Element 1: Switch to a Business Account

Create or convert your personal account into a business account. If converting a personal account, simply make all unrelated boards secret. Make sure to claim your website so you have the globe on your profile, learn how to here. Once verified, you can now access helpful Pinterest tools such as analytics, ads program (promoted pins), and image stats. 

Element 2: Enable Rich Pins

Enable Rich Pins when you apply with the Pinterest validator. Rich pins are an organic pin format that Pinterest uses to help pull data and provide your target audience more context. There are 4 types of Rich Pins: app, article, product, and recipe. You do not need to apply for each, it automatically extracts the information when applied. 

Pro Tip: When entering the url into the validator linked below, be sure it is not the home page, but an alternative post. 

Element 3: Brand Your Profile

Choose a profile picture that best represents the brand. A brand logo is fine or I highly recommend investing in a few professional headshots.

Pro tip: Use the same picture across all platforms, this makes your brand cohesive and recognizable. 

• Choose a name that is identical to your brand. Then add an additional few words or a tagline that helps describe your brand best. 
  • TIP: If you are trying to update your profile name on the website, you’ll notice that there is a 30 character limit for your profile name. To get around this character limit, simply update your profile name by using the Pinterest mobile app.

• Create a profile message that is simple, precise, and summarizes your business. The secret here is to include KEYWORDS (See photo below). When writing your profile description use Pinterest search engine to find 3-5 keywords that represent your brand.

• Update your banner to display your pins only. Create a banner that matches your brand either featuring posts, images or your logo.

• Be strategic with your featured boards.  Choose your top 5 best boards that Pinterest rotates on your profile for easy access for others to see, you want them to represent your brand. Click edit profile in top right corner, scroll to the bottom of the page where it’s labeled featured boards and click “edit” button. Pick your top performing boards, which should be your own.

Element 4: Optimize Your Pinterest Boards

Your personal boards are extremely important and often we can get lazy filling out all the details. Creating boards the proper way allows you to help Pinterest get more context about the pins you save there. Basically it’s your chance to SEO optimize your Pinterest profile so the algorithm can serve the right information to users. 

• Rename any boards that need specific keywording.Remember to ONLY save pins to that board that are relevant.
• Use keywords naturally in your board descriptions, DO NOT just keyword stuff.
• Make sure your boards are categorized in the right topic.
• Choose a board cover for each board that represents that specific board using one of your own pin graphics. Again, you want to highlight your own content.
• Create a board dedicated to just your business. This board hosts only your own content.
• Take a little time to audit each of your boards to ensure they are optimized. It’s worth the effort!

Step 5: Join the Right Group Boards

Pinterest is a constantly changing platform and unfortunately, group boards are not what they once were. As a result they have lost their power to drive traffic. The strategy here is to employ quality over quantity. 

When you join a board, you now share audiences and content. Pinterest uses that information to identify your brand and know how to share your content with others. Choose group boards with less contributors, highly trustworthy content, and that are relevant to your brand only. 

When evaluating your group boards, ask these questions:

• Are these boards relevant?
• How many contributors? (try to keep under 50 members or less)
• Is the board active?
• Are you getting repins?

If you answered NO to any of these, simply leave the board. Don’t put more work into a board that isn’t working for you. 

Summary:

It’s important to note that after cleaning up and optimizing your profile, you may actually see a drop in stats. Don’t freak out! It’s okay. Pinterest is simply readjusting to all the changes you have made, but all in an effort to better classify your content and reach your target audience. 

Having a fully optimized profile will help Pinterest rank your content and distribute your work accordingly. I hope this post gives you some actionable steps to take today to improve your Pinterest profile. I’m here to help so if you have any questions or comments, leave me a note below. And if you would like more information about working with a Pinterest Manager, you can reach out to me via my Work With Me Page.

Happy Pinning!

Suzie Nava