The Ultimate Pinterest Guide for New Bloggers: Key Terms and Tips
If you’re a new blogger, Pinterest is a goldmine waiting to be tapped.
It’s not just a social media platform; it’s a powerful visual search engine that can drive tons of traffic to your blog. But before you dive in, it’s important to get familiar with the lingo and understand how Pinterest analytics work.
Don’t worry—it might seem like a lot at first, but once you get the hang of it, Pinterest can become one of your best tools for growing your blog. In this guide, we’ll break down the essential Pinterest terms and metrics you need to know and set some realistic goals for your first six months on the platform.
Key Terms You Should Know
1. Pin
A Pin is basically the content you share on Pinterest, which can be an image or a video. Each Pin can link back to your blog, making it a great way to attract visitors. You can create Pins by uploading images directly to Pinterest, pinning from your blog, or repinning content from other users.
2. Board
Think of Boards as folders where you organize your Pins by topics or themes. For example, if your blog is about food, you might have Boards for “Healthy Recipes,” “Desserts,” and “Meal Prep Ideas.” Users can choose to follow your entire profile or just specific Boards they’re interested in.
3. Repin
When someone saves your Pin to their own Board, that’s called a Repin. Repinning helps spread your content across Pinterest, which increases its visibility to more users.
4. Follower
A Follower is someone who has chosen to follow your profile or one of your Boards. When they do, your Pins will appear in their Home Feed, where they can interact with them by saving, clicking, or commenting.
5. Home Feed
The Home Feed is the first thing users see when they log into Pinterest. It’s a mix of content from the Boards and users they follow, along with Pins that Pinterest thinks they might like based on their interests.
6. Pinterest Search
Pinterest is a lot like a search engine. Users can search for content using keywords, and your goal is to optimize your Pins with relevant keywords so they show up in those search results.
7. Rich Pins
Rich Pins offer extra information directly on the Pin, like product details, recipe ingredients, or article headlines. They automatically update from your website and can make your Pins more engaging.
8. Idea Pins
Idea Pins are similar to stories on Instagram or Facebook. They let you share multiple images or videos in one Pin, which is perfect for tutorials or step-by-step guides. While they don’t link back to your blog, they’re great for building engagement and brand awareness.
Understanding Pinterest Analytics
Pinterest Analytics is like your report card for how well your content is doing. Here are the key metrics to pay attention to:
1. Impressions
Impressions tell you how many times your Pins have been shown on users’ screens. Whether it’s in their Home Feed, search results, or on someone else’s Board, a high number of impressions means more people are seeing your content.
2. Engagements
Engagements measure how users are interacting with your Pins, including clicks, saves, and close-ups. The more engagements your Pins get, the more likely Pinterest is to show them to others.
3. Outbound Clicks
Outbound Clicks count how many times someone clicks on your Pin and goes to your blog. This is a critical metric because it shows how well your Pins are driving traffic to your site.
4. Saves
Saves (or Repins) happen when someone saves your Pin to their Board. This helps your content reach a wider audience because now all the followers of the person who saved your Pin can see it too.
5. Total Audience
Total Audience is the number of unique users who have seen or engaged with your Pins. It gives you an idea of how many people your content is reaching on Pinterest.
6. Engaged Audience
Engaged Audience tells you the number of unique users who have actually interacted with your content. This gives you a clearer picture of how many people are genuinely interested in what you’re sharing.
Setting Realistic Goals for the First Six Months
Starting out on Pinterest can be exciting, but it’s important to manage your expectations. Here’s what you can aim for in your first six months:
1. Build a Strong Foundation
In the beginning, focus on creating quality content for both your blog and Pinterest. Try to set up at least 10-15 Boards, each with a mix of your own Pins and repinned content. Aim for at least 20 Pins per Board to make your profile look active and engaging.
2. Be Consistent
Consistency is key on Pinterest. Try to Pin daily, even if it’s just repinning content from others. Tools like Tailwind can help you schedule your Pins to keep a consistent presence. Start with 5-10 Pins a day and gradually increase as you get more comfortable.
3. Engage with the Community
Pinterest isn’t just about sharing your own content; it’s also about being part of the community. Comment on Pins, join group Boards, and repin content that’s relevant to your niche. This will help increase your visibility and establish you as an active user.
4. Set Modest Traffic Goals
For the first six months, set small, achievable goals for the traffic you want to drive from Pinterest to your blog. Depending on your niche, aiming for 100-300 visitors per month is a good start. Remember, Pinterest growth is often slow at first but can snowball over time.
5. Monitor and Adjust
Keep an eye on your Pinterest Analytics to see what’s working and what’s not. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of Pins, descriptions, and posting times. As you gather more data, you can refine your strategy and improve your results.
The Power of Patience and Persistence
It’s easy to get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results, but remember that Pinterest is a long-term strategy. Unlike other social platforms, Pins can keep driving traffic long after they’re first published. The key is to stay patient and keep at it.
1. Avoid Comparisons
It’s natural to compare your progress to others, but try not to. Every blog and Pinterest account grows at its own pace. Focus on your journey, celebrate your wins, and learn from any setbacks.
2. Keep Learning
Pinterest is always evolving, with new features and algorithms being introduced regularly. Stay up-to-date by following Pinterest’s blog, attending webinars, and engaging with the Pinterest community. The more you learn, the better you’ll get at using the platform.
3. Celebrate Your Progress
Even small achievements deserve recognition. Whether it’s reaching 100 followers, getting your first outbound click, or creating your first Rich Pin, celebrate these milestones. They’re all steps toward building a successful blog.
The Takeaway
Used correctly Pinterest is a game-changer for bloggers, offering a unique way to reach a large and engaged audience. By understanding the key terms and metrics, you’ll be better equipped to create content that resonates with users and drives traffic to your blog. Remember, success on Pinterest doesn’t happen overnight. Be consistent, set realistic goals, and most importantly, be patient. With time and persistence, your efforts will pay off, and you’ll start to see your blog grow.
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As always I’d love to hear from you in the comments – how is your Pinterest journey going? Let me know below!
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