Pinterest for business: How to get started
Do you have evergreen channels you want to scale? Podcast, blog, video content or even a lead magnet? Pinterest isn't just a social media platform it is a platform here to help you reach more people.
Pinterest allows you to build on your marketing strategy, repurpose and hit a colder audience. So, is Pinterest right for your business?
We want to explore Pinterest 101 with you so you can see if Pinterest for your business is the right move!
What is Pinterest?
Let’s start with the basics, what is Pinterest?
First of all, it isn't a social media platform, it is more appropriately known as a search engine or search platform for images, inspiration, guides and ideas.
Very similar to a search engine, when you search for a keyword, you are shown a range of images that represent what you’re looking for. This is super important to remember if you’re looking to take on Pinterest for business; your image and your headline ARE the content so it needs to attract views.
With this, also remember to ‘re-pin’ content. If you are spending some time re-pinning content (someone else’s content) and then someone searches that keyword, your pin may also come up! Then what happens after this? You begin to attract people to your other content and hopefully directly to your website!
The types of pins on Pinterest
Overall there are 3 main types of Pins that you’ll see when scrolling through the platform. These are:
1. Standard Pins
These are just normal, still standing Pins that don’t move or animate in any way. With these pins, there will always be a destination link which leads you (usually) to an external website or landing platform.
2. Video Pins
Pretty much the same as standard Pins but with movement. It can either be an actual video or have GIF elements (which is amazing for grabbing attention)
3. Idea Pins
Similar to Instagram carousel posts, Pinterest now allows you to post a max of 20 slides per pin. You can post step by step guides, multiple points of inspiration or a variety of images relating to one topic.
How does Pinterest work in your marketing strategy?
Pinterest is the platform that helps you and your business consistently get in front of a new audience through a piece of evergreen content. It works alongside your SEO strategy to push your content further and to a wider audience.
You can even use Pinterest as a part of your marketing strategy to repurpose your content (we utilise our blogs in this sense). By doing this, you can use links that will redirect people to your website and then this, in turn, will generate website clicks PLUS revive old content that hasn't been seen in a while (this is where old blogs can be revisited).
To make sure Pinterest has a chance to work for your business, make sure to give it a good go for 3-6 months for traction. While this is a long term strategy, it eventually automates and snowballs over time - benefitting your brand in the long run.
How do you know if Pinterest is right for your business?
There are a few things you can check to make sure Pinterest is the right move for your business.
First, find out if your ideal client is on Pinterest. Go into Pinterest and search for your niche, see if the topic pops up and there is your answer. If your topic/niche is there, see what others in your niche are posting - what is popular?
This is what can guide you on what to create!
Ask yourself things like
Do you have an evergreen channel to use? Especially educational content
Depending on your goals, do you have an evergreen funnel set up? A lead magnet you can use? You need something for Pinterest visitors to take action on
If you’re ready with these questions, Pinterest would be an awesome move for you and your business!
The why behind it is the most important as well as your motivation. Why do you want to use Pinterest? Can you commit? Do you want to grow your email list? Grow your blog? Make sure your intention and motivation are clear, and then get started!
How to get started on Pinterest
Here is our guide to getting started on Pinterest (with all the steps you need)
Start by getting a business account: with a business account, you can link your website and see analytics and data.
Set up a profile and profile name (just like you do on Instagram) and make sure they include/are keywords
When you begin to create Boards, create them around your niche, content categories, and the topics you discuss in your business week by week
Make sure your boards are searchable on Pinterest by searching before you create
Be creative and make some Pins! Canva has some really good templates for you to get started! (But make sure they are all vertical)
Research what is popular on your topic (have inspiration). Include the title, description, image and all keywords within this
Also, based on your goals, create a welcome sequence that your audience will get when they give you their email from sign-ups!
How to use Pinterest effectively
The best ways to use the Pinterest for business effectively is by scheduling your pins (you can use the platform or a scheduler to do this), repurposing the content that you already have (blogs, podcasts, lead magnets) and the copy from them and, of course, use templates (on Canva or create your own)
Keywords and Pinterest
If we had one tip, it would be around keywords!
Put your keywords in every part of your pin: Image, board, title and description! With this, make sure you put your pins on the correct board and that the right keywords are chosen so Pinterest can categorise them.
Here are some extra things you should know about Pinterest
It will take 3-4 weeks to get impressions and index so be patient!
Pins are good to look at, so don’t be afraid to play with aesthetics
Engagement and keywords should be the same as SEO
Have the keywords also on your website
Measure the success by following the analytics
Pins don’t have to be 100% branded (you can go a little rouge)
It is about the outbound clicks, so make sure to include and monitor them
Final thoughts
To have Pinterest you need to know what evergreen piece of content you will have to go with it.
We understand this can be hard to decide. Blog, video, email list, podcast. All??
Maybe start with one. Find out WHICH one by taking our content quiz which is here to help you discover the right channel for your business and where you should be showing up. AND get the information provided to your inbox on HOW to take action.
Then you can use Pinterest to MAXIMISE this channel.