A Guide to Video Pins on Pinterest: Maximizing Engagement and Affiliate Marketing
If you’ve been wondering whether video pins on Pinterest are still worth the effort, especially in today’s fast-evolving digital landscape, you’re not alone. For new bloggers trying to navigate the platform and figure out how to maximize engagement, it can be a bit overwhelming.
Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to digest, so you can decide if video pins should be part of your Pinterest strategy and, if so, how many you should create.
I’ll also sprinkle some examples of my simple video pins so you can see how even a beginner can do this!
What Are Video Pins, and Why Should You Care?
Video pins are, as the name suggests, pins that feature video content instead of just static images. These videos autoplay in the Pinterest feed, catching the eye and standing out in a sea of images. Unlike traditional image pins, video pins can pack a lot more information into a short span of time, making them super engaging.
So why should you care about video pins? Well, Pinterest isn’t just a social media platform—it’s a powerful search engine with over 400 million active users globally. It’s where people go to discover new ideas, products, and services. If you’re trying to get your content in front of the right people, video pins are an excellent tool to have in your arsenal.
Why Video Pins Matter for New Bloggers
As a new blogger, you might be focusing on getting your content seen and building an audience. Video pins can help with that by:
• Grabbing Attention: Video content is inherently more engaging than static images. People are more likely to stop scrolling and pay attention to a moving picture.
• Telling a Story: Videos allow you to tell a story or demonstrate something in action, which can be way more impactful than a single image.
• Driving Traffic: You can include direct links in video pins, making them a great way to drive traffic to your blog or affiliate products.
The Reality Check: Are Video Pins Worth the Effort?
You’re probably wondering if all this is really worth your time. The short answer is: yes, but it depends on your goals. If you’re serious about driving traffic and boosting engagement on Pinterest, video pins are a tool you should definitely consider. But, like any strategy, they require time and effort to get right.
Designing the Perfect Video Pin
So you’ve decided to give video pins a shot. Great! Now, let’s talk about how to make them work for you.
Key Design Tips
• Go Vertical: Pinterest is a mobile-first platform, so your videos should be vertical (9:16 aspect ratio) to fill up more space in the feed.
• Keep It Short: While Pinterest allows videos up to 15 minutes long, shorter videos (around 15-30 seconds) generally perform better. Get to the point quickly!
• Text Overlays Are Essential: Since videos autoplay without sound, make sure to include text overlays to convey your message. This way, viewers can understand the content even if they’re watching with the sound off.
• Use Bold Colors: Bright, bold colors can help your video stand out in the feed, encouraging users to stop scrolling and watch.
• Include a Strong CTA: Always end your video with a clear call-to-action, like “Click to learn more” or “Shop now,” whether it’s in the video itself or the pin description.
The Pros and Cons of Video Pins
No marketing tool is perfect, and video pins are no exception. Here’s a quick rundown of the pros and cons to help you weigh your options.
Pros
• Higher Engagement: Videos naturally draw more attention and can lead to higher engagement than static images.
• Better Storytelling: You can show your audience exactly what you’re talking about, whether it’s a product in action, a tutorial, or a before-and-after transformation.
• Increased Visibility: Pinterest’s algorithm favors content that keeps users on the platform longer, so video pins might get a boost in visibility.
• Traffic Driving Power: The ability to link directly to your blog or product makes video pins a potent tool for driving traffic.
• Versatility: Whether you’re sharing a recipe, a DIY project, or a product demo, video pins can do it all.
Cons
• Time-Consuming: Creating video content takes more time than creating a static image. You’ll need to plan, shoot, edit, and maybe even script your video.
• Higher Costs: Depending on the quality you’re aiming for, video production can be expensive, especially if you need professional equipment or software.
• Technical Skills Required: Not everyone is comfortable creating and editing videos. If you’re not tech-savvy, this might be a hurdle.
• Performance Variability: Not every video will hit the mark. It can take time and experimentation to figure out what works for your audience.
How Video Pins Can Boost Your Affiliate Marketing
For bloggers involved in affiliate marketing, video pins can be a game-changer. They offer a more dynamic way to showcase products and drive traffic to your affiliate links.
Here’s How Video Pins Can Help:
1. Product Demonstrations: Show your audience how a product works in real-time. This can be far more persuasive than a static image or a text-based review.
2. Tutorials: If you’re promoting a product that requires a bit of explanation, a tutorial can be incredibly effective. For instance, a makeup tutorial using a specific brand’s products.
3. Before-and-After Videos: Perfect for niches like fitness, beauty, or home improvement, where you can show the results of using a product.
4. Teasers for Blog Posts: Use video pins to tease your blog content and encourage users to click through to read the full article.
5. Seasonal Content: Capitalize on holidays or seasonal trends by creating themed video pins that link to relevant products or blog posts.
Scheduling Your Video Pins: When to Post for Maximum Impact
Timing is everything when it comes to social media, and Pinterest is no different. To get the most out of your video pins, you need to post them at the right time.
Best Times to Post
Generally, the best times to post on Pinterest are evenings and weekends when people have more free time to browse. However, this can vary depending on your target audience, so it’s essential to experiment and analyze your pin performance.
Use Scheduling Tools
Tools like Tailwind or Buffer can help you schedule your pins in advance. They also offer analytics to help you figure out the best times to post based on your audience’s activity.
Be Consistent
Consistency is key. Regularly posting video pins will keep your content fresh in users’ feeds and help maintain engagement over time.
Plan for Seasons
Pinterest users plan for events and holidays well in advance, so make sure you’re scheduling your seasonal video pins at least 2-3 months before the event to maximize their reach.
How Many Video Pins Should You Create?
The big question—how many video pins should you actually be creating? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here’s a good rule of thumb:
Start Small
If you’re new to video pins, start by creating one or two per blog post. This will give you a feel for the process and help you gauge what works for your audience.
Test and Learn
Pay attention to which video pins are getting the most engagement. Are your product demos performing better than your tutorials? Use this data to inform your future video pin creation.
Scale Up
Once you’ve got the hang of it, try increasing the number of video pins you create. Aim to include at least one video pin for each new blog post, and consider creating additional pins for your top-performing content.
How AI Can Help You Create Video Pins
Feeling overwhelmed by the thought of creating video pins? Don’t worry—AI tools can make the process a lot easier.
AI Tools to the Rescue
• Canva and Animoto: These platforms offer easy-to-use templates that can help you create professional-looking video pins without needing advanced design skills.
• Lumen5: This tool can turn your blog posts into video pins by automatically pulling out key points and pairing them with relevant visuals.
• Jasper (formerly Jarvis): Need help with copy? Jasper can generate engaging scripts and text overlays for your video pins.
Repurpose Existing Content
If you’ve already created videos for other platforms like YouTube or Instagram, repurpose that content for Pinterest. Trim down longer videos into shorter clips and optimize them for Pinterest’s vertical format.
Keep Mobile in Mind
Most Pinterest users are on mobile, so make sure your video pins are optimized for small screens. Keep text large, and make sure the video is clear and easy to follow even without sound.
The Takeaway
So, are video pins worth adding to your Pinterest strategy? If you’re serious about driving traffic and boosting engagement, the answer is yes. They might require more time and effort to create, but the potential rewards—higher engagement, more traffic, and better storytelling—make them worth considering.
Start small, test different types of content, and use AI tools to streamline the process. Animate your old pins and see how they work for you. Most importantly – continue to have fun with the creative side of blogging and beat boredom and burnout.
Share
As always I’d love if you leave me a comment below and let me know how your Pinterest journey is going!
