So you want to learn how to post on Pinterest? Look, I get it. Pinterest feels like this magical place where pretty pictures get millions of saves, but when you actually try posting? Total crickets. Been there. When I first started, I uploaded blurry product shots with zero descriptions and wondered why my pins sank like stones. Truth is, posting effectively isn't just hitting "publish" - it's understanding the invisible rules. Let's cut through the noise.
Why Bother Posting on Pinterest Anyway?
You might wonder if Pinterest is even worth it anymore. Honestly? It drives 80% of my blog traffic, but only after I stopped treating it like Instagram. See, Pinterest works like a visual search engine. People aren't just scrolling - they're searching for "wedding centerpiece ideas" or "easy vegan dinners." If you know how to post on Pinterest correctly, your content becomes discoverable for months (even years!). Unlike other platforms where posts die after 24 hours.
Quick Reality Check: Last quarter, one of my pins from 2021 suddenly got 12k saves. Why? Because someone searched "small bathroom storage hacks" and Pinterest dug it up from the archives. That's the power of doing this right.
Personal vs Business Accounts: What Actually Changes?
I made the business account switch three years late. Big mistake. The analytics alone make it essential - seeing which pins people actually save tells you what to create more of. Plus, you get access to Pinterest ads if you ever want to boost your reach. The setup takes 5 minutes:
- Convert to business account (settings → account management)
- Verify your website (critical for SEO)
- Enable rich pins (shows live pricing/product info)
Personal accounts can't track what's working. You're flying blind. Don't be like past-me.
Step-by-Step: How to Post on Pinterest Correctly
Forget those vague tutorials. Here's exactly how to post on Pinterest for maximum visibility:
Finding or Creating Pin-Worthy Images
Pinterest is ruthless about image quality. My early pins failed because I used dark, cluttered photos. Ideal pins have:
- Vertical orientation (2:3 ratio works best)
- High contrast with text overlay
- Minimal negative space
- Realistic lighting (no heavy filters)
I use Canva for DIY graphics. Their Pinterest templates are lifesavers. Pro tip: Always shoot/test multiple versions. Sometimes a simple text overlay outperforms complex designs.
Image Type | Optimal Size | Tools I Use | My Success Rate |
---|---|---|---|
Product Photos | 1000x1500 px | iPhone + Snapseed | ★★★☆☆ (if not styled well) |
Infographics | 800x1200 px | Canva Pro | ★★★★☆ |
Step-by-Step Guides | 1080x1920 px | Photoshop | ★★★★★ |
Crafting Descriptions That Don't Get Ignored
Here's where most people bomb. That "add description" box isn't optional - it's prime SEO real estate. Pinterest scans this text to understand your pin. My formula:
- First line: Keyword + benefit (e.g., "How to Post on Pinterest: Drive Traffic in 3 Steps")
- Middle: Details + long-tail keywords ("Pinterest posting guide for beginners")
- End: Call-to-action ("Save for later" or "Click for tutorial")
I aim for 150-300 characters. Anything less gets poor visibility. And please - no hashtag spam. Pinterest doesn't prioritize them like Instagram does.
Annoying Truth: Pinterest's algorithm hates lazy descriptions. I tested pins with 5-word descriptions vs. 200-word ones. The detailed pins got 3x more saves. Period.
Linking Strategy: Where Should Your Pins Go?
If you're posting on Pinterest without links, you're wasting traffic potential. But links must be relevant. Sending food pins to your tech blog? Bad idea. My linking rules:
- Link directly to the exact content shown in the pin
- Avoid generic homepage links (they increase bounce rate)
- Use UTM parameters to track traffic sources
Broken links kill credibility. I check mine monthly using Screaming Frog.
Advanced Pinterest Posting Tactics
Once you've nailed the basics, these pro moves skyrocket results:
Secret Board Optimization Tricks
Boards aren't just folders - they're SEO categories. I organize mine like a catalog:
- Name boards with keywords ("DIY Home Decor" not "My Projects")
- Add detailed board descriptions (Google indexes these!)
- Pin consistently to each board (algorithm favors specialists)
My top-performing board gets 500+ monthly saves just because I renamed it from "Recipes" to "Quick Vegetarian Dinners Under 30 Minutes." Specificity wins.
When to Post on Pinterest: Data-Backed Timing
Posting at random times killed my early engagement. After analyzing 100+ pins:
Day | Best Time (EST) | My Avg. Save Rate |
---|---|---|
Saturday | 8-11 PM | 4.2% |
Wednesday | 2-4 PM | 3.7% |
Friday | 1-3 PM | 3.1% |
But here's the twist: Scheduling via Tailwind tripled my consistency. I batch-create pins Sunday nights.
Video Pins: Are They Worth the Effort?
Short answer: Absolutely. Video pins get 3x more saves than static images in my experience. But don't overcomplicate:
- Ideal length: 6-15 seconds
- No sound needed (85% watch muted)
- Add text captions explaining the hook
My top video pin? A 9-second timelapse of me painting a thrift store chair. Simple but mesmerizing.
Painful Mistakes I Made (So You Don't Have To)
Learning how to post on Pinterest involves facepalms. My biggest fails:
- Ignoring analytics: Kept posting quote graphics despite 0.1% save rate.
- Inconsistent sizing: Horizontal pins got 90% less clicks.
- Over-pinning: 50 pins/day flooded followers. Engagement dropped.
The worst? Not verifying my website for 8 months. Missed out on rich pins and traffic attribution.
Your Ultimate Pinterest Posting Checklist
Before hitting publish, run through this:
- Image is vertical (1000x1500px minimum)
- Filename contains keywords (not "IMG_3947.jpg")
- Description has primary keyword + 2 variations
- Link points to relevant, working page
- Board chosen matches pin topic
- Alt text describes image for accessibility
Print this. Stick it on your monitor. Seriously.
Pinterest Posting FAQs (Real Questions I Get)
How often should I post on Pinterest?
Consistency beats volume. I aim for 5-10 quality pins/day versus 50 rushed ones.
Can I repost the same pin multiple times?
Yes, but wait 3-4 weeks and tweak the image/description. Direct duplicates get penalized.
Why do my pins get saved but no clicks?
Usually mismatched content. If your pin promises "10-minute crafts" but links to a product page, people bounce.
Is Pinterest SEO really that important?
Crucial. My "how to post on Pinterest" pin ranks #1 for that phrase, sending 200+ visitors/month from Pinterest searches alone.
Should I join group boards?
Only niche-relevant ones with under 50 collaborators. Big generic boards attract spam.
Keeping Up With Pinterest's Annoying Changes
Pinterest's algorithm shifts constantly. Last year, they prioritized fresh pins overnight. My tips:
- Check Pinterest business blog monthly
- Join beta programs for early feature access
- Track competitors using Tailwind's inspector tool
When they rolled out Idea Pins, I tested them immediately. Got 8k views in a week by repurposing TikTok content.
Final Reality Check: Pinterest isn't a "set and forget" platform. I spend 2 hours/week adjusting strategy based on analytics. But that effort brings 300+ daily visitors. Still hate their constant UI changes though.
Look, mastering how to post on Pinterest takes experimentation. What works for recipes fails for finance tips. Start with one content type, track results religiously, and double down on what resonates. Avoid shiny object syndrome - I wasted months chasing viral trends instead of serving my core audience. Your turn. Go hit publish.
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