Pin strategist

Pin Strategist — Composed Pin Methodology

Purpose

Turn brand documents and approved images into composed Pinterest pins ready to review and post. Pinterest is a visual search engine — this skill optimizes for search intent first, image-copy pairing second, and brand voice third. That order matters. The output is a finished product, not a concept deck.

Core Principle

Pinterest is not social media. It's a visual search engine where people plan purchases, trips, projects, and decisions. Users arrive with intent. Every pin must answer a search query with a compelling image-copy combination. A beautiful image with no search relevance gets zero impressions. A well-targeted pin with a matched image gets discovered for months.

The FAZ model applies: content in, finished product out, human quality gate, publish. The human reviews composed pins. Everything upstream — concept generation, image matching, copy writing, board assignment — is automated.

How Pinterest Discovery Works

Search weight: Pinterest ranks pins by keyword relevance in title, description, and alt text. Title keywords carry the most weight. Front-loading is not optional.

Visual ranking: Pinterest's algorithm evaluates image quality, orientation, and freshness. Vertical images get more feed space. High-contrast, well-lit images rank higher. Duplicate images get deprioritized.

Save signals: Saves compound. One save leads to impressions for similar audiences. Save rate is the most important engagement metric.

Freshness factor: New images with new URLs get priority distribution. Reuploading the same image to the same URL gets deprioritized. Each pin in a batch must use a different image.

Domain authority: Pins from consistently active, trusted domains get higher initial distribution.

Content lifespan: Average pin lifespan is 3-4 months. Top pins drive traffic for years. This makes Pinterest the highest-ROI channel per unit of effort — every pin is a long-term asset.

Image-Copy Matching Engine

This is the methodology that transforms pin concepts into composed pins.

The Matching Principle

An image and its copy must tell the same story. A lifestyle image of a team collaborating pairs with a title about content workflows — not product pricing. A checklist diagram pairs with a "5 steps to..." title — not an aspirational quote. When image and copy align, the user's brain processes the pin as one coherent message. When they don't, the user scrolls past.

Matching Decision Matrix

Pin Concept Type	Ideal Image Category	Fallback Image Category
Problem-solution	Lifestyle (person experiencing problem or solution)	Quote card with headline
How-to / tutorial	Diagram, checklist, step-by-step	Workspace/desk flat lay
Listicle	Collage, multi-image, or text overlay with number	Bold single image with number in title
Product spotlight	Product shot (clean, well-lit)	Product in context (lifestyle with product visible)
Aspirational	Lifestyle (aspirational scene)	Scenic/destination
Behind-the-scenes	Team, workspace, process photos	Candid, unpolished shots
Comparison	Side-by-side diagram, 2-column graphic	Bold text overlay with vs. framing
Seasonal / timely	Seasonal imagery (colors, setting)	Any image with seasonal text overlay

Matching Algorithm

For each pin concept, score candidate images across five dimensions:

1. Topic relevance (40% weight) — Does the image content relate to the pin's subject matter? A pin about "content workflow burnout" needs an image that suggests work, team, or process — not a product logo.

2. Orientation fitness (25% weight) — Vertical (2:3) = full score. Square = 70% score. Horizontal = 40% score. Pinterest's feed layout gives vertical images 60% more real estate.

3. Freshness (15% weight) — Not used in last 10 pins = full score. Used 11-20 pins ago = 50% score. Used in last 10 = 0% (disqualified).

4. Category fit (10% weight) — Does the image category match the concept type? Lifestyle image for aspirational pin = full score. Product shot for aspirational pin = reduced score.

5. Quality (10% weight) — Well-lit, clear subject, sufficient resolution (600px+ width). Dark, blurry, or cluttered = reduced score.

Score threshold: If the best candidate scores below 50%, flag the pin as "IMAGE NEEDED" with creative direction rather than forcing a poor match. A bad image-copy pairing hurts more than a concept waiting for the right image.

Image Sizing for Pinterest

Pinterest displays pins at fixed widths, variable heights. Optimal dimensions:

Pin Type	Dimensions	Aspect Ratio	When to Use
Standard pin	1000 × 1500	2:3	Default for all pins
Long pin	1000 × 2100	1:2.1	Infographics, step-by-step, checklists
Square pin	1000 × 1000	1:1	Product shots, headshots (less ideal)
Story pin	1080 × 1920	9:16	Multi-page idea pins

Minimum width: 600px. Below this, the image appears low quality on mobile.

If ~~images (Cloudinary) is connected: Apply transformation to deliver Pinterest-optimized dimensions:

• c_fill,w_1000,h_1500,g_auto — smart crop to 2:3 vertical, subject-aware gravity
• c_fill,w_1000,h_2100,g_auto — for long pins
• q_auto,f_auto — automatic quality and format optimization

The transformation URL is included in the composed pin output so the image is ready to download or post.

If using Drive images: Note the recommended crop dimensions in the output. The user resizes before posting.

Pin Concept Generation

Angle Types

Angle	Best For	Title Pattern	Save vs. Click Profile
Problem-solution	High CTR, engaged audience	"[Problem] — [solution exists]"	Click-heavy
How-to	Engagement, shares	"How to [achieve outcome]"	Balanced
Listicle	Discovery, saves	"[N] [things] for [audience]"	Save-heavy
Comparison	Consideration stage	"[A] vs. [B]: [what matters]"	Click-heavy
Seasonal	Timely discovery	"[Season] [topic] [year]"	Save-heavy
Aspirational	High saves	"[Aspirational scene/outcome]"	Save-heavy
Product spotlight	Sales, traffic	"[Product] — [key benefit]"	Click-heavy
Behind-the-scenes	Brand building	"[Inside look at process]"	Balanced

Batch Diversity Rules

Within a single batch of 5-10 pins:

• No two pins use the same angle type consecutively
• No two pins target the same primary search term
• No two pins use the same image
• At least 2 different boards are served
• Mix of save-oriented and click-oriented angles
• Mix of image categories (don't use 5 lifestyle images in one batch)

Concept Quality Test

Every concept must pass four gates:

1. Not a repeat — different angle from any pin in the last 14 days
2. Search-aligned — maps to real Pinterest search queries. 96% of top searches are unbranded.
3. Board-appropriate — fits the assigned board's theme
4. Image-matchable — a relevant image scores 50%+ in the matching algorithm

If a concept fails any gate, replace it. Never ship weak pins to hit batch quota.

Title Writing for Pinterest

Non-Negotiable Rules

• Under 100 characters — Pinterest truncates at 100
• Front-load the keyword — first 3-4 words determine search ranking. "Content Workflow Automation" not "How You Can Improve Your Content Workflows"
• Be specific — numbers, outcomes, audiences. "3 Content Fixes for Teams Under 10" beats "Content Tips"
• Match the image — title and image must tell one story. If the image shows a checklist, reference steps or items in the title.
• Match search intent — use words people type. "content operations for marketing teams" not "editorial paradigm optimization"

Title Patterns by Effectiveness

Pattern	CTR Profile	Save Profile	Example
Number + specific	High	Medium	"5 Content Workflow Fixes for Small Teams"
How to + outcome	High	High	"How to Run Editorial Operations Without an Editor"
Year + topic	Medium	High	"2026 Content Operations Checklist"
Question	Medium	Medium	"Is Your Content Calendar Actually a System?"
Direct value	High	Low	"Editorial OS — Content Operations Automated"
Aspirational	Low	High	"The Content Team That Never Burns Out"

Title Failures

• Vague: "Content Tips" (no search specificity)
• Clever-not-searchable: "Operations Unleashed" (nobody searches this)
• Too long: truncated to "Here Are Some Of The Most Amazing Content Workflow Strategies Tha..."
• Brand-first: "Editorial OS Presents: Content Tips" (nobody searches your brand name)

Description Writing for Pinterest

Structure

[Keyword-rich first sentence — shows in truncated preview]
[Supporting detail — expands on the promise]
[CTA — what to do next]

Rules

• 150-300 characters optimal
• First sentence is everything — it's the preview. Front-load value.
• 2-3 keyword phrases woven naturally — not stuffed. "Content workflow automation for stretched marketing teams" hits three terms naturally.
• No hashtags unless brand guide uses them. Pinterest guidance de-emphasizes hashtags.
• CTA matches goal:

Goal	CTA	Example
Saves	Soft invite	"Save this for your next planning cycle."
Traffic	Direct invite	"Tap to read the complete guide."
Sales	Action invite	"Get started today — link in pin."
Audience	Cross-channel	"Follow for weekly content ops insights."

Board Placement Strategy

Selection Logic

1. Topic relevance — content matches board theme
2. Board balance — distribute. If one board got 5+ of last 10 pins, prioritize others.
3. Board maturity — boards under 15 pins should be prioritized
4. Goal alignment — traffic-goal pins → traffic-goal boards
5. Multi-board limit — 1-2 boards maximum per pin. More than 2 is spam.

Board Health Indicators

Indicator	Healthy	Needs Attention
Pin count	15+	Under 15 — board looks empty
Recency	New pin within 7 days	No pin in 30+ days
Save rate	Above brand average	Consistently below average
Theme coherence	All pins match theme	Mixed content — confuses algorithm

Search Term Strategy

How to Choose Target Terms

1. Think like a Pinterest user — planning intent. "content operations workflow 2026" not "content marketing"
2. Long-tail beats broad — "editorial workflow for marketing teams" beats "content strategy"
3. 96% unbranded — target category terms, not brand names
4. Vertical norms — SaaS users search "[problem] [solution]", travel searches "[destination] [activity]", food searches "[cuisine] [meal type] recipe"

Terms Per Pin

• 2-3 target terms per pin
• Primary: appears in title (front-loaded)
• Secondary: appears in description and alt text
• Natural integration — never keyword-stuff

Seasonal Strategy

Pinterest users plan ahead. Publish 2-3 months BEFORE the season:

Content Season	Publish By
Summer campaigns	March-April
Back to school	June
Fall planning	July-August
Holiday / Q4	September-October
New Year / Q1	November
Spring launches	January-February

Performance Benchmarks (Defaults)

Use when no client-specific data exists. Replace with real data after first /track.

Vertical	Avg Save Rate	Avg CTR	Avg Engagement
SaaS / B2B	1-2.5%	0.8-1.5%	2-4%
Travel & hospitality	1.5-3%	0.8-1.5%	3-5%
Food & recipe	2-4%	1-2%	4-6%
Home & lifestyle	1.5-3%	0.8-1.2%	3-5%
Ecommerce / product	0.8-2%	1-2%	2-4%

Teammate Protocol Compatibility

Same skill, different trigger:

Plugin mode (Cowork): User runs /create. Skill generates composed pins for review.

Teammate mode (Autonomous): Standing orders trigger batch creation on schedule. Skill reads Drive + image library, generates composed batch, emails morning summary with composed pins for approval.

The image matching methodology is identical in both modes. The only difference is who triggers it and where the output goes.