Want to start getting traffic from Pinterest?
Great idea. it is a powerful tool.
And one of the most essential elements of your strategy is Pin design.
So, once you have an account, it is time to design your images and add them to the platform.
Here is a GUIDE on
- How to create a Pin on Pinterest
- Pin Design using Canva
- How to post to Pinterest
Video, Examples and Essentials to get you on the right track from the beginning.
Let's go!
This article contains affiliate Links (info on the Disclosure page). If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you.
UPDATE 2021 -
Since entering on the stock exchange, Pinterest has completely changed strategy.
They want to keep users on their platform and not send them on our blogs.
They are moving away from being a search engine to being just another social media platform.
The following article was not updated following that change, since I consider Pinterest is not worth the time anymore, not bringing much traffic.
How to create a Pin on Pinterest - Basic Rules
The question should be How to create a successful Pin on Pinterest.
Here a few accepted 'rules' that make Pins more successful than others (but, of course, there are always exceptions):
- Pin should be vertical
- Image should have a lot of contrast
- Text should be contrasting on the Pin
- Write big enough for people to read
- Warm colors tend to do better
- No pictures of someone looking at the camera, unless it is a beauty shot
Here is an example about the importance of image quality that I shared in my 101+ tips about Pinterest Marketing :
Best Size for Pinterest Pin
To understand the choice of size, let's discuss the dispaly sizes for the Pinterest user's on their computers:
- Pins in the feed are displayed in the feed with a width of 238px (with your screen set up at 100%)
If you click to open a pin in big - it shows at 735px in width
CONCLUSION - Your Pin should be at least 735px in width
- A classic portable computer will have 3 to 3.5 times this width to see the whole pin
- Vertical graphics do way better on Pinterest
CONCLUSION - Your Pin should be minimum 1100px and maximum 2400px in height. Personally I don't go over 2100
IDEAL PIN SIZE
Their is no ideal pin size. You should adapt to your Text and your Image.
Set up a width at 735px and play with your height between 1100 and 2400px.
Below is an image with 3 different pins for the same article with different sizes. They are displayed with the same width so that your see the difference in proportions.
- In the first case, I had taken a picture with a lot of blue sky. So the basic size was enough for me to right my text
- On the middle picture the sky section was cut my the tower, so I needed place below to write my text but did not want to cover too much of the architecture, so I made my pin longer
- In the 3rd case, I wanted to present different photos of the palace and made my pin longer to do so.
NOTE 2018 - Pinterest has changed its display again - The long pins are now cut. Do not create longer than a ratio 700*1400 px
Video - Creating Pins in Canva - 3 examples
Here is a video of how I made the 3 pins above with the free version of Canva.com
Second Pin design starting at 4min28
Third pin design starting at 6min57
Biggest mistakes on Pin Design
The biggest mistake I see on Pinterest Pin design is people
writing the Pin Text based on what they know,
rather on what the Pinterest user knows
WHAT TO DO
Consider Pin design as the King of your Pinterest Strategy.
You need to step into the shoes of the user and where he/she is at in the journey of your subject.
What text will attract him to click on your pin.
EXAMPLE
in Travel, some bloggers don't right the country where a place is located.
- if they are writing for locals that fine
- if they are trying to attract readers that might be considering or planning a trip to that country, how are they supposed to already know that the places you are talking about is in that country?
How to Post on Pinterest
After you have created a Pin for your article, you still have to add it to Pinterest.
So How to Upload pictures on Pinterest? Here are 5 methods to do so:
1. Use the Pinterest Extension
- Install the Pinterest extension for your Interest browser. Learn more here.
- Add the image to your post and
- From your article page, click on the extension, select the picture, make sure you have a description and select the board where you want it pinned
2. Use your Social plugin
Almost all plugins that you install to add share buttons to your post will include the share on. They might be displayed on the side or under the title, or at the end.
An alternative is the Pin it button that can appear as people hover on your image.
See a selection of plugin on my article about Pinterest tools
3. In Pinterest Add from website
This work like the extension.
- You are in Pinterest, you click on the + on the top right corner
- Select 'save from site'
- Enter the article URL
- Select the photos
- Make sure you have a description
- Add the appropriate board
4. In Pinterest Upload photo
If you don't want your vertical images to appear in your article (for example a long vertical pin), you can upload the image directly to Pinterest:
- You are in Pinterest, you click on the + on the top right corner (as above)
- Select 'upload an image'
- Upload your image
- Enter article URL
- Click Continue
- Make sure you have a description
- Add the appropriate board
5. From Tailwind
You can also use your scheduler to add to Pinterest.
Tailwind is my favorite. You can have a look at my Battle article: Tailwind vs BoardBooster vs Manual pinning
You can use the extension to schedule your pin or create a pin directly from the Tailwind Interface.
Happy Pin Designs!
PIN IT: