Pinterest is not just a platform for browsing through inspiring images and collecting ideas. It is also a powerful tool for bloggers to increase website traffic, reach a wider audience, and promote content effectively. With its visually driven nature and vast user base, Pinterest offers unique opportunities for bloggers to showcase their work and connect with their target audience.
In this digital age, bloggers must be proactive in promoting their content, and Pinterest provides an excellent platform. With over 400 million monthly active users, Pinterest offers a vast audience waiting to discover your blog posts. By following the strategies and techniques outlined in this article, you can harness the power of Pinterest and drive substantial traffic to your blog.
you will explore how to effectively use Pinterest for blogging and maximize its potential for driving traffic and engagement.
1. Create a Pinterest Business Account
To get started with Pinterest for blogging, it is essential to create a Pinterest Business Account. This type of account provides access to valuable features and analytics that can help you optimize your Pinterest strategy. Setting up a business account is free and straightforward, requiring just a few steps to start.
07 Steps to Signup For Pinterest Business Account for Bloggers
Below are the general steps which you can follow, to create a Pinterest business account for your blog and get started by posting pins.
Requirements: Computer, Blog, Access to Hosting
Go to https://www.pinterest.com/business/create/, insert your email, password, and date of birth, and click Create account.
Choose a Category that suits your business, I have selected home because my Pins will be all about Smart homes, you can choose a category according to your blog niche. Then choose the desired goals for your Pinterest profile, I have chosen:
1. Drive traffic to your site
2. Create content on Pinterest to grow an audience.
3. Grow brand awareness
I think these are the best choices for a blogger to choose. Click Next
For Blog, choose Blogger in the given choices, and for ads in the next step choose No and then click Next.
In this step choose Claim Your Website. and click Next, on the next step click the Claim button and a popup will appear.
The easy method to claim your website is to Download the HTML file and upload it to your hosting public_html directory. so click the Download button, an HTML file will be downloaded, login to your hosting account and open file manager, select the public_html directory and upload the file there.
Click continue in the Pinterest popup.
Insert your blog URL in the box, and click verify button, if the file is uploaded to the correct directory in the hosting for the domain name, then Interest will verify your website and you will get a message, Connected. Click Done.
Now your Pinterest account is ready to post pins, but before that, you need to complete your profile details and insert the company name, username, bio, Pinterest email, logo, etc in the account settings and you are good to go.
02. Optimizing Your Profile
Your Pinterest profile is your virtual representation on the platform, so it is crucial to optimize it for maximum visibility and appeal. Use a high-quality profile picture that represents your brand or niche, write a concise and engaging bio that describes your blog, and include relevant keywords to enhance searchability. You can also include your blog URL in the bio to get a free no-follow backlink.
03. Creating and Organizing Boards
Boards are like categories or folders where you save and organize your pins. Create boards that align with your blog's topics and interests, and give them clear and descriptive names. Arrange your boards strategically, placing the most important ones at the top to attract attention and encourage engagement. Post relevant pins to the specific board, so when a user opens your Pinterest board, he/she can see all related pins to that board, it will organize your pins. Normally boards are created using your blog categories.
04. Crafting Eye-Catching Pins
Pins are the visual content pieces usually images that users discover and save on Pinterest. Create visually appealing and informative pins that stand out in the crowded Pinterest feed. Use high-quality images, compelling graphics, and bold typography to make your pins visually striking and attention-grabbing. So your Pin is visually attractive to grab the attention of the user and convince the user to click on them.
05. Writing Engaging Pin Descriptions
When creating pins, don't overlook the importance of pin descriptions. Craft keyword-rich descriptions that provide context and entice users to click through to your blog. Incorporate relevant hashtags to increase discoverability and include a clear call to action to encourage engagement. This way you can bring free traffic to your blog.
6. Utilizing Rich Pins
Rich pins provide additional information and context about your blog posts, making them more valuable and engaging for users. There are different types of rich pins, including article pins, product pins, recipe pins, and more. Implement rich pins on your blog to enhance the visibility and appeal of your content.
07. Joining and Collaborating in Group Boards
Group boards are collaborative boards where multiple users contribute and share content on a specific topic. Join relevant group boards in your niche to expand your reach and expose your blog to a broader audience. Contribute valuable content to group boards, and engage with other members to foster meaningful connections. This way your pins will get more exposure and a better chance to get more clicks to your blog post and get free traffic. Also, you can convert your normal board into a group board by inviting members into it, they will collaborate and engage in your board and post relevant pins.
Click to See Details about Group Board
08. Engaging with the Pinterest Community
Pinterest is not just a one-way street; it is a vibrant community of creators and users. Engage with other users by following, liking, and commenting on their pins. Be authentic and genuinely interested in the content of others. By building relationships and fostering engagement, you can increase your visibility and attract more followers to your blog.
Get started with Pinterest community here: Get started | Pinterest Business Community
09. Analyzing Performance with Pinterest Analytics
Pinterest provides a robust analytics tool that allows you to track the performance of your pins and boards. Utilize Pinterest Analytics to gain insights into your audience, identify the most popular pins, and refine your Pinterest strategy accordingly. Monitor key metrics such as impressions, saves, clicks, and engagement to measure the success of your efforts.
10. Promoting Your Blog on Pinterest
To leverage the full potential of Pinterest for driving traffic to your blog, actively promote your content on the platform. Share your blog posts as pins, create dedicated boards for your blog, and cross-promote your pins on other social media channels. Make it easy for users to discover and access your blog directly from Pinterest.
11. Integrating Pinterest with Your Blog
To create a seamless experience for your audience, integrate Pinterest with your blog. Add Pinterest sharing buttons to your blog posts to encourage readers to save and share your content on Pinterest. Install the Pinterest widget on your blog to display your latest pins and increase engagement. If you are a WordPress user, you can use any social sharing plugin to implement a Pinterest share button on your blog posts.
12. Create engaging Pins for your Blog using Canva
You can use Canva to create pins with compatible sizes for Pinterest, people also like infographics on Pinterest and you can use Canva a free graphics design tool to create engaging pins for your blog post.
Normally a blog post feature image can be used as a pin when you create an idea pin, but sometimes the size is not compatible with what Pinterest recommends, so creating an external image using Canva is a good idea to create a quick pin with attractive and bold typography, which will engage the user to click on the link.
- Go to Canva.com and signup for a free account.
- Click Create Design on the top right corner and search for the pin.
- Select Pinterest pin, and in the new browser tab the canvas studio will load
- Start by selecting a template or you can start from scratch
- Design your pin according to your blog post.
- Click Share in the top right corner and select Download
- Select your desire file type either JPG or PNG and Click Download
Now you have a pin, which you can use in Pinterest to upload and insert your blog URL with it including a descriptive title, SEO-optimized pin description, and use relevant hashtags in it. when the user clicks on the title, he/she will land on your blog post.
13. Best Practices for Pinterest Success
To optimize your Pinterest strategy, follow these best practices:
- Be consistent in pinning high-quality and relevant content.
- Use appropriate keywords in pin descriptions and board names.
- Create a visually cohesive and branded Pinterest profile.
- Engage with the Pinterest community and build connections.
- Stay updated with the latest trends and adjust your strategy accordingly.
14. Common Mistakes to Avoid
To ensure success on Pinterest, avoid these common mistakes:
- Neglecting to optimize pin descriptions with relevant keywords.
- Pinning low-quality images that do not grab attention.
- Overloading boards with irrelevant or repetitive content.
- Ignoring Pinterest analytics and not tracking the performance of pins.
- Failing to engage with other users and build relationships.
FAQ
Conclusion
Pinterest offers an incredible opportunity for bloggers to expand their reach, drive traffic, and engage with their audience. By implementing the strategies and techniques discussed in this article, you can effectively use Pinterest for blogging and unlock its potential as a valuable marketing tool. Embrace the visual nature of Pinterest, connect with your target audience, and watch your blog flourish.
