a fictional character? His name comes from a character in an 1814 Sir Walter Scott novel, Guy Mannering. In the book, the farmer Dandie Dinmont owns terriers named “Pepper” and “Mustard” after the colors of their coats.

In early 18th century, a breed of little white dog similar to the Bichon Frisé or Bolognese of today arrived in Russia. There are differing accounts of how she got there — some say that a small dog from the courts of Louis IV of France was presented to a member of the Russian nobility, as a gift. Others claim the breed migrated to the Russian Empire with Napoleon’s army and were known as “Bolonka” (which translates to “Bolognese” in several Slavic languages).

The Berger Picard, or Picardy Shepherd, was likely descended from dogs brought to France by Central European Celts around 400 B.C., making him one of the oldest of the French herding breeds. Sheepdogs resembling Berger Picards have been depicted in tapestries and engravings dating back to the Middle Ages.

As her name suggests, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon has a wiry, coarse double coat that enables her to pursue her prey through brambles and brush. Her coat gives her a somewhat unkempt appearance, but regular brushing will keep its natural unruliness under control. As she is a hunting dog, she does require plenty of exercise to stay physically and mentally fit, but she is also known for being calmer than most field breeds when indoors.

Standing around 20 inches at the shoulders, the Small Münsterländer weighs between 40 and 55 lbs. His intelligence and devotion make this #dog breed easy to train, but these traits also mean he needs plenty of mental and physical exercise. He is happiest when pointing, tracking and retrieving — all of which he will do naturally — so a fenced-in yard is best to keep this natural hunter well-exercised and close to home!

The Plott is a big-game hunting dog with a very unique – and well-documented – history. He's also the state dog of North Carolina!

The Large Münsterländer is an athletic gun #dog averaging 60-65 lbs., with a medium-length black and white coat. His thick coat provides protection against the cold, but he can also do well in warmer climates. Plenty of exercise and a strong leader are especially important for him, and without both, he can become destructive and distressed. He is happiest when working, and does best in a home with a large yard.

Despite her name, the Irish Red and White Setter is a distinct breed, not just a different colored version of the Irish Setter. Originating in the 17th century, she descended from the ancient livestock-herding dogs brought to Ireland by invading Roman armies. But by the early 19th century, she was nearly extinct, due in part to the overwhelming popularity of her all-red cousin. #dog-breed

A natural working #dog, the English Shepherd requires regular activities and daily exercise. His courage and intelligence make him a natural at search and rescue, and his gentle, patient nature — especially with children — makes him an ideal therapy dog.

The Bolognese, named for the northern Italian city of Bologna where he originated, is closely related to both the Bichon Frise and Havanese. Already known in the Roman era, the Bolognese appears prominently on lists of gifts to and from powerful men, including Cosimo de Medici and King Philipe II of Spain, and he even appears in works by Titian and Goya #dog-breed

Originating in the Artois and Normandy regions of France in the 1600s, the Basset Artésian Normand is one of six recognized French Basset breeds. Bred to hunt, the Artésian is a brave, determined and headstrong dog. However, her friendly, good-natured temperament also makes her a good family companion. #dog-breed

The Barbet, or French Water #Dog, is an ancient breed, with earliest references dating back to the 14th century. His name comes from the French word “barbe,” which means beard, and indeed he does sport a wiry beard. #dog-breed

While always highly valued by the Tibetan people, an 11-month-old male Tibetan Mastiff #dog named "Big Splash" became the most expensive dog in the world when he was purchased in March 2011 by a Chinese businessman for 1.5 million dollars

The Stabyhoun, or Stabij, originated around 1800 in Friesland, a northern province in the Netherlands, and was likely descended from spaniels brought there by Spanish conquistadors. Her name indicates her loyal nature: “sta me bij” is Dutch for “stand by me,” and “houn” means #dog

For the last 1,000 years, the Spanish Water #Dog has helped herd sheep and goats in the mountainous Andalucían region of Spain (which he still does today), where he is also employed as a search-and-rescue dog.

There is some dispute as to whether the Smooth Fox Terrier and the Wirehaired Fox Terrier are variations on the same #dog breed, as they were considered to be for many years. Today, the consensus seems to be that despite their similarities, they likely had different ancestries.

The Schipperke (whose name in German means “little boatman”) is a small, solid #dog with a pointed, fox-like face. His diminutive appearance hides an extremely mischievous demeanor, and he possesses a natural curiosity about everything in his surroundings.

The first red coonhounds were brought to North America by Scottish immigrants at the end of the 18th century. Peter Redbone of Tennessee (for whom the #dog breed was named) was one of several breeders who combined those hounds with Irish Foxhounds and Bloodhounds to further develop their hunting abilities.

The Polish Tatra Sheepdog, also called the Owczarek Podhalanski, takes her name from Poland's Tatra Mountains. There is some mystery around this #dog breed's exact heritage, but she bears a striking resemblance to other Molosser breeds, including the Hungarian Kuvasz, Great Pyrenees and Anatolian Shepherd.

Though the Otterhound is big – and sometimes klutzy! – he is a friendly and independent #dog breed, happy to keep himself occupied with “hunting” in your backyard. He has a unique bay, rather than a bark, that he delights in using whenever he has something to communicate to his family.

In the 1970s, breeders began attempting to recreate the "Regency Period Bull Baiter" of the early 1800s, crossing English Bulldogs, American Bulldogs, American Pit Bull Terriers and Bullmastiffs to create a new #dog breed, which they christened the Olde English Bulldogge.

The Mudi (pronounced “moody”) is a Hungarian herdsman’s dog, like the Puli and Komondor. But unlike those older and better-known #dog breeds, the Mudi is only about 100 years old and still relatively rare, even in Hungary.

For centuries, this #dog breed (also known as the Cane da Pastore Maremmano-Abruzzese, or Maremmano for short) has been the four-legged helper of shepherds of the Abruzzo and Maremma regions of Italy, guarding sheep from wolves.

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3) WSJ: WSJ Graphics

With "the death of journalism" supposedly on the horizon (can you tell I'm not buying it?), media companies are getting creative with visual content -- and The Wall Street Journal is no exception. On this Pinterest board, the media company has some awesome original graphics that could help increase readership if shared with the right audience -- and Pinterest is the perfect place to compile them. The only thing WSJ could have done better is if it included proper links to articles in each pin. Right now, each pin leads to you TweetDeck ... which is probably not the best strategy for WSJ.

WSJ Graphics by WSJ Graphics

Vietnam is outpacing regional rivals as reforms gradually set in.

Prevalence of noncompete agreements jumped during the recession and remains at high levels

HMO plans aren't widely used by workers with employer coverage

Nine months after a fire during Sandy decimated Breezy Point, a first house is nearing completion.

Some North and West African wars involving mercenaries

Connecticut airport is buying homes near crash

Find the public artworks within one mile during NYC's Summer Streets route

Real-estate investors buy Oakland Calif. - absentee and cash-only homes sales make up more 60% of the market.

Some analysts estimate BlackBerry's assets at less than the company's current market cap.

Regulators say the Big Four accounting firms are making more mistakes even as their revenue climbs.

Global economy growth is shifting away from the emerging countries that had led since the global financial crisis

How one U.S. agency, the Labor Dept., releases economic reports to media

Home prices rise steeply in West, Sunbel

Facebook is charging about $2 million per day for a 15-sec. video ad. How other rates compare:

Heroin use is rising. There were 3,094 overdose deaths in 2010, a 55% increase from 2000, according to the CDC.

Android dominates market share while Apple dominates profits.

Federal Railroad Administration to tighten safety regulations. Fracking fluid in oil shipments is a concern.

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4) Benjamin Moore: doors!

For most companies, pinning your product directly isn't going to work. And Benjamin Moore, a paint retailer, definitely has that problem, too. Who wants to look at cans of paint all day? Definitely not me. On this board, Benjamin Moore was able to feature its product in pins while also creating a board around something people actually want to see more about -- door paint colors. Bonus: Benjamin Moore features content from all over the web, spreading the content wealth and building its own brand at the same time.

doors!by Benjamin Moore

Perfecting pink with Benjamin Moore Potpourri!

Create a sharp contrast with bright green and dark gray colors!

Make a fun entrance with Benjamin Moore Tomato Red, Yellow Haze, and Sweet Orange!

Give your door a little edge with Calypso Blue!

Welcome with an impressionable shade of gray

Love this color? Try bermuda blue (2061-30)

Contrast a glossy black door with a bold blue!

Love this color? Try Benjamin Moore new lime!

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5) GE: That's Genius!

We've said it before and we'll say it again: B2C companies don't have to have all the fun on Pinterest. GE is one of those consistently stellar examples of a B2B company with fabulous visual content. And this board proves that point once again. Featuring quotes from Thomas Edison (the founder of GE), the pins use typography to make engaging visuals. We love the creativity -- definitely something even the most design-averse marketers could create for their Pinterest accounts. (Tip: If you're one of those marketers, here's a free template to help you create visual quotes for social media.)

That's Genius!by GE

Positive thinking is the nucleus of a happy life.

What do you see in the future of medicine?

Why do you think science is so wonderful?

What innovations are you working on today?

How are you taking care of our body this week?

What opportunities are you seizing today?

Comment with how you encourage your friends!

Repin if you have friends who need to hear this!

What are you trying to accomplish today?

Do you have a #clock you stare at in your #office? #Edison #GE

#Edison had skills. So he wasn't actually quoted saying this, but he might have if he were alive today. What other #quotes might Edison say today?

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6) Etsy: Guest Pinner -- Random House

Ever since Pinterest introduced group boards, I've been trying to find examples that didn't feel spammy. Often, people will create a group board, invite as many people to it as possible to pin, and pin the living daylights out of their content so they can get clicks. Ugh.

But I was very excited when I found this group board between Etsy and Random House. Etsy invited Random House as a "Guest Pinner" one week. Random House then shared its favorite literary-themed Etsy products on the board. While the pins themselves are all pretty cool (andRich!), I was most impressed by the brand partnership itself between visual and non-visual companies. How could you partner with another company on Pinterest?

Guest Pinner: Random House by Etsy

This bookshelf doubles as the centerpiece of the room. Love. #RandomHouseBooks

You'd never judge a book by its cover but.... #RandomHouseBooks

Abandoned paperbacks get a new life with this Artichoke pendant light. Wouldn't this be a lovely way to light your reading nook? #RandomHouseBooks

10 awesome book hacks. #RandomHouseBooks

This giraffe thrives on your reading collection. #RandomHouseBooks

Literary lollipops, inspired by Pride and Prejudice. Almost too pretty to eat. #RandomHouseBooks

A reading nook lives inside the bookcase. Smart! #RandomHouseBooks

If you've ever wanted to live in your bookshelf, here's your chance. #RandomHouseBooks

Quite possibly the most adorable bookmarks. #RandomHouseBooks

Watercolor and tempera painted on a discarded book page. #RandomHouseBooks

We call this... catshelf. #RandomHouseBooks

It's elementary, my dear. #RandomHouseBooks

A book brooch, inspired by Charlotte's Web.

It wasn't Dorothy's house that put the Wicked Witch out of business...

Drink like Kafka! Snack like F. Scott Fitzgerald! We love this illustrated print, Snacks of the Great Scribblers.

We won't blame you if you don't get a wink of sleep. Who can resist turning the pages of this incredible headboard?

Diane Keaton's library gives us serious envy. Love!

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7) Amerifirst Home Mortgage: Zombie Home Buyers

In yesterday's post on the importance of helpful content, Dan Moyle mentioned an idea for fun content for a "boring industry": a guide for zombie first-time home buyers. Well, after some research, we found that this idea wasn't so fictional after all -- Dan's team put together a Pinterest board all about it! This was such a creative idea for visual B2B content that we had to share it with you:

Zombie Home Buyers by AmeriFirst Home Mortgage

Pick your furniture based on getting ready for the zombie apocalypse. You never know!

How a HomePath Renovation Mortgage is Like Battling Zombies. / Because...well, why not?

Zombie still make terrible first time home buyers. You have a better chance of buying that first home than a zombie. Good to know.

Why zombies make terrible first time home buyers. Maybe you'd be a better first time buyer?

Did you know zombies make terrible first time home buyers? Here are 7 reasons why.

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8) Sephora: Nailspotting

The only thing that could trump helpful content is helpful content from users themselves. Sephora does just that on its board called Nailspotting. Featuring nail design photos from Sephora community members, this board has one feature that WSJ should have included: links in each pin to Sephora products featured in the pin's photo. This board is a great mesh between empowering the community, helping Pinterest users, and promoting Sephora products.

Nailspotting by Sephora

heygirlnails' nails! Show us your tips—tag your nail photos with #SephoraNailspotting to be featured on our social sites!

the_nail_lounge_miramarThe Nail Lounge's nails! Show us your tips—tag your nail photos with #SephoraNailspotting to be featured on our social sites!

lillianloveslacquer's nails! Show us your tips—tag your nail photos with #SephoraNailspotting to be featured on our social sites!

littlemisspolish's nails! Show us your tips—tag your nail photos with #SephoraNailspotting to be featured on our social sites!

keshialilly's nails! Show us your tips—tag your nail photos with #SephoraNailspotting to be featured on our social sites!

jassibhappi's nails! Show us your tips—tag your nail photos with #SephoraNailspotting to be featured on our social sites!

royalxqueen's nails! Show us your tips—tag your nail photos with #SephoraNailspotting to be featured on our social sites!

toniiiiiann's nails! Show us your tips—tag your nail photos with #SephoraNailspotting to be featured on our social sites!

chicnailstyles' nails! Show us your tips—tag your nail photos with #SephoraNailspotting to be featured on our social sites!

Nails by ogjennyfromtheblock! Show us your tips—tag your nail photos with #SephoraNailspotting to be featured on our social sites!

Nails by samilovessyou! Show us your tips—tag your nail photos with #SephoraNailspotting to be featured on our social sites!

Nails by fayrelle! Show us your tips—tag your nail photos with #SephoraNailspotting to be featured on our social sites!

Nails by thepinkpatter! Show us your tips—tag your nail photos with #SephoraNailspotting to be featured on our social sites!

Nails by nichole_bryanna! Show us your tips—tag your nail photos with #SephoraNailspotting to be featured on our social sites!

Deborah Lippmann, master manicurist, shares her tips for creating four runway-ready nail art. Read more on the Glossy! #Sephora #SephoraNailspotting #NailArt #HowTo

Ladies and gentleman, let’s give Deborah Lippmann, the nail guru and jazz singer, a big hand. Read more on the Glossy! #Sephora #SephoraNailSpotting

Which shade brightens your day? These NEW Julep shades (Madison, Jane and Bette) are our ultimate pick-me-up. #Sephora

Beauty HOW TO: Lemon Fizz Caviar Manicure by Ciaté #Sephora #SephoraNailspotting #howto #nailart

Beauty HOW TO: Bling it On Crystaltastic Nails Foiled You courtesy of nails inc. #Sephora #SephoraNailspotting #nailart #nails

its_chewy8's nails! Show us your tips—tag your nail photos with #SephoraNailspotting to be featured on our social sites!

nailsby_jacqueline's nails! Show us your tips—tag your nail photos with #SephoraNailspotting to be featured on our social sites!

lifeinlacquer's nails! Show us your tips—tag your nail photos with #SephoraNailspotting to be featured on our social sites!

nailartbyjen's nails! Show us your tips—tag your nail photos with #SephoraNailspotting to be featured on our social sites!

thepinkpatter's nails! Show us your tips—tag your nail photos with #SephoraNailspotting to be featured on our social sites!

mireyaaxo's nails! Show us your tips—tag your nail photos with #SephoraNailspotting to be featured on our social sites!

reda_l's nails! Show us your tips—tag your nail photos with #SephoraNailspotting to be featured on our social sites!

cheetorad's nails! Show us your tips—tag your nail photos with #SephoraNailspotting to be featured on our social sites!

samilovessyou's nails! Show us your tips—tag your nail photos with #SephoraNailspotting to be featured on our social sites!

nailsbydesreen's nails! Show us your tips—tag your nail photos with #SephoraNailspotting to be featured on our social sites!

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9) AMD Processors: Computer Workstations

Last, but certainly not least, here is another example of a B2B company successfully embracing visual content that people feel pretty passionate about. Whether it's a two-screen command center in your man cave or whatever comfortable position you can find on the couch, most people have an ideal computer setup -- but are constantly looking to improve the setup they have. The best part of this board is that it caters to one persona -- those who care about their computer setup -- but still addresses a variety of interests.

Computer Workstations by AMD

Treadmill Desk Lets You Work While You Exercise and Vice Versa

Computer Desk Reveal from Remodelaholic #office #desk #computerdesk #decor

Ergo Arm Adjustable Armrest - $52 | Petagadget

The Truck Driver's Pressure Relieving Cushion. Great seat cushion when sitting at the computer for extended periods of time.

Adjustable, Ergonomic, and Portable Sit/Stand Desk that works with any desk!

Need to strengthen and circulate while working.

White Shift Ctrl Esc Del LED Keyboard Desk Lamp Light

Gamers Paradise - Gaming Desk - A new way to play! by David Wrobel, via Kickstarter. Gamer Paradise desk is the first desk designed completely for computer enthusiasts who want a premium desk.

Quad LCD Monitor stand Fully adjustable New

Drink clip to keep drinks off your desk and away from spilling on your computer.

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10) Honda: Caitlin's Pintermission

One of the biggest complaints about Pinterest is that lots of DIY activities you pin never actually get done. Honda tried to change all that with a recent campaign. In the campaign, Honda gave some avid pinners $500 to actually do something they pinned before. Then, these avid pinners were invited to document their adventure on a group board on Honda's profile -- and below is the result. Like we said before, helpful, user-generated content rocks on Pinterest.

Caitlin's #Pintermission by Caitlin Cawley