If you’re new to the online business world, you may be thinking how can a platform that is full of recipes and home decor inspo help to grow your business? But hear us out. Did you know that last month alone there were 433 million active users on Pinterest? And that number is continuing to grow! Today we’re diving into how to use Pinterest to grow your business on autopilot, and how to get started.
Psst..did you know you can focus your services as a virtual assistant on Pinterest alone? Yep, it’s a thing! Read all about that in this blog post HERE.
How to Use Pinterest to Grow Your Business on Autopilot
While Instagram is like your flashy friend who knows everyone at the party, Pinterest is the cool, uncle who introduces you to exactly who you need to meet. It stands out from other social media marketing platforms by doubling as a powerful visual search engine. This means your target audience isn’t just aimlessly scrolling; they’re actively searching for your pins.
But why is this important? Because when people search for specific content, they have a higher intent to engage, follow, and convert into paying customers. Unlike other platforms where your content may disappear in a feed, Pinterest ensures longevity. Pins can keep driving traffic to your website or online store for months, even years, after they’re first posted. This makes Pinterest an invaluable tool for long-term business growth.
How to Get Started with Pinterest
First things first, create a Pinterest business account. Make sure you claim your website and other social media handles to increase brand awareness across platforms! If you already have a personal account, you can easily convert it into a business account to take advantage of Pinterest’s powerful analytics and advertising tools.
Pro-tip: Make sure to optimize your profile with a clear, professional profile picture and a keyword-rich bio. Your bio is your mini elevator pitch; it should be compelling enough to make people want to click and explore more about you and your brand.
Next, create boards that reflect all the topics you’ll be creating content on Pinterest about. This is where keywords come into play (more on this soon).
If you’re wondering how to keep your boards organized, think of them like shelves in a store. You wouldn’t mix apples with shoes, right? Categorize your boards so your audience can easily find exactly what they’re looking for. This strategy not only makes your content more accessible but also improves user experience, keeping your followers coming back for more. Also, consider creating a “Best of [Your Brand]” board where you pin your top-performing content. It’s like having a greatest hits album that new followers can instantly fall in love with!
Whip up 5-7 high-quality Pinterest templates in Canva that reflect your branding. Then start pinning away! We personally love using Tailwind for Static Pins because it allows you to batch and schedule posts to multiple boards effortlessly.
Use Keywords in Your Pins
A keyword is a word or phrase that your ideal customer types into Pinterest’s search bar. You’ll want to weave these into your content organically.
Tips to find keywords on Pinterest:
- Check Pinterest Trends: Login to the backend of Pinterest, and at the top click on trends. This will show you exactly what’s hot right now.
- Search Bar Magic: Head over to your Pinterest home feed, where you usually get lost in endless scrolling. This time, put on your detective hat and type in something related to your content. Let’s say, for example, you type in “breakfast recipe.” You might see related phrases like “easy breakfast,” “fast breakfast,” “keto-friendly breakfast,” and more. These suggestions show you what people are actively searching for. If your content matches any of those categories, sprinkle those keywords into your titles and descriptions!
- Deep Dive with Keywords Everywhere: Use a third-party platform like Keywords Everywhere for deeper keyword research!
- Boost Your Discoverability with Hashtags: While Pinterest doesn’t go hashtag-crazy like Instagram or Twitter, they can still play an important role in helping your pins get noticed. Use a mix of broad and niche-specific hashtags to increase your reach. For example, if you’re pinning about “home office decor,” you could use hashtags like #HomeOffice, #OfficeInspo, and #DecorTrends.
Static Pins Versus Idea Pins
An Idea Pin is like a mini slideshow or a short video, appearing in the top bubble of the Pinterest app, similar to Instagram stories. Note, you can’t interact with them unless tapping on a product tag, and currently, they don’t allow direct links. However, you can pin these Idea Pins to your boards for added visibility.
Static Pins are the classic pins that include links directing users to your solutions—be it a product, a blog post, a webinar, or a free download. The possibilities are endless!
How To Use Affiliate Links On Pinterest
Now, let’s talk about monetizing your Pinterest efforts through affiliate links.
If you’re new to this, an affiliate link is a special URL that tracks the traffic or sales generated from your recommendations. When someone clicks on your affiliate link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission. Think of it as being a matchmaker, connecting your audience with products they’ll love.
Here’s how to seamlessly incorporate them into your marketing strategy on Pinterest:
- Disclose Affiliate Links: Be transparent! Always let your audience know that your pins include affiliate links. Not only is it the ethical thing to do, but it builds trust. And trust is priceless.
- Create Compelling Visuals: Pinterest is all about eye candy. High-quality, attractive images combined with engaging descriptions can drive website traffic—and ultimately, sales. Think of your visuals as window displays that draw your audience in.
- Focus on High-Performing Pins: Use Pinterest analytics to track which pins perform well and focus your efforts on creating similar types of content. It’s like finding a winning formula—once you’ve got it, you’re set!
- Optimize for SEO: Keywords are your best friends. Include relevant keywords in your pin’s description to help your pins show up in search results. This increases the visibility of your affiliate links and attracts more traffic.
Additional Features to Consider for Your Pinterest Strategy
And lastly, let’s walk through a few additional features to consider for your Pinterest strategy and why they’re worth your attention. These tips will not only keep your Pinterest game strong but also ensure you’re making the most of this powerful social media site:
- Engage with Your Community: Take a moment to comment on pins, re-pin interesting content, and connect with other Pinterest users. This simple action helps boost your visibility and drive engagement. It’s like having a friendly chat at a digital café!
- Experiment with Video Pins: Video pins can amp up your reach and attract users who love, engaging content. They’re a great way to showcase your products or services in action.
- Seasonal and Trending Content: Tap into seasonal trends and create content that resonates with current user interests. It’s a smart way to boost visibility and engagement, as people love content that’s timely and relevant.
Pinterest is more than just a social media platform—it’s a game-changer for influencers, bloggers, and small businesses aiming to grow online.
We know it might seem slightly scary at first, but trust us, the time you invest in Pinterest pays off. We see our email list grow EVERY SINGLE DAY simply because we dedicated effort to creating and sharing great content on Pinterest.
Interested in outsourcing your Pinterest strategy? We’re not just another marketing agency. We’re a highly skilled team of experts. So, if you’re ready to kick stale strategies and to start IMPLEMENTING with success, you’ve found your people. CLICK HERE and let’s chat!
We’d love to hear from you! What’s your favorite Pinterest tip or strategy? Let us know in the comments below!
