If you have blogged, tweeted or logged into Facebook in the past month, chances are you have heard about the latest social media craze, Pinterest.
Pinterest is an excellent tool for bloggers.
The two most important things Pinterest can do for you as a blogger are:
1. Drive traffic to your site.
2. Connect you with potential readers.
Without creating the longest post in the history of SITS guests, I will try to give you an overview of how to do both.
Using Pinterest to Drive Traffic to Your Site
Pinterest is all about visuals. You have the ten seconds it takes for someone to scroll their mouse to the bottom of the screen to catch their eye, make them stop at your pin AND click on it. If you pin a pretty picture of your cat included within a blog post they may stop, “aww” at their screen, then move on. If you pin eye-catching text or an interesting visual they may stop, read what you have written and decide if they want to visit your blog for more.
The key is to always pique the readers curiosity. If you include too much information in your pin they have no reason to visit your blog, if you include too little they will smile at your picture and move on.
Here is an example:
I created a “how-to” post including all I had learned after my sweet little three year-old decorated our house in permanent marker. As much as I wanted to pin this photo of my now tiger-striped child:
I created a text image instead:
This gave readers a reason to stop, read what kind of information I would be sharing, and then click over to my blog for more tips. This strategy increased my blog traffic dramatically. On its best day, that pin brought over 5,000 unique visitors to my blog!
Use Pinterest to Connect With Potential Readers
You could probably classify me as a “mom blogger.” Okay, you could. But there are two specific topics I write about often: autism and grief.
While my regular readers do read and comment on these posts, they also appeal to a target audience. By creating boards on Pinterest focused on these two topics, I am able to connect with more people with similar interests who have the potential to become new readers.
When I find a quote I like, articles of interest or write a post pertaining to one of these topics, I pin them to the appropriate board. Since each board is narrowly focused, they do attract fewer followers than my other boards but that is okay. The aim of each is to connect with people who share my experiences.
Increase Your Social Media Following on Pinterest
Another great way to use Pinterest to broaden your social media connections is to comment on pins. If you see a pin that rings true for you, comment on it. You may find someone who shares your love of coffee or your knack for screwing up recipes and next thing you know you have a great new blog to read or a person to tweet with the next time you burn dinner.
Pinterest is one more tool to add to your social media toolbox. Once you spend a few minutes (or ten hours, if you are me) scrolling through the site, you will find all kinds of creative ways to market your blog and connect with new people.
We love ourselves some Pinterest and would be thrilled to connect with you. You can find us at SITSGirls and TiffanyRom.
More Pinterest Related Articles
- Pinterest: Your Online Pinboard Tool and Tutorial
- Pinterest Terms of Use & Copyright: What You Should Know
- How to Use Pinterest to Drive Traffic to Your Blog
- Pinterest Photography Challenge: What Is Pinterest And Why Use It?
- Adding a Pinterest Button & Resizing Your Images
About the Author
Jessica Watson is a freelance writer, blogger at Four Plus an Angel and co-owner of Pin Savvy Social, a consulting company aimed at connecting the savvy shopper with products they will love through the wonders of Pinterest.
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Love this article! Great tips!
tracy@sellabitmum recently posted..How to Buy Nice Clothing for Kids on a Budget…
Twitter: romanceonadime
says:
This is an awesome idea. Thanks!
Betsy @ Romance on a Dime recently posted..50 Habits of Thin People: Week 7
Twitter: TheWineabe
says:
Fabulous tips!! Thanks for sharing. Too often I see a pin I love but don’t comment…I will get better at that!
Amazing you got 5,000 unique visitors from the one pin! In my dreams!
Suzanne @The Wine{a}be recently posted..A Valentine’s Poem…
Twitter: ArtPaperDoll
says:
I am new on pinterest so thanks for the advices
Thank you so much SITS for posting about using Pinterest. You answered so many of my questions. I love your site.
Twitter: NinaBadzin
says:
Such a great post! Really appreciate it. Gigi, your posts (wherever they are) always seemed to get starred as I go through my Twitter stream. You’re awesome!
Nina recently posted..A “Marriage First” Household
Twitter: NinaBadzin
says:
oops- just realized Jessica wrote this one! Jessica–seriously, love your posts too. But it was Gigi’s link on Twitter that brought me here!
Nina recently posted..A “Marriage First” Household
Twitter: anothertiredmom
says:
I signed up for Pinterest several different times, yet have never really been sure how (or WHY!) to use it. THANK YOU! I feel like I at least know WHY now…;o)
http://anothertiredmommy.blogspot.com/2012/02/too-many-topics-to-title.html
Nika recently posted..NO shuffling for US this weekend
I love pinterest… I think I may be just a little addicted to it, lol.
Stephanie recently posted..She’s Dropping
what a great idea to meet other “pinners” nice idea about the descriptive labeling also.
Diane (Created by Diane) recently posted..Penne with Spicy Vodka Sauce
I love to pin. It is free and makes me happy. Pin and Grin : )
Pamela list recently posted..Jacqueline Kennedy Had the Momma Groove
Twitter: doc_megz_to_be
says:
Really enjoyed this post! Promptly went over to Pinterest, only to find out that they have a waiting list. A waiting list, seriously?!
BarefootMedStudent recently posted..Book Review: The Brain That Changes Itself
I’ve heard of Pinterest but I haven’t checked it out, thinking that I can’t add yet ANOTHER site to my plate. But it looks so fun ….
Kennedi, Face & Fitness recently posted..Getting a Home Loan as a Single Parent
Thank you fir this article! I put up a pin from my blog and got repinned, exciting.
Twitter: momof2gymnasts
says:
I am new here, but this is a great article! Thanks! Love Pinterest.
Tish recently posted..Project 64: Out of the Box | Sky Blue
Twitter: ooph
says:
Excellent info Jessica!!
I did it – I finally joined pinterest and created a few boards. I still have a lot to figure out but wanted to thank you for all the tips! Take care.
Lanie recently posted..Things could always be worse. . .
Twitter: VitaGirl
says:
I *LOVE* Pinterest! It gives me so many great ideas and drives more traffic to my blog than anything else.
{when I linked I accidentally linked my blog….SORRY! I swear it was an honest mistake. Then when I tried to delete that and link my Pinterest it wouldn’t work. *phthhhhbbb* Dangit! lol}
Cindy {Jenkins Kid Farm} recently posted..Kids’ Handmade Valentine’s
Thank you so much for the Pinterest tutorial and adding my pin!
Sheila recently posted..Reader Price Chopper Shopping Trip
Twitter: angieonianwa
says:
Great info! Thanks
Thanks for all of the info! I am new to the whole blog world and it can be quite overwhelming so your site is quite resourceful.
Deb Manjo recently posted..An exciting giveaway….how fun!!!
Twitter: classicnycgirl
says:
I’m not on pinterest yet… something about it intimidates me. I don’t know why…
Classic NYer recently posted..Poetry Corner Friday: she sleeps
Twitter: divinelyscented
says:
http://pinterest.com/divinelyscented/
Twitter: natrl_redhead
says:
Love these tips! Is there a Pinterest Addict support group?
Twitter: lesleyforbes
says:
Thank you for this! I am a new blogger – still trying to find my feet and direction. I am addicted to pinterest and love that I can use it to promote my blog! (I don’t know if I am linking the right things below?)
http://pinterest.com/lesleyforbes
Lesley Forbes recently posted..Mom
Twitter: TeachitNow
says:
I would love to follow you all on twitter and on pinterest. Please follow my blogs on
http://teachitwrite.com/FromMySideoftheDesk.php and my FB page:
http://www.facebook.com/TeachitWriteOnlineLessonPlans.
I added my twitter username below.
Thank you so much.
Connie
Social media is definetly important but it can also be a big drain on your time and often doesn’t give you a return
on your time and money. It’s probably better to pick one or two platforms and spend your time working out how to use
them effectively. Also i think most businesses don’t approach it right – they see it as another tool to ‘push’ out
their message to people rather than to build a community by adding value and listening.social media craze
Twitter: minettesmaze
says:
Thanks for all the info! I’m still trying to get my pinterest account up and running!
Thanks
Shelly – minettesmaze.blogspot.com
Twitter: minettesmaze
says:
Thank you for the helpful info! It’s taking time to get my pinterest account up and going.
Thanks
Shelly- minettesmaze.blogspot.com
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