Pinterest is a one-stop shop for new products, possibilities, and a great way to boost earnings
Did you know 77% of active Pinterest users have discovered new products or brands on Pinterest, according to Findstack? Pinterest users are loyal, and if you’ve built a following on Pinterest, then you should be using this channel to promote your LTK Shop.
More than 85% of Pinterest users use the mobile app, meaning that when you promote your LTK Posts and someone who has the LTK App clicks through on one of your Pins, they’ll automatically be taken directly to your LTK Shop.
LTK Insight: Capitalize on this shopper behavior by promoting your LTK Shop weekly on your favorite social channels, such as Pinterest to encourage your followers to download the LTK App.
LTK Creator tips:
- Best-performing pins are typically lifestyle images, images that incorporate a product into
- your lifestyle, or segway to useful guides.
- Pin already popular content on your boards. Browse the “popular” category.
- The best times to post on Pinterest are between 8 p.m.–11 p.m. and 2 a.m.–4 a.m.
- If most of your audience has a 9-5 job, the best time to post on Pinterest is before/after work hours and lunchtime; avoid posting pins during working hours.
- Plan your editorial calendar at least 60 days ahead, and optimize performance by looking at holidays and other events you want to pin about, and adding them to your calendar ahead of time.
- For your username and Business Name, use the same name you covet on your blog, LTK Shop and your social channels. In your bio, make sure to be concise, mission-focused, and throw in keywords with a call to action as well.
- Use strategic keywords to name your boards and make sure their descriptions are equally as thoughtful and full of keywords.
Now let’s take a look at Pinterest, Pins and how it all works.
How Pinterest works
People use Pinterest when they want something new, but don’t have a specific idea in mind. It’s like a visual search engine, guiding people to ideas that are just right for them. People don’t always have the words to describe what they’re looking for—but they’ll know it when they see it. As they browse Pinterest content (called “Pins”), they fine-tune their tastes and find the perfect idea.
The importance of Pinterest Business Accounts
LTK Creators should choose to have a business account. Business accounts help brands, creators and merchants get more out of Pinterest. Creators will get access to analytics, ads and exclusive content formats. Business accounts are free, and it’s quick to sign up or switch over to one.
Switch your personal account to a business account on your phone.
- Open the Pinterest app on your device and log into your Pinterest account
- Tap your profile picture at the bottom-right corner
- Tap the ‘...’ in the top-right corner
- Tap ‘Settings’
- Select ‘Account management’
- Tap ‘Convert’ to personal account
- Tap ‘Convert’ to personal
Create a new business account*
- From the top-right of your screen, click ‘Sign up’
- Click ‘Create a business account’
- Enter your email, create a password and enter your age
- Click ‘Create account’
- Fill out the fields to build your profile, then click ‘Next’
- Fill out the fields to describe your business, then click ‘Next’
- Select if you want to run ads, then click ‘Next’
- Select where you'd like to start or click the ‘X’ icon to go to your new Pinterest business account
*Please note that at this time, you can only create a new business account from your desktop device.
Idea Pins
An evolution of Story Pins
- Pinterest Idea Pins are multi-page video Pins. As long as you have a Pinterest business account, you can use Idea Pins to create inspiring content and build more engaged communities directly on Pinterest.
- Idea Pins don’t have a way to include a live link. That’s intentional on Pinterest’s part. The goal of Idea Pins is to keep Pinners on Pinterest.
- As far as comments, Idea Pins get more of them. In fact, Pinterest says they see 9x the average comment rate on Idea Pins compared to standard Pins.
Use this handy guide before publishing an Idea Pin.
- Here are a few ways they differ from Stories on FB and IG:
- Idea Pins last. They don’t disappear in 24 hours.
- Idea Pins can be Saved by Pinners for their future inspiration.
- Idea Pins focus on inspiring rather than connecting, live chatting, etc.
- What are some of the advantages of Idea Pins?
- Idea Pins get more exposure on Pinterest.
- Pinners who follow you will see your Idea Pins at the top of their home feeds.
- They’ll also surface in search and on the Today Tab.
- Idea Pins are a great way to grow your Pinterest followers, since Pinterest prompts viewers to follow the Pin creator at the end.
- Idea Pin inspiration:
- Workwear
- Summer essentials
- Beauty routine
- Try-on haul
- Everyday outfits
- Best jeans
- Home tour
- Travel outfits
- Nail trends
Regular pins
The best Pins are visually compelling, tell a good story, and make people want to learn more
- Pick a vertical image. Use high-quality imagery that will stand out. A 2x3 ratio (ex: 1000 x 1500 px) is recommended.
- Put the product you’re showcasing front and center. Avoid using abstract images.
- Put your logo or handle name on every pin you make, but avoid the lower-right corner since that is covered in Pinterest product icons.
- Add text overlay for added effectiveness. Keep it short and sweet since most users will be reading the text on mobile.
- Optimize your pin copy with clear titles and descriptions. Be sure to include any keywords that you think might be popular in search. You can use 100 characters in your title and 500 in the description.
- Always be sure to attach your LTK Shop link! Your Pin’s creative tells people what to expect when they click, so make sure it matches your destination site’s topic and imagery.
Video Pins
Start strong and make your pin actionable.
- Video pins should lead with a clear hook to grab the viewer’s attention right away.
- Make sure your videos clearly and succinctly communicate your ideas. For organic content, videos between 15 seconds and 1 minute long work best.
- Some Pinners watch video with sound off, so don’t rely on audio or dialogue. Use text overlay or captions to help tell your story.
- Select a cover image when you upload your video so people can understand what your video is about with just one glance.
- Optimize pin copy. Clear titles and descriptions help your video get discovered in search.
Pinterest by the numbers
Not only do people watch close to 1B videos each day on the platform, but shopper engagement grew by 20% in 2021!
- 431M monthly active users on Pinterest
- 14th largest global social platform
- 86% of Pinterest users also use Instagram
- 60% female users, but the gender gap is getting smaller
Pinterest resources:
Why It’s Especially Smart to Utilize Pinterest
More reasons why LTK Creators should be pinning content regularly
Pinterest Trends: Learn more about trending topics, products and content
Pinterest Predicts: Plan for the future with Pinterest’s annual predictions portal
