Where did all the Color go?!
Two months into my blogging journey, and I’ve already encountered what feels like my first existential crisis: is color ever going to make a comeback online? Specifically, on Pinterest?
If you can’t tell from my website (which you absolutely should be checking out by the way!), I enjoy a pop of color in my life here and there. Vibrant hues, bold patterns, and that feeling of joy when you see a palette that just screams, “Look at me!” So, when I started creating what I felt were vivid, fun pins for Pinterest, I was beyond excited to share them with the world. Surely, I thought, people would flock to my colorful creations like moths to a flame?!
But then… crickets. Actually scratch that, just a singular cricket. That’s how badly my pins performed.
Yes, you read that right. My bright and lively pins were met with a resounding silence. Pinterest didn’t seem to notice they existed, and neither did anyone else. And if that wasn’t enough of a blow to my creative ego, there was one pin—just one—that saw any sort of traction. And guess what? It was the plainest, most boring, neutral-toned pin you could imagine.
Oh, and the kicker? I didn’t even create it. My husband did.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I love my husband dearly. He’s smart, supportive, one of those people who just sort of excels naturally at everything he puts his mind too. And apparently, annoyingly good at creating pins that apparently people love to click on.
But this particular pin, with its dull stock image of a hand holding a pen and its complete lack of pizazz, was designed as part of a tutorial. He was teaching me how to use Canva because I had zero experience with marketing, web design, or anything tech-related. It was meant to be an exercise, not a masterpiece. And yet, that’s the one pin anyone cares about!
It’s frustrating, to say the least. And perhaps it’s triggered my Type A competitiveness, if I’m truly honest. I mean, how is it possible that the pin I care least about, the one that had the least amount of time spent on it, is the one that’s getting all the attention?
This whole situation reminded me of something equally frustrating and hilarious: the “Sad Beige Children” Instagram account. If you haven’t seen it, you absolutely need to check it out HERE. It’s a brilliant parody of the trend of dressing children in sad, neutral tones that seem to suck the joy out of life. The account never fails to give me a good belly laugh, but it also makes me wonder: what has happened to us that we’ve allowed color to be sucked out of everything?
It’s not just our clothes; it’s our decor, our social media feeds, and yes, our beloved Pinterest boards. It’s like we live in one big neutral bubble. And it makes me ponder—did it feel like this back in the ‘70s when orange, yellow, and brown took over everything? Did they realize what was happening at the time, or was it just the way things were?
The Pinterest Aesthetic Dilemma
Pinterest, once a haven for creativity and inspiration, seems to have fallen victim to the same neutral-toned plague. For new bloggers like me, this trend poses a bit of a dilemma. On one hand, we want our pins to stand out, to scream “Click me!” with every ounce of vibrancy we can muster. On the other hand, it seems that what actually gets noticed are those pins that blend seamlessly into the endless sea of beige and gray.
So what’s a girl to do?
First, let’s take a closer look at what’s happening on Pinterest. If you’ve spent any time on the platform recently, you’ve probably noticed that a lot of the popular pins share a similar aesthetic. They’re clean, minimalist, and, yes, often quite neutral in color. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing—it’s just the current trend. And like all trends, it will eventually change. But for now, it’s what’s working.
What New Bloggers Should Know About Pinterest Trends
If you’re a new blogger trying to make your mark on Pinterest, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Embrace Simplicity: It might be tempting to go all out with your pin designs (trust me, I know), but sometimes less really is more. The most successful pins are often the simplest—clean lines, minimal text, and a clear, compelling image. Think of it as the digital equivalent of that “less is more” mantra we’ve all heard a thousand times.
- Stick to a Consistent Color Scheme: Even if you love bright, bold colors, it’s important to have a consistent color scheme for your pins. This helps to create a cohesive look that’s visually appealing. And if your chosen colors happen to be neutral, well, you might just find yourself on the winning side of the current trend.
- Pay Attention to What’s Working: Keep an eye on your Pinterest analytics to see which of your pins are performing well. This can give you valuable insight into what your audience responds to, which can help you create more of the content they love. And if that means making more neutral pins, well… we all have to make sacrifices sometimes.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment: Just because the current trend leans toward neutral doesn’t mean you can’t experiment with color. Try mixing in a few bold, vibrant pins with your more subdued ones. You might just hit on a combination that resonates with your audience.
The Silver Lining of Plain Pins
Okay, so maybe my bright, colorful pins aren’t getting the love I think they deserve. But there is a silver lining to this neutral pin trend. Plain pins are super quick to create and require very little artistic ability—or even creativity, to be honest. Canva is rife with templates that fit this style (including the one my husband used), so it’s easy to whip up a batch of pins in no time at all.
And while it might not be as satisfying as creating a pin that’s bursting with color and creativity, there’s something to be said for efficiency. After all, as a stay-at-home wife and new blogger, I’ve got a lot on my plate. If I can save time by creating pins that are quick, easy, and effective, that’s not such a bad thing, right?
Moving Forward: Striking a Balance
As I continue on this blogging journey, I’ve decided to make peace with the Pinterest algorithm. Yes, I will give in and make the popular pins—those plain, neutral ones that seem to perform so well. But I’m going to do it on my terms. I’ll also be continuing to create the fun, colorful pins I love so much, even if they don’t get as much traction. After all, I’m here to enjoy my life and my business, and being pleased and fulfilled by what I produce creatively is a big part of that.
And who knows? Maybe one day the tide will turn, and color will make a grand comeback on Pinterest. Especially if us Color-addicts refuse to die down altogether! When that day comes, I’ll be ready, with a whole collection of vibrant pins just waiting to be unleashed.
Resources
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Let’s Hear From You
So, what’s your experience been like on Pinterest? Have you found that your neutral pins perform better than colorful ones, or have you had success with more vibrant designs? I’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts, tips, and Pinterest accounts in the comments below. Let’s connect and support each other on this colorful (or not-so-colorful) journey.
And you can keep track of my Color Rebellion HERE on my Pinterest profile page!
