Sharing 6 tips for creating the perfect Pinterest image for food bloggers. There are more factors to consider when getting pins and repins on your Pinterest images, but I’m hoping these tips will help you get started on standing out!
Hello again from the marketing side of FMK! I’m back with another Pinterest post for my fellow food blogging friends.
I wanted to go over a few more tips on ways to really get your Pinterest image to stand out. Learning how to create a long pin is just part of the process of tackling Pinterest.
I won’t claim I have it all figured out by any means. Growing your Pinterest account definitely takes time and energy. But I want to share some more tips that I think you’ll find helpful when it comes to making your various Pinterest images. In How to Create the Perfect Pin for Food Bloggers, I just shared a basic step-by-step guide for what I call a “standard” long pin. But if you scroll through Pinterest you’ll notice there are several variations of pins you can create to stand out.
Pinterest Tips for Food Bloggers
Make a plan
Before you even start the process of creating a pin in Photoshop, some thought on what photos you want to use should be coming as you’re photographing the recipe. I don’t just get to the process of creating a pin and think “Oh shoot, what photos am I going to use?” For the most part, I already have it planned out during the recipe shoot.
If you know you want an overhead image and a close up image for your standard long pin, make sure you have captured at least those two types of angles. That way when you go to create your pin, you don’t have to scroll through the hundreds of pictures you took trying to figure out what images to use.
Also, if creating a pin with a single photo and adding text, think about this as you’re photographing the recipe. Leave negative space in the image and picture how your recipe or post title will go there.
I shot the image below knowing I wanted to add text on the white background.
Having these Pinterest or graphic thoughts in the back of your mind during the photo shoot will make the post process much smoother.
Keep it Simple
Selecting fonts can be overwhelming when first creating your pin. Especially if you have no idea where to start. While it is definitely fun to play around with a variety of fonts, I’d suggest sticking to 2-3 max on one pin image. Use resources like dafont.com or fontsquirrel.com to search for your favorite fonts. Even searching “fun font combinations” on Pinterest will give you ideas on how to mix fonts. Typically a brush or calligraphy script mixed with either a serif or sans serif are best.
If you want your pins to have a consistent brand image (something I recommend) try to stick to those same 2-3 fonts on every pin you create. Think about some of the pins from your favorite food bloggers. Chances are you know almost right away what blog the pins are coming from because they have a consistent branding.
Here are some tips when it comes to selecting and mixing up your fonts
Choose no more than three different fonts
“Maple Walnut” is one style, all caps.
“Cinnamon” a brush script.
“granola” another style in lowercase.
Select one “fancy” script font, and make sure it is easy to read
The fancy brush script that you are head-over-heels in love with may be really pretty and great for addressing your wedding invitations, but if it’s not legible–again, think most are viewing pins on the mobile app– I would suggest picking another that is easier to read.
Mix capitals with lowercase
Don’t be afraid to mix words using capital letters with another part of the title in lowercase.
Choose one to two words within the recipe/post title to stand out
Here I wanted “Matcha” to stand out since that is the star ingredient in these cups. You don’t always have to use that rule, sometimes the “stand out word” is whatever fits/looks best. Selecting a shade of green for “Matcha” also helps to make the word stand out, so people have an idea of what the ingredients in the recipe are right away.
Change up your template
The “standard long pin” is great and eye-catching. But sometimes the long step-by-step photos do really well too.
For example this Southwest Quinoa Power Bowl pin has had better success with the step photos versus the long pin with the title in the middle.
Here is another example with the Peanut Butter Protein Oat Bars versus a stand alone image.
Of course there are TONS of factors to consider in the above scenarios. But that just shows there is more than one way to create a pin image with success.
to recap pinterest tips for food bloggers
plan your pins ahead of time
Think about how text will look on the image and/or think about various angles you want to use while creating your pin.
select eye-catching fonts
Mix and match upper and lowercase, script and sans serif/serif if that’s your style, but keep it somewhat simple.
try different templates
Don’t be afraid to try different pin templates. Step-by-step photos are eye-catching to the reader, as well as different long pin layouts.
Do you have any Pinterest tips to add?
This could be anything from making graphics, joining group boards to re-pinning and sharing others’ content. What has worked for you?
Oh hey! Before you go, do you want some templates?
I’m offering 3 different Photoshop Pinterest templates for just $7 to get you started.
Here are the three versions you’ll get!
Use this link > paypal.me/fitmittenkitchen/7
and leave me your email address where you want the Photoshop Pinterest templates sent!
If you need extra help with understanding Photoshop for Pinterest, email me personally and let’s chat >> fitmittenkitchen(at)gmail(dot)com
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie says
Love these tips! They are all so true and have helped me a ton in upping my Pinterest game!
Ashley says
Thanks Brie, I’ve noticed your pins standing out on Pinterest lately and they look awesome! 🙂
Erika says
I can the same thing. I really notice your photos on Pinterest 🙂 They are so beautiful.
Katie Shields | Honestly Nourished says
LOVE these tips, Ash! I find it so, so interesting about the step-by-step pins vs the standalone, too. Thank you for sharing your wisdom! XX Katie
Ashley says
Yeah some of my step-by-step are my highest repinned! Thank you Katie!
Ellie | Hungry by Nature says
These are AWESOME tips Ashley! I’ve been trying to figure out fonts and I’m happy to hear about the resources you use – thanks!
Ashley says
Glad it helped Ellie!
Amanda - RunToTheFinish says
Yes creating better images was certainly key for me to see results!!! great tips
Anne says
Fascinating, how each niche has its own unique aspects when it comes to Pinterest (and a lot of other things as well, of course). I’m not a food blogger but your post inspired me to take a look at my own pins and see how I can apply the same principles in my niche and see if they work for me (or not – that would be fine too!)
Ashley says
Yes it is definitely interesting how different graphics reach a different audience. Thanks for checking it out Anne!
Taryn says
Hi! I am sorry to bother you, but I purchased this and I don’t know how to receive the files 🙂 It would be under Taryn for the PayPal receipt and my email is tmc143e@aol.com. Thank you!
Ashley says
Thank you for reaching out! Apologies for the delay – Just email me if you didn’t receive them or if you have any questions 🙂
Becky @ World Recipes says
These are very professional tips. As from my own experience I believe the best tip I have a received was “have a lot of patience from the very beginning”. It takes a lot of time to learn but after you learn it – photos look professionally pretty easy.
Jennifer says
Hi,
I ordered your templates. The email I used for the paypal payment is jennifer.r.osborn@gmail.com
Thanks!
Ashley says
Awesome! Sending them shortly 🙂
Jill says
Hey, just sent you payment for three pinterest templates. Please send to email listed on this comment.
Ashley says
Hi Jill, thanks so much for commenting here and letting me know. I’ll get those out to you as soon as I can! Keep an eye out 🙂