Launching Pinterest Promoted Pins in 2024 involves a step-by-step process within the Pinterest Ads Manager, focusing on visual best practices and targeted campaign objectives.

Step-by-Step Guide to Promoted Pins (Pinterest Ads)
Promoted Pins are standard Pins that businesses pay to promote, appearing to a wider, targeted audience in their home feeds, search results, and related Pins.

1. Set Up Your Pinterest Business Account & Tracking
Business Account: Ensure you have a Pinterest Business account. If you have a personal account, you can convert it for free.

Install the Pinterest Tag: Implement the Pinterest Tag (conversion tracking code) on your website. This is crucial for tracking user actions (like checkouts, sign-ups, or page visits) driven by your Promoted Pins and for building retargeting audiences.

Claim Your Website: Claim your website to access analytics and confirm your content source.

2. Create Your Campaign
Go to Ads Manager: Log into your business account and navigate to the Ads tab to open the Ads Manager.

Select "Create Campaign": Click the button to start a new campaign.

Choose a Campaign Objective: Select an objective that aligns with your business goals:

Awareness: For maximum reach and impressions.

Consideration: To drive traffic and link clicks to your website.

Conversions: To encourage specific actions like purchases or sign-ups (requires the Pinterest Tag).

Catalog Sales: To promote products from your synced catalog (for e-commerce).

Set Your Budget and Schedule: Decide on a Daily or Lifetime budget, and set the start and end dates (optional) for your campaign. You can also opt to use Performance+, Pinterest's automated campaign builder, for simplified setup and optimization.

3. Define Your Ad Group and Targeting
Name Your Ad Group: Give your Ad Group a descriptive name.

Choose Targeting: Pinterest offers robust targeting options:

Audiences: Target based on your custom lists (retargeting website visitors or customer lists), or use Actalikes (lookalikes) of your best customers.

Interests: Reach users who are interested in topics related to your product or service.

Keywords: Target users based on search terms they use on Pinterest (like a visual search engine).

Demographics: Filter by location, age, gender, and language.

Set Bidding: Choose your bidding strategy (e.g., automated bidding for conversion optimization or a custom bid).

4. Select or Create Your Promoted Pins
Select a Pin: Choose an existing Pin from your boards to promote, or create a new Pin specifically for the ad.

Pin Best Practices (The Creative):

Aspect Ratio: Use a 2:3 aspect ratio (e.g., 1000 x 1500 pixels) for vertical images, as these perform best in the feed.

Visuals: Use high-quality, compelling images that show the product or idea in a lifestyle context.

Branding: Include a subtle logo, but avoid placing it in the bottom right corner where the Pinterest icon may cover it.

Text Overlay (Optional but Recommended): Use clear, easy-to-read text on the Pin image to immediately convey the value proposition or topic.

Description & Title: Write clear, keyword-rich Pin titles (up to 100 characters) and descriptions (up to 500 characters) to help with search discoverability.

Add Destination URL: Ensure your Pin links to the appropriate, mobile-optimized landing page on your website.

5. Review and Launch
Review: Double-check your campaign objective, budget, targeting, and Pin creative.

Publish: Click "Publish" to launch your Promoted Pin.

Free Pinterest Pin Templates 🎨
While Pinterest does not offer its own official free ad templates, the most common and effective way to access free, customizable templates for Promoted Pins is through Canva.

How to Find Free Templates
Canva: Go to Canva (free or pro version).

Search: In the search bar, type "Pinterest Pin" or "Pinterest Ad" to find thousands of templates pre-sized to the optimal 2:3 vertical ratio.

Filter: Filter for "Free" templates.

Customize: Choose a template and customize it with your:

High-Quality Images: Swap in your product or lifestyle photos.

Brand Colors & Fonts: Update the design elements to match your brand identity.

Clear Text Overlay & CTA: Edit the text to include a concise headline and a clear Call-to-Action (e.g., "Shop Now," "Read the Guide," "Download Freebie").

Recommended Pin Specs (Standard/Promoted Pin)
Element   Specification   Best Practice
Aspect Ratio   2:3 (e.g., 1000 x 1500 px)   Vertical images maximize space. Taller aspect ratios may get cropped.
File Type   PNG or JPEG   Use high-resolution images.
Max File Size   20 MB   Keep it under the maximum size.
Title   Up to 100 characters   Clear, descriptive, and keyword-rich.
Description   Up to 500 characters   Include relevant keywords and compelling copy.

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