Pinterest when used properly can be one your website’s highest referrers for traffic. For many though, the phrase “when used properly” can be source of confusion – “Isn’t Pinterest just “pinning” website links and pictures?” Hardly!
Pinterest is optimized for SEO (search engine optimization) searches on their website, as well as showing up in Google. You want to make sure your Pinterest boards and pins are keyword rich to ensure your pins are the ones that come up in your follower’s searches.
Your Pinterest “About” section
Pinterest gives you 200 characters to succinctly describe who and what you are. Keep your website’s keywords the highlight of the overview. Not sure what your keywords are? Your Google Analytics on your website will tell you that information. What words and phrases are people searching for?
Be sure to include your website’s link for followers to easily click to your website. The check mark next to my website means Pinterest has verified my website and now allows me to include my social media links and add Pinterest widgets and buttons on my website.
You are losing potential future website readers if you do not have a “pin it button” on your website or photos on your website. By doing so, your readers are marketing for YOU by including a back-link to your website on their Pinterest account.
I’d suggest using your website’s logo as your profile picture. Keep your profile picture in line with your business and what you represent.
Your Pinterest Boards
When you first create your Pinterest account, Pinterest will give you suggestions on board names. They are very generic though and often not in line with your website’s SEO and keywords. Create your boards with this in mind. Each board allows you 500 characters to create a keyword rich description on what the board represents.
Your boards should be categorized by alphabetic order. Put a board dedicated to your website front and center. The second and third boards in your profile should be dedicated to anything seasonal, since this is what people are searching for at that given time. The first 5 boards are prime real estate.
Your Pinterest Pins
Unfortunately, Pinterest feels shortened links are spam, so always use a full link from your website. Each pin’s description should also be keyword rich.
Growing your Pinterest Followers
My advice on how to grow ANY of your social media network is always the same – ENGAGEMENT! In order to gain followers, you need to follow back! On a daily basis, I probably repin, like and comment on 50+ pins. When you organically share content, your followers will do the same for you. Also, think about this. When you repin content from another account, it is your account that is showing up to be followed. So, although you are referring traffic to another website by repinning, you are also helping yourself by putting your Pinterest account in front of them to be followed.
Not sure of an organized way to repin? I network with tribes on Facebook and am a member of several community boards on Pinterest.
When Pinterest was first released, I remember sitting for hours pinning anything and everything that looked like something I liked or a future version of me would like. Those days are long gone. When I realized the viral power that Pinterest had over my website, everything I pinned had a clear purpose and I took the time to make each pin appealing.
Something to think about:
According to the Tailwind App, content on Pinterest stays relevant for over a week versus less than 90 minutes on Facebook and less than a half hour on Twitter. 
Your Pinterest Photos
Because Pinterest is such a visual space, you need to ensure your pictures are enticing enough for your reader to want to click on it and find out more. Think of your Pin as a “teaser”. The ultimate goal is for them to click trough to your website. If they getting everything they need from your pin’s picture, then they have no need to click through. Try using 735×1000 pixels for your Pinterest images.
What other tips and tricks for succeeding on Pinterest do you know?
This post is part of our Blogger Tips, Tricks, and Resources series.
This is a guest post.
We're Parents is a unique mom and dad natural parenting blog focusing on topics such as breastfeeding, babywearing, and car seat safety. You'll also find Delicious recipes, inspired travel recommendations, and more as you journey with us through parenting. 
Great tips and easy to follow. One thing that has helped me was to look at what pins are extremely popular, and build new boards around those. I have a few general boards (dresses, shorts, pants, etc), but after seeing specific colors or prints get a lot of pins, I created more specific boards (e.g. Floral dresses, star prints, neon, etc). Another easy board series is a seasonal one. Set up a board a few months ahead of the holiday just when people are doing their own planning. And then keep that board at the top of your account. And lastly, I try, whenever possible, to create boards based on major trends, like the Pantone Color of the Year. It’s been really fascinating watching my Pinterest account grow and what people like.
those are all great tips too!! I love the idea of the major trends!
So far I have been using Pintrest to get content only, but after reading your tips I feel I am confident enough to create my own boards : )
Your comments *Awesome post! Some really great ideas! I also find it helpful to use long pictures on pinterest, you can make these easily on Picmonkey….I find people are attracted to them more frequently!
These are great tips. I just revamped my picture and about section today.
Thanks for the awesome tips. Increasing my pinterest involvement is one of my goals this year.
Great tips! I’ve definitely found that the ones that drive the most pageviews are aspirational in nature. Make people want to be like the image on the pin and they’ll click over!
I completely agree. Which is why I think taking the time to create “pin-able” images is so important!
Great tips! Thanks for sharing!
I pinned this to read again. I was planning to look up some tips on growing my Pinterest following so this was perfect timing!
Thanks for the Tailwind shoutout in this great post, Reesa! I’d love to talk Pinterest with your sometime (it’s obviously one of my favorite topics ;)). Feel free to shoot me an email at melissa(at)tailwindapp.com.