Pin Talk - Pinterest Tips and Updates for Creators

Episode: S1E12
Title: Is Keeping an Eye on Other Pinterest Accounts in My Niche Worth the Time?
Release Date: February 27, 2025
Hosts: Tony Hill and Carly Campbell

Introduction

In this episode of Pin Talk, hosts Tony Hill and Carly Campbell delve into the strategic importance of monitoring other Pinterest accounts within your niche. They explore various approaches to competitor analysis, the value of unique content, and the tools that can aid creators in optimizing their Pinterest strategies. The discussion offers actionable insights for bloggers and content creators aiming to enhance their Pinterest presence and drive more traffic to their online platforms.

Understanding the Value of Competitor Analysis on Pinterest

Tony Hill initiates the conversation by comparing Pinterest dynamics to those of Google. He emphasizes that while Google often operates as a zero-sum game—where only one website can hold the top ranking for a keyword—Pinterest allows for multiple accounts to thrive simultaneously within the same niche.

"Pinterest is a little bit different. It's not like a zero-sum game... rankings can fluctuate and change so much because Pinterest is wanting to show a lot of fresh, unique ideas on the search results."
— Tony Hill (00:20)

Carly Campbell offers a contrasting approach by stating that she avoids traditional competitor analysis, believing that unique ideas inherently perform better on Pinterest. Instead of replicating successful pins, she focuses on creating content that complements and builds upon what competitors have already achieved.

"I have never taken a competitor analysis approach to Pinterest because... I believe that unique ideas will always outperform on Pinterest."
— Carly Campbell (02:14)

Different Approaches to Competitor Monitoring

While Tony advocates for actively tracking competitors to identify trending topics and capitalize on missed opportunities, Carly prefers a more organic method. She monitors successful pins to understand what works but avoids directly copying, instead aiming to create relationship-driven content that engages users after they've interacted with competitors' pins.

Tony Hill explains his method of using Pinterest's search filters to identify top accounts within a niche by keyword matching and follower count.

"I will go to Pinterest search and there's a filter to just search accounts... it'll show profiles of users who are in the home decor niche."
— Tony Hill (11:35)

In contrast, Carly Campbell utilizes tools like the Account Explorer in Pin Clicks to assess her own accounts’ performance, identifying gaps and opportunities without obsessively tracking competitors.

"I'm using the Account Explorer tool to really look at my account... I can find these gaps on my own account too."
— Carly Campbell (16:20)

Time Management and Resource Allocation

The hosts discuss the challenge of managing time, especially for solo creators versus those with a team. Carly highlights the importance of being selective with tasks due to limited resources.

"There's so much work that I could have three times as much help, and we still wouldn't be accomplishing all the work."
— Carly Campbell (07:10)

Tony acknowledges this by emphasizing the need for scalable processes that can be taught to team members, ensuring consistent and effective Pinterest strategies without overburdening resources.

"I have to come up with this middle ground of a procedure they can follow..."
— Tony Hill (15:48)

Identifying and Filling Content Gaps

A significant portion of the discussion centers on recognizing gaps in content both within one's own Pinterest account and across competitors'. Carly shares her strategy of targeting low-competition keywords that still hold value, especially seasonal ones, to drive engagement.

"It's a seasonal keyword... but it's going to be a good keyword."
— Carly Campbell (17:52)

Tony adds that understanding these gaps requires meticulous keyword research and leveraging tools to uncover underrated or overlooked topics that can attract additional traffic.

"I'm looking at their boards, their pins again, looking for stuff that I've missed."
— Tony Hill (13:07)

Leveraging Pinterest Tools for Competitive Insights

Both hosts discuss the utility of Pinterest tools like Pin Clicks in gaining deeper insights into account performance. Tony mentions developing a private tool to assess monthly views and identify top-performing accounts based on these metrics.

"I built my own tool... it will search Pinterest and all the accounts, and sort by monthly views."
— Tony Hill (12:28)

Carly elaborates on using the Account Explorer to monitor her own pins' performance, enabling her to create more targeted content based on existing successful keywords.

"I've been using the Account Explorer tool to really look at my account... make more pins for things that are already doing well."
— Carly Campbell (16:20)

Balancing Trend Participation and Innovation

The conversation highlights the delicate balance between riding current trends and pioneering new ideas. Tony emphasizes the importance of not solely chasing trends but also setting them to maintain a unique presence on Pinterest.

"Sometimes I want to be the one to set the trend."
— Carly Campbell (06:34)

Carly concurs, advocating for innovation and the introduction of unique ideas rather than merely replicating what competitors are doing.

"In successful business, the businesses that are successful are the ones that innovate... unlikely that you would create a long term successful business just carbon copying somebody else's business."
— Carly Campbell (31:11)

The Impact of Competition on Content Quality

Both hosts agree that increased competition fosters a higher standard of content, pushing creators to continuously improve and innovate. They view competition not as a threat but as a motivating force to enhance the value and uniqueness of their content offerings.

"It's a natural evolution of improving the content, increasing the value of the content that you're creating because you're trying to one up each other in some ways."
— Tony Hill (29:05)

"The truth is that in successful business... they are the ones that do things a little bit outside the box."
— Carly Campbell (31:11)

Conclusion: Is It Worth Monitoring Competitors?

Tony and Carly conclude that keeping an eye on other Pinterest accounts in your niche is indeed worthwhile, albeit approached differently. Tony's proactive competitor analysis complements Carly's focus on filling content gaps and leveraging successful internal strategies. Both agree that continuous monitoring, coupled with innovative content creation, can significantly enhance a creator’s Pinterest performance.

"Is keeping an eye on other Pinterest accounts worth the time? I think we're both saying yes, but in different ways."
— Tony Hill and Carly Campbell (36:02)

They encourage listeners to adopt a balanced strategy that incorporates both competitive insights and unique content development to thrive on Pinterest.

Key Takeaways

• Unique Content Over Replication: Emphasize creating original and unique pins rather than copying competitors.
• Utilize Pinterest Tools: Leverage tools like Pin Clicks and Account Explorer to gain insights and identify content gaps.
• Balance Trends and Innovation: Participate in relevant trends while also striving to set new ones.
• Manage Time Efficiently: For solo creators, prioritize tasks that offer the highest return on investment in terms of traffic and engagement.
• Continuous Monitoring: Regularly assess both your own and competitors’ Pinterest accounts to stay ahead and fill content gaps.

Further Resources

• Pin Talk Podcast: https://pintalkpodcast.com/
• Contact: Email the hosts at email@pentalkpodcastmail.com
• Show Notes & Resources: Available on the Pin Talk website.

If you found this summary helpful and want to enhance your Pinterest strategy, tune into more episodes of Pin Talk for expert tips and actionable insights!