Building a successful blog takes more than writing great content.
While content is a fundamental necessity, promotion is the key to spreading your message.
Pinterest has become an integral part of my blog promotional strategy. In fact, Pinterest is now my number one social media traffic referral source.
Over the last two years, I’ve watched as my Pinterest traffic has skyrocketed. I attribute this to a couple of reasons:
- I don’t believe in one-off tactics.
- I do believe in an integrated strategy.
What do I mean by this? If you’re a blogger, you can’t just live in one corner of the world. Posting to Facebook does not equal a blog promotional strategy.
As a blogger, you must create content and then repurpose and position it in a creative and engaging way. Pinterest can help you do this effortlessly.
If you’ve been on the fence about Pinterest, I challenge you to dip your toe in the water.
To help you get started, I’ve put together my top ways to use Pinterest to boost blog traffic exponentially.
Use Pinterest to Boost Blog Traffic
1. Make Your Post Pinnable
Would you believe that statistics show articles including images receive 94 percent more total views? And yet, I visit blogs daily that still don’t include an image.
Go back through your articles and create a captivating Pinterest image that represents your business and content. Begin to add those images to your articles and then pin them to Pinterest.
Not only will this create additional content for your Pinterest boards, but will also refresh an old post, driving new traffic and potential customers to your blog.
So, what does a shareable image look like? A Pinterest image that gets shared is captivating, straightforward, and high-value. The one below went viral and now is the first result of a Pinterest search for the term “social media.” (Note: the one beside it links to my blog as well: social media etiquette)
Not bad for a couple of images that were created once and then shared thousands of times, right?
2. Cross Pollinate
As I discussed above, you never want to be a one-trick pony when it comes to blog promotion. Pin your blog articles to Pinterest and then share your image to other social networks like Google+, Twitter and Instagram.
Allow your fans and followers to connect with you where they feel most comfortable, then use a Call to Action to direct them to Pinterest and ultimately back over to your blog.
This will help you gain additional blog subscribers while increasing audience growth on multiple social platforms.
Peg Fitzpatrick uses the “Pin of the Day” call to action when she shares her content. Whether it’s on Google+ or Facebook, you’ll find that her commitment to cross-pollination is what keeps her fans and followers active and supportive, no matter the social channel.
3. Get Branded
Custom images create a memorable brand experience. They connect the dots between business and consumer, making your content easily identifiable.
Not only that, but they provide a stimulant for better buying decisions. In a study by Custom Content Council, two thirds of consumers polled said they were more likely to buy from a company using custom media.
There’s also a psychological component to branded images. Psychologist Jerome Bruner has found that while people only remember 10 percent of things they hear and 20 percent of what they have read, they’ll remember 80 percent of what they see or do.
If you want to stand out online, you need to get branded!
Create your own images with tools such as PicMonkey and Canva or follow Donna Moritz with Socially Sorted. She’s a visual marketing strategist that takes branded graphics to a whole new level!
4. Use Search to Capture Consumer Attention
Images are a powerful way to capture consumer attention.
In a study by Bright Local, it was found that 60 percent of consumers favor search results that include images. Another 23 percent are more likely to contact a business including an image.
Whether you’re looking to showcase your company, product or service, images pack the one-two punch your blog post needs to gain additional attention. Adding your images to Pinterest only improves the chances of you getting found in search.
But search isn’t just about Google anymore. Earlier this year, Pinterest launched “Guided Search,” giving people the ability to quickly sift through their over 750 million boards and 30 billion Pins.
As Pinterest explains,
Now when you search for something (road trips, running, summer BBQ), descriptive guides will help you sift through all the good ideas from other Pinners. Scroll through the guides and tap any that look interesting to steer your search in the right direction.
Optimize your pins for search by including industry or niche specific keywords.
Think about your target market and determine what they’re typing in search when looking for your product or service. Now use those in your Pin descriptions.
5. Make Images the Optimal Size
Infographics are extremely popular on Pinterest, but not necessarily the optimal size for your blog graphics.
If you do it right, you can create an image that works well on multiple platforms. With the perfect size, design, layout, content and color, your image is ideal for Pinterest,Tumblr and Google+.
Keep in mind, all of the platforms above favor vertical images. It was also found in a study by Curalate that,
Vertical images with an aspect ratio of 2:3 and 4:5 got 60 percent more repins than very tall images. (think Infographics)
The sweet spot for my images is 735 x 1200. However, that’s been an evolving number and one I’m constantly testing. As with anything in social media, what works today may not be what works tomorrow.
Final Thoughts
As seen in this graphic, Pinterest is not static. Your pins live a long and healthy life, sending consistent traffic to your blog.
Let Pinterest create a conversation around your brand. Allow others to share your content and edify your business.
Start to build a community of fans eager to share your content and create a frenzy of interaction.
Because as you create and share more content, you position yourself as an expert within your field and a go-to resource.
And when you become a resource, you begin to establish trust and rapport. Once you do that, you now have the ability to capture the attention (and earn the business) of your perfect client.
How can you use Pinterest to boost blog traffic and grow your business exponentially?
Great information. I’m still pretty new to Pinterest and only recently have been taking more action to grow my following. I have noticed that since creating my own infographics the traffic to my site has improved. I didn’t know about the cross pollinating, so I will be trying that. Do you think that commenting on pins help at all?
Karolina recently posted..Great interiors blogs you need to read
Informative article Rebekah! I do not use pinterest for my blog, but do use it personally. Can’t say I enjoy posts that aren’t visually pleasing, and suspect that many people may feel the same way. Would they therefore shy away from a wordy infographic?
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zephyrastextile.com We are manufacturer and exporter of Bath towels, Kitchen Towels, Aprons, Oven Gloves, Adult bibs, Baby bibs, Cotton summer blankets, cotton shopping bags, Knitted fitted sheet, work wear overall, uniforms and allied items..We are exporting these to several retail chains, hotels, importers and wholesalers in EU, Middle East and USA. Continuous production has enabled us to serve both the large and small customers, successfully. An experience of 15 years made us compete by prices and quality. Firm supervision of each order distinguishes us from our competitors. To our pride, we are now serving our own competitors in china.
Hi Rebekah, Thanks for a great post. Is there some sort of privacy setting that doesn’t let people repin or stop them from seeing stuff. I am at a loss from what is happening with my pinterest, I used to get repins but now I get nothing, nada and none!! Any ideas??
Thanks Julie
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Hi Julie! There isn’t a privacy setting, but it could have to do with the changes to Pinterest’s feed and how content is viewed. It may be that you’re just not showing up for many of your followers anymore. Are you actively pinning other people’s content? Just like any other social network, you want to stay top of mind. However, it’s also about relevancy, so you want to produce quality content that other people want to share.
Same thing has been happening with me!!! I used to have things I pinned repinned a lot, now nothing.
Aspen Jay recently posted..Game Night Party Ideas
Hey Rebekah
Thanks for this article – it’s really helpful!
I’m still finding my groove with pinterest. It’s hard to know what’s working. Sometimes I get loads of repins and no click-throughs, sometimes I get heaps of click-throughs and hardly any repins! I’m experimenting with text, but it’s hard to know which boards like pins with text and I worry I’ll get kicked off.
But I’m getting there. Gradually.
Martina
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Hi Martina! Are you using a business account? If so, dive into your analytics and take a look at what pins are performing the best and what boards your pins are showing up on. It’s a great place to learn who’s pinning and sharing your content and who you might want to connect with.
Hey Rebekah – I diodn’t actually know about Pinterest Analytics – thanks so much! That’s so helpful!!
Martina
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Excellent post! Pinterest is such an awesome platform, and it’s great to see how much it has grown in the past couple of years. The thing is it’s also so easy to use, so as long as you use it judiciously, there’s no way you can’t get results!
It really is Roue. I absolutely love it!
Hey Rebekah,
I’m guilty of not using Pinterest. Long story but it just made me really nervous and then I just didn’t see how it could benefit bloggers. People who are not selling anything physical you know!
Carolyn has been doing her best to convince me to dive into it more and I’m “trying” to remember to pin stuff I see but it’s just not become a habit for me yet. Of course as you know I’ve had my hands busy with this product so after it’s released then maybe I can learn more about how to use this platform properly because I know I’m missing out on a lot.
I know we have to spread ourselves across the different platforms which I do for a few but not all. I also don’t want to get stuck checking out images all day because I know I will. LOL!!! They are so cool.
Thanks so much for these tips and so glad you’re having success with this. Guess it is for bloggers then!
~Adrienne
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LOL Adrienne – it is difficult not to get sucked in and just check out images. That’s why I only pin for personal reasons at night on my iPad. Then I can find all the chocolate and pumpkin recipes I want.
With your amazing content though, you have to get pinning. People will LOVE everything you write about, especially with the amount of bloggers that spend their time on Pinterest. Hopefully I see more of you over there soon!
We just started doing this and it’s tricky to get the right things pinned and figure out the right time etc… This is why I have my wife and daughter help.. they seem to know way more than I do, but your blog is a great place to start! Thanks
Enlisting their help is super smart Todd! Just keep testing. Pay attention to your analytics and see what content is getting repinned, then create more of that!
More awesome advice Rebekkah. I think so many people are surprised when I tell them that Pinterest is the number one traffic source to my website. As you know real estate goes hand in hand with a site like Pinterest!
Bill Gassett recently posted..How to Sell a House With Tenants
Yes it does Bill and you’ve proven how well it can do for anyone in real estate if you commit time to it. That coupled with your blog content is a huge WIN!
Hi Rebekah,
Awesome write. I’m okay with Pinterest and trust me, it certainly looks great! Lots of potential in it and great tips there. Will try out more especially the testing parts!
Have a blessed Sunday!
Reginald recently posted..Visual Content Marketing And Campaign Planning Tool: MavSocial
There is lots of potential over there Reginald if you just give it a try. Get pinning!
As a DIY/ home decor blogger it seems like a perfect fit, but I have yet to see substantial traffic from Pinterest. My pictures are optimized and the content is featured by major websites, I’m just not getting any real traction on Pinterest. Not sure where exactly to focus my efforts…gaining followers, pinning more, joining more group boards?
That’s interesting Kim, especially given your niche. Have you tried connecting with other bloggers within your niche? Building relationships can help you extend your community when they begin to share/pin your content. I would also suggest group boards, but be specific in which ones you’re joining.
Love the list of info you have!! I’m definitely going to take a closer look at a few of these things! So encouraging and so far, blogging is the best decision I’ve made in quite some time well minus Pinterest since I am new to it and Thank you for sharing!
Zara Imrie recently posted..3 New AdWords Features To Speed Up Your PPC Campaigns
That’s awesome Zara! Blogging is an unbeatable tool and when you add Pinterest to it, it’s a win-win!
Great post Rebekah! Pinterest offers huge possibilities for additional traffic for your blog or website. We have been optimising our images for Pinterest for about a year now, and it is always at top 5 when it comes to referrals. We actually just started using a custom PinIt-button for added exposure.
Cheers, Kris
Kris Olin recently posted..Facebook Ads Vs. Google AdWords â The Facebook Targeting Advantage
Hi Kris! That’s great news! It does take a little extra time, but it’s so worth the effort in my opinion. Glad to hear you’re seeing success from it!
Another question: I know you suggested using keywords for guided search but how do you feel about people using hashtags in their Pinterest descriptions? I’ve heard mixed reactions to hashtags, some think they help for search results but others think hashtags have no place on Pinterest.
Carolyn recently posted..How to Arrange Your Pinterest Boards in 1 Easy Step!
That’s a great question Carolyn! Many people don’t know that Pinterest search doesn’t support hashtags. While they’re great to use for tracking purposes and brand awareness, they won’t necessarily help people find you. Keywords are far more important in my opinion.
Re hashtags: I was reading a document by Pinterest recently (sorry, can’t find the reference just now) that said one hashtag is okay (if necessary e.g. #ad) but more than that appears ‘spammy’, which implies they may demote hashtagged images in the feed. I’ve tested this by posting the same image with and without hashtags and the one without hashtag wins for repins each time. #nohashtagsforme! lol. Great article, thanks!
Melissa recently posted..Gallery of Garden Shed Ideas
Great feedback Melissa and definitely supports what I’ve seen as well. Thanks!!
Hi Rebekah, Great run-down of the benefits of using Pinterest to boost our blog traffic. I especially like the idea of tweeting a Pin of the day that Peg uses. Why not cross-oollinate and drive traffic between social media sites?
The dimensions you described as ideal for Pinterest would be quite large for a blog post. I know you can reduce the size of the image in WordPress, but the file would still be quite large and may slow down your blog’s load time. Any suggestion about how to deal with conflicting image sizes for blogs vs. Pinterest?
I no longer add my Pinterest images to my blog. I post them to Pinterest and link back, but don’t have it embedded in my post.
I was thinking more of the opposite, pinning the images from your blog onto Pinterest taking advantage of the Rich Pins feature. If you had an imaged that was sized for your blog, it wouldn’t be large enough for an ideal pin.
Your success is incredibly impressive and we readers truly appreciate you sharing your insights with us!
Carolyn recently posted..How to Arrange Your Pinterest Boards in 1 Easy Step!
Hi Rebekah,
Brilliant! I’ve become active on Pinterest just last week because I’d seen enough stats showing Pinterest is dominated by serious buyers. That was enough for me to hop on board, to boost engagement, to share valuable, eye-catching Pins and to learn from pros like yourself how to navigate the network.
I’m finding relevant boards to follow, I’m sharing interesting Pins and I’m networking by liking and Pinning images from boards I’m following. I figure my travel images and Pinterest should be a perfect match, right? Win-win all the way around.
I already noticed – after being active for a few days on the network – that one other user was so excited to buy my new eBook and she noted this via a comment. If you promote others and Pin neat stuff, and if you make your blog posts easy to Pin, I have seen already that Pinning folks are engaged, interested blog readers.
Thanks Rebekah! Tweeting and Pinning from Bali
Ryan
I’m so glad you’ve finally made the decision to test the waters of Pinterest Ryan. I followed you today and can’t wait to see what it does for your blog traffic.
I know you’ll share all of the stats once you start to see success!
Just a few months as your subscriber and I have learnt a lot on social media strategies. I am greatful
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That’s fantastic to hear Anner! Thank you!
Pinterest is really great for a lot of niches! For our industry, I still haven’t given Pinterest the time it needs. I just followed you Rebekah. Just in case you have some group boards, Id be happy to contribute
Dennis Seymour recently posted..SEO 101: What Gordon Hayward Can Teach You About Link Building Using Link Baits
Hi Dennis! I would commit 5 minutes a day to Pinterest and start pinning relevant and interesting content. You’ll be surprised at what you can achieve in such a short amount of time!
I’ll take your advice
Thank you!
Dennis Seymour recently posted..Why Blogging Can Help Your SEO: A 110% Increase the Easy Way
Very good article – Composed with relevant examples and informative graphics.. loved it..
Is there any free tool where we can schedule Pinterest posts. Hootsuite doesnt have the option for Pinterest scheduling
Hi Naveen! I don’t know of a free tool, but Tailwind is worth the money if you’re looking to schedule posts.
Hey Rebekah, quick one; which tools or software do you use to monitor your Pinterest activities? Keep up the good work =)
Stuart Davidson recently posted..Social Media ROI: Measurement And Infographics
I mainly use Pinterest and Google Analytics, but also love Tailwind. It’s a great tool if you haven’t tried it!
I think I post video images from youtube and embed them into the blog so that I can put on my pinterest page.
Cheval John recently posted..Clowney’s Commitment To The Houston Texans “Questioned”
Video is a great way to connect with your audience Cheval. Very smart!
Rebekah,
I’ve seen your images on Pinterest plenty of times and it’s no surprise– they’re professional, visually interesting and they have a unique aesthetic that really sets you apart from most other content you see on that platform.
“Blogging bloggers” have asked me time and time again over at the Mommy Blogger Academy whether I think Pinterest is the right platform for them and I think (if they can find the time, of course) it’s definitely worth the investment– you’re a great example of that.
Pinning! =)
Brittany
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I agree Brittany. You do need to know where your potential clients are and where your time is best spent. But Pinterest spans so many industries and generations and it’s a fairly low maintenance platform compared to others, so it’s really a no-brainer.
Pinterest is so vital, I don’t see how it could be ignored. Between its visual nature and the fact that it’s a search engine that will, in my opinion, eventually out-Google Google, it’s worth taking the time to create the image – even for the businesses that don’t consider themselves visual. A company can be a thought leader, and use Pinterest, based on infographics, cartoon-ish figures (like your branded images that I now recognize on sight) with calls to action – whatever. It doesn’t have to be beautiful photography if your product/service doesn’t call for it.
The branding of images is so important, and I know you walk that particular walk. It’s probably the first lesson I learned from reading your blog. The only thing I can’t figure out how to counteract is how to keep someone dishonest from right-click-save-as and cropping out the URL that’s at the edge of the image. Any suggestions towards that end would be great to hear.
I completely agree Krista, but so many still can’t quite wrap their heads around how to use it. As far as protecting your images, there will always be those unethical sorts out there that are eager to steal what isn’t theres.
You could add a watermark, but that might detract from your image. At the end of the day, it’s all about creating an image that’s so unbelievably you, no one can take it without looking like a fraud.