How to Optimize Your Pinterest Videos for Maximum Reach

Published on 31 July 2023 8 min read

Optimize your video title
Write a detailed video description
Use relevant hashtags
Create an engaging video thumbnail
Organize your videos in a themed board
Promote your videos on other Pinterest boards
Engage with other Pinterest users
Analyze your Pinterest video performance

Who doesn't love Pinterest? It's a place to discover, learn, and be inspired. But, if you're using it to promote your business or brand, you might be wondering how to optimize videos for Pinterest to get the maximum reach. The good news is, you're in the right place. Let's dive into some practical steps to help your Pinterest videos shine.

Optimize Your Video Title

Think about it—when you're browsing through Pinterest, what makes you stop and click on a video? More often than not, it's the title. That's your first chance to catch a viewer's interest, so make sure it's a good one.

Keep it short and sweet: Pinterest users are often browsing quickly, so your title needs to grab their attention fast. Aim for around 5-7 words. Remember, less is more.
Use keywords: Including keywords in your title can help your video appear in search results. Think about what someone might type into the search bar if they were looking for a video like yours. For example, if you're posting a baking video, you might use keywords like "easy," "homemade," or "chocolate chip cookies."
Make it clear: Your title should give a clear idea of what your video is about. If people aren't sure what they're going to see, they might pass on your video.
Spark interest: Use language that makes people want to watch your video. Words like "how to," "tips," "ideas," or "inspiration" can get people excited to see what you have to share.

Remember, optimizing your video title isn't just about getting people to click—it's also about making sure the right people find your video. So, keep your audience in mind as you craft your title. You're not just throwing out a fishing line—you're trying to catch the right kind of fish!

Write a Detailed Video Description

So, you've got a catchy title for your video. Check! The next step? A detailed video description. This is where you can share more about what your video is about and why people should watch it. Here's how to do it:

Include keywords: Just like your title, your description should include keywords that relate to your video content. This can help your video appear in relevant search results. So, if you're sharing a video about making chocolate chip cookies, you might include keywords like "baking," "easy recipes," or "homemade cookies."
Keep it relevant: Make sure your description matches your video. If your description says you're making cookies, but your video is about making pasta, viewers might feel tricked. And that's not a good look for your brand.
Add a call to action: Want viewers to do something after watching your video? Ask them! Whether it's visiting your website, trying out a recipe, or checking out your product, be clear about what you want them to do.
Keep it short: While you want to provide enough detail, you also don't want to overwhelm your viewers with a wall of text. Aim for a few sentences that give a clear, engaging summary of what your video is about.

Think of your video description as a movie trailer—it should give a taste of what's to come without giving everything away. With a little practice, you'll be able to write descriptions that not only help your Pinterest videos get found, but also get watched.

Use Relevant Hashtags

Ready for the next step on how to optimize videos for Pinterest? It's all about hashtags. Hashtags are like signposts—they help people find your content among the vast landscape of the internet. But here's the thing: not all hashtags are created equal. Let's break it down.

Research is key: Before you start hashtagging away, do some research. Look at what hashtags other popular videos in your niche are using. This can give you a good idea of what your target audience is searching for.
Stay relevant: It might be tempting to use popular hashtags to get more views, but if they're not relevant to your video, they won't do you any good. In fact, they might even hurt your credibility. So, stick to hashtags that accurately represent your content.
Don't overdo it: While it's good to use multiple hashtags, don't go overboard. Too many can look spammy and turn people off. Aim for 3-5 relevant hashtags per video.
Consider branded hashtags: If you're trying to build a brand, consider creating a unique hashtag. This can help create a community around your brand and make it easier for fans to find your content.

Remember, using hashtags is not just about getting views—it's about getting the right views. By using relevant, researched hashtags, you're more likely to reach the people who are genuinely interested in your content. And that, my friends, is hashtag success.

Create an Engaging Video Thumbnail

Think of your video thumbnail as the cover of a book—it's the first thing people see, and it can make or break whether someone decides to click on your video. So, how do you create a thumbnail that's not just good, but great?

Make it eye-catching: Bright colors, compelling images, and clear text can all make your thumbnail stand out in a sea of Pinterest videos. Remember, you want your thumbnail to pop, but not at the expense of clarity or relevance.
Keep it simple: A thumbnail is small, so you don't have a lot of space to work with. Stick to one or two key elements and make sure they're easily discernable.
Include a teaser: A short, enticing phrase can draw people in and make them want to click on your video. Think of it as your video's tagline—something that captures the heart of your content in just a few words.
Stay consistent: If you're posting multiple videos, consider using a consistent style for your thumbnails. This can help reinforce your brand and make your videos instantly recognizable to your followers.

Creating an engaging thumbnail takes some creativity and experimentation, but it's well worth the effort. After all, a great thumbnail doesn't just attract viewers—it attracts the right viewers. And when it comes to optimizing your Pinterest videos, that's what really counts.

Organize your Videos in a Themed Board

Now that you've created an appealing video and thumbnail, it's time to put it where your audience can find it. This is where themed boards come into play. But what exactly does it mean to organize your videos in a themed board, and how can it help you optimize your videos for Pinterest?

Stay on topic: When creating a board, pick a specific theme or topic related to your videos. This makes it easier for users interested in that topic to find and engage with your content. For instance, if you have videos about homemade pasta recipes, create a "Pasta Recipes" board.
Maintain clarity: While it's okay to have some variety within a board, try to keep the overall theme clear and consistent. This helps users know at a glance what they can expect from your board.
Use clear board names: Choose a name for your board that clearly communicates its topic. While it's tempting to be creative or clever, clarity should be your priority. Remember, users will likely find your board through search, so it's important to use keywords they might be searching for.
Update regularly: Keep your board fresh by adding new videos regularly. This can help maintain interest and engagement among your followers.

By organizing your videos in a themed board, you're not only making your content more discoverable—you're also creating a curated experience for your audience. And when it comes to optimizing your videos for Pinterest, that can make all the difference.

Promote Your Videos on Other Pinterest Boards

Once you've got your videos organized on your own themed board, it's time to take the next step to optimize your videos for Pinterest - promoting them on other Pinterest boards. But how do you do this without coming off as too pushy or spammy?

Discover relevant boards: Start by looking for other boards on Pinterest that are relevant to your content. If you've got videos about gardening, you could search for boards about plants, outdoor activities or home improvement.
Reach out to board owners: Once you've found some suitable boards, get in touch with their owners. A simple message asking if they'd be interested in your video can do the trick. But remember, keep it polite and professional. You're asking for a favor, after all.
Offer value: When you're asking to share your video on someone else's board, make sure it's clear what value you're bringing. Explain why your video would be a good fit for their board and how it can benefit their followers.
Return the favor: If you've got a board that's relevant to their content, offer to share some of their posts on your own board. This can help build a beneficial relationship for both of you.

Promoting your videos on other Pinterest boards can significantly increase your reach. But remember, it's essential to do it respectfully and professionally. After all, the goal is to make connections and build relationships, not to annoy other users. With these steps in mind, optimizing your videos for Pinterest just got a lot easier.

Engage with Other Pinterest Users

Engaging with other Pinterest users is an effective way to optimize your videos for Pinterest. It's not just about sharing your content—it's about joining the conversation. So, how do you engage meaningfully and authentically on Pinterest?

Comment on other users' pins: If you see a pin that you like or find interesting, leave a comment. It's a great way to start a conversation and make your presence known. Just make sure your comments add value and aren't just self-promotion.
Respond to comments on your pins: If someone takes the time to comment on one of your pins, make sure to respond. It shows you value their input and are willing to engage.
Participate in group boards: Group boards are a great place to engage with a community of people who share your interests. Share your thoughts, respond to others, and don't forget to pin relevant content, including your videos.
Follow other users: Following other users who share your interests or create content that you enjoy can help you build a community. Plus, it's a great way to discover new content and get inspiration for your own pins.

Engaging with other Pinterest users isn't just about getting more views on your videos—it's about building a community. And a strong community can help spread the word about your content, amplifying your reach and helping you optimize your videos for Pinterest.

Analyze Your Pinterest Video Performance

To truly understand how to optimize videos for Pinterest, you must pay attention to how your videos perform. This isn't a guessing game; Pinterest provides some great tools for video analysis. Here's what you need to do:

Check your video analytics: Pinterest Analytics gives you an overview of how your videos are doing. You can see how many times your video was viewed, how many users saved it, and even how many people clicked through to your website. This data can help you understand what's working and what's not.
Study your audience: Who is watching your videos? What do they like? Pinterest Analytics can tell you a lot about your audience, including their age, gender, location, and interests. Use this information to tailor your content to your audience's preferences.
Experiment and track results: Don't be afraid to try different things. Test different video lengths, formats, titles, descriptions, and hashtags. Then use Pinterest Analytics to track how these changes affect your video performance. This can help you find the best strategy for your content.
Monitor regularly: Video performance isn't something you can check once and forget about. Keep an eye on your analytics regularly to spot trends, catch potential issues, and stay on top of your video optimization game.

Remember, analyzing your video performance isn't just about numbers. It's about understanding what those numbers mean and how you can use them to improve your content. So, keep learning, keep experimenting, and keep optimizing your Pinterest videos for maximum reach.

If you want to take your Pinterest video optimization skills to new heights, don't miss the workshop 'Level Up Your Videos on Social Media' by Carolyn Edge. This workshop will help you unlock the secrets of video optimization to maximize reach and engagement across all your social media platforms, including Pinterest. Elevate your video content game and reach more audiences with this valuable resource.