How To Use Pinterest For Social Media Marketing

Introduction.

Pinterest is one of those platforms that you might have overlooked when it comes to social media marketing. But here’s the thing: it’s a goldmine. Whether you’re running a small business, a blog, or even a big brand, Pinterest has a lot to offer.

With more than 450 million monthly active users worldwide (as of 2024), it’s not just about pretty pictures – it’s about connecting with people who are actively searching for inspiration and solutions. If you haven’t tapped into Pinterest for marketing yet, it’s time to start.

In this post, I’ll walk you through how to use Pinterest effectively for social media marketing. It’s going to be simple, clear, and full of practical tips that you can use right away. By the end, you’ll see how easy it is to create a strategy that gets results.

Why Pinterest for Marketing?

First off, let’s talk about why Pinterest is even worth your time. You might think it’s just a platform for DIY projects, recipes, and wedding planning.

But the truth is, Pinterest is a visual search engine. People use it to find ideas, solutions, and products – which means they’re already in a buying or decision-making mindset when they come across your content.

Studies show that 72% of Pinterest users say they use the platform to find ideas for purchases. If that doesn’t get your attention, I don’t know what will!

Pinterest is also different from other social platforms. Instead of just scrolling through posts from people they know, users create personalized boards, pin their favourite content, and use Pinterest as a tool for discovery.

This behaviour creates a unique opportunity for businesses. Your content can appear as a suggestion when someone searches for something related to what you offer.

How Do I Use Pinterest For Social Media Marketing?

1. Getting Started: Set Up a Business Account

Before diving into creating content, you need to have a Pinterest business account. Don’t worry, it’s super easy to set up. The process is straightforward:

Create an Account – If you don’t already have a Pinterest account, head to Pinterest and sign up for a business account (you can also convert a personal account into a business one). It’s free, and you’ll get access to analytics and other business tools.
Complete Your Profile – This is where you add your logo, business name, and a short but clear description of your business. Think of it as the “who you are” section for potential followers.
Set Up Your Boards – Boards are essentially categories where your pins will live. You can have boards for different topics, products, or services. The more specific and targeted you get, the better.
Enable Rich Pins – Rich Pins make your content stand out more by including extra information like pricing, availability, and a link directly to your website. These are especially useful if you’re selling products.

2. Create Great Pins: The Key to Success

The next step in using Pinterest for marketing is creating eye-catching pins. It’s all about the visuals. But don’t worry – you don’t have to be a design expert to make good-looking pins. Let’s break down the essentials:

High-Quality Images – Pinterest is a visual platform, so the quality of your images matters a lot. Make sure your pictures are clear, bright, and high resolution. Vertical images (2:3 aspect ratio) work best on Pinterest, so keep that in mind when you upload.
Engaging Text Overlays – Adding text to your images can make them stand out even more. Make sure the text is clear and easy to read, and try to create curiosity or tell users exactly what they’ll get if they click on your pin.
Colors Matter – Use colors that grab attention but still fit with your brand. Bright and bold colors tend to perform well on Pinterest, but don’t overdo it. It’s all about balance.
Consistency – Keep your style consistent across all your pins. This helps people recognize your brand when they see your content pop up on their feed.
Pin Descriptions – The description is your chance to add context to the pin. Include relevant keywords (but don’t spam) to help people find your pin when they search. Think about what people might type into the search bar when looking for your content.

3. Pinterest SEO: Get Found by More People

Pinterest is a search engine, so optimizing your content for search is a huge part of your strategy. It’s similar to Google SEO, but instead of web pages, you’re optimizing pins and boards.

Here’s what you should focus on:

Keywords – Just like Google, Pinterest uses keywords to determine what content to show users. Add keywords to your board titles, pin descriptions, and even in your profile bio.
Pinning Frequency – Don’t just upload pins and forget about them. Pinterest loves fresh content. It’s recommended to pin consistently, aiming for 5-10 pins per day. But don’t spam your audience – make sure your content is valuable.
Hashtags – Hashtags aren’t as critical on Pinterest as they are on platforms like Instagram or Twitter, but they can still help. Use a few relevant hashtags in your pin descriptions to help people find your content.
Pinning at the Right Times – There’s no exact formula for the best time to pin, but it’s worth experimenting to find when your audience is most active. You can use Pinterest Analytics to see how your pins are performing and adjust accordingly.

4. Use Pinterest Analytics to Track Performance

Speaking of Pinterest Analytics, this tool is a game-changer. It gives you insights into how your pins are performing, who’s engaging with your content, and how your followers are behaving.

Top Pins: You can see which pins are getting the most engagement and traffic, so you can create more of that type of content.
Audience Insights: Pinterest Analytics shows you the demographics of your audience, including interests and location, which helps you refine your marketing strategy.
Click-Through Rates: Keep track of how many people are clicking on your pins and visiting your website. This is the key metric for measuring how effective your Pinterest marketing is.

5. Drive Traffic to Your Website with Pinterest

One of the best things about Pinterest is that it can help you drive traffic directly to your website. Every pin you create should link to a relevant page on your site – whether it’s a product page, a blog post, or a landing page.

Here’s how you can maximize traffic:

Use Clear Calls to Action (CTAs) – Encourage users to click through by using compelling CTAs like “Learn More,” “Shop Now,” or “Get the Guide.”
Link to Valuable Content – Make sure the link you’re sharing provides real value. People are more likely to click on a pin that promises to solve their problem or answer their questions.
Track Your Links – Use UTM parameters or link shorteners to track how much traffic Pinterest is sending to your site. This will help you measure the success of your efforts.

6. Engage with the Pinterest Community

Engagement is essential on every social platform, including Pinterest. While Pinterest is not as “social” as Facebook or Instagram, interaction still matters.

Repin Content – Share content from others that is relevant to your audience. Repinning others’ work is a way to build relationships and grow your presence.
Follow Other Accounts – Follow accounts that are related to your niche, and engage with them by liking and commenting on their pins.
Join Group Boards – Many Pinterest users create group boards, where multiple people can pin content. Joining these boards can give you access to a larger audience.

Conclusion.

Pinterest can be an incredibly powerful tool for social media marketing, but it takes a little time and effort to see real results.

By creating engaging pins, optimizing your content for search, and using Pinterest’s business tools to track your performance, you can start driving traffic and generating leads like never before.

Are you ready to dive into Pinterest marketing and give your business the attention it deserves?