Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram are where we curate the best versions of our lives. Pinterest is where we find inspiration and plan to create the best versions of ourselves. Pinterest for yoga teachers offers a great opportunity to expand your reach of inspired yoga fans.
As a yoga teacher, authenticity is everything. Pinterest allows you to curate content that resonates with your teachings and philosophy, helping you create a unique online identity.
“I think that’s a very different thing than a social network. The objectives of the two are different. On a social network, you upload photos for other people to like. Pinterest, on the other hand, is self-serving,” Pinterest co-founder Ben Silberman.
Pinterest for yoga teachers- leaning into search and away from social
If you signed up for Pinterest years ago, you were asked to follow several accounts. As the platform evolved, WHAT you connect and engage with became much more important than with WHOM you connect.
Our home feeds are no longer filled with Pins from all the people we follow. Instead, you’ll see a mix of “picked for you,” Promoted Pins, and Pins from people you follow.
For many of us, the latest changes to the home feed display only images and Rich Pin data. So, you cannot see who Pinned an image unless you click on the Pin. Love or hate the changes, it’s clear that Pinterest wants us to widen out to explore and discover ideas from new people.
Pinners use the platform as a search and discovery engine. It’s 200 million monthly active users perform 2 BILLION searches a month and 97% of searches on Pinterest are unbranded– meaning the searcher isn’t looking for a particular brand and may be open to discovering YOURS.
Pinterest has some social features- but it’s not a social platform
Recently, Pinterest removed the ability to “Like” Pins, taking away the easiest way to engage with a Pin.
While Pinners can still follow people or boards and can comment on Pins, I would argue that those are not truly social actions. How many genuine comments have you seen on your Pins lately? How closely do you pay attention to who has followed you?
Messaging on Pinterest is a handy feature that allows you to send a note or a Pin within Pinterest and some do use it, but it’s more often used as a means to share a Pin than have a conversation.
What about “Tried it”? Isn’t that social? Recipe Pins is where you’ll see the most genuine feedback. It’s helpful for the people deciding if they want to make it, the recipe creator, and to the person who leaves the feedback.
You won’t generally see a lot of back and forth on these reviews, which is why it’s kind of a social feature but doesn’t put Pinterest into “social media” territory.
Understanding how pinners use Pinterest- a must for effective marketing
Pinning is largely a solitary activity. Pinners are collecting for themselves – what interests them, what they want to try. As regular Pinners (not as marketers or bloggers), they don’t particularly care if anyone follows them, saves their Pins, or clicks to visit a website.
They’re looking for ideas and products that inspire to action. They’re not looking to learn about you, your office, your employees, or your workplace. That’s for later on in the sales cycle – and not for Pinterest at all.
Let people find you because of your inspiring content. Build trust by continuing to provide value. Then make sure your website allows for a smooth transition from Pin to page. That means a beautiful and engaging Pin should link to a beautiful and engaging web page.
The best way to understand the mindset and behaviour of a Pinner is to become one yourself. If Pinterest isn’t somewhere you’ve spent a lot of time, choose one topic that interests you. Create and fill a board dedicated to that topic.
Pay attention to how you find relevant Pins, why you choose to click one Pin instead of another, and what makes you save a Pin to your board. Most importantly, take notice of what makes you click on a Pin to visit a site.
Likely you’ll start to notice that you don’t care who Pinned a Pin. Rather, the Pins you’ll click or save are some combination of relevant, helpful, beautiful, and inspiring.
You’ll also find that you’re not there to learn about a particular brand or company (remember, 97% of Pinterest searches are unbranded). So you’ll discover brands, products, and ideas that are completely new to you. This is the fun of Pinterest – and the reason that every product and brand has a chance to succeed here.
Keep Pinning as a user so you don’t forget the way they think and the way they Pin and your Pinterest marketing will succeed!
Longing for a sense of community on Pinterest?
Pinterest group boards do provide a way to collaborate on Pinterest. A board owner invites one or more Pinners to add to their board.
Any Pin added to the board may appear in the home feed of any Pinner who follows any of the board collaborators. This is a great way to expand your reach on Pinterest.
Some Pinners also use group boards to find high-quality content to share on other boards.
Getting Started on Pinterest as a Yoga Teacher
Setting Up a Professional Profile
It all starts with your profile. Ensure you have a high-quality profile picture, preferably of you in a yoga pose. Your bio should succinctly express your yoga philosophy.
Curating and Creating Relevant Boards
Organize your pins into specific boards—like “Meditation Techniques” or “Advanced Asanas.” This way, followers can easily find what they’re looking for.
Integrating Pinterest into Your Daily Routine
Consistency is key. Dedicate a few minutes each day to pinning and discovering new content. Engage with other yoga enthusiasts and grow your Pinterest community.
Conclusion: Embrace the Power of Pinterest
So, yoga teachers, it’s time to change our perspective. Pinterest isn’t just another social network; it’s a goldmine of inspiration, connection, and growth opportunities. Dive in, pin passionately, and watch as your yoga journey unfolds in beautiful, pin-worthy moments!
What is Pinterest?
Pinterest is a visual discovery engine where users can find inspiration and ideas for various topics, from home decor to fitness routines. It allows users to ‘pin’ images or videos to their personal boards for reference.
How can yoga teachers use Pinterest?
Yoga teachers can use Pinterest to find inspiration for their classes, share their own teachings, promote their studios or online classes, network with other professionals, and stay updated on yoga trends.
Is Pinterest free for yoga instructors?
Yes, creating a Pinterest account and pinning content is free. However, there are paid advertising options for those who wish to promote their pins to a wider audience.
Can I direct Pinterest users to my yoga website or online platform?
Absolutely! You can include direct links in your pins that lead back to your website, online courses, or booking platform.
How can I increase my visibility on Pinterest as a yoga teacher?
Engaging regularly, pinning high-quality images, using relevant keywords in your pin descriptions, and collaborating with other Pinterest users can help increase your visibility.