How to use Instagram Reels as Pinterest Idea Pins

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You’ve likely seen all the changes to Pinterest Idea pins recently! One of the latest changes is that Pinterest is now pushing and promoting videos and short-form content as Idea Pins. When Idea Pins first came out they were often used to describe ideas, show inspiration and overall communicate a more long-form pin idea. Whereas now, Pinterest is focusing more on grabbing people’s attention by having cute and quick videos to convey your message. Sounds like another platform we know right? Yup, that’s right, Instagram and TikTok are pushing that too! They want cute and fun videos of you dancing, describing a product, or lipsyncing to audio.

Now one of my favorite things about Pinterest is you don’t need to be on the platform daily and engaging like Instagram and TikTok, thankfully that has not changed. However, now they want your idea pins to be fun and creative.

I’m a work smarter, not harder kind of gal so I’m going to share some great ideas on how to repurpose your existing content into Idea Pins!

What are idea pins and how are they different then story pins? Check out my Idea Pins blog here! This includes helpful information about how to make idea pins on pinterest and pinterest idea pins size.

Can you repurpose Instagram Reels into Idea Pins?

Yes, you can! I encourage you to do so!

Now, there are some steps you need to follow to help maximize how you are repurposing your content but yes at the end of the day you can take the content you’ve already made and have it working for you on Pinterest. Whether it’s past reels from months ago or reels you just created this week you can repurpose them all onto the Pinterest platform to help grow your Pinterest Marketing.

When Pinterest Idea Pins were released it was in select regions, however as time has gone on now almost all regions have the ability to create an idea pin. Before continuing onwards with this post ensure you have the ability to create idea pins in your region!

Download your Reels & Videos

One of the first steps is getting your videos and reels off your other platforms. If you have them saved already then you can use those files. However, if you’re like me and can’t find any of your saved reels in amongst the thousands of photos it appears you take each day, then not to worry. I use this Instagram Video Downloader to download all my reels. Now you might ask why I don’t download them from the Instagram app. You can! It will download with a watermark, cropping out that watermark can be done in Canva but it does take a couple of extra steps to crop it out and ensure it is the correct size for your Pinterest pin.

Ensure no watermarks or icon marks are on your video. Once you’ve removed them or used the downloader then sure it’s the right size, you want an “Instagram Story” size for Idea Pins. I know, it’s weird but with “Pinterest Idea Pin” size the images get cut off! Be mindful that not all music that is available on Instagram is licensed for Pinterest, if you’re using not original audio be mindful of best practices.

Save your Pinterest Idea Pin File with a Keyword

To help your Pinterest Idea Pin go farther in Pinterest you want to use a keyword (or two) in your file name when you save the download (before uploading to Pinterest). So before you upload it, rename the file to something with a keyword. Here’s an example:

Original File Name: dhsjhdauiwaueoi3u2u423

Renamed SEO File Name: Long Dress Style Tutorial

Now if you’re wondering how to get idea pins on Pinterest then follow along to the next step!

Uploading your Pinterest Idea Pin

Next, you’ll want to upload your Pinterest Idea Pin. Note, you cannot upload Pinterest Idea Pins unless, on the platform, other scheduling tools such as Later and Tailwind currently don’t allow Pinterest Idea Pins to be scheduled and published through their platforms. You will need to be in the Pinterest Mobile App or on the Pinterest Desktop Site.

Click at the top left toolbar “Create” and then “Idea Pin”. From there you can click to upload your Reel (with the keyword in its file name!). Once uploaded you can use the publishing tools including editing size, placing stickers (mobile only), music (mobile only), and flipping the image. Then click “next”.

You can check out more information about the free Pinterest Scheduler here for free on your Pinterest Account. This includes new publishing tools such as 30 days of scheduling.

How to add SEO to your Idea Pin

Here comes the SEO – the juiciest part of Pinterest and the most important part if you want your Idea Pin to reach its full potential. There are several key parts here that you want to include in your story pins/ idea pins.

Boards- Similar to the standard pins you want to choose a board that connects to your content. When creating idea pins make sure they align with your Pinterest niche and account content to help them reach your audience!

Pin Title – When in the Pinterest app it will make you title your idea pin. Here you want to include a keyword (or two) to help your Pin find the right people. For example: How to dress tutorial with tying a square knot. This includes rich keywords that help my pin fit into its category on the Pinterest app.

Tags – Similar to social media marketing you want to tag appropriate categories for your pin. So search for some common words that connect to your pin. Only select categories that connect to your content. You can select up to 10 tags. You do not need to use all 10!

URL – In some regions, a Pinterest Idea Pin URL is available where you can link your content to it! If you have this feel free to include a link.

Add Notes: In the “details” section you want to “add notes” this is where you can write a pin description rich with keywords just the same as you would with a standard pin! Be sure to include a Call to Action and copy a link that folks can copy and paste to visit for more information!

Then hit publish when you’re ready!

Additional Tips for Idea Pins

Idea Pins are a great way to create inspiring content and share it with your audience. Pinterest Idea Pins is not a stand-alone strategy on Pinterest. Sure they will increase your impressions, however, they aren’t likely to actually increase your traffic to the site without supporting your account with standard and video pins as well! If you’re unsure where to start with idea pins just add 1 a week and see how your account reacts, some do better with them while others it doesn’t move the needle as much!

Pinterest currently has released a new layout update where Idea pins for some users are no longer found at the top of your pin profile and are now scattered among your pins. This is still in the process of being rolled out but it appears to be becoming more common among accounts right now.

You cannot go back to edit an Idea Pin once published.

*Update for 2023* Idea pins are being phased out, and now are migrating with video pins. You can go back and now add a URL to your Idea Pins. If your idea pin not showing on Pinterest, it’s likely they have migrated into video pins now.

Let me know if this was helpful with your Pinterest Marketing in the comments below!

Talk soon!