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As a new blogger, I am basically doing a trial-and-error method when it comes to getting my content out to readers. I actually love writing on all things motherhood and lifestyle, and taking the photos is another passion of mine, but it’s not that fun when no one knows or reads because they don’t know you exist. So, I too am working to make my blog visible.
Update: I am above 200k page views between this blog and my new blog. This strategy really works well!
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I haven’t taken the fast road to gaining views. I focused on building content, and my Instagram first. Instagram is a revenue source and business all on its own, so I’ve been over there working with brands and connecting with more and more people on that platform. Since I wrote this post a couple years ago, I have gotten myself in the 5k range in terms of income for my blog, and a lot of that is because of sponsored posts. You don’t have to have just a lot of traffic for sponsored posts, and I highly recommend you read how I made 10k in sponsored posts my first year blogging. The strategy that got me this first viral pin, is still the strategy I stand by and use today. I was able to get over 25k page views in my second month of my second blog. Mind blowing!
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The Viral Pin:
The pin that went viral was this one. It took off one day, and now its been saved to over 4,000 boards. That’s really a lot for me just adding all my blogs to Pinterest a couple months ago, and this particular pin was added about on month before it gained heavy traffic. It is still bringing in most of my views, and I can count on it to get re-pinned over and over.
My Manual Pinning Method:
I rarely buy much concerning my blog. I’m very reluctant to buy courses and eBooks because I’m scared I’m going to buy something I already know. Well, I finally bought a course called Pinteresting Strategies. I was having trouble generating the traffic I wanted from Pinterest, and I read a review of this book on another person’s blog, which I honestly can’t remember where it was now. But I did it, I just clicked buy, and I am so glad I did. From the review I read, I could sense there was information in this book that I didn’t and could use. I was right. Carly, over at Carly On A Purpose put together a strategy I’ve never seen (and I’ve read and devoured everything), and brought me the results I wanted. I literally got my first pin to go viral! When I woke up one day and saw I had 200 people to my site before 8:00 am, and I usually had maybe 20…I couldn’t believe it. Then, it kept going to 500, then 800…I hit a huge milestone for my blog, and I accredit everything I learned from her courses!. I’m very serious when I tell you its worth your time and money. She lays out everything from how many pins you need, how much time you need to spend, how many group boards you need to be a part of…its all very applicable. I read the book twice now, the first time I decided I needed to create better pins and hide some of my personal boards, so I took some time doing that, then went on to her strategies.
Audience Overview – Analytics link to screen shot of my analytics to show the increase! I bought the courses the beginning of March, and by the end of March I had a viral pin! You can also see how my traffic has dramatically increased in this post and this post.
Update: I’ve now had three more pins go viral in the last two months, as well as bought the Traffic Transformation book by Lena Grott. I talk all about that in this post: My Massive Traffic Boost: 6k to 40k Page views in Two Months
My links are affiliate links to this book, but I had no idea that was even an option when I bought the book! I emailed Carly directly, who immediately responded to me. I asked her if I could be a part of her affiliate program because I loved the book so much, and found that it was extremely helpful. She responded that anyone who purchases the book can be a part of the affiliate program, and directed me how to sign up.
I can not tell you enough that her strategy is unique, in-depth and detailed. You do need knowledge of Google Analytics to really help you understand what to do. That right there should tell you its worth your money. She really helps you look at which pins are the most successful and bringing in the most traffic, to help you build your unique strategy for your blog. If you still aren’t sure, sign up for her email list. I had signed up, then realized weeks later her emails were in my spam. She has some really great tips and Pinterest information she gives out for free in her emails too.
When I first started with Pinterest, and manually pinning, I didn’t think I would need Board Booster, but then it got really hard to keep track of what pins were going where.
You can grab Carly’s Courses here!
20 Comments
Whoohoo!! Thanks for sharing this-!! Just used your aff link to get Carly’s book. 🙂 Congrats on the viral!
Thank you! Let me know how you like it! Feel free to shoot me an email if you have questions on what I was able to do with the time I have. Part of what helped me was that she mentions how many group boards she’s in, and working through which ones are actually worth being in!
I use Tailwind for Pinterest. How different is boardbooster from it?
I haven’t used Tailwind yet! It’s on my list to try and add to my strategy, but I have been so successful with Boardbooster and manual pinning, that I haven’t been that motivated to get on Tailwind yet! Do you like Tailwind? Feel free to shoot me an email and we can chat more! [email protected]
Just bought & read the book. Can’t wait to put the information in use. It really is different than anything else I’ve ever read about Pinterest. Thank you for sharing this Katie!
I’m so glad you think so, because that’s exactly what I thought! I was so mad I didn’t start reading the book until two weeks or so after I bought it! It really motivated me to get going on Pinterest, and I am so glad I did because my traffic really skyrocketed from it. Good luck, and where are you on Pinterest? I will follow you!
It is very true! I’ve been doing her method for only two days and my traffic is up over 100%! It’s amazing! And it really doesn’t take much time! I am at http://www.pinterest.com/planesballoons 🙂 I am so glad I landed on your article!!
Thank you for this! I have been struggling with traffic for a while, and have been completely afraid of pinterest. I’ve decided to jump in, though, and this is some great info to help me.
Let me know if it helps you! I wish I read the book as soon as I got! All her tips on Pinterest in general really helped, and how to make a good pin, how many group boards she’s in…all of it really motivated me!
I really appreciate you pointing out what works really well and what can be annoying. Great tips here.
That is amazing and thanks for the tips on what works and what does not.
I’ve really enjoyed reading several of your posts. I plan on buying the book. I’m only four months in with my blog and I work full time so it’s been a little slower than I would have liked. I’m currently using Tailwind because it’s free. I really related to your comment about being scared to buy any resources, primarily because we arereally tight on money and I hate to waste it on info you can get for free if you dig enough. A lot of it seems really scammy (I think I just made up a word). Like why are so many people trying to sell you on creating a blog?? So I really appreciate honest comments like this part was annoying. I’m following you on Pinterest and Instagram. I would love to have some blogging friends like you. Maybe we can keep in touch? Thanks!
I haven’t tried tailwind yet! Do you like using it? I wish I had more time to work on my blog because I would be so much farther! But, I think we all have a unique blog, so the timing of things is unique too. I can’t stand buying information if I can find it on other blogs, but this technique I haven’t ready anywhere! Thank goodness! I’ll send you an email, so we can keep in touch!
Oh yay! Glad for your success. Came here from the Blogging Squad and I’m so glad I stumbled upon your blog, I have been struggling with traffic for a long time now 🙁 I am definitely going to set up AdSense, Pinterest pins, and a email thread. Don’t have any of that set up right now :O
Thanks for the tips and happy motherhood and bloggingX
Alright! so glad to connect with you! Let me know if you have questions! I am using Adbuff for ads, and I really like how simple it is, and I see dollars coming in, rather than just cents haha! And for the viral pin, its slowed down a bit now, another pin is picking up, so hopefully I’ll have my second viral soon!
I will definitely have to check out her book everything I have tried on Pinterest has been a faliure. Manuel pinning scheduled pinning. Great photos decent content. Good descriptions. I also have literally 200 Pinterest group boards. I definitely need this book to find out what I am doing wroung.
Unbelievable! I’m so surprised reading your post, I have learned a lot and I’m really excited about your story! I will start to use the mentioned techniques on Pinterest.
Just started to follow you on Twitter and FB. Thanks for sharing the great info!
Let me know how it works for you!
This sounds like a great book. I’m pinning this for later to check out after I get more content on my blog. Just started 2 weeks ago and have so much to learn. Really need to get on great Pinterest boards! 🙂
Finding the boards can take some time, but you can do it! Then, get multiple pins per blog post. I read another successful blogger who does 4 pins per blog post, to increase the probability of it doing well! It really works. Good luck, and keep me posted!