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HOW TO GROW ON PINTEREST

5 powerful strategies for success

 

Are you ready to take your online shop to the next level? So let’s talk about how to grow on Pinterest! This fun and user-friendly platform is not just a place for inspiration: it’s a powerful tool for driving traffic to your online store and showcasing your handmade products.

 

With its visually-driven content, Pinterest allows you to create stunning pins that capture the essence of your creations, making it easy for potential customers to discover and fall in love with your unique items. Plus, with millions of users actively searching for ideas and products, you have the perfect opportunity to connect with your target audience.

 

In this blog post, I will show you how to optimize your Pinterest account to significantly boost your visibility and engagement on the platform. With the right strategies, you can make your content stand out with hand-picked and powerful keywords, captivating descriptions, and eye-catching visuals. So get ready to turn your passion into profit with Pinterest!

 

 

1 | HOW TO GET PINTEREST TRAFFIC 

Learning Pinterest SEO (it stands for Search Engine Optimization) is key if you want to get found by your target audience. Once your ideal clients see and click on your pins, you can get traffic to your online shop and make sales. Working on your SEO and getting found should be your priority task! In other words, you need to figure out which vocabulary your ideal clients use to find products they want to buy, and use these keywords to promote the matching products *you* are selling!

 

 

Pinterest keyword research 

Pinterest is a visual search engine where millions of users search on the platform every month to get inspired and find products to buy. Your first task is to determine what users are actively searching for to tailor your content to meet their needs and interests.

 

⭐ Pro Tip ⭐

For your shop to succeed, identify the most popular items on Pinterest that would match your brand and then adjust your offer. Your products can be unique, but they must still be in demand if you expect to sell well on your online store. Doing keyword research can therefore help you refine your product line.

 

Now let’s see how to identify high-traffic Pinterest keywords! 

 

The easiest way to perform keyword research is to type broad topics into the Pinterest search bar. Write a list of keywords you think your client would type to find your products. As you type, Pinterest will suggest popular search terms. These suggestions are valuable keywords that users are actively searching for. Write a list of interesting keywords suggested by Pinterest and keep this list for future use.

 

Start by searching generic terms, and then get creative and refine your vocabulary with more specific terms that truly capture the essence of your products. Create a second list of specific keywords, known as “long-tail keywords,” which are made up of three words or more. These gems will help you target your audience even better and boost your discoverability!

 

Whenever you run out of ideas, go and have a look at the Pinterest Trends at https://trends.pinterest.com/. This source includes all the topics that are currently popular. It shows you trending searches and seasonal interests, helping you identify keywords that are gaining traction. Scan and select the topics that match your business niche.

 

Another source of inspiration to find powerful keywords is to find top-performing pins. Type a broad topic in the search bar and look at the top pins. Analyze their titles, descriptions, and hashtags. This will give you insight into how others are using keywords effectively and what other keywords you can get inspiration from.

 

To maximize your online visibility, aim for both:

• niche-specific keywords to help you target a defined audience, ensuring that your content resonates with users who are genuinely interested in your products (for instance “personalized keychain for dad”) 
• popular keywords to attract a broader audience, increasing your chances of gaining traffic (for instance “gift ideas for dad”)

By combining both types, you can strike a balance that not only drives high-quality traffic to your site but also enhances your chances of ranking well in search results. This approach allows you to reach potential customers at different stages of their search journey, ultimately boosting engagement and conversions!

 

 

Pinterest keyword tool 

To get more precise data related to your keywords, you can access the internal keyword tool of Pinterest. The metrics given by this tool are given for ads, but the tool can still provide an overview of which keywords people use the most when searching for ideas and products.

 

To have access to the keyword tool, you need to have a business account. To find it, follow these steps: go to the “Ads” section and click on “Create campaign” > select “Manual campaign” and click on “Get started” > choose “Consideration” and scroll down to click on “Continue” > choose “Find new customers” and click on “Select” > scroll down to “Interests and Keywords” and click on the down arrow on the right. Ta-da, now you have access to the keyword tool!

 

Simply click on “Add keywords” and type a broad keyword in the search bar below. The tool will display related keywords with the number of monthly searches for each keyword. This way, you can narrow down the most appropriate keywords for your business and adjust your list of the best keywords to use to optimize your Pinterest account!

 

 

SEO-optimization of your Pinterest account

Once you have your lists of hand-picked keywords for your niche, it’s time to supercharge your Pinterest account with the power of SEO optimization! Let me show you where to include your keywords to reach your target audience.

 

There are basically three spots where you must include your keywords—your profile, your boards, and your pins. Optimizing your full account will help your pins appear at the top of search results so you can catch the attention of users who are eager to discover what you have to offer!

 

SEO-optimizing your Pinterest bio profile is essential for enhancing your visibility and attracting the right audience. Start by identifying relevant keywords that reflect your niche and include these keywords naturally in your bio to help Pinterest understand what your profile is about. Your bio should be informative yet succinct. Write naturally and conversationally, restraining from doing keyword stuffing, so your bio can be more appealing to both users and search engines. And remember to encourage users to take action by including a call to action (CTA) in your bio. This could be an invitation to visit your website, check out your latest pins, subscribe to your Newsletter, make a purchase, or follow you for more content.

 

In the same manner, include your most relevant niche and popular keywords in your boards’ names and descriptions, as well as your pins’ titles and descriptions. Choose clear and descriptive titles for your boards that reflect the content you want to pin. This helps users quickly identify what they can expect and improves searchability. In the board description, provide a detailed overview of what the board contains. Use keywords naturally and include phrases that potential followers might search for. 

 

 

2 | OPTIMIZE YOUR PINS FOR VISIBILITY

Let’s now focus on pins! They are the bread and butter of your Pinterest account and need special attention. Making good pins is not complicated if you know what to pay attention to. We’ll dig a bit deeper into SEO optimization of your pins, and will also review the essentials of what makes a good pin, from its dimensions to its overall look. 

 

 

SEO-optimized pins

After identifying trending and relevant keywords, integrate them into your pin title and description. This helps Pinterest understand what your content is about and ensures that your pin appears in search results. Select your focus keyword, which is the main keyword you want to rank for with your pin, and include it in your pin title. Keep in mind that your pin title should be short, around 60-100 characters long, to ensure it displays properly on both desktop and mobile devices. 

 

Use the same focus keyword in your file name prior to uploading your image to Pinterest. This helps both Google and Pinterest find and understand your content. When you name your file, link words with dashes, like in this example:

cotton-scrunchies-with-strawberries.jpeg

 

A third spot where you want to include your focus keyword is in your pin image directly. Write an attention-grabbing text overlay to encourage clicks. Describe the main features of your products and mention your online shop URL to promote your brand. Here are a few examples of pins I created for my handmade products with my focus keywords being included in the text overlays:

 

Pinterest offers a fantastic opportunity to boost your pins by adding Alt-text during the upload process! This is a great chance to improve your SEO and enhance the visibility of your content. Plus, it helps users with visual impairments, ensuring that everyone can enjoy and engage with your creative work.

 

Next, write a keyword-rich description to provide context about your pin. In addition to your focus keyword, select a couple of other relevant niche-specific and popular keywords to optimize your pin. Describe what your pin is about naturally, and include both your focus keyword at the beginning of your description and your secondary keywords. Your description should be 500 characters long maximum.

 

Hashtags are also part of Pinterest SEO. You can include a few appropriate hashtags at the end of your pin description to categorize your pin and improve discoverability. Analyzing your competitors’ pins can help you find relevant hashtags. Note them down whenever you see a pin with hashtags in your niche. As for keywords, you can use a mix of niche-specific and popular hashtags for better reach.

 

Finally, remember to include a call to action (CTA) at the very end of your description. Encourage your audience to engage with your content. For example, you can tell them to click through to your website or to save your pin for later. By implementing these strategies, you can increase your chances of being discovered by your target audience and drive more traffic to your content! 

 

 

Pinterest pin specs 

When it comes to creating eye-catching images for Pinterest, respecting the ideal specifications can make all the difference in capturing attention and driving engagement. For the best results, aim for a vertical aspect ratio of 2:3, with dimensions around 1000 x 1500 pixels. This format not only stands out in users’ feeds but also encourages scrolling. And remember to keep your file size under 10 MB for optimal loading times.

 

Next, don’t underestimate the power of eye-catching visuals! High-quality images can make your pins stand out in a crowded feed. Remember, Pinterest is a visual platform, so captivating visuals combined with strategic keywords will draw users in and encourage them to click! So create clear and bright images as they tend to perform better on Pinterest.

 

To post quality content and make your pins pop up, you can use tools such as Canva or Photoshop. I personally create my pins on Canva to make my content visually appealing. I initially spent some time researching creative and original visuals to get inspiration from and I saved these templates in Canva. I have pins with a single image and pins with two or more images to diversify my visuals. With these specs, your pins are sure to shine and attract more viewers!

 

 

3 | ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL PINTEREST ACCOUNT

First impressions matter! So it is important to work on all the elements of your Pinterest account to ensure you display the best of what you can do. Read the following tips carefully and update your account so you can impress your audience on their first visit!

 

 

How to build trust

If you want to drive traffic to your business thanks to Pinterest, you must convert your personal account into a business account, or simply create a brand new business account, to get access to your analytics and a few other useful features for business owners.

 

One of these features is the possibility to claim your website and obtain a checkmark next to your website URL that shows you are a verified merchant and a trusted brand. So make sure to include your website URL in your profile: this not only drives traffic but also helps with SEO, as Pinterest can link back to your site, enhancing your overall online presence.

 

For your account to look more professional, also enable Rich Pins! These are pins that automatically sync information from your site. By linking your pins to your website or blog, you can drive traffic and improve your engagement and overall SEO. Product-rich pins display the most up-to-date pricing and availability of your products. This awesome feature can increase your brand credibility and improve the user experience, so set it up today if you haven’t already!

 

Another important feature of the business account is the ability to run Pinterest ads, which can be the topic of a different blog post!

 

 

The essentials of a Pinterest account

With a business account, you have the opportunity to customize your profile. You can first show your brand name and a profile photo—which can be your logo or a picture of yourself—at the top of your profile, along with a cover image. Use this section to show the best of what you can do and don’t hesitate to update your profile cover with seasonal collections to keep your audience up-to-date and interested. 

 

In the “About” section of your profile, you have the opportunity to introduce yourself shortly. Take the time to write an appealing profile bio to attract new followers. Your profile can also display your email address, phone number, and a retail location if you have one to share. 

 

Before you start promoting your Pinterest account, create a minimum of 10 Pinterest boards about various topics that resonate with your audience. Arrange your boards in a logical order—this makes it easier for visitors to navigate and find content they are interested in. If you are unsure what boards to create, you can glimpse at your main competitors’ Pinterest accounts and get inspiration from them.

 

My Pinterest account has multiple boards that fall into three categories: I pin about fashion accessories and other topics related to fashion and motherhood, I also created a few boards about my shop and blog, and I finally have a collection of boards focused on how to create a handmade business. 

 

Since I learned how to start an online shop, I like to share my experience on my blog and I can also share sources of information I find on Pinterest from other small business owners. Though a different topic, pinning about fashion accessories and motherhood also makes sense on my Pinterest account since I produce and sell fashion accessories for women and children.

 

Do not limit yourself and pin about topics that represent your business so you can connect with other pinners with interests similar to yours. Start with the most obvious topics, and then broaden the scope of themes you can include in your Pinterest account. And don’t forget to have fun pinning!

 

 

Branding your Pinterest account

Make sure you polish the overall aspect of your profile so it looks attractive and makes people want to follow you right away. Display the best of what you can do and then have your profile branded and recognizable. Maintain a consistent visual aspect across your pins and boards. This includes using similar colors, fonts, and aesthetics that align with your brand identity. 

 

Use eye-catching cover images for your boards that are relevant to their content. This not only makes your profile visually appealing but also encourages users to click on your boards. All my board titles are written in the same font as my brand logo. I’ve crafted a unique pin for each board, uploaded them to their respective boards, and used those pins as cover images. This makes my Pinterest account look homogenous and branded. 

 

Branding is not only about visuals. It also includes the tone you use to address your target audience. Do not reinvent the wheel: write the descriptions of your boards and pins with the same tone you use to write your product listings and whenever you post on social media. Be consistent in your brand identity on all platforms.

 

 

4 | WAYS TO GAIN PINTEREST FOLLOWERS

Gaining new followers on Pinterest is a great opportunity to grow your online business! Each new follower represents a potential customer or fan who is genuinely interested in what you have to offer. With a growing audience, your pins gain more visibility, leading to increased engagement and traffic to your website. As your follower count rises, so does your credibility, making it easier to establish yourself as an authority in your niche. So let’s discuss how to expand your reach on Pinterest!

 

 

Pinning frequency and strategy

Consistency is key! So keep your account active by regularly pinning new content. Being consistent not only boosts your visibility but also establishes you as a go-to source for inspiration. It is recommended to publish around 5 to 25 fresh pins a day. I personally plan 8 to 10 pins daily: 4 are fresh—meaning new—pins from my business, and 4 to 6 are repins from other Pinterest accounts in my niche.

 

It is not easy to remain consistent as there are multiple tasks to deal with as a small business owner, so batch your Pinterest workload. A good way to work more efficiently is to have some templates ready to use to create new pins. So dedicate some time to finding appealing pin models in Canva and organize them in folders—the platform allows you to manage your files in folders, so make the most of it. Do not start each pin from scratch as it would take ages to create enough content weekly to keep your account active. 

 

Keep in mind that your Pinterest account should not only be about your own pins. Your audience looks for inspiration, not for a single shop window. Re-pinning content from other trusted creators in your niche can increase your credibility and diversify the content of your Pinterest account, making it a great source of inspiration for your audience. Having an account with lots of ideas will cultivate a loyal following and establish a trustworthy presence on Pinterest!

 

 

Scheduling your content

Posting consistently on Pinterest, like on any other social media platform, can be time-consuming and overwhelming. So consider using a scheduling tool like Tailwind to plan and automate your pinning. This allows you to maintain a steady flow of content without exhausting yourself.

 

Whenever you upload a new pin to Pinterest, ensure that each pin links back to a relevant webpage, blog post, or product page. This drives traffic to your site and enhances the user experience. To showcase my handmade products, I enjoy directing my Pinterest audience to both my online shop and my YouTube channel, where I share videos demonstrating how I create my items and provide hair tutorials featuring my products.

 

I’ve been using Tailwind for years now and I genuinely recommend this scheduler. It is user-friendly and an approved Pinterest scheduling tool that remains up-to-date with Pinterest guidelines. One of the fantastic features of Tailwind is that if you attempt to schedule a pin to a board where you’ve already pinned the same destination URL, Tailwind will send you a helpful reminder message. How cool is that! Another awesome feature is that when you want to share the same pin across different boards, Tailwind lets you set a time interval to delay the re-posting. This way, you can follow Pinterest’s best practices while maximizing your reach!

 

Alongside your amazing content, don’t forget to repin exciting and relevant posts from others in your niche. To make this a breeze, just install the Tailwind Chrome extension on your browser. You’ll then see a handy Tailwind icon next to pinnable images. Just click on it to effortlessly schedule those captivating images you find online or other interesting pins from Pinterest. Mixing and matching your content with the content of others will keep your Pinterest account vibrant and engaging, avoiding that spammy feel.

 

 

5 | LEVERAGE PINTEREST ANALYTICS

Checking your Pinterest analytics is essential for understanding how your content is performing and gaining valuable insights into your audience’s behavior. By analyzing metrics such as impressions, clicks, saves, and engagement rates, you can identify which pins resonate most with your followers and which strategies drive traffic to your website.

 

 

How to monitor your performance

Keep an eye on your analytics to identify which pins and boards are performing well and which are not. Look for trends in engagement, clicks, and saves to understand what resonates with your audience. The analytics board will help you know who is your audience, and what are their needs and interests. You can then adjust your strategy based on what works best for your audience.

 

Use Pinterest Analytics to track which keywords and graphics drive traffic and engagement, and adjust your strategy as needed. This data allows you to optimize your pin designs and descriptions. Additionally, monitoring trends over time can help you stay ahead of seasonal shifts and emerging topics, ensuring your content remains relevant and engaging. Ultimately, leveraging Pinterest analytics empowers you to make informed decisions that can enhance your overall presence on the platform and drive greater success for your brand or business.

 

 

Adjusting your strategies

Based on your analytics, focus on creating more of the content that drives engagement. Experiment with different formats, such as videos, infographics, or carousel pins, to see what captures attention. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different posting times, pin designs, and content types. Monitor the results and adjust your strategy based on what works best. Simply refine your strategy with trial and error.

 

You can also research trending keywords in your niche. Keep up with Pinterest trends and updates to ensure your strategy aligns with the platform’s evolving features and user preferences. By following these steps, you can efficiently adjust your Pinterest strategy, enhance your visibility, and foster a more engaged audience!

 

 

 

Remember the essential!

Pinterest is a fantastic tool that not only drives consistent traffic over time but also offers a more sustainable and less demanding alternative to other social media platforms. The long-term benefits are remarkable—you can continue to attract visitors even during periods of inactivity if you happen to be too busy to pin at times. Plus, Pinterest is a delightful and inspiring space that helps you curate new collections and stay in tune with the latest trends!

 

Unlocking the full potential of Pinterest is not just a dream—it’s a reality waiting for you to seize! By implementing these five powerful strategies, you can skyrocket your Pinterest traffic, optimize your pins for maximum visibility, and build a trustworthy and engaging account that resonates with your audience. Remember, consistency is key! With a strategic approach to pinning frequency and content scheduling, you’ll see your follower count rise. And don’t forget to leverage Pinterest analytics to fine-tune your efforts and stay ahead of the game. So, roll up your sleeves, get creative, and watch your Pinterest presence flourish like never before! Happy pinning!

 

Good luck in building your dream business!

WORK HARD, DREAM BIG, NEVER GIVE UP!