Stick to Vertical ImagesPinterest has been around for awhile and it’s clear that they’ve discovered what size graphic works best in their feeds. Images that are longer than they are wide are less likely to be overshadowed than square or width-wise images, though square is often used for products.

However, if your images are TOO long, they may be cropped or cut off in the feed as well. For best results, stick to the recommended pixel sizes of 1000x1500 (2:3), 1000x2000 (1:2), or 1000x1000 (1:1). 1080x1920 (9:16) is also acceptable, since this is the standard size for vertical video, though you can use this for static images as well.

If you’re using Canva, their templates are usually kept up to speed with the latest social graphic sizes, so the standard Pin size is already accounted for.

Keep these sizes in mind if you’re repurposing content from other platforms. You may need to resize or redesign any existing content for best results on Pinterest, but it’s worth it!

Always Use Text on Your Pin ImagesYour images need context if you want people to click through to a link. Pinterest is a visual, but people scroll fast and make decisions even faster. That’s why your Pin needs to clearly show what content is behind the click.

Always remember to:

• Use bold, easy-to-read text overlays
• Focus on your main topic and keywords
• Think about what your audience would type to find your content

Try searching on Pinterest for ideas on how creators are doing this in your niche. Some will rely on images or video that speak for themselves (such a tutorials) but in most cases, you need the additional context.

Start with Static Images Instead of VideoThere’s a time and place for video on Pinterest, but if your goal is to get people to click through to a website or store, often it’s better to stick to static images. Video content may get more views on Pinterest, but views don’t pay the bills!

(Unless you’re doing UGC, in which case they might… but I’m not a UGC expert so don’t quote me.)

Video content takes more time and effort to create, so starting out with static images is the way to go for beginners. After you learn what works for you Pinterest, you can start experimenting with video.

Is Video Worth Your Time?The best way to see if video is likely to work well for you is to search for topics in your niche and see what’s performing at the top of search results. Do this while logged out on in an incognito window so your own algorithm doesn’t affect the base results.

If you see a lot of videos used in your niche, then it may be worth the investment for you in the long run. If not, then focus on static images.

Use Templates for Efficiency & ConsistencyOkay, I might be putting this one here as a reminder to myself, because I’m definitely guilty of trying to do every little thing myself and the long way at that.

If you’re not using templates yet, this is your permission slip to start.

You’ll need a lot of graphics if you want to post to Pinterest regularly, so templates will make it much easier to keep up. With templates, you can:

• Batch your designs quickly
• Stay on-brand without starting from scratch
• Test different layouts without burning out

You can find free Pinterest templates in Canva, or purchase templates made by other designers and customize them to fit your brand. If you’re up for it, make your own as well. I usually go crazy with a bunch of different styles, but you don't need to do that, especially when you're just starting out and don't know what works well for you yet.

Trying at least 3-5 styles will give you plenty to start out without accidentally wasting too much time on designs. Once you know what works, you can expand and experiment from there.