It’s time for some blogging advice! This installment of Blog Advice from The Little Hen House has to do with using Pinterest to promote your blog. If you haven’t heard of Pinterest before, head over there and check it out. It’s a really cool concept that a ton of bloggers are utilizing. Not only that, but there are a ton of pretty shiny things to get distracted by, and who doesn’t love that?
Warning: With Pinterest, there is some serious time-suckage hidden around every corner, or as I like to say, “Pinning is the new crack.” I just wanted to make sure you know what you are getting yourselves into.
This whole Pinterest thing is fairly new to me, and I hadn’t really considered it a tool for my blog….. Until I started getting traffic from it.
Did any of you catch my cake pop tutorial? It’s one of the most read posts here at The Little Hen House and I recently started getting at ton of traffic to the post from Pinterest. After a little investigation, I discovered that some Pinterest users had pinned my cake pop photos onto their Pinterest boards, and that is what was driving traffic to my site.
You see, on Pinterest, when a user clicks on an image (like my cake pop photo), it takes them to the original site it came from (ie: The Little Hen House).
Well, that got my wheels turning and I said to myself, “Maybe I can pin the images off my own blog onto my own Pinterest boards to help promote The Little Hen House.” And so I did.
And you know what? It totally worked!
I could go on an on about the importance of using stimulating visual imagery on your blog posts, about how social media outlets (like Pinterest) make it easier to build your “brand”, but you are all blogging goddesses and I would just be preaching to the choir.
But…. If you want to use Pinterest as a tool for your blog, but don’t know how, here are four tips to help get you started:
- Start by pinning your most “useful” posts. For example, I have a Pinterest board titled “Basic HTML Tutorials for Your Blog” where I have pinned the HTML tutorials I have written for The Little Hen House. FYI- I pin the main image (which is why it’s important to use stimulating imagery in your posts), which will lead readers to my blog when they click on the picture. So, if you write photography tutorials, recipes, or crafts, start pinning!
- Next, start pinning your posts that have the most beautiful images. I put a lot of time and effort into the photos I used in my cake pop tutorial and it totally paid off. Now is the time to brush up on those photography skills and get your blog looking beautiful.
- Finally, start pinning images that inspire you. Your readers love your blog for a variety of reasons, but mostly because they love you! Pinterest is a fabulous way to share ideas with your readers and fellow bloggers, and it’s a great way to get to know someone. You can tweet your pins or post them on Facebook, which is a great tool for inspiring engagement and interaction. Try it- you’ll see.
**A few words of advice: Read Pinterest’s copyright information carefully. You are responsible for making sure the content you pin does not violate copyright infringement laws. I’m no expert, but it’s something to consider.
Happy pinning and good luck on your Pinterest adventures!
PS: You can follow me on Pinterest here. *wink, wink*
Oh! And you can also catch the rest of my blogging tutorials and advice here.
48 comments
I knew it wasn't just ego when I started pinning my own food pictures from when I do recipe posts! (okay maybe a little, I thought ah, how pretty!)
I haven't really included information on the pin though, I should go back and do that.
Thanks for the advice!
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
August 16th, 2011 at 1:28 am
Ego??? Girlfriend, we are bloggers!
You don't have to include the URL info on the pin, as the image will take the viewer to your URL, but it certainly won't hurt to add it! Good luck. xoxo
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
August 16th, 2011 at 1:28 am
Ego??? Girlfriend, we are bloggers!
You don't have to include the URL info on the pin, as the image will take the viewer to your URL, but it certainly won't hurt to add it! Good luck. xoxo
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Great tips, Morgan! I hadn't thought about pinning my own stuff.
Now, to take better pictures…
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
August 16th, 2011 at 1:29 am
That's the tough part. You can also check out Creative Commons. You can do a google image/flicker search through the site and they will filter out the images that aren't licensed for reuse. It's slim pickings, but sometimes you can find good ones. Good luck!
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
August 16th, 2011 at 1:29 am
That's the tough part. You can also check out Creative Commons. You can do a google image/flicker search through the site and they will filter out the images that aren't licensed for reuse. It's slim pickings, but sometimes you can find good ones. Good luck!
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Great tips, I hadn't thought of doing this. I love pinning and will have to look through my posts for ones that are pinterest-worthy.
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
August 16th, 2011 at 1:34 am
You definitely have great ones! I could even see you creating a board dedicated to Hadley that is a combination of posts and meaningful phrases. The way you write about your daughter is so touching and maybe it will create an opportunity for another person in a similar situation to connect with you. xo
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
August 16th, 2011 at 1:34 am
You definitely have great ones! I could even see you creating a board dedicated to Hadley that is a combination of posts and meaningful phrases. The way you write about your daughter is so touching and maybe it will create an opportunity for another person in a similar situation to connect with you. xo
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OK, i sadly have lots of followers on this and ONE pin.
i need you to walk me thro getting the actual pin task bar thingy up there to drag stuff too! #notechnical #quitehopeless
Your cake pops rock!
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
August 16th, 2011 at 1:34 am
I was scared of installing the pin on my toolbar too! I can't tell you how I did it, but I do know that it was A LOT easier than I had expected. Just go for it!
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
August 16th, 2011 at 1:34 am
I was scared of installing the pin on my toolbar too! I can't tell you how I did it, but I do know that it was A LOT easier than I had expected. Just go for it!
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oooh, I just got hooked on Pinterest…and I really need to curb my appetite for the quotes page.
I am following you now.
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
August 16th, 2011 at 1:35 am
Yay! I'll go follow you back.
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
August 16th, 2011 at 1:35 am
Yay! I'll go follow you back.
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Good grief! How did I not think of this before!? Brilliant!
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
August 16th, 2011 at 1:36 am
It seriously did not cross my mind until I started getting traffic to that cake pop post. It makes so much sense now! Glad I could share the information with you!
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
August 16th, 2011 at 1:36 am
It seriously did not cross my mind until I started getting traffic to that cake pop post. It makes so much sense now! Glad I could share the information with you!
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I feel duped! There's a waiting list to get an invite to join! What is THAT?! *sobs*
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
August 16th, 2011 at 1:36 am
Don't worry. You'll get an invite very soon. They are still in beta, which slows things down a bit over there.
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
August 16th, 2011 at 1:36 am
Don't worry. You'll get an invite very soon. They are still in beta, which slows things down a bit over there.
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Great post! I had already had the same lightbulb moment when I realized that I could post the entree images I take for my She Eats foodie series and pin them. And then last week, someone else pinned one too! It actually made me a little giddy.
I'll have to scroll back through some old posts that I think could be helpful and look into pinning those too. I wrote one back in March about car seat safety and what changed my mind about extended rear-facing. It's one of my most popular posts, so I'd love to someone pin it, but I'm not sure I included an image with it.
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
August 16th, 2011 at 1:39 am
If you didn't include an image for it, try doing a search through Creative Commons. They will filter out the images that can't be used for pinning. It can be hard to find great ones through there, but every once in a while they will have something great. Just go back into the old post and add a photo. There are tons and tons of boards on Pinterest dedicated to helpful tutorials and tips, so your car seat one sounds like a great fit. Good luck!
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
August 16th, 2011 at 1:39 am
If you didn't include an image for it, try doing a search through Creative Commons. They will filter out the images that can't be used for pinning. It can be hard to find great ones through there, but every once in a while they will have something great. Just go back into the old post and add a photo. There are tons and tons of boards on Pinterest dedicated to helpful tutorials and tips, so your car seat one sounds like a great fit. Good luck!
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I adore Pinterest! I have a board featuring all the blogs I like to read. You may or may not be on it.
It's a great tool.
I saw your new headshot there, BTW. Gorg!
Great advice.
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
August 16th, 2011 at 3:52 am
I love the idea of using it as a blog roll Tonya! I'm totally going to copy you. And you may or may not be on it.
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
August 16th, 2011 at 3:52 am
I love the idea of using it as a blog roll Tonya! I'm totally going to copy you. And you may or may not be on it.
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I don't know if you're absolutely brilliant or insane. But where you lead, I shall follow. Unless its to facebook.
BTW, I've LOVED your boards and now, now I shall take the leap. My boss is gonna kill me!
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
August 16th, 2011 at 3:53 am
Oh gurllll. I am SO bad at Facebook. It's so boring!
Can't wait to follow your boards to see what weird stuff you put up there. lol.
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
August 16th, 2011 at 3:53 am
Oh gurllll. I am SO bad at Facebook. It's so boring!
Can't wait to follow your boards to see what weird stuff you put up there. lol.
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Well, aren't you smart?! And clever…and yes, Pinterest is quite the time suck. But so fun.
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
August 16th, 2011 at 3:53 am
So much fun! I only allow myself to peruse it in 5 minute increments. It just gets to be too much and then I feel like my head is going to explode.
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
August 16th, 2011 at 3:53 am
So much fun! I only allow myself to peruse it in 5 minute increments. It just gets to be too much and then I feel like my head is going to explode.
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I would have totally not thought of that. Also, your cake pops look amazing that's why they get so much traffic. =)
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Love, love, love this Morgan and can't wait to take your advice and do this with my recipes and blog tips. Thanks for sharing
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This is so timely! Just like you, I noticed I started getting traffic from Pinterest last weekend. So I went on and saw one of my photos/recipes pinned. I had the exact same thought about pinning my blog post photos. So that's what I've been doing. It's a great new way to promote blogs. Thanks for the tips!
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OH MY!! I just got started on Twitter and I'm trying to figure all that out. I will keep this in my back pocket for when I'm brave enough to try it!
Thanks for all the great suggestions!
Hopes@Staying Afloat recently posted..Mourning You
Hopes@Staying Afloat recently posted..Mourning You
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I just stumbled this! Amazing info, Morgan!
I have been followed on Pinterest but don't have a single thing pinned. I couldn't get the thingy added to my browser to start pinning!
liz recently posted..How to Tie a Shoe: A Primer
liz recently posted..How to Tie a Shoe: A Primer
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I just started using Pinterest and I totally get the crack refrence! I never thought to pin images from my blog. Great tip!
I'm also following you on Pinterest
Evonne recently posted..The Beast
Evonne recently posted..The Beast
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I would just like to add the people should pin the post, not the picture and the main page. It is really annoying to click a pin for more info and get a main page and have to hunt for it. I tend to close the window and delete the pin, if I repinned it.
Amy @ babybabylemon recently posted..How to Make Sparkling Summer Lemonade
Amy @ babybabylemon recently posted..How to Make Sparkling Summer Lemonade
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I love Pinterest and this is such a fantastic idea! Thank you!!
Dana Brennan ~My 3 l recently posted..Back to reality…and a Juicy deal
Dana Brennan ~My 3 l recently posted..Back to reality…and a Juicy deal
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I was so tickled the first time I saw something from my blog pinned on Pinterest; I did a Happy Dance in my living room and Hubs thought I was nuts, but that's okay. :> I just headed over to Pinterest and followed you & all your boards! If you want, you can find me at: http://pinterest.com/timecrafted/ I came here tonight, by way of Natalie's Monster Likes weekly post wrap up, so glad I did! :>
Karen @ Time Crafted recently posted..Home
Karen @ Time Crafted recently posted..Home
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Great post, Morgan. I've followed you on Pinterest and Facebook. I'm definitely going to work on pinning my posts.
Brianna recently posted..the end of summer
Brianna recently posted..the end of summer
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Dang it, Morgan! I was avoiding Pinterest because I KNOW it will be a huge time suck. I have no self-control. But this is a perfect reason to get into it. Especially since I started my Etsy shop. Sigh… Thanks for the tip!
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
September 12th, 2011 at 9:55 am
It's the perfect tool for your Etsy shop! Good luck!
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thelittlehenhouse Reply:
September 12th, 2011 at 9:55 am
It's the perfect tool for your Etsy shop! Good luck!
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The point of Pinterest is *not* for self promotion. (just look in the "Pin Etiquette" under their about page… http://pinterest.com/about/etiquette/) The point is to pin things that you will remember and find helpful. I wish that people would remember this and not start pinning their own articles all the time. Ugh.
Julie recently posted..#PinterestChallenge: Week 1 Link-up…
Julie recently posted..#PinterestChallenge: Week 1 Link-up…
[Reply]
thelittlehenhouse Reply:
September 12th, 2011 at 9:53 am
It also states, "If there is a photo or project you’re proud of, pin away!" I imagine that those of us pinning our posts are proud of our work. And those who are just using the tool for promotion and pinning everything doesn't worry me because if the content attached to the pin isn't high quality then it's not going to get repinned, and repinning is the only way the content gets circulated. A blogger can pin away, but if it doesn't get repinned then it just sits on the board. Pinterest is quickly becoming a promotion tool and I think it actually eliminates the crap content because only the best of the best continually repinned.
[Reply]
thelittlehenhouse Reply:
September 12th, 2011 at 9:53 am
It also states, "If there is a photo or project you’re proud of, pin away!" I imagine that those of us pinning our posts are proud of our work. And those who are just using the tool for promotion and pinning everything doesn't worry me because if the content attached to the pin isn't high quality then it's not going to get repinned, and repinning is the only way the content gets circulated. A blogger can pin away, but if it doesn't get repinned then it just sits on the board. Pinterest is quickly becoming a promotion tool and I think it actually eliminates the crap content because only the best of the best continually repinned.
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Thanks, I'll have to check this out.
JamericanSpice recently posted..Aye! Aye! Aye! – 4Ms
JamericanSpice recently posted..Aye! Aye! Aye! – 4Ms
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Totally love your blog and this post. I, too, am a Pinaholic! It really is addicting.
But when we can turn an addiction into more views for our blog, or more sales for our Etsy shop, then we've hit the jackpot! I pinned an item from my Etsy shop one day and one week later it has over 300 views and I've sold 2 with a question about making custom pieces too.
Pinterest is not only fun, it's a fabulous marketing tool!
thank you for your post!
Stefani recently posted..Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere
Stefani recently posted..Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere
[Reply]
OMGoodness! I am learning all kinds of stuff from your blog. I am so glad I found it. I read your 'cake pop tutorial', and I love it. I am going to have to try those. Thanks!
Angela recently posted..Grandmother Another Word For Love
Angela recently posted..Grandmother Another Word For Love
[Reply]
Hi there!
First – LOVE your blog! a friend directed me to this pinterest post as I've decided that, as a blogger I can no longer avoid it! But I'm stymied as to how to use it for promoting my site (and, frankly, didn't think I could!). This was very helpfu (and funny!) – looking forward to getting to "know" you!
sheri recently posted..all the young dudes
sheri recently posted..all the young dudes
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Wow thanks for the great information about Pinterest
I love that site, I can spend hours on there repinning good ideas, and I love that I can pin it, and come back to it, and I use it similarly to bookmarking but with great pics!! I have found so many great ideas for crafts to do with my kids from other moms. Pinterest is awesome, and your tips are great! Love your blog.
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This blog post is AWESOME and extremely helpful, as I am looking to revamp my blog and expand out! Thanks so much!
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I have been trying to promote Amazon products through Pinterest but I am not able to get through. Can somebody help me?
taekwondo training videos Lake Mary, Florida recently posted..Taekwondo at India Fest 2012
taekwondo training videos Lake Mary, Florida recently posted..Taekwondo at India Fest 2012
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