Episode Transcript
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Speaker 29 (00:00):
It was early 2020
and Pinterest exploded.
But not in a good way.
Blogs lost traffic overnight.
Entire businesses built on theplatform, watched their numbers,
tank people panicked, forums litup.
What had once been a goldminefor free traffic turned into a
digital ghost town.
(00:20):
Welcome to Rein Gate, the greatPinterest panic of 2020.
But while most creators werescrambling, a few saw something
different.
Not a collapse, but anopportunity They adapted,
learned the new rules and roseabove the chaos to grow even
bigger than before.
And in today's episode, we'rediving deep into the strategy
(00:43):
behind the comeback, whetheryou're a Pinterest newbie or a
season pro.
You're, that is pretty muchstill recovering from that
algorithm change.
You're gonna get a step-by-stepplaybook to rebuild, grow, and
dominate on Pinterest.
So let's turn confusion intoclicks starting now.
Hi, I am Jonathan Milligan,author of the book series, your
(01:06):
Message Matters, and also thehost of this podcast, the Market
Your Message Show.
We're currently going throughbook number four in my series,
build.
Your audience.
Inside that book, we share over13 traffic strategies that are
working today and on thispodcast, I'm releasing one
(01:26):
chapter at a time from theaudiobook.
Now, if you want the physicalbook to go along with the
audiobook, you can go toplatform growth books.com or the
link is in the show notes.
And again, this is book four.
Build your audience, so we'regonna get right into it.
This is chapter 14, thePinterest traffic playbook.
Speaker 28 (01:49):
Chapter 14, the
Pinterest traffic Playbook.
It's early 2020, and thePinterest world is suddenly in
chaos.
Bloggers and content creatorswith successful businesses on
the platform are watching theirtraffic plummet overnight.
Panic spreads like wildfire andonline communities.
People frantically try to findout what's gone wrong.
(02:09):
Welcome to Rein Gate, the greatPinterest panic of 2020.
Overnight, the rules of the gamechanged.
Pinterest algorithm.
Once a reliable friend tocontent creators seemed to turn
against them reins.
Once the lifeblood of Pintereststrategy were suddenly toxic,
fresh content became king.
But what exactly did that mean?
(02:30):
The digital world was changingfast.
Many wondered if Pinterest wasstill a good traffic source.
But here's the thing.
While some threw in the towel,others saw an opportunity, they
realized this seismic shiftwasn't the death noll for
Pinterest traffic, but a chanceto soar above the competition.
These savvy creators decoded thenew algorithm.
(02:51):
They crafted strategies thatrecovered and boosted their lost
traffic.
That's precisely what we'regoing to explore in this
chapter.
We'll uncover the secrets ofPinterest new algorithm.
We will debunk outdated advicethat's still around.
Finally, we'll give you astep-by-step system to harness
Pinterest traffic that workstoday.
This chapter will help youwhether you're a Pinterest
(03:12):
newbie or a pro shaken by recentchanges.
It will give you the knowledgeand strategies you need.
You'll learn to create freshcontent that Pinterest loves.
You'll also learn to leveragethird party pins and optimize
your profile for visibility.
By the end of this chapter,you'll have a clear roadmap for
turning Pinterest into areliable, powerful traffic
(03:34):
source for your website or blog.
So let's dive in and unlock thesecrets of Pinterest traffic in
the post re pin gate era,Pinterest pitfalls and power
moves.
Why Pinterest many digitalmarketers and content creators
grapple with this, especially ina world dominated by flashy
social media.
(03:55):
But savvy marketers know asecret.
Pinterest isn't just a socialmedia site.
It's a powerful visual searchengine.
It can drive targeted traffic toyour site.
While many mistake Pinterest forjust another social network, its
true power lies in its searchfunctionality.
Unlike other platforms,Pinterest pins last, they can
drive traffic for months or evenyears after posting.
(04:18):
It's a platform where userssearch for ideas, products, and
solutions.
It's a goldmine for businessesand creators who can use it
well, this is where PinterestSEO comes into play.
Just as you'd optimize yourwebsite for Google.
Do the same for Pinterest.
It can greatly boost yourvisibility and reach by using
Pinterest SEO strategies.
(04:39):
You're not just throwing contentinto the void.
You're positioning yourself tobe found by users seeking what
you offer.
Mastering Pinterest, SEO is amust.
It's the key to its true poweras a traffic driving powerhouse.
Before we discuss what works,let's address the elephant in
the room.
The common mistakes that manyPinterest users still make.
(05:02):
These missteps can sabotage yourefforts before you even get
started.
Relying too heavily on reins.
Remember when re-pinning was theholy grail of Pinterest
strategy?
Those days are long gone.
Many users still clinging to theoutdated belief that re-pinning
their content across multipleboards is the key to success.
(05:22):
This approach can now harm youraccount triggering Pinterest
spam filters and reducing youroverall reach.
Ignoring third party content.
Some users have overreacted tothe algorithm changes.
They have now abandoned allthird party content.
This is like trying to build athriving community by talking
only to yourself.
(05:43):
Pinterest no longer requires youto pin others' content, but
adding some high quality thirdparty pins can boost your
content's visibility.
Focusing solely on creating newpins, creating fresh content is
crucial, but some users haveinterpreted this to mean they
must churn out dozens of newpins daily.
This approach often leads toburnout and a decrease in pin
(06:05):
quality.
Quality trumps quantity in thenew Pinterest landscape.
The new rules of Pinteresttraffic.
Now that we've clarified whatnot to do, let's focus on the
new rules governing Pinterest.
Traffic fresh content doesn'tnecessarily mean brand new blog
post or products.
Pinterest defines fresh contentas new pin images, even if they
(06:28):
link to existing content on yoursite.
Creating new pin designs allowsyou to breathe new life into old
blog posts.
It's not about reinventing thewheel, but rather presenting it
in fresh, engaging ways in therace to create fresh content.
Quality often takes a backseat.
However, Pinterest algorithm issophisticated enough to
recognize and prioritize highquality pins.
(06:51):
This means clear.
Visually appealing images,compelling titles, and value
added descriptions.
Think of each pin as a minibillboard for your content.
It needs to stop scrollers intheir tracks and compel them to
click.
Pinterest no longer requiressharing others' content, but
using high quality third partypins can boost your account's
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performance.
It's all about creating a rich,diverse Pinterest presence that
provides value to yourfollowers.
Beyond just your own content.
Think of it as curating anengaging varied museum exhibit
rather than a one artist show.
By understanding and applyingthese new rules, you are setting
the stage for Pinterest success.
(07:34):
In the next section, we'llexplain how to implement these
principles in a step-by-stepguide to mastering Pinterest
traffic, Pinterest successblueprint, your step-by-step
guide.
Now that we've addressed commonmistakes and new rules, it's
time to roll up our sleeves andget to work.
Let's explore your roadmap toPinterest success in five
(07:55):
actionable steps.
Step one, optimize yourPinterest profile.
Begin by choosing a clearkeyword, rich username
representing your brand orniche.
Craft an engaging bio thatintroduces you and incorporates
your niche in target keywords.
Use a high quality profilepicture.
Use your business logo or aprofessional headshot for
(08:16):
personal brands.
Create board covers that alignwith your brand aesthetic to
give your profile a cohesive andprofessional look.
Think of your Pinterest profileas a storefront on a bustling
digital street.
Like a great shop window.
An optimized Pinterest profileattracts passersby.
It entices them to follow andbuy.
(08:38):
Your username is your storesign.
Your bio is the window display,and your boards are the
carefully curated productsections.
Make each element count.
Your profile is your firstimpression to attract your ideal
audience.
Make it clear, professional, andaligned with your brand.
Step two.
Create fresh contentconsistently.
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Aim to create five to 10 freshpins daily to keep your content
stream active.
Vary your pin designs whilemaintaining brand consistency to
keep your audience engaged,repurpose existing content,
create new images anddescriptions.
This will maximize your contentsreach.
Consider using a scheduling toolto maintain consistency without
burning out.
(09:19):
A 2022 study from the Universityof Texas found that websites
updating content at least threetimes a week saw a 50% increase
in organic traffic.
This was compared to sites thatupdated less often.
The same principle applies toPinterest.
Fresh content signals to thealgorithm that your account is
active and valuable.
Consistency is king.
(09:41):
Regular fresh content keeps youraccount visible and engaging to
the Pinterest algorithm and youraudience.
Step three, leverage third partycontent Strategically save high
ranking pins in your niche torelevant boards to boost your
accounts overall relevance.
Pin directly from websites, notreins on Pinterest.
This will diversify yourcontent.
(10:03):
Use third party content to primeseasonal boards.
Then add your own content tocreate a better resource for
your followers.
Aim to maintain a ratio of about80% of your content to 20% of
third party content in nature.
Symbiotic relationships benefitall parties involved.
Similarly, strategicallyincorporating third party
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content can boost your own pin'svisibility.
It's about creating a rich,diverse Pinterest ecosystem that
provides value beyond just yourown content.
Third party content isn't yourenemy.
It's a powerful ally when usedstrategically.
Step four, master Pinterest,SEO.
Use keyword rich titles anddescriptions for your pins and
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boards to improve searchability.
Incorporate relevant keywordsnaturally into your pen text
overlays to enhance theirdiscoverability.
Create board titles that alignwith common search terms in your
niche to attract your targetaudience.
Utilize Pinterest's guidedsearch feature to discover
popular keywords and stay on topof trending topics.
(11:07):
Pinterest is a search enginefirst social media platform.
Second, treat it as such andyou'll see your traffic Soar.
Says Pinterest expert KOL ofSimple Pin Media.
This quote underscores thecritical importance of SEO on
Pinterest.
SEO isn't just for Google.
Mastering Pinterest, SEO candramatically increase your
content's discoverability.
(11:28):
Step five, engage with thePinterest community.
Reply to comments on your pins.
This builds community andencourages more engagement.
Join and participate in relevantgroup boards to expand your
reach and connect withlike-minded creators.
Collaborate with other creatorsin your niche to cross pollinate
audiences and gain newfollowers.
(11:50):
Use Pinterest native featureslike story pins to boost
engagement and show yourpersonality.
Consider the story of Foodblogger Sally McKinney.
After she engaged with herPinterest community, her page
views soared.
They jumped from 50,000 to over5 million in 18 months.
She did this by responding tocomments, joining group boards,
(12:13):
and collaborating with fellowfood bloggers.
Pinterest isn't just a place topost content.
It's a community.
Engage with that community tobuild relationships and boost
your visibility by followingthese five steps consistently.
You'll be well on your way toPinterest success.
Stay patient, stay consistent,and watch your traffic grow.
(12:34):
Today's exercise, today'sPinterest quick win exercise.
Let's supercharge your Pinterestpresence with a few simple
actions you can complete today.
This exercise is designed toboost your account immediately
without overwhelming you.
Feel free to tackle these tasksat your own pace.
The goal is to complete them bythe end of the day, one keyword
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discovery.
Go to Pinterest and type in yourmain niche topic.
Write down the first five to 10suggested search terms that
appear.
These are golden nuggets foryour Pinterest strategy.
Two, fresh pin creation.
Choose one of your most popularblog posts or products using
Canva or your preferred designtool.
Create a new pin image for it.
(13:18):
Incorporate one of the keywordsyou just discovered into the
pin's text overlay.
This fresh content will signalto Pinterest that your account
is active and valuable.
Three strategic third party pin.
Search for a high performing pinin your niche using one of your
newly found keywords.
Save this pin to one of yourrelevant boards.
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Remember to save directly fromthe source website.
Not from within Pinterest.
This action helps buildconnections between your content
and popular pins in your niche.
Four.
Optimize an existing pin.
Select one of your existing pinsand give its description a
makeover.
Rewrite it naturallyincorporating two to three of
your newly found keywords.
(14:01):
The simple update can breathenew life into older content.
Five.
Quick engagement.
Find and comment on two to threepins in your niche.
Make your comments thoughtfuland add value to the
conversation.
This small act of engagement canincrease your visibility within
the Pinterest community.
Completing these tasks will helpyou improve your Pinterest
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presence.
You've optimized for keywords,created new content, engaged
with your community, and usedthird party content.
All are key to a successfulPinterest strategy.
Remember, consistency is key onPinterest.
Try to incorporate similaroptimization activities into
your routine regularly.
Even small, consistent effortscan significantly improve your
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Pinterest performance over time.
Key takeaways.
Pinterest is still a valuabletraffic source when used
correctly.
Focus on consistently creatingfresh, high quality content.
Balance your own content withstrategic use of third party
pins.