Boost Pinterest Posts: Practical Guide for Social Media

Published on 31 July 2023 8 min read

Create engaging pin designs
Optimize your pin descriptions
Make your website Pinterest-friendly
Utilize Pinterest Analytics
Join Pinterest Groups
Schedule your pins
Promote your pins on other social media platforms
Use Pinterest Ads

If you're finding your Pinterest posts aren't getting the attention they deserve, you're in the right place. The keyword here is "optimize". Yes, that's right, knowing how to optimize social media posts for Pinterest is the trick of the trade you need to master. But don't sweat it, we've got you covered. Let's dive right into it, shall we?

Create engaging pin designs

First things first, let's talk about pin designs. A visually appealing pin is the first step to stop Pinterest users from scrolling past your post. Just think about it — if you were scrolling through Pinterest, wouldn't you stop on a pin that catches your eye?

Creating engaging pin designs is easier than you think. Here are a few pointers:

Keep it simple: Overly cluttered and complex designs can be off-putting. Remember, less is more. A simple, clean design is often more attractive and easier to comprehend at a glance.
Use high-quality images: You don't have to be a professional photographer. There are plenty of sites where you can download high-quality images for free. A good image can make all the difference!
Choose the right colors: Did you know that warm colors like red and orange are more likely to be repinned than cool colors? That's a free tip for you! But remember, the colors should also complement your brand or the theme of your pin.
Add text overlays: Adding a text overlay can help deliver your message quickly. Make sure it's legible and straight to the point. And here's a pro-tip: Pinterest users love how-to, DIY, and list-based posts. So, if your post falls into one of these categories, be sure to highlight it in your text overlay.
Size matters: Pinterest recommends an aspect ratio of 2:3 for pin images. In other words, your pins should be taller than they are wide. So, don't forget to check your pin size before posting!

And there you have it — a few simple steps on how to optimize your Pinterest pins by creating engaging designs. Remember, the goal is to make your pins stand out in the sea of Pinterest posts. Happy pinning!

Optimize your pin descriptions

Now that we've got the design part down, let's move on to the pin descriptions. This is where a lot of people trip up — but not you, not anymore. A well-crafted description plays a vital role in how to optimize social media posts for Pinterest.

Here's what you need to consider:

Be descriptive: It's called a description for a reason, right? Make sure it accurately describes what your pin is about. The more specific you are, the better. You want to give users a clear idea of what they can expect when they click on your pin.
Use keywords: Keywords help Pinterest understand what your pin is about, which helps in showing your pin to the right users. Think about what users might search for when looking for pins like yours, and include those keywords in your description. But remember, don't just stuff your description with keywords — they need to make sense in the context of your description.
Include a call-to-action (CTA): A gentle nudge never hurts. Encourage users to take action, be it clicking on your pin, visiting your website, or trying out your product. CTAs like "click to learn more", "visit our website for more", or "try it out today" can be quite effective.
Keep it short and sweet: Pinterest recommends keeping pin descriptions around 100-200 characters. Long enough to be descriptive and engaging, but short enough to be quickly scannable. It's a fine balance, but you've got this!

So there you have it — the second step in optimizing your Pinterest posts. A well-optimized description can make a world of difference in getting your pins noticed and clicked on. Now, onto the next step!

Make your website Pinterest-friendly

Alright, so we've created engaging pins and optimized the descriptions, now let's turn our attention to your website. Making your website Pinterest-friendly is a key aspect of optimizing your social media posts for Pinterest.

Here's what we can do:

Add the Save button: By adding the Pinterest Save button to your website, you're making it easy for visitors to pin directly from your site. This means more pins, more visibility, and more traffic! It's like giving your visitors a direct line to your Pinterest account.
Use Rich Pins: Rich pins pull extra information right from your website into the pins themselves. There are four types of Rich Pins: Product, Recipe, Article, and App. Depending on what your website offers, using Rich Pins can provide users with more detailed information, making your pins that much more appealing!
Verify your website: Besides giving you access to website analytics, verifying your website adds credibility to your account. It shows users that you're a trusted source of content.

Remember, the easier it is for people to pin content from your website, the more likely they are to do it. And the more they do it, the more visibility your pins get. So don't skip this step in your quest to optimize your social media posts for Pinterest. Onwards to the next one!

Utilize Pinterest Analytics

It's time to get a little technical, but don't worry—you've got this! Pinterest Analytics is a powerful tool that can help you understand what works and what doesn't on your Pinterest account. It's like having a secret window into the minds of your audience.

So, how can we make the most of Pinterest Analytics? Let's take a look:

Track your top pins: Pinterest Analytics allows you to see which of your pins are the most popular. This information can help you understand what type of content your audience likes best, and create more of it in the future.
Understand your audience: Who are the people pinning your content? Where are they located? What else are they interested in? Pinterest Analytics can answer all these questions and more, helping you tailor your content to the people who love it the most.
Monitor website activity: Want to know how many people visit your website from Pinterest? Or what they're pinning once they get there? Pinterest Analytics has got you covered.

By harnessing the power of Pinterest Analytics, you can make data-driven decisions that will help you optimize your social media posts for Pinterest. Don't shy away from the numbers—they're your friends!

Join Pinterest Groups

Next up on our journey to optimize social media posts for Pinterest: stepping into the world of Pinterest groups. These are like mini-communities within Pinterest, where people with shared interests gather to discover and share pins. Joining these groups can give your pins a wider audience and help you connect with like-minded pinners. Sounds pretty neat, right? Let's see how you can get started:

Find relevant groups: First things first, you'll want to find groups that align with your interests or the content you're pinning. For example, if you're pinning a lot of baking recipes, look for groups focused on baking or cooking.
Follow the rules: Each group has its own set of rules. Some might allow self-promotion while others might not, and some might have specific days for different types of posts. Make sure you understand and follow these rules to keep the group a positive space for everyone.
Be an active member: Don't just join a group to drop your pins and leave. Engage with other members, repin their content, and join in discussions. This will make you a valued member of the community and can help your pins get more visibility.

So, are you ready to dive into the world of Pinterest Groups? Remember, it's not just about promoting your own content, but about being part of a community. Happy pinning!

Schedule your pins

If you're wondering how to optimize social media posts for Pinterest even further, consider this: timing matters. Imagine you've made a fantastic pin — it's got a great design, a catchy description, and it's linked to a stellar webpage. But you post it when most of your audience is asleep or busy. The result? It gets lost in the sea of pins and doesn't get the attention it deserves. Not ideal, right? So here's what you can do:

Understand your audience: When are they most active on Pinterest? You might need to experiment a bit or use Pinterest Analytics (more on that later) to figure this out, but once you do, it can greatly help your pins stand out.
Use a scheduling tool: Tools like Tailwind or Buffer allow you to schedule your pins ahead of time. You can set them to post at optimal times, so even if you're busy or in a different time zone, your pins will still go live when your audience is active.
Spread out your pins: Instead of posting all your pins at once, spread them out throughout the day. This ensures that you have a steady stream of fresh content and keeps your profile active.

Remember, Pinterest is all about discovery. The more opportunities you give your audience to discover your pins, the better. So, are you ready to take control of your pin schedule?

It's a big, connected world out there. And while Pinterest is a powerful platform in its own right, it's not the only game in town. If you're serious about learning how to optimize social media posts for Pinterest, you need to think beyond Pinterest itself. And that means promoting your pins on other social media platforms. Here's how:

Share on Facebook and Twitter: You can easily share your Pinterest pins on these platforms. Doing this can drive your followers from these platforms to your Pinterest profile, increasing your reach.
Embed pins in your blog: If you have a blog or a website, consider embedding your pins in related articles or pages. This way, your readers can engage with your pins directly from your blog.
Link pins in emails: If you have an email newsletter, you can link your pins in it. This can help you engage with your subscribers in a new way and drive traffic to your Pinterest profile.

Think of your social media platforms as different parts of a big, connected ecosystem. They can all support each other. So why not let your pins enjoy the spotlight on other stages too? After all, more visibility means more engagement, right?

Use Pinterest Ads

Ready to take your Pinterest game to the next level? Consider using Pinterest Ads. Before you start worrying about the cost, remember that sometimes, you have to spend money to make money. Especially when it's about optimizing social media posts for Pinterest. Let's explore how you can use this powerful tool:

Promoted Pins: These are regular pins that you pay to be displayed to more people. They look like normal pins but have a "Promoted" label. This way, your content reaches a wider audience, leading to increased visibility and engagement.
Carousel Ads: These ads allow you to display up to five images in a single ad. Each image can have a different title, description, and landing page. It's like having five ads for the price of one!
Video Ads: If a picture is worth a thousand words, imagine the value of a video. With video ads, you can tell a more engaging and compelling story to your audience.

Using Pinterest Ads is like giving your pins a VIP pass to the front of the line. And while it might seem like a big step, it's a step worth considering if you're serious about optimizing your Pinterest posts. After all, isn't it nice to see your pins getting the attention they deserve?

If you're eager to improve your Pinterest posts and make the most of your social media presence, check out Carolyn Edge's workshop, 'Batch Create and Manage Your Social Media Content.' This workshop offers practical tips and strategies for efficiently managing your social media content, with a focus on boosting your Pinterest game.