Understanding Pinterest And How It Can Help Your Blog
Hey, beautiful souls! So, you've heard all the buzz about Pinterest and you're ready to get the lowdown on what it's really all about, right? Well, honey, you've come to the right place. Pinterest isn't just another spot on the internet to lose yourself for hours on end—it's a goldmine of inspiration, a sanctuary for your wildest dreams and ideas to take root and flourish. Whether you're looking to spice up your living space, find new twists on old recipes, or just need a spark of creativity to light up your day, I've got you covered. Here are the top 11 things you need to know to navigate Pinterest like a pro and make it work for you. Let's dive in and get those creative juices flowing
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What is Pinterest
Pinterest is not just another social media platform; it's a visual discovery engine for finding ideas like recipes, home and style inspiration, and more. With billions of pins on Pinterest, it can be a powerful tool if you know how to use it effectively. The site was founded by Ben Silbermann, Paul Sciarra, and Evan Sharp. In a nutshell, Pinterest is a picture-based search engine. Bloggers and others create “pins” which are then hyperlinked back to the source of the content. Here are the top 21+ items you should know to understand and utilize Pinterest to its full potential..
How Do Pins Work
Pinterest users create Boards to hold images which are called (pins) that link to posts on your blog. You can also ‘re-pin' other bloggers‘ images from their boards into yours to provide more helpful content to your followers. Think of the boards as being folders on your computer, the same as when you bookmark a site. This enables other users to follow specific boards to see pins that would be of interest without having to look at all the images you post to your site.
Why Should I Care About Pins As A Blogger
Think Pinterest is just for hairstyles, home improvement, and recipes? Think again. 250 million people now use Pinterest each month. Pinterest is a place where folks come to focus on themselves and find inspiration for just about any and everything you can imagine. Think about it, before you became a blogger, chances are you visit Pinterest. You probably had an acct and even pinned a few ideas to a board. The same things that you do, is exactly what your readers will do.
175 billion Pins, up 75% from last year…. just imagine if a minuscule number of the 175 BILLION Pins were pins of your content.
1. Pinterest Drives Traffic
Did you know that 28% of the adult population in the US is using Pinterest? In fact, 42% of adult American women who are internet users have a Pinterest account. Your top 5 best sports bras, all-natural deodorant recipes, postpartum workouts, and more are perfect for this target audience. What are you waiting for?
85% of women users use Pinterest to plan incredible life moments” This is according to a study Pinterest commissioned to better understand its American women users aged 25-54. 53 percent of those women said they use Facebook to plan these moments, and 44 percent use Instagram.
What are “ incredible life moments,” according to Pinterest? Big ones might include decorating a new home (43 percent), or going on vacation (50 percent). Small ones are more like meals (67 percent), gym routines, and party planning.
2. Pins Get You Inbound Links
Pinterest can dramatically increase your revenue (i.e, the coins you earn) if you learn the magical powers of pins when used correctly. Spending a few hours to research and understand how Pinterest can help you increase your blog traffic is a win, win for you. I would highly suggest that you include topics/categories on your site that include fitness, wellness, workouts, eating healthy, running, weight loss and recipes, brides, home improvements as these are heavily searched on Pinterest.
That brings me to this critical juncture. Hence listen up. PINTEREST IS A SEARCH ENGINE JUST LIKE GOOGLE… IT IS NOT SOCIAL MEDIA. Contrary to what we may think. You don't have to engage 24/7 on Pinterest, but you need to share and post the correct pins that take people back to your blog site. Followers on Pinterest equates to followers of your blog site.
3. This Isn't about an Instagram Selfie or a Pretty Picture
Women are using Pinterest to get inspired, find information, increase learning and knowledge, or simply as a hobby. What does this really mean? They aren't just saving your picture for kicks & giggles. They want to save it and return back to visit your site. Something about your image pulled them in… something about your content heading pulled them in. They find immense value in your link.
As a blogger, you will soon discover that Pinterest can become your #1 source for traffic.
4. It's All About Inspiration
Pinterest is where people go to discover new ideas and find inspiration. Unlike other social networks that are primarily for connecting with friends and family, Pinterest is about exploring your interests and passions.
5. Pins and Boards
The basic building blocks of Pinterest are ‘Pins' and ‘Boards'. A Pin is an image or video that someone chooses to save to Pinterest. For organization, users create Boards, which are collections of Pins that go together. Think of Boards as a virtual pinboard or collage.
6. The Search Powerhouse
Pinterest's search functionality is robust and tailored to visual discovery. Users can search for specific items or browse through categories and trends to find what they're looking for.
7. Pinterest for Business
Businesses can use Pinterest to reach an audience that is actively seeking ideas and products. With a business account, you can create ads, access analytics, and use other tools to grow your presence on the platform.
8. Rich Pins
Rich Pins provide more context about an idea because they show extra information directly on a Pin. There are several types of Rich Pins, including Product Pins, Recipe Pins, and Article Pins, each with its own set of enhanced details.
9. The Algorithm
Pinterest's algorithm is designed to show users the most relevant Pins. It takes into account the user's previous activity, the content of the Pin, and the activity of the Pin (such as repins and likes).
10. Pinterest Analytics
For those with a business account, Pinterest Analytics is a powerful tool. It allows you to see what people like from your profile and what they save from your website. You can use this data to tailor your content strategy.
11. Shopping on Pinterest
Pinterest has made it easier for users to shop directly from Pins. With features like Product Pins and Shop the Look, users can purchase products they find without leaving the platform.
12. Pinterest Trends
Pinterest Trends is a feature that allows you to see the most popular search terms over time. This can be incredibly useful for businesses looking to tap into current trends.
10. The Pinterest Lens
The Pinterest Lens is a mobile tool that users can use to take a picture of something in the real world and find out how to buy, make, or do it. It's like a visual search engine that connects the physical world to the digital world.
13. Community and Collaboration
Pinterest also has a community aspect, where you can follow other users, comment on Pins, and even collaborate on Boards with other people.
Understanding these 11 key aspects of Pinterest can help you navigate the platform more effectively, whether you're using it for personal inspiration or as a tool to grow your business. With its unique focus on visual discovery, Pinterest stands out in the social media landscape as a place to both explore and be discovered.
Pinterest Profile Checklist
When it comes to prioritizing elements on your Pinterest profile, here are three key items you should focus on to make a significant impact:
1. Profile Optimization
Your profile is the first thing users see, so make it count. Ensure your username and profile name are recognizable and reflect your brand or personal style. The ‘About' section should be filled out with a concise and engaging bio that includes relevant keywords for better search visibility. Don't forget to add a professional or branded profile picture and a cover photo that resonates with your brand identity.
2. Board Organization and Descriptions
Organize your boards strategically. Place your most important or popular boards at the top where visitors are more likely to see them. Each board should have a clear, descriptive title and a detailed description with keywords that accurately reflect the content pinned there. This not only helps users understand what to expect from each board but also aids in search optimization within Pinterest.
3. Quality of Pins
The pins themselves are the heart of your Pinterest presence. Prioritize creating and sharing high-quality, visually appealing images that follow the recommended 2:3 aspect ratio. Each pin should have a compelling, keyword-rich description that tells the story behind the pin and encourages engagement. Remember, quality over quantity is key—each pin should add value and be relevant to your audience's interests.
By focusing on these three priority items, you can create a Pinterest profile that not only attracts but also retains the interest of your target audience, encouraging more engagement and shares.
Here are 10 lesser-known tips that can transform your Pinterest experience:
1. Utilize Secret Boards
Secret boards are your personal brainstorming space. Use them to plan projects, gather content ideas, or collect competitor pins without revealing your strategy.
2. The Power of the Save Button
Install the Pinterest save button to your browser. It allows you to pin content from any website, which is perfect for curating diverse and unique content that isn't already widespread on Pinterest.
3. Optimize Your Pin Descriptions
Use keywords not just in your board titles but also in your pin descriptions. This SEO practice helps your pins show up in search results, driving more traffic to your content.
4. Engage with Group Boards
Joining group boards can significantly increase the visibility of your pins. Find boards relevant to your niche and contribute quality content to reach a broader audience.
5. Time Your Pins Right
Pin during peak times when your target audience is most active. For many, this is in the evening and on weekends. Use Pinterest analytics to find out when your pins get the most engagement.
6. Vertical Images Stand Out
Pinterest's layout favors vertical images. Use a 2:3 aspect ratio for your pins to ensure they look good and stand out in the feed.
7. Refresh Old Pins
Don't be afraid to re-pin content that has performed well in the past. Refreshing old pins with new descriptions or images can give them new life and reach new audiences.
8. Monitor Pinterest Analytics
Keep an eye on your Pinterest analytics to understand what content works best. Tailor your strategy based on what your audience seems to prefer in terms of topics and aesthetics.
9. Leverage Pinterest Stories
Pinterest Stories are a relatively new feature that allows you to create image sequences that viewers can tap through. They're perfect for step-by-step guides, storytelling, and sharing in-depth details about a topic.
Implementing these tips can help you to not only enjoy the pinning process more but also to increase the effectiveness of your Pinterest strategy. Happy pinning!
Happy Pinning!
