101+ Practical Pinterest Marketing Tips (by Phases and Niches)

About the Pinterest Tips

Here is a collection of Pinterest Tips from all level and at all phases of the Pinterest process: account set-up, pin design, pinning...

Please bare in mind that the article also addresses the needs of beginners, so advanced users might think "of course" for many of them but they are all needed 🙂

Pinterest Account Set Up

#1 - Set up a business account

This is an essential start. Without the business account, you cannot validate your website and rich pins and get analytics. 
Don't worry!
It does not remove anything from you. There is no negative impact to having a business Pinterest account.
This page will guide to you either set up a business account or convert your personal account to a business one.

#2 - Include more in your Account Name

Imagine Miss Lambda receives a notification that someone followed her and all she gets is a name that rings no bell, she is not curious to check it out. But if it includes Social Marketing or Travel Blog, or Vegan Recipes she might think 'hey I am interest in that' and check it out.

#3 - Add a Profile Photo

#4 - Write account description with keywords

Complete the account description and include general keywords relating to your niche.
E.g. Travel Tips or Fitness challenges or Money Saving Tips

#5 - Verify website

The verification system allows you to have the link to your website included in your account description.

Go into your settings / profile / website and 'Verify your website'. Follow the instructions.
Note: the Yoast plugin makes things easier

#6 - Enable Rich Pins

When I completed a survey about Pinterest for Travel bloggers, I discovered that 14% of them did not have rich pins enabled. This really surprised me.

Rich Pins pulls meta data (especially the meta title) from your blog post to include it below your pin. This help the Pinterest users quickly realize if the post interest them

Pinterest Account Organization

Now you need to organize your account so that it look professional and inviting.

#7 - Create only relevant boards 

Your account should have at least 15 boards. But be smart in choosing them. Stay relavant to your niches.
e.g.
Don't start talking about dogs if you niche is travel, because you will attract people that won't be interest in your content. But you can have a board about traveling with dogs if you plan on writing about that 🙂

#8 - Don't go overboard with boards

The more boards you have the more diluted your pins are. You need a critical mass to create engagement. And with my Pinterest survey, I saw that proportionally, accounts with hundreds of boards were getting lower traffic.

#9 - Don't be too smart with names

#10 - Add descriptions to your boards

So many boards don't have description. But this is a great place to fit in a few keywords to improve your Pinterest SEO 🙂

#11 - Add cover images to your boards

I know some people don't like it. But adding Pinterest covers with your branding makes your account look more professional and helps people pick the boards that interest them.

#12 - Add popular relevant pins to your boards

Don't start with empty boards. Fill them with popular content on the subject. It has not been been proven to help but does make sense, no?

#13 - Create a 'follow my blog' board

Create a board that contents only your content, for people who want to follow only your blog and not whatever you pin.

#14 - Don't follow back if you are not interested

You want a well curated feed to help your find good content to repin. For that you need to follow only account that interest you.

#15 - Follow individual boards to cut out the noise

Same point, to get a well curated feed, follow boards rather than full accounts when appropriate.

#16 - Don't forget to uncheck email notifications

Pinterest tends to get overboard with notification. So get into Settings / Notification and uncheck all that you don't want to receive. And don't forget to click on 'Pick which group you hear about' to remove those notifications too.

#17 - Turn on or off the Showcase carousel

Website Set-up for Pinterest

Your Pinterest account is not the only thing your need to set up. The other part of the equation is your website. Below are some relevant Pinterest advice:

#18 - Add Pinterest link to your social media profiles

Often business or bloggers have set up their social media icon in their sidebar or header. And when they finally add Pinterest, they forget to add it. Don't be one of them 🙂

#19 - Add Pin it buttons or Pinterest share option

Allow your reader to easily pin your article even if they don't have the browser app. So in your share plugins activate the Pinterest option. e.g share this article if you enjoy it so far 🙂

#20 - Create several pins per article

In my survey, I realized that many people are sticking to creating only one Pins by article. But remember that the Pinterest feed is an algorithm that does not show everything. So maximize you chances with multiple pins with variation.
In the Course StructurPinterest, I go into more details on the different types of pins you can create with many examples.

#21 - Define Pin display strategy

There are Different strategies to include your pins or not, depending on your blog design preferences:
- add all of your pins as images in the article (like in this one)
- add on vertical pin to the article and add the other pins directly inside Pinterest
- Add the Pins in the article but hide them, so that they are only visible when people click on Pinterest buttons (style="display:none")
- Don't add pins to your article but add them directly in Pinterest (No strange layout with vertical images but that won't allow people pin your articles directly if they want to...)

#22 - Add alt tag to pinable images

When people pin from your website, it takes out the Alt Tag as description. So don't forget to fill it in (it is anyway better for your website in general)

#23 - Add Pinterest widget to side bar

Pin Design

#24 - Find out what is popular

Type some keywords relevant to your article and see what works before designing your pin. Don't try to reinvent the wheel.

#25 - Create vertical images

PINS MUST BE VERTICAL!!!!!!!! There is really no point in adding landscape images. There a few exceptions, as always but horizontal images don't get notice.
Optimal is supposed to be 1000 * 1500. 

#26 - Use quality images

I hope that there is no need to tell you, But Pinterest is all about the visual... so high quality images do way better as they attract the eye.
If you don't have any, there are many website where you can get some for free or buy some (e.g. Pixabay, Deposit photos...). Canva also include images for free and for purchase.

#27 - Prefer high contrast

See again the images above. Contrast is critical.

Again for attracting the user in a flow of images, look for high contrast that display well you text and subjects. 
Go check out your feed and see what jumps out for you.

#28 - Use representative images

Pinterest wants to be a visual search engine, their new tools is also analyzing what you have on your images to match with other content and knowledge it has. 
So if your article in about tomatoes and your photo is a basket, there is a chance that Pinterest won't understand...

#29 - Add text (except for Fashion / Beauty / Interior design ideas)

I know there are purist that don't want to mess with their images. But Pinterest is a search engine where people are looking for solutions and answers. It is NOT Instagram.
So please add text to your image so that the user know what it is about.
Canva is a great tool for creating your pins and adding text.

However this does not apply to inspiration shots showing fashion, make up, hairdos or interior design (but will apply if your article is a a tutorial)

#30 - Be short and talk to the user

I know it is tempting to add more info to attract the users. But (with the exception of infographics and lists) better to limit the number of words so that the few words do attract the eyes of the users. Spend sometimes really thinking about the words that will speak to your target audience.

#31 - Don't trick

Be realistic with what you right on your image. I can't stand the clickbaits. And like Google came to it, I am pretty sure that Pinterest will include 'time on site before clicking the return button' in their algorithm. There is nothing more frustrating that not getting what you go excited about when looking on the Pin.
Believe me
It does not -hing for your brand

For example on this subject, I saw a pin that said '21 Pinterest tips you never heard of' and inside are mostly very basics tips... RETURN!

#32 - Write big enough

This is a problem I see even more with French bloggers. It is like people feel they are shouting if they write too big. But look at your feed, do you stop on pins where the text is too small to be read without effort?

#33 - Stop it with crazy fonts

I know choosing font is fun and allows you to express yourself. But please keep the text readable!!!!!!!!

#34 - Don't write on messy image

This is a fun one.
Let's take the example of travel bloggers. How many times have I seen that:

I am not kidding!
Don't write text where the image is busy, and if the whole image is busy, add a rectangle shapes in Canva under your text and play on the transparency.

#35 - Use warm colors

Pinterest has said that statistically, Pins with warm colors perform better that the others.
But this can be challenged. I think the most important is contrast.

#36 - Avoid borders

Some people add borders to their pins, thinking that it will give them an edge to stand out.
The fact is that pins with borders look dated. Plus I once read that Pinterest did not like that, but I can't find where I read it.

#38 - Work on branding

Having consistent style on your pins is a great way to grow your impact. When people recognize your pins in their feed, they know they can open and get a certain quality.
Repetitive elements can be - color combination, design elements, your brand name or logo, font type combination...

#39 - Constantly learn about Pin design

I can't believe the difference between my original pins and what I am doing today (and probably what I will do differently in the future). Keep looking at other's designs. Create a secret board to save you favorite design to study them and learn from them

Pinning Routine

#40 - Install the Browser extension

Do you know that Pinterest has a browser extensions that allow you to quickly Pin any articles. Yeah!!!!

#41 - Add a full Description with keywords

Don't leave your Pins without a description. Pinterest does not like that. And remember that Pinterest is a a Search Engine, so it needs information to be able to find relevance. So don't forget to add keywords in your descriptions.

#42 - Avoid generic hashtags

#43 - Pin your content to several boards

Your content should not be pinned to only one board. Add it to any relevant boards (but space it out, maybe with a scheduler). But no more than 10 boards!
E.g.
about the Pena Palace we saw above, it can go in my Boards about Portugal, Europe, Architecture, Unesco...

#44 - Don't forget to pin your content to your Follow your blog board

#45 - Pin Your own content and content of others

Pinterest is not your Facebook page. It is here to share all ideas. 
There used to be the 'rule' that you have to pin 20% your content, 80% the content of others.
Now this is not really a rule. It is a good start when you are new to Pinterest and do not have much content, but as you get more and more, the proportions will change.

#46 - Check links before repinning

#47 - Pin consistently

Pinterest has said it, they like consistency. They like that you interact with the site everyday and several times a day.

#48 - Use a scheduler to save time

#49 - Install the Tailwind extension

Oh and by the way, Tailwind also has extensions and it is fantastics. For exemple you open a group board, scroll a little, click on the extensions, and pick the articles you want to add to your queue. Love it!

#50 - Repin your most popular content

Once pinned, people forget them and move to the next article.
But take the time to check your most popular pins to repin them and keep the juice coming 🙂

And sometimes it is even better to repin pins to your blog by other accounts. In the course StructurPinterest, we find out how to find them and make the most of them.

#52 - No time? Consider a Pinterest VA

Have no time or don't have fun with Pinterest?
Pinterest Virtual assistants are popping up everywhere - different levels, can do design or repins or optimization. There are even courses to Launch a Pinterest VA business...

#5" - Don't be scared when you receive an email from Pinterest about copyright

Most of the time it says that they removed one of your pins but that it is not your fault. You just repinned something that was created by someone who violated copyrights. It happens. You could not have known.
BUT DO NOT COPY PINS and link to your own content. It is not right. And use only images that you have the rights to or are free to use according to their licenses.

Pinterest Boosting Tips

#54 - Focus on Pinterest SEO

Once again, Pinterest is a search engine.
So your strategy should take that into account.
And you should implement Optimization for it (SEO)

Learn more about Pinterest SEO in the StructurPinterest Course

#55 - Go back to old articles to add Pin or create better pins

Go back to your old best articles and give them some new juice with Pins.
Add pins if you have never done any, or create new ones because I am sure your design skills have improved.

#56 - Join Group Boards

#57 - Don't pay to Join Group Boards

A new trend has appeared where owners ask money to let you in because they have many followers. Do not pay. A big account does not necessarily means good engagement. You could be paying for nothing. And it is probably against the terms of use (but I don't feel like reading all to be sure of it - has any of you checked?)

#58 - Monitor Group Boards

If you are using Tailwind, you can monitor engagement on your various group boards. This way you can drop the ones that don't bring anything and declutter your Pinterest account.

#59 - Create a Group Board

Not so much theses days...

My old comments: Once you get enough followers and good engagement on a board, you can consider bringing in other contributors to provide more value to your followers and boost your account.
But please don't open group boards at the beginning just to have more followers from those who don't know better than to join it. Learn to grow first.
Creating a board at the beginning means no value for the collaborators and loosing control over your young account for you.

#60 - Join Tailwind Tribes

The new kids on the block are Tailwind Tribes. They are community where you can add your pins for people to consider repinning. It fully integrates with your Tailwind account so you can quickly add to your queue.

#61 - Consider Pinterest sharing threads

Another way to get more engagement on your pins is to participate in sharing threads. In many Facebook group, you can find thread where you add your pin and have to share a certain amount of pins from others.
There are even groups that are purely for Pinterest and everyday, if you participate to the thread you have to repin the content of everyone.
It does give a boost when you are just starting. But not for the long term

#62 - Have an old account? Clear unrelevant boards

If you have a-had an old account before switching to business, take some time to move all boards that are not relevant to secret. 
Note if you delete, you loose the followers that were only to that boards.
If you move to secret, you don't loose them in the total count.
It does not have a big impact, but psychologically it can be had to go backwards in your number of followers.

#63 - Move non performing boards to secret

Same with non-performing boards. Or boards on which you don't engage anymore. Move them to secret to declutter your account.

#64 - Focus on your Blog Analytics not Pinterest Analytics

Pinterest is trying hard with their analytics. But to be honest, I have not seen great value yet. I recommend focusing on your Google Analytics to check how many visits to your website are coming from Pinterest

Note: If you have noted a discrepancy it is normal. Clicks on Pinterest analytics do not pin clicks to visit your website, it pins all clicks that engage with the pin, including enlarging it.

#65 - Pin Infographic types of images

Infographics tend to perform well on Pinterest. They don't always generate visits, but often get a lot of repins, which tell the algorithm that you are popular

#67 - Pin to your Optin page

Pins are not only for articles. Create an Opt-in page with a great freebie and spend time on the design of your pins so that people subscribes directly coming from Pinterest.

#68 - Pin to your Products

Some eCommerce systems are already integrated with Pinterest allowing the user to buy directly. This is the case with Etsy for example.

Essential Pinterest Tips

#69 - Be Patient

I know this is not a fun one. But results will come I promise.
You just have to be patient. After several months you will see traffic increasing.

Pinterest is not a social network. Engagement is not fast but it will last longer and be more statisfying.

#70 - Use Google Profiles or different browsers for several Pinterest accounts

Tailwind has a switch account Option 🙂 but sadly Pinterest does not. So, if you have several Pinteret accounts for several blogs you have to log in and out every time.
2 solutions to manage the situation better:
- Create different Google user profiles and log in one account per profile and switch at that level
- Set up your different Pinterest account on different browsers. e.g. On my Computer I have my Enginlish travel blog on Google Chrome, my French travel blog on Safari and this blog on Firefox.

#71 - Keep Learning

Keep reading about Pinterest, Keep Watching what others are doing... never stop learning!

Check out the course Pinterest Traffic Avalanche

Pinning Marketing Tips by Niches

Pinterest Tips for TRAVEL 

#72 - Add country in description

How can the algorithm send your Pin to someone researching their travel to Australia if your have not written Australia in your description?
Remember to optimize for search. Add the Country in your description. 

#73 - Add country on Pin

This time it is not about the algorithm (although it is learning to read and will probably be relevant) but it is about the user.

#74 - Be flexible with your design

In some niches, it is quite easy to always have the same set up for a pin. But in travel your are very dependent on what your are photographing. So be flexible, and adapt your pin design to the image.

#75 - Take Pinterest oriented picture during your trip

This is one that goes against all the fibers of my being, but if you want great pins, you have to think ahead. And when you travel, you should be taking some vertical photos with a lot of Sky above or a lot of ground at the bottom so that you have space to add some text. 

I know photography wise it is horrible, but it will save you a lot of headache when comes the time to create pins.

#76 - Avoid straight faces

Poeple don't want to see you. They want to project themselves where you are. It is find to get people in your shot, but don' show their face so that the Pinterest user can imagine being at their place.

Pinterest Tips for FOOD 

Pinterest Tips for FINANCE 

#82 - Solve Problems

This is quite a general rules, that to attract people you need to solve problems. But this is especially true in Finance. So be clear on your pins.

#83 - Include Numbers

Look at keywords regarding finance, they seem to always find a way to include a number... 3 ways to save money on xxx, how to earn 100$ extra per month, 3 months to get out of debt, 10 tips to manage college debts...

#84 - Plan for seasonal issues

Even Finance is seasonal, when people need specific advice. Plan those pins a couple of months in advance.
e.g. Budget for Christmas, Saving money for vacations (or controling the budget there), How to make most of sales

Pinterest Tips for PARENTING 

Pinterest Tips for FASHION

#88 - Outfit ideas, no text

Fashion is one of those niches where you can post images with no text on it. It works well for outfit ideas. But still focus on contrast so that the outfits can been seen properly.

#89 - Avoid direct faces, make the clothes the focus

Here again, faces are not welcome. Have a look at the top images in the feed, apart from a few exception, people are looking to the side, heads are cut or hidden. This allow the Pinterest user to focus on the outfit and imagine themselves wearing it.

#90 - Add price range in description

I am not sure of the impact, but always good to help the reader right away with price range of what the outfit costs in the description.

#91 - Collage for capsule collections

Do use collage with various product images to introduce capsule collection, they do quite well and generate links as people want to learn more about each item.

Pinterest Tips for BEAUTY 

#92 - You can show faces

This is one niche where you can show faces. Would be difficult otherwise 🙂

#93 - Focus on Tutorials - step by step image pins

Pins with step by step make-up or hair-do process work well on Pinterest.

#94 - Don't hesitate to draw on faces

Have a look and you will see that many successful pins have drawing on the faces. This shows the users that in the article that they will have clear visual explanation on how to do things. They are more likely to click

#95 - Don't pin products, pin how to use them

Don't pin only images of products. You need to build trust by showing how to use it or what result you can get with them

Pinterest Tips for HEALTH / FITNESS 

#96 - Create workout charts

Those pins are everywhere at the top of searches. They do really well.

#97 - Create Motivation images and quotes

Search for fitness in Pinterest and you will see that many people for inspiration or motivation. So quote to help people on their journey to fitness do well. They will do bring traffic but the repins will make your account more popular.

#98 - Sometimes show the problem

Most people are looking for inspiration and images with perfect butts and rocking abs do well. But once in a while, create pins that show the problem or the pain of the user with text that motivates to get rid of it.

#99 - Be Specific

Competition is fierce because this niche does really well on Pinterest so better to be specific.
Which body part are you focusing on, is it easy or advanced, how long will it take... It needs to have borders so that the users can project themselves succeeding and want to know more.

Pinterest Tips for INTERIOR DESIGN 

#100 - Pin just a portion

Don't try to photographing the whole room the pin in a sea of many pins will not stand out because too busy. Focus on a representative section with high contrast elements

#101 - Avoid collages

Interior design photos are already busy so collage rarely get in the top of the Pins, unless you show a series of article that will go well together in a room

#102 - Always mention the room and the style for SEO

Remember to help the Pinterest algorithm show your content to the right people. So don't forget to write in the description for which room the design is (bathroom, bedroom...) and in which style (minimalist, luxury, Scandinavian, rustic...)

Pinterest Tips for PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

#103 - Create lists

Lists are very popular in that niche - list to get inspired, list of things to do, list of does and don'ts...
And write the overall titles of each element of the list in the pin

#104 - Create challenge pins

Challenges are also very popular in that niche. Don't forget to mention for how long the challenge is.

#105 - DON'T GIVE UP!!!!!!!

So ready to rock at Pinterest?
Share what you have learnt in the comments

You might also be interested in:

Pin it: