Pinterest is the fastest growing social network of all time, and it is responsible for sending more traffic to websites than LinkedIn, Google+ and Twitter combined. If you aren't already on Pinterest, you need to be. Now. If you are already on Pinterest, you need to make sure that you are using it correctly to leverage its full potential to send traffic to your blog.
Here are a few ideas for how best to use Pinterest to effectively drive traffic to your blog:
Pinterest users share visual bookmarks that they either create themselves or that they see on a board that they are following. Content that has been re-pinned is far more common than content that has been created -- meaning that much of the content on the site is just being internally re-circulated.
Add value -- and your own content -- to the site by curating content (creating new pins). Create pins for content from your own blog to increase your exposure on the site and to encourage others to share it through re-pinning.
By curating your own content, you can also ensure that you are using proper keywords and that your link is included so that other users will actually find your content and be led back to your site. When content is re-pinned, keywords and links can often be lost.
When other users pin your content, they may not always include the link back to your site and they likely will not use the keywords that you are targeting. Most of the time, the description might read something like "Pretty!" or "Great idea!" rather than something like "No-sew tutu tutorial from Your Business Name."
Search for your content on the site to check for links and descriptions, then send users a friendly message asking them to update the pins to make them easier to find.You will have to be creative in searching for your content since your keywords won't always be included. Instead of "now-sew tutu tutorial," you might have to search for "tutu" or browse through boards for babies. It can be a tedious process, but if you manage to update your pins, you'll see a great increase in traffic from targeted users.
It's easy to find users in your niche on Pinterest. You just have to do a search for boards related to your topic area or for pins related to your niche. Then follow the users who created those boards or pins.
Following users in your niche will encourage them to follow you back and to discover your content. In addition, you will have access to content they share from their users, helping you to discover even more targeted users. This will help you to direct potential motivated customers back to your site.
Finally, you should make it easy for your readers to share your content on Pinterest by adding "pin it" buttons to your site. You will encourage more users to curate new content and get more exposure on the site. The more content you have on the site, the more people you can drive back to your own blog.
Also be sure to include a link to your own Pinterest profile in your sidebar so users know they can connect with you on the site. Strengthen your pitch by including a call to action on your site and in your posts for users to follow you and to pin your content. You'll see a big increase in both if you do!
Pinterest is a hot social network that is not showing any signs of slowing down any time soon. Take advantage of the power to build traffic that the site offers by creating a profile and becoming an active (smart) user of the site. Curate your own content, follow users in your niche, and encourage your readers to pin your content and you'll greatly expand your presence on the site and the traffic it generates for you.
Are you on Pinterest? Share your strategies for success in the comments!
Here are a few ideas for how best to use Pinterest to effectively drive traffic to your blog:
Curate Your Own Content
Pinterest users share visual bookmarks that they either create themselves or that they see on a board that they are following. Content that has been re-pinned is far more common than content that has been created -- meaning that much of the content on the site is just being internally re-circulated.
Add value -- and your own content -- to the site by curating content (creating new pins). Create pins for content from your own blog to increase your exposure on the site and to encourage others to share it through re-pinning.
By curating your own content, you can also ensure that you are using proper keywords and that your link is included so that other users will actually find your content and be led back to your site. When content is re-pinned, keywords and links can often be lost.
Find and Update Your Pins
When other users pin your content, they may not always include the link back to your site and they likely will not use the keywords that you are targeting. Most of the time, the description might read something like "Pretty!" or "Great idea!" rather than something like "No-sew tutu tutorial from Your Business Name."
Search for your content on the site to check for links and descriptions, then send users a friendly message asking them to update the pins to make them easier to find.You will have to be creative in searching for your content since your keywords won't always be included. Instead of "now-sew tutu tutorial," you might have to search for "tutu" or browse through boards for babies. It can be a tedious process, but if you manage to update your pins, you'll see a great increase in traffic from targeted users.
Follow Users in Your Niche
It's easy to find users in your niche on Pinterest. You just have to do a search for boards related to your topic area or for pins related to your niche. Then follow the users who created those boards or pins.
Following users in your niche will encourage them to follow you back and to discover your content. In addition, you will have access to content they share from their users, helping you to discover even more targeted users. This will help you to direct potential motivated customers back to your site.
Add "Pin It" Buttons to Your Site
Finally, you should make it easy for your readers to share your content on Pinterest by adding "pin it" buttons to your site. You will encourage more users to curate new content and get more exposure on the site. The more content you have on the site, the more people you can drive back to your own blog.
Also be sure to include a link to your own Pinterest profile in your sidebar so users know they can connect with you on the site. Strengthen your pitch by including a call to action on your site and in your posts for users to follow you and to pin your content. You'll see a big increase in both if you do!
Pinterest is a hot social network that is not showing any signs of slowing down any time soon. Take advantage of the power to build traffic that the site offers by creating a profile and becoming an active (smart) user of the site. Curate your own content, follow users in your niche, and encourage your readers to pin your content and you'll greatly expand your presence on the site and the traffic it generates for you.
Are you on Pinterest? Share your strategies for success in the comments!
Kay Winders is presently the resident writer for www.badcreditloans.org, where she researches the best way for people to pay off their debts without damaging their credit. In her spare time, she enjoys freelance writing, the beach and gardening.
