Start using Pinterest and gently level up, using pinterest and substack together to boost your visibility. With a side dose of autistic masking on social media
Fantastic and generous post Helen, thank you. I’ve been meaning to turn my attention to Pinterest and this is exactly what I needed to hear. Very grateful xxx
Even though I’m obviously a big fan, I still find it hard to remember to pin my own stuff. That’s one of the reasons Substack has helped me on Pinterest because it is part of my routine after publishing a post now - re-stack, make a pin, make an IG story, done ✔️
I’m saving this post! I come and go from Pinterest, as my work evolves but I’ve always felt drawn to it somehow in a way, and knowing that the more ‘interactive’ platforms just don’t work for me. Your description of the observed mating dance is just perfect. I’m inspired to loop Pinterest back in now I’ve found myself comfortably in this space.
What a brilliant post Helen. I’ve also been on Pinterest since the very early days. My engagement goes up and down so I am intent on sticking to a weekly schedule now. I do most of what you suggest already but had never thought of the semi fresh pin. A revelation!
I think the numbers on Pinterest just go up and down with the platform - they did really well during covid, and have gone way down when everyone could go out again. We are just little shops bobbing on the big waves!
This is a really informative post. Thank you. I also used Pinterest a lot back at the beginning and benefitted from it, but haven't put much into it for a while. What you're saying about working Pinterest with substack is cool. I'm taking this advice to heart. I've had it up to here ( slamming hand into forehead) with insta. It has never worked for me and I've wasted soooo much time there. Thank you again for your generousity.
I have read authors here on substack say they are making more money now they have left twitter - maybe because they are no longer wasting energy on the wrong thing. IG has been good for me in the past, even though I always hated it. But for about 18 months it has been a complete waste of time for me.
Thank you so much for this. I was just reading the comments and one thing Im confused, will this still work without claiming custom domain on Substack? I have a website and can't use this for Substack therefore I would like to keep it as https://tugbaavci.substack.com/.
Pinterest will still work for you here even if you don’t (or can’t) claim your site on Pinterest. People will still see your pins and come over and subscribe (if they like your things)
Claiming your website is just an extra level.
As far as I can tell, you won’t be able to claim your substack if you don’t have a custom domain. That’s because you can’t access the DNS records or the root directory- substack is in charge of those.
Thank you so much Helen :) Yesss yess sorry maybe question wasn't clear. I use Pinterest already so aware that it works but just wanted to double-check on the claiming of substack as it would have been nice to connect it. But good idea about getting an extra domain. I'll think about it otherwise I keep my website linked as my website has a substack integration and all my posts are also shown on my website. Thank you!
I would show you how it looks on mine, but it's under construction atm, but basically I used this website https://substackapi.com/feed. I created a custom code based on how many posts I want to show. I then created a tab on my website and in the tab I embedded this code :) Hope it's useful for you. It worked great on mine.
Fantastic Post Helen!! Thank you so much for sharing all this super information--so generous! Saved your post and I'm definitely going to start pinning once a week. Loved this post! xx
Gosh - so much information in this; thank you. I have never managed to get my head around Pinterest but thanks to your post, I am inspired to give it another go.
Hi Helen, great post! I’m curious how this works when it comes to analytics. I thought for your Pinterest stats only links to your own claimed website count, so how does this work when you link to Substack? Do you claim your Substack profile on Pinterest as well, is it possible to claim your own website and Substack? Or is that not necessary to get your pins to substack included in your stats? I’m still fairly new to using Pinterest for my business so I could be wrong. I’m also new to Substack so I was wondering about this even before your newsletter came out. My solution for now was to cross post my Substack content to my blog on my own website as well and use that content to link my Pinterest posts to. But it would be a lot easier if that extra step wasn’t necessary.
I asked Pinterest and they just replied to me today. They say yes, you can claim a Substack account. “You should be able to claim this website.
You can claim your website by adding an HTML tag to your website, uploading an HTML file to your website, or adding a DNS TXT record to your website.
Please note that you must own a second-level domain (like example.com), a subdomain (like ads.example.com) or a subpath domain (like example.com/uk). Online stores and social accounts such as Amazon, Etsy, eBay, and Instagram cannot be claimed.” So a substack would be a subdomain.
But to be honest, I looked at the process and couldn’t understand how to do it. I am not very good with this part of the process -like HTML and DNS records - so I wouldn’t understand it anyway!
I have chosen to have a custom domain for my substack , and my project this week is to claim my substack for Pinterest using DNS TXT records. I claimed my own website ages ago - you can claim multiple sites.
okay, I just tried claiming it but I couldn't because I'm just using the url provided by substack and you can't upload that html- or text-file into the rootsystem of the substack website. Maybe it's possible if you use your own url, I don't know... Anyway, I was probably making it more complicated than necessary! I just tried pinning one of my substack posts and it seem that they do show up in my stats even though I haven't claimed my substack on Pinterest! So, hurray!! That's great news!! definitely going to use Pinterest for my substack now!!
What?? OMG all this stuff is so confusing and there are all these hidden rules that you have no idea about. All these rules for SEO and algorithms do my head in 😅
It sucks trying to make everything work at once! It’s impossible to do it all. I personally only try to put effort into one thing at a time, otherwise I get so overwhelmed. For me, that means completely ignoring SEO for years and years because it was one thing too many for me. (And seems kind of complicated and boring). And I still dont do very much SEO stuff.
So someone who knew a lot about SEO passed that on to me, about double posting being a bad thing and. I thought I had better pass it on
It was an early adopter of Pinterest, but I used it to curate other pins. I do not think I’ve posted a single one myself! And I am slowly divesting myself of my website. Could I link to YouTube? I need to think if I want to add another social media app to the mix but maybe I should take a look and see how writers are using Pinterest.
This is so interesting, Helen. Over the years, several people have mentioned Pinterest to me as a good tool to use for driving traffic but I just couldn’t understand how or why. I’ve looked at it briefly and then walked away in confusion, putting it in the “too difficult, look again later” box in my brain.
Your overview is the first time I’ve seen anyone actually explain how it works. Thank you! I’m saving this to come back to, when my brain has an inch of space for something new.
Like you, I used to be an early adopter of all sorts and loved learning new tech. I don’t know what’s happened over the last few years, but I just don’t have the patience or the enthusiasm for it any more. So I have to be much more mindful about the time I give to learn new stuff. Articles like this are a godsend! Thank you, Helen.
Wow, Helen. This was a masterclass in a Substack post. Thank you so much for taking the time to pull this wealth of information together and share it with us!
Thank you for your fab insight Helen! I dabbled in Pinterest a while ago but then put it on the back burner - now that I'm on substack I thought it'd be interesting to give it a go again.
Fantastic and generous post Helen, thank you. I’ve been meaning to turn my attention to Pinterest and this is exactly what I needed to hear. Very grateful xxx
The reward to effort ratio on Pinterest usually makes it worthwhile, I hope you’ll it easy to use
I do find it easy just haven’t given it enough attention but feel galvanized now. So interesting to get the neurodivergent pov 🙏😘
Same!!
Thank you Helen, fabulously useful and interesting. I really like Pinterest and I am rubbish at posting my own work to it.
Even though I’m obviously a big fan, I still find it hard to remember to pin my own stuff. That’s one of the reasons Substack has helped me on Pinterest because it is part of my routine after publishing a post now - re-stack, make a pin, make an IG story, done ✔️
I’m saving this post! I come and go from Pinterest, as my work evolves but I’ve always felt drawn to it somehow in a way, and knowing that the more ‘interactive’ platforms just don’t work for me. Your description of the observed mating dance is just perfect. I’m inspired to loop Pinterest back in now I’ve found myself comfortably in this space.
I hope you and Pinterest have a very happy and soothing long term relationship ahead of you!
ohh, me too Helen!
What a brilliant post Helen. I’ve also been on Pinterest since the very early days. My engagement goes up and down so I am intent on sticking to a weekly schedule now. I do most of what you suggest already but had never thought of the semi fresh pin. A revelation!
I think the numbers on Pinterest just go up and down with the platform - they did really well during covid, and have gone way down when everyone could go out again. We are just little shops bobbing on the big waves!
This is a really informative post. Thank you. I also used Pinterest a lot back at the beginning and benefitted from it, but haven't put much into it for a while. What you're saying about working Pinterest with substack is cool. I'm taking this advice to heart. I've had it up to here ( slamming hand into forehead) with insta. It has never worked for me and I've wasted soooo much time there. Thank you again for your generousity.
I have read authors here on substack say they are making more money now they have left twitter - maybe because they are no longer wasting energy on the wrong thing. IG has been good for me in the past, even though I always hated it. But for about 18 months it has been a complete waste of time for me.
Yes! Not wasting time on the wrong thing!
I JUST WANT TO SAY HOW MUCH I LIKE YOUR WRITING AND HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR ALL YOUR HELP AND ADVICE REGARDING ARTISTS & SUBSTACK.
I am still hesitating to write anything (see post in CAC) but feel the magnetism of the community here.
Oh thank you! I’ll go and read CAC. I was surprised by how much I liked the community here, I wasn’t expecting that
Thank you so much for this. I was just reading the comments and one thing Im confused, will this still work without claiming custom domain on Substack? I have a website and can't use this for Substack therefore I would like to keep it as https://tugbaavci.substack.com/.
Pinterest will still work for you here even if you don’t (or can’t) claim your site on Pinterest. People will still see your pins and come over and subscribe (if they like your things)
Claiming your website is just an extra level.
As far as I can tell, you won’t be able to claim your substack if you don’t have a custom domain. That’s because you can’t access the DNS records or the root directory- substack is in charge of those.
So I decided to get an extra domain name for substack- my website is www.helenreynolds.co.Nz but my substack is at www.workbookhelenreynolds.com.
If you decide not to get an extra domain name, please still go ahead and use Pinterest, it’s still good for attracting people to your substack
Thank you so much Helen :) Yesss yess sorry maybe question wasn't clear. I use Pinterest already so aware that it works but just wanted to double-check on the claiming of substack as it would have been nice to connect it. But good idea about getting an extra domain. I'll think about it otherwise I keep my website linked as my website has a substack integration and all my posts are also shown on my website. Thank you!
Ooh - now I need to know how you get a website integration!
I would show you how it looks on mine, but it's under construction atm, but basically I used this website https://substackapi.com/feed. I created a custom code based on how many posts I want to show. I then created a tab on my website and in the tab I embedded this code :) Hope it's useful for you. It worked great on mine.
Fantastic Post Helen!! Thank you so much for sharing all this super information--so generous! Saved your post and I'm definitely going to start pinning once a week. Loved this post! xx
Gosh - so much information in this; thank you. I have never managed to get my head around Pinterest but thanks to your post, I am inspired to give it another go.
Good! I’m glad you found it helpful
This is very helpful! I haven't used pinterest much, but you've prompted me to check things out.
Hi Helen, great post! I’m curious how this works when it comes to analytics. I thought for your Pinterest stats only links to your own claimed website count, so how does this work when you link to Substack? Do you claim your Substack profile on Pinterest as well, is it possible to claim your own website and Substack? Or is that not necessary to get your pins to substack included in your stats? I’m still fairly new to using Pinterest for my business so I could be wrong. I’m also new to Substack so I was wondering about this even before your newsletter came out. My solution for now was to cross post my Substack content to my blog on my own website as well and use that content to link my Pinterest posts to. But it would be a lot easier if that extra step wasn’t necessary.
I asked Pinterest and they just replied to me today. They say yes, you can claim a Substack account. “You should be able to claim this website.
You can claim your website by adding an HTML tag to your website, uploading an HTML file to your website, or adding a DNS TXT record to your website.
Please note that you must own a second-level domain (like example.com), a subdomain (like ads.example.com) or a subpath domain (like example.com/uk). Online stores and social accounts such as Amazon, Etsy, eBay, and Instagram cannot be claimed.” So a substack would be a subdomain.
But to be honest, I looked at the process and couldn’t understand how to do it. I am not very good with this part of the process -like HTML and DNS records - so I wouldn’t understand it anyway!
I have chosen to have a custom domain for my substack , and my project this week is to claim my substack for Pinterest using DNS TXT records. I claimed my own website ages ago - you can claim multiple sites.
okay, I just tried claiming it but I couldn't because I'm just using the url provided by substack and you can't upload that html- or text-file into the rootsystem of the substack website. Maybe it's possible if you use your own url, I don't know... Anyway, I was probably making it more complicated than necessary! I just tried pinning one of my substack posts and it seem that they do show up in my stats even though I haven't claimed my substack on Pinterest! So, hurray!! That's great news!! definitely going to use Pinterest for my substack now!!
Yay, thanks for letting me know about the stats!
Ine, I have also heard that Google marks you down for SEO if you post the same thing to two different sites, like to your blog and also to substack.
What?? OMG all this stuff is so confusing and there are all these hidden rules that you have no idea about. All these rules for SEO and algorithms do my head in 😅
It sucks trying to make everything work at once! It’s impossible to do it all. I personally only try to put effort into one thing at a time, otherwise I get so overwhelmed. For me, that means completely ignoring SEO for years and years because it was one thing too many for me. (And seems kind of complicated and boring). And I still dont do very much SEO stuff.
So someone who knew a lot about SEO passed that on to me, about double posting being a bad thing and. I thought I had better pass it on
It was an early adopter of Pinterest, but I used it to curate other pins. I do not think I’ve posted a single one myself! And I am slowly divesting myself of my website. Could I link to YouTube? I need to think if I want to add another social media app to the mix but maybe I should take a look and see how writers are using Pinterest.
You can link to youtube, I don;t have a youtube channel so I havent paid much attention to that, but here is a post that might help https://www.simplepinmedia.com/promote-youtube-on-pinterest/
This is so interesting, Helen. Over the years, several people have mentioned Pinterest to me as a good tool to use for driving traffic but I just couldn’t understand how or why. I’ve looked at it briefly and then walked away in confusion, putting it in the “too difficult, look again later” box in my brain.
Your overview is the first time I’ve seen anyone actually explain how it works. Thank you! I’m saving this to come back to, when my brain has an inch of space for something new.
It’s so important not to overwhelm yourself when taking on a new platform. Glad it helped
Like you, I used to be an early adopter of all sorts and loved learning new tech. I don’t know what’s happened over the last few years, but I just don’t have the patience or the enthusiasm for it any more. So I have to be much more mindful about the time I give to learn new stuff. Articles like this are a godsend! Thank you, Helen.
So interesting!
Wow, Helen. This was a masterclass in a Substack post. Thank you so much for taking the time to pull this wealth of information together and share it with us!
you're welcome!
Thank you for your fab insight Helen! I dabbled in Pinterest a while ago but then put it on the back burner - now that I'm on substack I thought it'd be interesting to give it a go again.