Creating a standout Pinterest pin image isn’t always the easiest task,  but with just a few tips, your pins will be on their way to looking better and better while standing out in the Pinterest feed!

Simple Design Mistakes to Avoid When Designing a Pinterest Pin Image

One of the easiest ways to learn how to design a better Pinterest pin image is to know what NOT to do! I’ve put together 12 Pinterest pin design mistakes that are easy to fix now and avoid in the future. I’m also including quick fixes for each of the mistakes so you know what to do instead!

Free Pin Design Workshop

Before we go any further, we need to pause for a second and talk about the actual design of the pins you create. If your pins don’t look good, none of the rest of this matters as much.

I love this element of a Pinterest strategy SO MUCH, that I’ve created a free on-demand Pin Design Workshop just for you!

If you’re ready to go from pin design shame to pin design gain, this training is going to put you on the fast track to creating beautiful pins for all of your content, that actually convert. Click right here to register and the on-demand workshop will be sent to you immediately! (No waiting for a specific time that you can’t commit to.) 

Alright, now that you know that your pin design is crucial, and you’ve hopefully signed up for the free workshop, let’s dig in.

Not Enough Contrast

Contrast is a way to create interest and catch someone’s attention. If your pins don’t have that attention-grabbing tendency, your viewers are going to scroll right past. You’ll be lost in the sea of 1000’s of other pins.

You can create contrast within your Pinterest pins in a variety of ways, but the best and most effective contrast combines different size characteristics, shape, color, and space.

Quick Fix: Try adding a pop of color to something you want to stand out. Make some of your text much larger than the rest. Use a fancy display font among a plain sans serif font. There are so many combinations you can apply to your pins that will stop your viewers dead in their tracks.

Using Script Fonts Incorrectly

So many pins utilize script fonts nowadays, but so many people are misusing them!

If you choose to use a script font in your Pinterest pins, NEVER use them in all caps. They were not intended to be used like this. Also, make sure the spacing between the letters is on-point.

Script fonts are meant to be connected, like cursive handwritten letters. If there is too much space in between the letters, the entire word looks disjointed.

Quick fix: When using a script font, use lowercase letters (unless of course, you need to capitalize for a title or heading) And, watch the spacing between each letter to make sure they are connected as the font usage intends.

For a peek into my super simple and straightforward Pinterest pin design process, be sure to sign up for my free on-demand pin design workshop!

Placing Elements Too Close to The Edge

So many people break this rule! Be mindful of the edge of your document. You don’t want to place text, elements or images (unless you are using an image as an entire background) too close to the edge of your pin. This makes your pin look very unstable as if things are going to start falling off of the edges.

Quick Fix: Keep a 1/4″ margin around all edges of your pins. Unless it is a background image, do not place any element within this safe zone.

Note: Sometimes, text and elements can be intentionally placed off of the edge of a pin or document. Professionals can achieve this. Beginner designers should not attempt this unless they are 110% certain they can pull it off.

Adding Elements Just For the Heck of it

Many pins have unnecessary design elements placed here and there like little bugs on a page. Most of the time, this is because beginner designers feel like they need to add things to make a layout feel “designed”.

The truth is, simpler is better. Don’t just add swirls, shapes or other random elements to take up space or because you feel like your design needs something more.

Quick Tip: Keep it simple! Add only the necessities to your pin; you don’t have a ton of space to work with anyways. Essentials include a background image, a title/header, a subheader, a quick call to action and your URL.

The best pins stick with these core elements. Those are the ones that stand out most in the feed. People will look right past a cluttered pin.

Spacing That is Off

Another common Pinterest pin design mistake is when the spacing is off between elements. I see a lot of pins that have the headline split on the top and bottom of the pin in a way that doesn’t make sense.

You have less than a second to catch your viewer’s attention and if they have to even put more than an ounce of thought into reading your pin… Well, they won’t.

Quick Tip: Keep related text and elements near each other. Unrelated elements are going to need a bit more space between them. This way, your message is much more clear to your viewer. It’s also easier to digest and understand making your pin more likely to be clicked on.

Misaligned Text

This is probably the most common mistake I see on Pinterest. I’d say 40% of pins have alignment issues, mainly with text. Always keep your text aligned to an invisible line down the center, left, or right of all stacked text. Elements placed on horizontally should be aligned to the top, middle or bottom of all elements.

If you are using Canva, it can be hard to keep your text aligned properly because there are no guides that seem usable. Read on for a workaround.

All of the images above could lead to exceptional content, but the images say otherwise. They are sloppy and far from exceptional.

Quick Tip: Temporarily use a line from the element library of Canva to make sure your text or elements are correctly aligned. Keep things aligned to an edge of the document, or to other elements within your layout.

Once you master basic alignment, you can play around with mixed alignment. This is when you have (unrelated) elements aligned differently within your design.

Too Small Fonts

Keep in mind that most people are browsing and pinning on Pinterest from their phones. They’re in the waiting room of a doctor’s office, or if they’re anything like me, they might be hiding from their children in the bathroom on an extended “potty break”.

That being said, make sure your fonts are not only large enough to be read on a small screen but legible as well. Keep your headings large and your subheadings or secondary text big enough to read.

Quick tip: Check out the pin from your own phone, or try reading the pin on your monitor screen from across the room. If you struggle AT ALL to read it, try something else. You want your pins to be quickly and easily read. You don’t want to make people squint their eyes to see what you have to say. They won’t do it.

No Visual Hierarchy

Hierarchy is a design term that basically means making things more important than others within a layout. It’s important because it helps your viewers know where to look first, second and third. Many pins don’t take advantage of this simple design hack that can really help your pins stand out in the feed. Similar to contrast, size, shape, color, and space can help you create hierarchy within your Pinterest pin designs. Especially if you can effectively draw attention to keywords, your audience may be searching for.

Quick Tip: Before you start designing, assess what you have to work with. What is the most important part of your message? What keywords might someone be searching for that you could put a focus on?

Overused Stock Photos

With all of the free stock photo sites around, it’s not a surprise to see multiple pins with the same image Whatever you do, don’t use these photos even if it’s the last photo on earth. You don’t want to risk looking exactly like someone else.

Quick Tip: Invest in some stock photos if you can afford them. My favorite stock photo sites are PixiStock and IvoryMix.  You can also find a large variety of different stock photo bundles at Creative Market.

If you can’t afford them just yet, be very choosy with free ones. Don’t settle on the first image you see. Look for images that will convey some emotion within your audience. Just because your post is about travel, doesn’t mean you have to use an image of an airplane. Search for things like “packing list”, “suitcase”, “windy road”, “sunset”  etc.

Once you find that perfect stock photo, here are 11 creative ways you can use it!

Bad Color Choices and/or Clashing Colors

Choosing and using colors can be a hit or miss situation when you don’t have any design knowledge about them! Did you know that there is a science behind using and combining them? Different colors evoke different emotions; you want to make sure your pins colors don’t confuse your audience.

Here’s an example: reds are a great color to use for danger, anger and if done right, romance. You’d want to stay away from red if you were designing a pin about organizing or getting a newborn baby to sleep!

Quick Tip: Play it safe! Familiarize yourself with basic color psychology. There’s an entire lesson on choosing, using and combining colors in The Blogger’s Design Primer. 

Use Paletton.com to find complementary colors or a tool like the Colorzilla browser extension to pull specific colors directly from your image.

CTA in the Wrong Spot

You know your pins should have an enticing call-to-action that gets viewers to take action – but where do you put it? Most pinners place it where ever it fits.

Since your CTA holds a tremendous responsibility, it’s important to put it in the most effective place instead. Where is that you ask? It’s in the bottom right corner of your pin. We are trained to skim both text and images in a “Z” pattern, which means the last place your viewer’s eyes hits is that magical bottom right corner.

Quick Tip: Keep the last quarter of your Pinterest pin image reserved for any call-to-action you might place there. Invest in a set of pre-designed Pinterest templates that have a designated area for your call-to-action. This will ensure you’re getting your viewers to do exactly what you want them to do at the right moment.

Not Adding Your URL to Your Pin

Should your pins all contain your URL? The short answer is yes. This is a basic step in branding your Pinterest pin images and owning that graphic. Pins get stolen all the time, and you’ll be happy your pin has your URL on it if it happens to you.

Quick Tip: Again, Pinterest pin templates to the rescue! All of the Pin templates in my shop have a permanent spot for your URL. If you are making your own, don’t forget this crucial detail!

I can’t wait to see what you create, and don’t forget to sign up for my free ON DEMAND Pin Design Workshop, The 5-Part Pin Design Formula! 

The post 12 Pinterest Pin Image Mistakes to Avoid for Professional Pins appeared first on Kristin Rappaport.

You have some blog posts, you’ve got Pinterest and you’ve played around in Canva, the free design software so many bloggers rave about. But now what

If you’re wondering how to create a pin for Pinterest and need to know more about creating Canva Pinterest templates, you’ve just hit the jackpot.

I’m about to walk you through my step-by-step process for creating Canva Pinterest templates.

And, I’m going to wow you even more with some simple design tips you can apply to your Pinterest pin designs going forward.

There are free Pinterest pin templates and a free video, too! It really can’t get any better, can it?

[disclosure]

First things first…

Why Canva for Pinterest Templates?

First things first. I don’t use Canva for creating my own graphics. I use the Adobe Suite. But, I don’t expect you to – yet, anyway.

The truth is, is that many bloggers are intimidated by Adobe programs. There are more tools than you’ll ever need and more options that you’d ever know what to do with. Canva offers a much simpler solution to creating blog graphics and visual content for your website. It’s easy to learn and more importantly, easy to use.

There is a free version of Canva and a paid version (currently $12.95.month). The paid version includes everything in the free version, but gives you the option to do things like:

• Upload custom fonts for your brand
• Have unlimited folders for your designs
• Set color palettes for your brand
• Save templates
• Resize designs into custom dimensions
• Download designs with transparent backgrounds (and more!)

My advice is to use whatever you can afford right now.

Before we go any further, we need to pause for a second and talk about how important it is to be creating really great looking pins. Wht? Because if your pins don’t look good, you’re going to have a hard time getting clicks to your website.

I love this element of a Pinterest strategy SO MUCH, that I’ve created a free on-demand Pin Design Workshop just for you!

If you’re ready to go from pin design shame to pin design gain, this training is going to put you on the fast track to creating beautiful pins for all of your content, that actually convert. Click right here to register and the on-demand workshop will be sent to you immediately! (No waiting for a specific time that you can’t commit to.) 

Alright, now that you know that your pin design is crucial, and you’ve hopefully signed up for the free workshop, let’s dig in.

How to Create Canva Pinterest Templates Video Tutorial

Creating Pinterest pin templates in Canva is simple! (I’m calling them templates because, essentially, that’s what they are. Once you create a single pin, you can then switch out the image and text to create more pins for more posts! This saves time since you aren’t reinventing the wheel every time.

Watch the video below to see a quick tutorial. Don’t stop there! The rest of the post has tons more great info including the four golden rules of pin design and some FREE Pinterest templates!

The color picker tool I mention in the video is called ColorZilla. you can download the browser extension for Chrome and Firefox right here.

I highly recommend creating your own set of templates as opposed to using the stock templates that Canva offers. Do you know how many people use Canva? Over 10 MILLION. These 10 million users all have access to the same free templates that you do. Choose to stand out with your own templates instead.

What is the Ideal Pinterest Pin Size?

Pinterest states that the ideal pin size is a 2:3 ratio. I create all of my pins at 600px 900px, which is pretty. You can make them longer if you want but they may get cut on in the feed. in her article, How to Use Pinterest, Suzi from startamomblog.com shares this interesting tidbit:

“The maximum pin size you can do is 600×1200 pixels.  However, if someone is searching for chicken recipes and there is a pin that is 600×900 and one that is 600×1200, the larger pin is taking 30% more space on your screen. For the longer pin to show up first in the results it has to have 30% more engagement than the smaller pin.

Make sense right? Basically, you have to earn the real estate space.  It makes sense to create both a 600×900 and 600×1200 pin.  And don’t be afraid to try out square pins too.”

Suzi Whitford, Start A Mom Blog

More Pin Design Tips to Help You Craft the Perfect Pin

Use an Enticing Headline

Remember, you’re not designing pins for yourself. You’re designing pins for your audience. Craft your headlines around what they may be searching for on Pinterest. Do some keyword research. Add in a few power words.

I recommend that you test out various headlines and create multiple pins for your posts. Come up with multiple headlines you can use on other pins. Once you have those headlines, make multiple pins for the same post then schedule them using Tailwind. (Pinterest LOVES when you pin new pins multiple times a week – or even daily!)

Here’s an example of multiple pins with different headlines, created for the same post:

Choose Your Image Wisely

The image you choose for your pin just might be the most powerful element you use! If you have any photography skills or are going for that “real-life” look, you can use your own. If you’re like the rest of us, you’ll find yourself scouring the internet for the perfect image.

Don’t go searching on Google for images. And, be choosy. Don’t use the first image you see. Look for more emotional images that will draw people in.

There are websites like Pixabay and Unsplash where you can find some decent free stock images. But, if you’re looking for stock photos with a bit more personality and branded look, check out websites like PixiStock or IvoryMix.

(Ivorymix is my favorite website for top-notch styled stock photography. I have the pro membership and exclusively use all of them for all of the Pinterest pin templates in my shop!)

Adding Text

Firstly, use your brand fonts if you’ve got them! If not, don’t go too crazy with different fonts. Stick to two-three fonts for the best result. Readability is super important. Remember, your viewers are sitting on their couch, waiting in the waiting room at the Dr.’s office – on their phone. Consider the font style you choose and how your viewers will relate to it.

Colors

Use your brand colors. If you don’t have a set, I’ve heard that warm colors tend to do better on Pinterest but the jury is out on that. I’ve seen black pins that are VERY eye-catching in my feed! Most importantly, use colors that make your viewers feel the feels. Add color with overlays, bits of text, or pops of color behind your text to help it stand out.

Here are a few pins from my article, 53 Pin Designs that You Can Steal that showcase a great use of color and contrast:

Color helps a ton with creating contrast. Contrast is a design principle you don’t want to ignore. It will help draw attention to your pin and help it stand out in the feed.

For a peek into my super simple and straightforward Pinterest pin design process, download my free Pin Design Roadmap.

Call to Action

People don’t know what you want them to do unless you blatantly tell them to! Use action words like “click to read more” or add a button. Add a mock-up to your freebie if you want to really drive traffic. This way, viewers will not only pin your pin but visit your website.

You’ve Designed a Pin, Now What?

Export the pin as a .jpg out of Canva. Wondering why Canva recommends a .png? I wish I knew. .Pngs are a little larger than .jpgs and you want your images to be as small as possible while still retaining their quality. So I say, stick with .jpgs.

Naming Your Image File

Your file will download to your browser window or wherever you have your downloads set to go. Canva names the file based on what you have it titled in Canva, or the first text you use on the graphic.

For optimization purposes, you’ll want to change that to something that makes sense keyword wise. Using keywords in your images is just another way to make Google happy when it comes to SEO.

For example, the pin graphic I created for this post is called “canva-pinterest-templates.jpg” because that is the keyword I’m targeting for this post. Any additional pins that I create would be named
“canva-pinterest-templates1.jpg”, “canva-pinterest-templates2.jpg” and so on.

Publishing Your Pin

Now it’s time to upload the file to your WordPress image library! Upload it there and add a shot alt description. The alt description is yet another bit of info that Google uses for SEO purposes and to see what your image is about.

The alt tag is also what appears as a pin’s description when someone pins directly from your website, so you want to write it to include keywords and be a little catchy.

How to Pin a Pin to Pinterest

Say that ten times fast! There are a few ways to pin your pin to Pinterest.

The easiest is to insert the pin image into your blog post or page. Then visit the live link and using the Pinterest browser extension, hover over your image, and pin to your board from there.

*If you want to get real fancy, you can also create a custom pin-it button that appears on all of your images on rollover! I use jQuery Pin It Button for Images.

You can also pin directly from your Media Library. I do this when I create multiple pins for a post that I don’t want to hide in the post. The big thing you have to remember when doing this is to change the URL to the right destination on your website! If not, it will just link to an image file, not your article.

Schedule Your Pin in Tailwind

Now it’s time to get your pin in front of hundreds and thousands of viewers! Tailwind is the only Pinterest approved scheduling tool and I love it! It saves me tons of time pinning both my own content and other people’s content.

Click here for a 30-day free trial.

Since I try to publish a new pin no less than four times a week, Tailwind is a HUGE time saver. All I have to do is schedule the pin and it automatically goes onto any boards I tell it to.

First, I pin it to my most relevant personal boards. Then, I pin it to the 45+ group boards I am a member of starting with the most relevant, then moving on to the boards that have the highest virality score. (Tailwind provides you TONS of stats so you know which boards are working the best for you!)

Scheduling multiple new pins a week means that my lovely pins are being pushed through Pinterest for months out!

Related: How to Quickly Create Multiple Pins.

So there you have it, how to create Canva Pinterest templates from start to finish! And, a few more tips I couldn’t leave out:) Now head over to Canva and start designing!

I can’t wait to see what you create, and don’t forget to sign up for my free ON DEMAND Pin Design Workshop, The 5-Part Pin Design Formula! 

The post How to Create Canva Pinterest Templates + Video Tutorial! appeared first on Kristin Rappaport.

Oh, the whiteness! It’s so daunting. You really don’t have time to stare at a blank document, do you?

One of the best ways to get started on your next Pinterest pin design is to get inspiration from existing pins that already work.

[disclosure]

A Pinterest Pin Design Hack You Need to Use

I’m not saying to go out and copy the first pin that you see, but there is no shame in using the general layout or design concept, adding your own image, brand fonts, and colors, and making it your own.

Why reinvent the wheel? 

I’ve talked a bit about what makes an irresistible Pinterest image and what they can do for your Pinterest strategy, but one thing I haven’t done is shown you many real examples. 

I know what looks good because I’m a designer with years of experience, but not everyone has an eye for design. 

Before we go ant further, I think it’s safe to assume that if you’re here, you’re looking for some help and inspiration for your next batch of fresh pins. Am I right? 

Well, friend, you’re in the right place RIGHT NOW! 

I’ve created a free on-demand Pin Design Workshop just for you! If you want to up-level your Pinterest strategy, this training is going to give you so much creative inspiration for creating pins that actually convert. 

And you can watch it right now! (No waiting for a specific time that you can’t commit to.) 

Alright – back to the show.

I’ve made it a goal to put my Pinterest addiction to good use and start collecting the best Pinterest pin designs I came across. Not only was it fun, but it really made me realize that good pins naturally stand out in the Pinterest feed. 

It also made me realize that there are LOTS of ugly pins floating around. Eek! 

Okay, let’s cut to the chase and get to the good part…

53 Pinterest Pin Ideas That Work

Although my Pinterest feed is filled with design and marketing related pins, I tried to gather pins from various niches to help you see a variety of good Pinterest pin design examples.

Pinterest Pin Design #1
What I like about this pin: I like how the pin shows the printable in use. It’s actually a photograph but you could recreate this pin by finding a nice background and placing a mock-up of your printable on top. Add a slight drop shadow and you’ve got yourself a beautiful pin!

Pinterest Pin Design #2
What I like about this pin: I love the bright colors used on this pin. I also really like the unique choice of font. The black bars behind a bit of the text adds a bit of contrast that my eyes are drawn to.

Pinterest Pin Design #3
What I like about this pin: Great use of stock photo. The little girl looking down automatically makes you look where she is looking, and that happens to be right at the title of the article. The word “whining” also stands out from the other text, which is good. This is a keyword and it deserves extra attention.

Pinterest Pin Design #4
What I like about this pin: I like the simple font paired with the script font in this pin. LOVE the mock-up placement and how that is displayed. The arrow adds action and you literally can’t help but look at what it is pointing to.

Pinterest Pin Design #5
What I like about this pin: The white bars behind the text really help with the readability of this pin. If they weren’t there, it wouldn’t work. I also like the three images that show a few of the workouts you can expect to find in the full article.

Pinterest Pin Design #6
What I like about this pin: I love its simplicity! Between the solid purple color and the simple sans serif font, this pin jumped off of the screen. Let’s not ignore the slight image in the background that adds just enough interest to the pin.

Pinterest Pin Design #7
What I like about this pin: Um….Glitter. Need I say more? The tilted text is also pretty eye-catching. The emphasis on the keywords “Sales funnel” jump out from the rest of the text making this pin super clickable for anyone searching for that keyword.

Pinterest Pin Design #8
What I like about this pin: The hot pink catches my eye right away! It uses a simple font that is broken up with different colors and, again, white bars behind it. The call to action is displayed nicely and the arrow makes me look at exactly what the blogger wants me to do: click the link, read the article, and subscribe to the mailing list.

Pinterest Pin Design #9
What I like about this pin: I enjoy the solid background on this pin and the use of a single font. There’s a bit of playfulness going on with the different font weights and sizes. Recreate this by finding a font family with lots of different fonts. Play with the weights to create a simple, yet eye-catching pin.

Pinterest Pin Design #10
What I like about this pin: I’m really digging the dark background of this pin. You don’t see many dark pins, so this pin jumped out at me. Compare that to the bright yellow that is used and you are bound to stop someone in their tracks. 

Pinterest Pin Design #11
What I like about this pin: The focus on #10 makes this pin something I’d click on. I already know it’s worth it to me. The light white box helps the text stand out from the busy background image making it readable but still fun.

Pinterest Pin Design #12
What I like about this pin: Even though this pin has a whopping 22 words, my eyes are drawn to the most important ones: build, email list, and crushing fans. That’s all I really need to see to feel compelled to click. Love the mockup of the cheat sheet. Adding a color bar to the bottom makes her name stand out among all of the other text. 

Pinterest Pin Design #13
What I like about this pin: The white space in the image is a perfect area to put a headline! When searching for stock photos, consider how you will use them. Most of your pins will have some amount of text on them so you need to make sure any image you choose can accommodate.

Pinterest Pin Design #14
What I like about this pin: The solid background works well in this pin. I love the dramatic black text with the white peeking out behind it. The little doodles also make the pin feel creative. If you are looking for Canva tricks, those may speak to you.

Pinterest Pin Design #15
What I like about this pin: I’m loving the contrast created by the white text on the dark background! I’m also digging the image choice and how the text balances the food and weights. 

Pinterest Pin Design #16
What I like about this pin: Most images are scanned in a “Z” pattern, and this pin puts a focus in that top left corner perfectly. I like the unique use of the hexagon and how there’s a bit of playfulness with the offset.

Pinterest Pin Design #17
What I like about this pin: Another great use of stock photography! The spoon itself is big and bold, so that caught my eye first. I can’t help but read the straight to the point, dramatic headline, either! Notice how the text fits ever so perfectly around the spoon? Pin on-point.

Pinterest Pin Design #18
What I like about this pin: The bright colors and the angle of the hot pink shape catch my eye. That shape creates a perfect little nook for the mockup of the eBook. 

Pinterest Pin Design #19
What I like about this pin: LOVE the patterned background. I’m not sure why, but the big space at the bottom does something visually for this pin. I think it might help balance the protruding circle shape at the top. Sometimes, when something looks good, you can’t always put your finger on it.

Pinterest Pin Design #20
What I like about this pin: It’s a beautiful pin that is talking about beautiful pins! SoI trust the pin 110% right off the bat. The hot pink jumps off of the light blue background and is used again to encase the URL.

Pinterest Pin Design #21
What I like about this pin: A simple and minimal pin makes sense for an article that speaks about simplifying and minimizing your closet, right? It’s light, airy and the stock image has enough white space for the title of the blog. Nothing about this pin is overwhelming, which would draw in the audience the blogger is looking for.

Pinterest Pin Design #22
What I like about this pin: Loving the chevron shape that points down to the images. I like the 6 images as well, they add a pop of color to the layout. The words “MEAL PREP” in the red helps grab attention since meal prep might be a keyword that a viewer would be searching for.

Pinterest Pin Design #23
What I like about this pin: Black does it again! Since most pins utilize brighter colors, this primarily black pin stopped me in my tracks. The little arrows give it a playful feel, which works. If you’re looking for Canva tips, you’re probably about to get creative. 

Pinterest Pin Design #24
What I like about this pin: They yellow and light pink gives an energizing feel that I like. Maybe it’s because I rarely design with yellow. What two words do you read at first glance? “DECLUTTER INBOX”. Those are the only two you really need to see to take action and click on the pin.

Pinterest Pin Design #25
What I like about this pin: Big, bold, and to the point, startamomblog.com pins are always click-worthy! The huge black number makes it so I can’t help but click. (This is an amazing article if you’re looking for blog post ideas, btw!)

Pinterest Pin Design #26
What I like about this pin: Perfect use of white space. Great use of fonts and interesting enough to intrigue me. I love the little addition of “It’s edible too!” with the arrow pointing to the ball of playdough.

Pinterest Pin Design #27
What I like about this pin: The green overlay over the background image makes a perfect canvas for the article title. The HUGE 20 caught my eye right away too. Not only does it take up most of the pin, but it’s in a funky font that works.

Pinterest Pin Design #28
What I like about this pin: The bright red in this pin catches me off guard. It’s mixed up just enough with the lighter tints used in the title. The red banner is cute too and ads a bit of visual interest. What’s not to love about that cute little elf staring at you?

Pinterest Pin Design #29
What I like about this pin: The large pink circle becomes the focal point of this pin that uses a simple background image and blocks of color to help the test stand out. The left-aligned text helps balance the pin out, too.

Pinterest Pin Design #30
What I like about this pin: Balance wins again in this bright pink pin! And, there is just something about that pink and yellow that I like. 

Pinterest Pin Design #31
What I like about this pin: Right away, I know this pin is about thread. The image fading into a solid color is a neat way to let your headline shine. A focus is put on the word “sewing” and that helps draw viewers in, who are interested in that topic.

Pinterest Pin Design #32
What I like about this pin: Fun fonts, fun colors, and fun shapes come together to make this pin uber interesting! White text on black is the epitome of contrast and this pin works it well.

Pinterest Pin Design #33
What I like about this pin: The multiple images draw me in from the get-go. I like pins that show you a sneak peek of the article, but keep in mind, they have to be great images! The gold is also a nice touch in the word “Magical”

Pinterest Pin Design #34
What I like about this pin: First, I love the script font. Second I love how it fills the entire pin. Usually, you want to keep some white space around, but in this case, it’s not necessary. Probably due to the simple black on pink colors going on. Those hearts!

Pinterest Pin Design #35
What I like about this pin: This well-balanced pin probably get’s lots of re-pins because you may not even have to click into the article. I like the colors used and I also like the numbers that go down the center. It keeps the pin aligned creatively. Lots of repetition going on in this pin!

Pinterest Pin Design #36
What I like about this pin: Simple and not at all overwhelming, even though it has a lot of text on it. It’s straight and to the point. Alignment is on point and the light blue works well on the gray background.

Pinterest Pin Design #37
What I like about this pin: Like the last two pins, this pin has a LOT of content but is organized in a way that is not at all overwhelming. The thin lines help break up each section into an easy to digest layout.

Pinterest Pin Design #39
What I like about this pin: What catches my eye first is the arrangement of the opt-ins laid over the diagonal line in a way that is in perfect balance. I also like the black bar at the bottom that draws your attention to the URL. Brand recognition win!

Pinterest Pin Design #39
What I like about this pin: The blue overlay on top of the image makes a great canvas for the simple white text. Yellow helps the important words pop and the subhead is in an italic font that makes you want to read it.

Pinterest Pin Design #40
What I like about this pin: Loving the super bright background on this pin. If you’re using an image like this, you’ll need to use a technique – like a white box – to make any text readable. Finding the perfect image is sometimes easy, but making it work for you can prove to be a challenge.

Pinterest Pin Design #41
What I like about this pin: I like everything about this pin: the colors, the black on white text, the font itself, the use of italics, and the non-obtrusive circle that holds the call to action placed ever so perfectly in its place. 

Pinterest Pin Design #42
What I like about this pin: Anyone searching for running will stop dead in their tracks at this pin. A white background gives this pin a clean feel and the alternating colors in the table keep it organized and easy to digest.

Pinterest Pin Design #43
What I like about this pin: Great use of imagery! The photo looks cozy and makes me want to jump right into that bed. Light pink accents and a cutesy script font also give the pin a warm and fuzzy feel.

Pinterest Pin Design #44
What I like about this pin: My favorite thing about this pin is the funky colors in the “#CANVALOVE”! I also like the computer and iPad mockups, which are a great way to showcase your digital offering.

Pinterest Pin Design #45
What I like about this pin: Um, can we say dramatic?! Excellent use of stock photo. Text perfectly placed on the image right where your eyes go first. Very creative!

Pinterest Pin Design #46
What I like about this pin: A fun font in a bright color draws my eyes to the keyword of the pin, “lead magnet”. I also like the pop of color behind the text that pulls the pin together. 

Pinterest Pin Design #47
What I like about this pin: Great use of space in this pin. The words ” BLOG LONGER” would be a term that catches my eye. 

Pinterest Pin Design #48
What I like about this pin: I enjoy the alternating fonts used in this pin layout. The image breaks up the text nicely, giving it the breathing room it needs to not be overwhelming. 

Pinterest  Design #49
What I like about this pin: Sometimes it’s hard to design longer pins with the common horizontal photos. I like how this pin managed them by placing the text in between to fill up that space. Colors for the fonts pulled directly from the image give this pin a pretty presentation.

Pinterest Pin Design #50
What I like about this pin: The color is what caught my attention first. That’s probably because viewers are drawn to warm colors like the pink used in this pin. The pretty picture in the background is a nice touch without being too much for 

Pinterest Pin Design #51
What I like about this pin: I love seeing the final product in use, not to mention it’s adorable! The arrangement of the images gives the pin a nice balance while providing a space for copy. 

Pinterest Pin Design #52
What I like about this pin: Loving the faded background image that is a little blurry as to not distract. The keywords are the main focal point, which is a good trick to catch browsers and make them click.

Pinterest Pin Design #53
What I like about this pin: I love that what you see is what you get in this pin that is specifically promoting a freebie! Creating pins specifically for your freebies is a good way to draw people directly into your email list. Remember, it’s not just blog posts you can make pins for!

Are you Inspired to Create Some Pins?

Phew! You made it to the end! I hope these Pinterest pin designs inspire you to design your own eye-catching pins and help you better understand the key components that make up a great Pinterest pin design.

I can’t wait to see what you create, and don’t forget to sign up for my free ON DEMAND Pin Design Workshop, The 5-Part Pin Design Formula! 

The post 53 Pinterest Pin Design Ideas That You Can Steal appeared first on Kristin Rappaport.

As a blogger, this means you are constantly evaluating your Pinterest strategy. Pinterest is always making changes to their algorithm. So, what really is the best Pinterest strategy for bloggers?

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The Best Pinterest Strategy for Bloggers

I’ve researched and read and then researched some more from reputable sources such as Pinterest itself as well as top bloggers who specialize in Pinterest. The best Pinterest strategy for bloggers and content creators boils down to one key thing:

Pin new, original content, and pin it often.

In a nutshell, Pinterest has stated that they favor content creators.. (That’s you!)

Why? Because we are the ones that make Pinterest go ’round. We fill the feed with beautiful new pins that inspire pinners all over the world. Without creators like you, Pinterest would be full of the same old content. Because of that, Pinterest wants to reward us by pushing our pins to the smart feed and showing us in search (that is, if you have a proper Pinterest keyword strategy in place).

Here are the basics of this simple Pinterest strategy for bloggers:

1. You need to be creating fresh pins! A fresh pin is considered any pin that has an original image and a new description. It can be pinned from your website or uploaded directly to Pinterest. Just make sure it is an entirely new image and description. Moving the image a few pixels doesn’t count. What will count, though, is if you zoom in to a different part of an image, show a different angle or flip the image completely.
2. You need to be pinning your new content OFTEN. How often is often? I recommend no less than three days a week. Even better if you can pin every day. This is my current strategy. I’ll admit that is a lot to keep up with, but once you have a system in place, it becomes much easier, especially if you create a month’s worth of pins at once. I’ll go over how to do that in a bit.
3. Focus on Keywords. You need to keyword these pins (in their description) and pin them to your highly relevant, keyworded boards first. Only after this can you pin to various group boards if you’re using those. . You want Pinterest to get a feel for what your pins are about.

Before we go any further, we need to pause for a second and talk about the actual design of the pins you create. If your pins don’t look good, none of the rest of this matters as much.

I love this element of a Pinterest strategy SO MUCH, that I’ve created a free on-demand Pin Design Workshop just for you!

If you’re ready to go from pin design shame to pin design gain, this training is going to put you on the fast track to creating beautiful pins for all of your content, that actually convert. Click right here to register and the on-demand workshop will be sent to you immediately! (No waiting for a specific time that you can’t commit to.) 

Alright, now that you know that your pin design is crucial, and you’ve hopefully signed up for the free workshop, let’s dig in.

What Content Can you Create New Pins For?

Blog Posts (duh!)
Create 3-5 different pins for each blog post you publish. It’s also a good idea to constantly create new pins for old blog posts. Don’t forget to focus on keywords, catching lines, and making these pins stand out in the Pinterest feed. I wrote about some Pinterest pin design tips here.

Products
Pinners come to Pinterest with the intent to purchase. Create fresh pins that showcase your product from different angles.

Landing Pages
Today, it’s easier than ever to grow your email list with Pinterest alone! Create new pins for your opt in freebies and watch your email list multiply.

Your Facebook Group
If you have a Facebook community, you can create various pins that link directly to the group.

Affiliate Products. There are lots of opportunities to make money on Pinterest just pinning. You can create pins for any affiliate you promote and use your unique link as the destination URL. Note: You need to disclose that your pin is an affiliate. You can do this by adding #affiliate to the end of your pin description.

The Next Step In a Pinterest Strategy for Bloggers

So now that you know why it’s important to any Pinterest strategy for bloggers to pin lots of new pins, and you know what content you can create those new pins for, I’m sure you are wondering how on earth you are going to keep up with creating all of those new pins. You’re probably already struggling to create one or two new pins, let alone multiple new pins for multiple pieces of content to pin multiple times a week. It’s enough to give you multiple headaches!

I don’t want you to have headaches, so I’m going to break down and share my exact process for creating lots of pins quickly and easily. For this example, I’ll show you how to create 50 brand new pins. (That’s almost TWO MONTHS of new pins!) This process will streamline any Pinterest strategy for bloggers in a quick and easy way.

How To Create 50 Pinterest Pins for Five Blog Posts in No Time!

Alright – let’s dig into my super simple process for creating lots of pins, super fast. Cause I know you’re busy!

1. First, you need to decide which content/URL you are going to pin to. Choose 5 different pieces of content. Remember, this content can a blog post, a sales/landing page, a Facebook group, an affiliate… Basically, you can create pins for anything that has a URL. Put these ten URL with their current title on a spreadsheet in Excel or Google Sheets, whatever you prefer.

2. Now, for each destination URL, I want you to come up with TWO alternate headlines for each piece of content. Think about what keywords people might be searching on Pinterest to find your content. Add in some exciting words/phrases like “Top ten”, “Epic Guide”, “Irresistible.” Throw in a number or hard fact. When I’m in a rut, sometimes, I’ll let a headline generator do the work for me. Enter your keyword and see what silly headlines it generates. There are usually a few good ones or some that can be tweaked to fit.

You should end up with ten new headlines.

3. Here is where the real time saving comes into play… The final step is to create a set, or purchase Pinterest Pin templates so you can create these pins quickly and easily from here on out.

You will save so much time with a go-to set of templates that you can quickly customize. Not only that, but you will start to stand out on Pinterest because you’re showing up as the same “brand” every time! I recommend having five templates that you can use at any time.

Here are some pin design tips I’ve written about in the past that might help you create your pins.

Creating your five templates will be the most time-consuming part, but once they are done, you can use them from here on out.

4. Once you have your five templates ready to rock, you can then start dropping in the different headlines you created for each post into each template. You will end up with 50 new pins! (5 articles x 2 new headlines each = 10 headlines. 10 Headlines x 5 Pin templates = 50 new pins!) 

Once you have your pins designed, it’s time to schedule them! I use and love Tailwind, which streamlines my pinning process even more. Pinterest themselves has even said that there is no benefit to manual pinning your pins. Save yourself loads and loads of time pinning and scheduling your new pins with Tailwind!

So that’s how to quickly create new pins (and even schedule them) to pin on Pinterest. I truly think this is an integral part of any Pinterest strategy for bloggers. I hope this helps you realize that this process doesn’t have to be time-consuming and cause you stress. Pinterest will be happy and love you for it, I promise! 

I can’t wait to see what you create, and don’t forget to sign up for my free ON DEMAND Pin Design Workshop, The 5-Part Pin Design Formula! 

The post How to Create 50 Fresh Pinterest Pins for 5 Blog Posts in No Time! appeared first on Kristin Rappaport.

It’s frustrating. The second you think you’ve got this Pinterest thing down… Algorithm change! It seems like the end of the world, doesn’t it? One day you’re on the up and the next day, your traffic has plummeted.

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a way to level out your Pinterest strategy? If you could bring up the baseline of your account metrics as a whole, you’d be able to manage the spikes and those dreaded dips that happen when Pinterest runs an update or changes the algorithm. 

[disclosure]

Is Your Pinterest Strategy Missing This Key Component?

Well, friends, I’m here to let you in on a little secret. There is a constant on Pinterest that you might not have considered.

Ready?

It’s your Pinterest Pin Design.

Have you ever considered how important it is for your pins to look good? When I say look good, what I really mean is that they need to look better than every other that shows up for your targeted keyword or in your viewer’s smart feed.

They need to be designed intentionally if you want your viewers to click.

So why exactly is the design of your pin a crucial component of your Pinterest strategy?

REAL TALK. nobody wants to pin an ugly pin. There are likely hundreds of pins that rank for the same keywords you’re attempting to rank for. You HAVE to out-design all of those other pins. Your Pinterest strategy depends on it, especially when you’re counting on other bloggers in your niche to repin your content so that it spreads like wildfire.

Free Pin Design Workshop – Save Your Seat!

I’ve created a FREE pin design workshop that you can watch RIGHT NOW! The 5-Part Pin Design Formula is a MUST-WATCH if you’re ready to up-level your Pinterest pin design and overall Pinterest strategy.

All you have to do is register for the free workshop and I’ll send it straight to your email and you can watch it right now.

Beautiful Pins are Key for Your Pinterest Strategy

Beautiful pins are the secret sauce when it comes to your pins getting noticed and clicked.

Since Pinterest accounts for a majority of most of website traffic for those who are using it, I think it’s safe to say that you better be spending some quality time working on the visual aesthetic of your pins.

Graphic design mistakes are floating all over Pinterest; don’t let your pins fall into that category of unprofessional. You are a professional in what you do – make your pins reflect that!

Your viewers determine whether or not they are going to click your pin within a matter of seconds, and it’s not always easy to ensure they do. Especially when you’re not a designer and have no idea what looks good.

The good news is, is that I wanna be your newest designer BFF who can help you design the kind of pins your viewers can’t help but click.

Alright, so while you’re waiting for the workshop to be delivered, read on for some simple pin design tips that you can put to use in your next set of fresh pins.

High Contrast
Contrast is critical when it comes to designing effective Pinterest pins. Why? Because you want things to stand out. In a sea of pins flying by in a matter of seconds, how are you going to make that finger stop swiping? Make sure your text is readable on your background image  Is Choose a readable font. Use color, shape, size, and space to create contrast within your pin. If you can make your pin stand out with contrast, you have a much better chance of being noticed, and more importantly, repinned.

Clear Message
First things first, your message better be able to be read immediately. Keep relevant text together and separate things that aren’t relevant. For example, put all of the words in your headline together, so they are read as one.

If you are using a subheading (a bit of text to give a few more details about your article) keep that near the heading. The two go together, so make sure they are somewhat close to one another.

If you have a call-to-action on your pin with an image or another element, place those together. Make sure they are far enough away from your heading so that the viewer is clear on what’s what.

In design terms, this is called proximity. Group related things together and keep groups of things far enough apart. This principle can be applied to any blog graphic or layout you create, not just Pinterest pins.

Fantastic Photos and Images
Images make up more than half of the visual interest of your Pinterest pin. Without images, your message would be prettttty boring, wouldn’t it?

Images in design are used to evoke feelings and emotions that make your viewers connect with you; so make sure you hand-pick them carefully. You want to make sure that they are high enough quality and large enough for your pin.

Invest in stock photos from a website like Creative Market. They offer six freebie design elements a week, all you have to do is sign up for their weekly mailing list and you’ll get all of the freebies right to your inbox. I love to open my inbox on Mondays to find free and usable design elements!

Related: 11 Creative Ways to Use Stock Photos in Your Blog Graphics

Great Design Aesthetic
Even if you’re not a designer, that doesn’t mean that you don’t need to follow some basic graphic design principles. Learning some basic skills can go a very long way in the professionalism of your Pinterest pin design. You don’t need to have years of design experience or extensive knowledge of design theory to produce pins that stand out and look great.

Appealing Colors
I’m sure you’ve seen an ugly pin or two in your Pinterest life. One of the most common design mistakes that I see is bad use of colors. Eek! There are certain color combinations – like red and blue, green and purple, and green and yellow – that are never a good choice. Be careful when you pair colors and always make sure they complement each other. If you have brand colors, stick with those.

If you want to dig in a little deeper into Pinterest pin design, head over here where you’ll learn more about designing irresistible Pinterest pins.

Good Design is the Key to Your Pinterest Strategy

When it comes to winning at Pinterest, consider all of the things you can do outside of your actual pinning strategy that will help you fully harness what Pinterest has to offer. The design of your pin will play a huge role in your success. Consider how you can make your pins stand out among all of the other ugly ones.  When your Pinterest strategy seems to be failing you, remember that your pin design is one major part of if that you have total control of!

I can’t wait to see what you create, and don’t forget to sign up for my free ON DEMAND Pin Design Workshop, The 5-Part Pin Design Formula! 

The post Is Your Pin Design Hurting Your Pinterest Strategy? appeared first on Kristin Rappaport.