With Pinterest being a visual search engine, not only do you need your Pins to be discovered, but you should make sure your profile itself is in tip top shape to help the profile itself to be discovered and allow the user to discover all of your content, not just the one Pin.
This blog post will set out the steps required to set up a successful Pinterest account:
1. Create a Pinterest business account
The easiest step is to create a brand new account, separate to your personal account. (this is what I recommend.)
But
You can also link up to 4 business accounts to your personal account. (But this can lead to some confusing complications hence why I recommend completely separating your accounts.)
2. Choose Your Topics of Interest
Once you’ve created a login, Pinterest will ask you to choose five areas of interest. This allows Pinterest to immediately create a relevant home feed for you with recommended content you’ll enjoy.
3. Get your names sorted
When it comes to Pinterest, there are two different names to consider:
1. Your username is part of the URL of your Pinterest profile (www.pinterest.com/username).
2. Your display name is what is displayed on your profile.As keywords are vital to your strategy you need to ensure your username and display name include your most important keywords. Make sure these keywords that will get you discovered but also describe your business too.
4. Use a profile picture that pops
As with all profile pictures, it needs to be eye-catching and stand out to users. It also helps if you rename your file to your username or at the very least include keywords!
5. Create a profile that captures your brands vibe and tone of voice
Pinterest is all about keywords, but you need to ensure you’re not stuffing them in willy nilly. You need to use organic sentences that sound like you… eg the fact I’ve just used willy nilly means that if my Pinterest profile is formal and very stiff sounding, it wouldn’t sound like me at all would it?
Make sure people know who they’re dealing with so they get to know who you are!
Not only do people need to know your tone of voice, but they also know who your business is, what your business sells or provides and more than anything else lets people know why they should follow you and/or your Pinterest boards.
6. Find similar businesses on Pinterest
I am a massive advocate of community over competition so seek out other businesses in your industry. Click on the discover icon, find trends that your business can jump on, reach out to see if you can collaborate, or at the very least; follow them and engage with their Pins!
7. Use Pinterest’s in-app tools
Pure and simple, like Instagram etc, use the in-app tools for more likelihood of success. Use the following:
Install the pin it button to your browser
This is a free integration for all online browsers that lets you pin content to your account directly from any website. Not only is it easier for you to create content, but it will also link directly to the website it came from.
Download the Pinterest app
Don’t just use the desktop website. Use the app as you’re able to use a lot more functions that aren’t even available on a laptop or PC.
Use the analytics tool
Go to analytics.pinterest.com, or click on the Analytics link in the top of your profile.This tool monitors your profile and gives you all the analytics in almost real time to help you adjust your strategy according to your business goals.
8. Use the right keywords
As previously mentioned, keywords are super important to Pinterest, so when you’re creating your boards and pins; make sure you’re strategic with the words you use. You want your profile and Pins to be discovered so it is just a waste of time if you don’t do keyword research as you won’t show up in search results!
9. Create 5 Boards
I always suggest having 5 boards for a new account as it gives your account some content to make you discoverable. This can be done by using keywords within your board name and by utilising the 500 characters that you can use for the board description.
With 5 boards and preferably 5 Pins in each, that gives you 25 chances of being discovered. (Don’t worry I don’t expect you to create 25 separate pieces of content!!
If you’ve already set up your Pinterest account, why not go through the above points to see if you’ve included every chance to create a successful account. Don’t forget to get hold of your free testing and tracking template that I actually use and remember to book yourself in for a free chat with me here to run through some of your Pinterest plans alongside a cuppa!
