How Using Pinterest Doubled My Blog’s Pageviews
Keep reading to see how Pinterest Doubled my views!
If you’re a blogger and you’re not on Pinterest big mistake (huge!). Over the past 5 years, I have doubled my blog’s page views and gained over 70,000+ (organic) Pinterest followers. How did I do this? Keep reading.
Image Size
The size of the images you post on Pinterest is crucial. Pinterest loves long and thin posts. Yes, that would mean images are at least twice as long as wide. Why? Pinterest blows up long and thin images and shrinks short and wide images. When your images appear larger in someone’s Pinterest feed, they are more likely to capture pinners’ attention and therefore re-pin these images. While pinning images straight from your blog can be super convenient, I usually crop my favorites in PicMonkey and post them directly to Pinterest.
Image Content
In my experience, two main factors are crucial to image content. First, minimalistic and non-cluttered images seem to be pinned more often. For example, if I am pinning an image of an outfit I am wearing, I will crop the majority of the background to focus on the outfit. Next, images that help to solve a problem or provide inspiration for future activity tend to do well on Pinterest. One of my most pinned images is “How To Sanitize Your Everyday Makeup In Under 5 Minutes“. No matter where I pin this image, I always receive a high rate of re-pins. Why? This pin provides a solution to a common problem within my target audience.
Image Titles
Image titles can mean the difference between your pin going viral or not. I’ve learned you need to create a sense of urgency in your title, persuading follower to click through to your blog post. For example, while this post doesn’t have an impressive re-pin rate compared to the rest of my pins, the click-through rate is phenomenal. This ‘clickbait’ title makes users want to read my Coachella tips BEFORE they attend Coachella. Remember, your goal is not only to have users re-pin your images but more importantly click through (getting you pageviews!). Also, make sure your image titles are large enough to read from a smartphone. A growing number of users are utilizing the Pinterest app from their smartphones, meaning images appear much smaller than on a computer screen. If pinners cannot quickly read text within your pin, they are more likely to keep scrolling. In order to solve this dilemma, I have found it useful to create shorter titles in a larger font by limiting text to keywords. For example, rather than “10 Date Night Valentine’s Day Outfit Ideas Your Man Will Love”, “10 Valentine’s Day Outfits” can be just as, if not more effective. Don’t forget – you can go into more detail within the caption of the pin!
Pin Captions
Pin captions are the short descriptions you see underneath a pin. Captions are essential to providing users more information on what they can expect from the article linked to your pin. Within pin captions, keywords are essential for users to find your pin. Just as keywords are crucial within blog posts to appear in Google searches, Pinterest keywords allow users to discover your pins. Pinterest has recently updated so readers can only see the first few characters of your captions, so make sure you type something attention-grabbing in the first few characters. Then, cram in as many keywords as you can into the caption. You can either create full sentences or simply enter keywords. Don’t forget to include brands you mention in your post (Kate Spade, NARS, etc.).
Create Multiple Pins Per Blog Post
Ideally, you should be creating at least 2-3 pins per blog post. Why? The more the merrier when it comes to Pinterest. Some pins will take off, others won’t. Sometimes it comes down to luck whether your pin will go viral. All it takes is one person pinning your image to their board and their followers re-pinning and a chain reaction ensues. If you create more than 1 pin per blog post you’ll have a better chance of a pin going viral. Example? This pin has 12k+ re-pins and this pin only has 1k. Guess what? Same post. Nearly identical image.
Keep Content ‘On Brand’
Like Instagram, successful Pinterest accounts tend to have a consistent theme and aesthetic. Remember, your Pinterest is an extension of your blog. While you may find that cartoon cat pin hysterical – if it does not match your aesthetic, brand and/or message – it’s better to pin it to a secret board for yourself. To repeat myself: all public pins need to have a consistent aesthetic. What does this mean? Well, when a pinner is on your Pinterest profile and selects “pins” a collage-esque mixture of pins show up. These pins need to aesthetically compliment each other. Further, any pins which fall outside of your main niche (for example beauty and fashion) need to fit the aesthetic of relevance of your beauty and fashion pins. Thus, additional pins with inspirational quotes, home decor, healthy recipes etc. would fit perfectly. However, pins with pest control information may not mesh so well. You get the point.
Group Boards
Group boards aid in exposing your pins to new audiences. While your Pinterest boards allow pins to show up in your followers’ feed, pinning pins to group boards allow your pins to appear in new users’ feed. Make sure to join group boards revenant to your content. For example, since I am primarily a beauty and fashion blogger – I have joined several Pinterest boards relating to fashion and beauty. Discovering group boards can be difficult, however using websites such as Pin Groupie allow you to search for group boards by topic, follower count and re-pin count. Once you have found a board you are interested in following, make sure to press the “follow” button within the group and contact the group board owner. Many times instructions on how to join the group board is in the description above the pins.
Re-Pinning
Unlike other forms of social media (Instagram, Facebook etc.) Pinterest encourages users to pin the same images onto boards continuously. Over. And over. And over. And………over. One of the biggest mistakes I see Pinterest users making is pinning a gorgeous image onto a board and never touching it again. In order to be successful at Pinterest you need to continuously re-pin the same pins. At first, it may feel like you’re being a nuisance, however the more pinners exposed to your pins, the more they will be re-pinned. Think of it: how likely is it your followers are on their Pinterest accounts the exact same time you are pinning an image. Slim to none. If your pins are continuously in people’s newsfeed, they are more likely to pin your images and visit your Pinterest account. Also, take note of what time of day your pins are most re-pinned. It will be different for each user, depending on their audience. Try to pin during these high traffic hours.
Tailwind
And now for my secret weapon. Want a Pinterest virtual assistant? Want your pins scheduled and posted without lifting a finger? Meet Tailwind. Tailwind allows you to schedule pins to post to Pinterest boards throughout the entire month! Tailwind gives you the freedom and flexibility to choose a time, date and Pinterest board to post each pin! I have been using it the past month and I am absolutely hooked!
More Blogging Resources:
How To Start Up a Successful Blog
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Blogging Hacks: Tech Accessories I Can’t Live Without
10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Blogging
Blogging Hacks: Tools I Use to Stay Organized & Efficient
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