Pinterest … Money Making & Stuff

There have been a whole lots of posts flying around about Pinterest of late. Some good, some bad, some ugly. So as a daily user of Pinterest, I am going to break it down for you.

What is it?

Basically, a virtual pinboard. You see something you like on the web, and pin it via the use of a pin button which you install in your browser. Some sites, like the Kids Wear Project and Love It Love It Love It have the pin button available on the page, so you can pin direct. This makes it a lot easier if you have a mobile device.

Once you have selected something to pin, you just add a few details, select which virtual pinboard you wish to use, and voila done.

People can then repin and like your posts, click on the image and go direct to the image source.

Note, you can also upload images.

Pinning Blog Posts

I have seen some posts reccntly about pinning your blog posts. Remember Pinterest is a visual tool. If your post images are not great, then they’re not going to do you any favours when pinning. Kat at Housewife Confidential takes great photos for her blogs, pop over there and get inspired.

Do not pin from the homepage of your blog, pin to the page. Deep links are a lot more valuable.

Think before you pin.

Following (And Unfollowing Too)

Pinterest works by the follow and be followed set up. People can follow you, and all your boards, or just the boards they are interested in. You can follow me as on Pinterest here.

Click on that link, have  a look. If you’re signed in, you will have the option to follow my boards. Or not.

You find people by searching for them in the top left hand corner.

I unfollow boards all the time. It’s okay. I am not interested in flowers, pictures of cute animals and the like. I’ll say it again. It’s okay.

Making Money

Now this has been a big debate of late since it was announced, then unannounced that Pinterest use Skimlinks. Read an interview about all that here.

Skimlinks is an affiliate tool. Basically, you click the link and if you go on to purchase you may (if the site has signed up) get some commission. The commission is minimal, and wont make you rich (unless you have a site like Pinterest – who have 37M in the bank, I am not saying thats all Skimlinks though!). I use Skimlinks on some of my blogs. The most I have ever made a month was £147.23. That was by far the best month ever. Normally I get a lot less. Sometimes a pittance. For the last four weeks, I have had 895 click throughs, of those 204 were affiliate enabled, hardly anyone brought anything, so the revenue has been £3.39. A pittance. Don’t think you’re going to get rich using skimlinks unless you have a brainwave idea. And if you do, I want in.

Now that Skimlinks isn’t being used on the site, you can make money from your pins via Skimlinks. Here is how.

Go to Skimlinks > Tools > URL Shortner … paste the URL to the page, and then you get a Skimlinks converted URL. When you pin, add this to the description text. Not just it. Something like: These are available here <URL>. Then you too may earn £3.39 a month. Good luck with that.

People may change the text when they repin, so if you really want to cover you arse when your pin goes viral because it’s so amazing and happened to be on an affiliate enabled site, you also need to change the URL of the pinned image.

So, go to your pinned post, after you have pinned it, click edit, and replace the link to your skim-linked version. It;s a hassle, and I don’t know how you can change the URL before you pin which would reduce a step.

I hope that makes sense. Ask me if you have any questions as I use both a lot!

The Devil Is In The Detail

Pinterest works on user boards which are categorised by the user or there readers. Make sure your boards are categorised to show up in the site wide categories.

If you are pinning a product which is for sale, make sure you put the price on using £ $ euro, or whatever. Pinterest will then automatically categorise your pin in the gifts section in that price band.

Add a description, keep it short and succinct. The easiest way to do this is to copy the title or description of the item you are pinning before you click pin. Then it will auto-prefil the description with the copied text when you pin.

Read the T&Cs as make your own mind up. There’s debate. I’m happy with them, you may not be.

That’s all for now. I have loads more to say, so may do a part two but I have just realised I have written an essay, so I applaud you if you have got this far! It’s almost 1am, so best leave it there! Leave a comment and do let me know if you have any questions….