How to use Pinterest to bring visits for months

Pinterest is the network least like a social network. It behaves like a visual search engine, and that completely changes how to use it.

The big difference

On other networks, a post lives 24 to 72 hours. On Pinterest, a pin can bring visits for months or years. Content does not expire — it is found through search.

Publishing on Pinterest is more like publishing an article than posting on social media.

Who it works best for

• Recipes and food.
• Fashion, beauty and interiors.
• Weddings and events.
• Organisation and productivity.
• Crafts and DIY.
• Any business with a blog.

How to build a pin

1. Vertical format, tall ratio.
2. Large text over the image, stating the benefit.
3. A clear, well-lit image.
4. Title and description with the words people would search.
5. A link to the destination page.

Words matter more than hashtags

Because it is search, what counts is the wording in the title, the description and the board name. Write as someone would search, not as a slogan.

Volume and repetition

The same content can produce several different pins, with distinct images and titles. Publishing five to fifteen pins a week is a common range among growing profiles.

Organised boards

Each board should have a clear theme and a name containing a search term. Organised boards help the system understand each pin's subject.

Patience

Pinterest is slow at first and accelerates later. Consistent results usually appear from two or three months on — and from there they grow on their own.

Summary

Treat Pinterest as a search engine: vertical pins with legible text, search terms in the title and description, many variations of the same content and well-named boards. It is the network with the greatest compounding effect.