Top 5 Ways to Increase your Pinterest Followers

Using Pinterest can be a lot of fun, but it can also be a little frustrating if you are just getting started (or have been there a while) with few to no followers. There are a few tricks. However, that can bring some more traffic your way that doesn’t involve begging, pleading, or groveling. Curious? Here’s are the top five ways to increase your following on Pinterest.

Tip #1: Use Tools

If you run a blog or website already (and who doesn’t?), one of the easiest ways to get some of that traffic over to your Pinterest page is by adding the Pinterest follow button. To create such a button, all you have to do is use Pinterest’s widget builder, copy and paste, and that is all you need to do. People who are already fans of your website will be more than happy to follow your Pinterest, especially if you make it easy for them to do so. If you want to give them a taste of what your Pinterest page is all about, go for the profile widget instead. The profile widget allows visitors to your website to preview some of your pins. All it takes is a glimpse for most people to decide if your page is worth their while, so make it meaningful.

Tip #2: Make Your Voice Heard

Did your mom ever tell you that you have to be a friend to get a friend? This advice also holds true on Pinterest. Look around a bit, and make sure to add your comments to your favorite pins. Just like on Facebook, blogs, and Twitter, people are more likely to follow you if you follow them and post comments or questions. Not just any comment, however, is good enough; make it meaningful and show that you have something to say. A good way to get out there is to find the most popular pins on Pinterest by doing a simple search and leave your comments on as many of them as you can. Voila – you’re instantly putting yourself out there.

Tip #3: Stay Busy

Some of the most popular Pinterest pages have a ton of pins, and you should follow suit. People like things that are frequently updated, because it shows that you care and keeps them from getting bored with your page. Pinterest also “likes” busy posters, so if you post a lot of content that is meaningful, unique, and related to a certain topic, then Pinterest will be more likely to recommend your page to other Pinterest users. Remember that the internet age is fast paced, and you must be quick to the helm if you want to keep people’s interests.

Tip #4: Use Social Networks

You have spent years amassing a following on Facebook – why not use it? You can link all of your social media sites together so that people can easily find you on Pinterest, as well. To get things moving a little faster, work in reverse by following your friends from Facebook on Pinterest. Look through their pages and comment on pins that speak to you. Ask questions. Make connections. Follow anyone and everyone that piques your interest. Doing so will not only give you great ideas, but it will also spark others to follow you (which is what you are going for).

Tip #5: Limit Your Images

Limiting images may sound a bit counterintuitive, but it’s true: if you want a lot of followers, don’t use Pinterest as a self-promotion site. That is not the purpose of Pinterest. Save all that stuff for Instagram or Facebook. The entire purpose of Pinterest is to find images that speak to you and assemble them in a meaningful way. These pages are curated pages, an assembly of all of your favorite things in image format. Yes, there are times that you may want to add an image or two of your own – say if you are creating a gardening page and have a beautiful shot of this year’s miniature rose bush – but don’t make it all about you. Talking only about yourself can be a turn off to people, especially those who don’t know you well.

If you follow these five simple tips for Pinterest social media marketing, you will be well on your way to building up your list of followers. Remember that this is social media, and people who post here love the interaction. Create pages, connect with others, be consistent in your postings, and you will be in good shape.