Blogging

How to use Pinterest to grow your blog

using-pinterest-to-grow-your-blog
How to use Pinterest to grow your blog

After writing my 6 Simple Ways to Drive Traffic to Your Blog, I’ve received quite a few requests to do an in-depth post about Pinterest. Today I’m finally going to share a few tips with you on how to grow your blog with Pinterest. 

I definitely wouldn’t consider myself to be an expert, but Pinterest does bring thousands of visits to this blog, every single month. Pinterest is definitely a very powerful tool, especially for bloggers. Unlike other social media outlets like Facebook or Twitter where only fresh content seems to be relevant, pins from your blog can get re-pinned and shared weeks, months and even years after you’ve published your content. This also means that with Pinterest, you can bring traffic even to posts you’ve published years a go.

CREATE AN ACCOUNT

One of the first things you have to do is create a Pinterest account (if you don’t already have one, that is!). I definitely recommend that you create a business Pinterest account- if you already have an account then you can easily convert to a business account (see Pinterest for Business). With business Pinterest account you can have access to analytics, see which pins convert the most and monitor your account’s growth. You can also promote pins, by setting up your budget, choosing certain keywords, etc. I’ve promoted a few of my pins (images from my blog) with really good results. This also becomes useful if you have an Etsy store- you can promote image of your products which can help increase your sales.

PIN IT BUTTON

Not too long a go, I was reading an article about growing your blog with Pinterest and as I finished reading it, I wanted to share it on Pinterest. The only problem was that I couldn’t find a Pinterest button anywhere on the page! This is a big no-no in my book. I found it especially ironic, since one of the main things that the author stressed in the article, was the importance of having that button installed! Pinterest is expected to hit 50 million monthly active users by next year. Fifty million. This means that it’s an amazing platform for bloggers to share their content. One of my most popular blog posts has nearly 10,000 re-pins on Pinterest which brings tons of visits to my blog on monthly basis. Now, imagine if my posts weren’t “shareable” and I didn’t have that Pin It button installed- I’d miss out on thousands of monthly visitors. Of course, some people have the Pin It button installed in their browser (like I do!) but the reality is that most people visiting your blog don’t- this is why it’s so important to have that button installed.

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POST ORIGINAL CONTENT

Another thing that’s really important is to not only make your content shareable, but to also grow your Pinterest account. This means that in addition to pinning your own images and having your audience pin your images, you also pin other content. Now, only about 19% of Pinterest’s content is original- this means that most of the content you see pop up on your Pinterest home page is being constantly re-pinned, and not a lot of users pin original content. And this means that a lot of the images were already pinned by many users and most likely, they will not get you a whole lot of re-pins (which is very important when it comes to growing your account). This is why sharing original and/or trending content is vital. Did you happen to read an interesting and helpful article? Found a good recipe? Came across swatches of a newly released makeup product? Pin it! I noticed a big difference in the growth of my account once I started sharing original content. I definitely recommend that you also get the Pinterest app on your phone- this way you can easily share some beautiful images that you come across on Instagram. The app on your phone also makes it much easier for you stay active on Pinterest- you can pin a few images even when you’re busy, without having to log in to your account on a computer. When you pin fresh and new content, your pins are more likely to get re-pinned and even have the potential to go viral. Then, as you grow your account and gain more followers, you should also remember to share images from your blog posts on Pinterest as well. I also definitely recommend that you only share aesthetically-pleasing images. Pinterest is a tool that’s driven by visuals- this is why you can’t pin blurry and/or unclear images. This is also why beautiful, clear images and colorful infographics do so well. Same thing goes for your own images that you post on a blog- if you need some tips on Photography, make sure to checkout my Photography section here on Thirteen Thoughts.

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GROUP BOARDS

I’ve already mentioned Group Boards in this post. There are tons of group boards for bloggers on Pinterest and I definitely recommend that you take advantage of that. Usually, in order to be added to a Group Board, you’d need to request an invite. I also know that I’ve mentioned PinGroupie before- this is basically a website that lets you search for Group Boards by using specific keywords and categories. After you find a Group Board that you’d like to join you can see what the rules are in its description- that’s also usually where you’d find information on how to request to be added to the group board. I also started my own Group Board for Beauty, Fashion and Lifestyle Bloggers not too long a go and if you’d like to join, you can shoot me an email at paula[at]thirteenthoughts.com (you do have to be following me and the board on Pinterest, otherwise I won’t be able to send you an invite).

beauty and lifestyle blog

IMAGES AND TEXT

I’ve already mentioned the importance of having clear images, but another thing that also does extremely well on Pinterest are images with text. Most of my own images that do very well on Pinterest have text added to them. Now, I definitely don’t like the idea of adding text to every single one of my images, but I’ve noticed that posts like recipes, blogging and photography tips do extremely well when I add text to them (by the way, when I do add text, I only do so for one of the images included in a blog posts- usually the first or the featured image). Adding text creates sort of a call-to-action that prompts users to click on the image and visit your blog. This definitely does not work with every single blog post category, so you might have to do a little trial and error, to find what works best for you.

SOURCE IT

Not everything that is shared on Pinterest has a source- meaning not every single image will direct users to a website. When you share your own images, it’s best to do so while pinning them directly from your blog- this way they will be automatically linked. If you upload an image from your computer, you have to remember to edit the source, and make sure to copy and paste your link in the “source” tab.

There is so much more to Pinterest than just these few points mentioned in this blog posts, and I could probably go on forever. As I’ve already mentioned, Pinterest is a great tool that can potentially refer thousands of visitors to your blog and it should definitely not be ignored if growing your blog is something that you’re after.

Do you guys use Pinterest?

70 Comments

  • Reply
    Liz | Lipstick & Confetti
    November 9, 2015 at 11:09 am

    These are great tips! I love Pinterest!

    xo, Liz
    http://lipstickandconfetti.com

  • Reply
    Ashley
    November 9, 2015 at 11:11 am

    Just started utilizing promoted pins and I’m so happy I did <3

    Ashley
    http://www.ashleyelizabethbeauty.com

  • Reply
    Biana Perez
    November 9, 2015 at 11:18 am

    I definitely need to start getting better about using pinterest to grow my blog! Thank you for the tips! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston

  • Reply
    Jodie Vernon
    November 9, 2015 at 11:53 am

    I’ve just got a Pinterest account so any advice is always useful, I would never have thought about the original content point!

    Jodie, xo // Jodie Loue

  • Reply
    Alina
    November 9, 2015 at 12:35 pm

    I’m so glad you wrote go post because I’m actually so clueless when it comes to Pinterest, I don’t think I’m doing it right & then I just end up ignoring it most of the time. Really need to work on applying your tips to my account now & hopefully join your beauty group board once I get my laptop back :) x

    Beauty with charm

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      November 11, 2015 at 5:48 pm

      Thanks so much Alina! Definitely let me know and I’ll send you an invite to join the group board :)

  • Reply
    Another Ranting Reader
    November 9, 2015 at 12:40 pm

    This is brilliant! Thank you.

    Jemima x
    anotherrantingreader.blogspot.co.uk

  • Reply
    Danielle Beautyblog
    November 9, 2015 at 1:13 pm

    I really need to get more active on Pinterest and start pinning more regularly! I also rarely look at my analytics so need to get into more of a habit of doing that! Helpful as always!

    Danielle’s Beauty Blog

  • Reply
    MargaritaChi.co
    November 9, 2015 at 1:32 pm

    Thanks for sharing these tips! I really, REALLY need to get more active on Pinterest as it’s such a great audience tool, especially in our niche… this has inspired me! Thanks so much x

    Margarita | MargaritaChi.co

  • Reply
    Hanna
    November 9, 2015 at 1:42 pm

    Love your tips! –Hanna Lei

  • Reply
    Shayah Isabella
    November 9, 2015 at 2:41 pm

    I need to devote an entire notebook to ‘Paula’s Blog Tips’ and keep it treasured in my “office” space forever and ever. I love your posts so much.

    I need to get me a Pin It button. Stat.

    http://www.rosycheeks.org

  • Reply
    Sinéad Danielle ✿
    November 9, 2015 at 3:28 pm

    I’m a self-confessed Pinterest addict, and I know there’s many more like me out there! Which is why I can see it’s clearly a platform with great potential for bloggers! I’m totally guilty of not installing that Pinterest button, must do it asap – thanks for the reminder haha!

    Sinéad ♥ fabuleuse, toujours ♥

  • Reply
    Dagmara Klich
    November 9, 2015 at 4:30 pm

    Thanks for this post Paula! I have slowly started building my Pinterest account but to be honest most of the time I ignore it, definitely need to work on it more and be sure to join your group :) x

    Mummy’s Beauty Corner

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      November 13, 2015 at 1:22 pm

      No problem Dagmara! I know what you mean! I was doing the same thing, until I downloaded the app, it’s so much easier to pin from my phone than it is from the computer!

  • Reply
    Kelly
    November 9, 2015 at 4:34 pm

    Very useful tips, I’m starting to pin my posts on pinterest more. Sometimes I forget to, but this post will definitely remind me to.

    ♥ // Perfect Shade of Mauve

  • Reply
    JasminCharlotte
    November 9, 2015 at 4:39 pm

    I’ve been thinking of really trying to expand into Pinterest as it’s not something I’ve focused on previously. Definitely going to save this and work on them! x

    Jasmin Charlotte

  • Reply
    SavBanav
    November 9, 2015 at 6:37 pm

    Really helpful post! I have a Pinterest, but it’s a personal account so I should make a business account for my blog! I’ll give it a shot for sure!

    Savannah xx
    savbanav.wordpress.com

  • Reply
    Joycentricity
    November 9, 2015 at 6:55 pm

    This is very helpful since I’m still new to the whole Pinterest thing. I’ll be joining your group board too! Sometimes I really forget to post on pinterest but if it is really that helpful, I need to know more on how to use it

    Joyce
    http://joycentricity.blogspot.com/

  • Reply
    Lina Khalifa
    November 9, 2015 at 7:16 pm

    This is such a useful post! Definitely went ahead and created a board and started pinning some of my posts. Really helpful. Thanks for sharing x

    Lina / lina-khalifa.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Dora Toubanaki
    November 10, 2015 at 1:48 am

    I never really ‘understood’ pinterest! This is such a helpful post! Thank you! Dora http://www.bangsbang.com

  • Reply
    The Sunday Mode
    November 10, 2015 at 2:26 am

    Exactly the type of post I was looking for, thank you! Bookmarking this to read it again when I actually have some time to get started.

    http://www.thesundaymode.blogspot.com.au

  • Reply
    Linda Libra Loca
    November 10, 2015 at 3:46 am

    Ha, had to pin it immediately. I use Pinterest as a source of personal inspiration, but so far i didn’t get much traffic from there. I never even heard of group boards before…

    Linda,
    Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking

  • Reply
    Elizabeth Hisle
    November 10, 2015 at 9:07 am

    I love Pinterest! But I don’t use it like I should. I think my biggest problem is I use a computer all day at work and use social media on my breaks, so when I come home, I am kinda done with it. I have always read that night time is the best time to use Pinterest as well and I think that’s why I don’t use it more often (though I really need to change that). Do you find there are better times during the day to Pin?

    aroseisinbloom.blogspot.com

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      November 13, 2015 at 1:42 pm

      So do I! I’m sure that there are better times to post on Pinterest, but I kind of just post in the morning (around 10) and in the evening (around 8pm) usually that seems to work well for me.

  • Reply
    Agnes
    November 10, 2015 at 1:20 pm

    Very helpful post. I am relatively new to Pinterest, so still have some learning to do.
    Thank you.

    Agnes
    findinglifebalancewithagnes.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Dasha
    November 14, 2015 at 1:32 pm

    I think it need to try to use Pinterest for blog aims. Thanks for the post! Loved it!

    coffeetalkwithdasha.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Laura Flint
    November 16, 2015 at 1:11 am

    This is a great post and very helpful! I linked it up on my weekly roundup: http://www.justblueflint.com/blog/this-week-01

  • Reply
    Lauren Metzler
    November 21, 2015 at 10:59 pm

    Thank you for these tips! :D

    http://thewanderingorange.com/

  • Reply
    The Beauty Anecdote
    November 23, 2015 at 11:42 pm

    I’m finding it really hard to use Pinterest in ways that benefit me. I always feel like I’m just doing something wrong–I don’t have any followers–yet, I have so much activity going (ie. repins, people saving my pins). What would you recommend to change this in way that would benefit my blog?

    http://www.thebeautyanecdote.com/

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      February 2, 2016 at 3:22 pm

      I would say pin often (daily) and do your best to pin original content that you find- something that no one has pinned, something that’s fresh and new, rather than just re-pinning what you see on Pinterest.

  • Reply
    The Sunday Mode
    January 21, 2016 at 12:28 am

    I’ve had this post bookmarked fora good two months now and I finally got a chunk of time where I could properly sit down, read all the information and digest everything. Pinterest sounds like an amazing asset for bloggers, I think I’d like to take the plunge and start using it for myself!

    http://www.thesundaymode.blogspot.com.au

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      February 2, 2016 at 3:22 pm

      It really is, it sends me tons of traffic, but it’s also a great way to connect with other bloggers (through group boards) and find some inspiration!

  • Reply
    Allycia
    January 23, 2016 at 7:46 pm

    Love Pinterest and I’m learning how to use it to bring traffic to my blog and other social media accounts!

  • Reply
    Karen Farber
    February 5, 2016 at 2:46 pm

    Pinterest is the best! I definitely need to use it more for promoting my blog. Thanks again for the tips!

    http://www.littleblackshell.com

  • Reply
    www.JoyHarvey.com
    February 9, 2016 at 6:43 am

    Great information. I actually took notes while I read it. I love Pinterest…just for fun. I plan to follow your advice and use it with my blog. There is so much to learn… thank you.

  • Reply
    Luno
    February 10, 2016 at 7:02 am

    I’ve been trying to promote my blog with Pinterest for a while, this article definitely helped, thanks!

    http://lunoblog.com

  • Reply
    Bella Rae Blogs
    February 15, 2016 at 1:55 pm

    I actually found you on Pinterest and now I’m an active reader! I’m obsessed with you! #BloggerGoals

  • Reply
    melisa
    April 3, 2016 at 2:00 pm

    The button of invite friends to the group is not working, any idea of what could be happening? Thanks a lot!! :)

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      April 3, 2016 at 2:13 pm

      Hey Melisa, not sure what you mean? Are you talking about my group board or group boards in general? I think that Pinterest is having some issues at the moment, the invite button doesn’t seem to work for me either, but it was just fine yesterday. I’d say try again in a few hours.

  • Reply
    EdyeNicolesMakeup
    June 18, 2016 at 12:45 pm

    Your blog is always so helpful! Thanks so much for sharing :)

    Blessings,

    Edye | gracefulcoffee.wordpress.com

  • Reply
    klaedia
    July 15, 2016 at 3:01 am

    Now, I can have a pinterest. Thanks! ;)

  • Reply
    Shannon
    December 2, 2016 at 12:50 pm

    this article was extremely helpful!! thank you so much for sharing your tips!! do you have any recommendations for pin it widgets to install?

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