A 6-Month Pinterest Strategy for New Bloggers: Kickstart Your Blog’s Growth
Starting a blog is exciting, but getting people to actually read your content? That’s a whole different ball game. That;s where Pinterest comes in.
Often overlooked, Pinterest is a visual search engine that can drive a ton of traffic to your blog—if you play your cards right.
Let;s walk through my 6-month Pinterest strategy designed just for new bloggers. Whether you’re just getting started with a handful of posts or looking to boost your existing content, this plan will help you grow your blog and set you up for long-term success.
Month 1: Laying the Foundation
Set Up a Pinterest Business Account
First things first—if you don’t have a Pinterest Business account yet, it’s time to set one up. A business account gives you access to Pinterest Analytics and other tools to track your progress and see what’s working.
Key Actions:
• Convert your personal account to a business account or create a new business account.
• Write a clear, keyword-rich bio for your profile.
• Add a high-quality profile picture and a link to your blog.
Pro Tip: Use keywords in your bio that your target audience might search for!
Claim Your Website
Claiming your website on Pinterest is a must. It helps you access analytics and makes sure that your content is always attributed to you.
Key Actions:
• Follow Pinterest’s instructions to claim your website.
• Install the Pinterest tag on your blog for better tracking.
Create Your First Boards
You might not have a ton of blog posts yet, and that’s totally okay. Start by creating boards relevant to your blog’s niche. These boards will become the home for your content as you build it up.
Key Actions:
• Create 5-10 boards around specific topics within your niche.
• Fill these boards with a mix of your content and high-quality third-party pins to establish your authority.
Create Evergreen Pins
Since your blog is new, you might have limited content. Consider creating pins that direct visitors to important pages like your homepage, about page, or a newsletter sign-up page. These are called evergreen pins because they’re always relevant and can drive traffic over time.
Key Actions:
• Design 2-3 pins for key pages on your website.
• Make sure these pins are visually appealing and include a clear call to action.
Month 2: Designing Your Pinning Strategy
Focus on Original Content Over Repins
Pinterest loves new, original content. While repinning is a great way to fill out your boards, your main focus should be on creating and pinning your own content.
Key Actions:
• Aim to create and pin at least 5 new pieces of content this month.
• Repin others’ content, but keep it to around 20% of your overall pinning.
Understanding Pin Design
Good design is key to Pinterest success. Your pins should be eye-catching, easy to read, and optimized for mobile users. Vertical pins (aspect ratio 2:3) perform best on Pinterest.
Key Actions:
• Use tools like Canva to design pins with consistent branding (colors, fonts, logos).
• Try out different styles but make sure your pins are clear and compelling.
• Use a mix of text overlay and high-quality images.
Volume Matters: Pin Consistently
Pinterest rewards consistency. The more active you are, the more likely your content will be shown to others. But remember, quality over quantity!
Key Actions:
• Aim to pin 15-30 times a day. If that sounds like a lot, don’t worry—many of these pins can be repins.
• Use Pinterest’s native scheduling tool to plan out your pins for the week, ensuring a steady flow of content.
Month 3: Building Momentum
Expanding Your Content
By now, you’ve laid a solid foundation on Pinterest. It’s time to ramp up your content creation. The more blog posts you have, the more pins you can create, and the more traffic you can drive to your site.
Key Actions:
• Write at least 4 new blog posts this month, focusing on evergreen topics.
• Create 3-5 unique pins for each new blog post. This helps you see what designs and headlines work best.
Utilizing Pinterest Analytics
After two months of consistent pinning, you should have enough data to start analyzing your performance. Pinterest Analytics will show you which pins are driving the most traffic and engagement.
Key Actions:
• Regularly check Pinterest Analytics to identify top-performing pins.
• Use this info to guide your content strategy, creating more of what your audience loves.
• Tweak underperforming pins by changing the design, headline, or description.
Group Boards and Collaborations
Joining group boards can expand your reach. Look for boards that are relevant to your niche and have a good engagement rate.
Key Actions:
• Search for and join 3-5 high-quality group boards in your niche.
• Start collaborating with other bloggers in your niche to boost visibility.
Month 4: Refining Your Strategy
Diversifying Pin Types
Pinterest offers several pin formats, like standard pins, idea pins (formerly story pins), and video pins. Diversifying your pin types can help you reach different segments of your audience and increase engagement.
Key Actions:
• Experiment with idea pins and video pins to see what your audience likes.
• Create one idea pin per week, focusing on tutorials or quick tips.
Seasonal and Trending Content
Pinterest is very seasonal, with certain topics peaking at specific times of the year. Tailoring your content to these trends can give your blog a big traffic boost.
Key Actions:
• Use Pinterest Trends to research upcoming topics and plan your content calendar.
• Create and pin seasonal content 1-2 months before the event or holiday.
• Repurpose existing content to fit current trends.
Scheduling Pins for Maximum Impact
Pinterest’s native scheduling tool is your best friend when it comes to staying consistent without feeling overwhelmed.
Key Actions:
• Set aside time each week to schedule your pins.
• Use a mix of fresh pins, repins, and seasonal content to keep your profile active.
• Test different times of day to see when your audience is most engaged.
Month 5: Scaling Up
Creating More Content
By now, your blog should have a good amount of content, and you should be seeing some steady traffic from Pinterest. Now it’s time to scale up.
Key Actions:
• Aim to publish 6-8 new blog posts this month.
• Focus on creating comprehensive guides or listicles, which tend to perform well on Pinterest.
Optimizing Older Pins
Don’t forget about your older pins! Updating them with new designs, descriptions, or keywords can give them a second wind.
Key Actions:
• Revisit older pins and update them with fresh designs or more relevant keywords.
• Test new descriptions and calls to action to see if you can increase engagement.
Expanding Your Reach
Consider promoting some of your best-performing pins with Pinterest ads. While not necessary for every blogger, a small ad budget can help you reach a larger audience.
Key Actions:
• Identify top-performing pins to promote.
• Set a small budget and run a test campaign.
• Monitor your ad performance and adjust as needed.
Month 6: Evaluating and Adjusting
Reviewing Your Progress
After six months, it’s time to see how far you’ve come. Look at your Pinterest Analytics and your blog’s traffic data to measure your growth.
Key Actions:
• Review metrics like impressions, clicks, and saves to assess your Pinterest performance.
• Analyze your blog’s traffic data to see how much of it is coming from Pinterest.
• Identify what’s working and what’s not, and use this info to refine your strategy.
Doubling Down on What Works
Now that you know what works, it’s time to double down on those strategies. Whether it’s a certain type of pin, a content theme, or a design style, focus on the elements that have brought you success.
Key Actions:
• Create more content around the themes that have performed well.
• Continue refining your pin designs based on what your audience loves.
• Experiment with new strategies, but stick to the ones that have proven effective.
Long-Term Strategy
Pinterest is a long game. Success doesn’t happen overnight, but by following this 6-month strategy, you’ve built a strong foundation for ongoing growth.
Key Actions:
• Set long-term goals for your Pinterest strategy, like reaching a certain number of followers or driving a specific amount of traffic.
• Keep creating and pinning high-quality content consistently.
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As always I’d love to hear from you – let me know in the comments below how your Pinterest strategy is working out!
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