How I’m Growing My Pinterest Within the New Content Guidelines

Creative business social media tips - how I use Tailwind for Pinterest to keep growing my jewelry business within the new content guidelines - J'Adorn Designs

Today I’m pulling back the veil and showing you my secret weapon for Pinterest marketing!

Between the new content guidelines that Pinterest recently released and my current work-from-home situation due to the coronavirus, I’m happier than ever to have Tailwind in my arsenal of tools to make the most impact marketing my jewelry products online.

Creative business social media tips - how I use Tailwind for Pinterest to keep growing my jewelry business within the new content guidelines - J'Adorn Designs

Note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you choose to click through and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. I was also compensated to create this post, though all opinions are my own. I started using Tailwind long before I decided to become an affiliate. 

To jump right in and see the platform I’m talking about, click here! 

Running a small business can be overwhelming.

When you’re wearing all the hats, time is a precious resource that you can’t spare. That’s why I love using Tailwind to manage my Pinterest posts. It saves me time and effort in writing, posting, and optimizing my pins for maximum impact. They’re constantly rolling out new features, like SmartGuide, to help users get the best results.

I’ve been a faithful user of Tailwind for years, and I can honestly say that it’s been the single best marketing investment I’ve made in my jewelry business. 

Recently, Pinterest changed its content guidelines to prioritize certain types of posts over others. Thankfully, with Tailwind, adjusting to these new rules has been easy to work into my existing Pinterest marketing strategy.

In this blog post, I’m going to tell you how Tailwind has helped me grow my business through Pinterest, and how you can do the same by following the new content guidelines. 

How I grow my jewelry business on Pinterest using Tailwind's pin scheduling tool to follow new content guidelines

If you remember nothing else from this blog post, I want you to remember these two words:

FRESH CONTENT. 

This is the first and most important change to Pinterest’s content guidelines.

Tailwind’s new content guidelines give priority to FRESH CONTENT above all other content. They also want you to share more of your own content than before.

So, what does “fresh content” mean?

Simply put, fresh content is a new image that has not been shared to Pinterest before. To give its users the most relevant and up-to-date results for their searches (remember, Pinterest is a search engine), fresh content gets first priority.  Fresh content includes images for new blog posts, new pages, new product listings, and new images for existing posts, products, and pages. So, you don’t necessarily have to create a new blog post every time you want to share a pin.

Here are a couple of ideas on how to add fresh content without making new product listings or web pages:
  • From your website:
    • Add a new photo to a published product.
    • Then, pin the new image to Pinterest.
    • The new pin links back to your product page, but the new photo counts as fresh content if it hasn’t been seen on Pinterest before. (Added bonus: increased SEO for that product page!)
    • Upload a modeled/lifestyle photo that links back to the product page
  • As a direct upload:
    • Rather than adding a new photo to a web page, you can upload the photo directly to Pinterest and manually link to a page.
    • Or, if you don’t have new photos, you can make small changes like adding a text overlay to your existing photos. Save the photo with changes under a new file name, then upload it to Pinterest following the same steps listed above.

New Pinterest Guidelines: Fresh content is the best content for Pinterest. Fresh content is any photo that has never been on Pinterest before.

This process might sound SUPER time consuming. And, it would be if I was writing and posting all of my pins manually. That’s where Tailwind comes in to make my job easier.

With Tailwind for Pinterest, I can schedule all of my pins ahead of time in a batch session. When I do this, I know I will be getting the best “bang for my buck” in results. I trust them because they’re certified partners with Pinterest (and Instagram!) so I know I’m following the most up-to-date guidelines and their little robots are working their magic to optimize every pin that I send out into the internet. (That’s how I like to imagine computer processes working, anyway!)


The second new content guideline:

Authenticity is King.

Just like Instagram, Pinterest wants us to interact in ways that look more like real life. So, when you’re writing your pin descriptions and choosing which board(s) to pin to, focus on creating an authentic connection with the person on the other side of the screen rather than overtly selling your goods & services.

New Pinterest Guidelines: when writing a pin description and choosing which pinterest board to share a pin to, focus on relevancy and authenticity. Don't post the same pin to as many boards as possible; instead pick a few that are the most relevant for your content.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re creating content for Pinterest, in order to connect more authentically:

  • Clickbait is out, especially in titles
  • Pinterest is looking at relevancy. So, instead of adding your pin to any board where it could possibly fit, add pins only to boards where they’re truly relevant.
  • Questions to consider while writing:
    • How does this answer a question?
    • What problem could this solve that my audience is searching for?

The third new content guideline:

Longer Posting Intervals

New 2020 Pinterest Guidelines: Space out your pins further than before, at least 7 days between repeated content. You can still pin the same content to multiple boards, just use fewer boards and spread out the intervals further!

As part of their efforts to crack down on spam, Pinterest’s new guidelines recommend posting in wider intervals to avoid being flagged and penalized.
One of the features I’ve always enjoyed as a Tailwind user is the ability to set intervals in posting the same pin to multiple boards. I used to set the interval to “1 day or more” between posting the same pin multiple times. However, now I’ve adapted to the new guidelines and set my interval to “7 days or more.”

This is just one more way that Tailwind is making my life as a creative entrepreneur easier & more streamlined: by taking the guesswork out of determining the best times to pin, and automating my posts to follow the new rules automatically.

Here’s a look at the interval tool from the Tailwind dashboard:

Tailwind's interval tool for scheduling minimum time between pins on Pinterest for optimal pinning schedule


Staying up to date on best practices for social media marketing can be exhausting, and like me, you’ve probably questioned if it’s really worth the time and effort. I get it!

But friends, I’m already seeing the results and I’m here to tell you: fresh content works on Pinterest! Users respond to new Pins and the algorithm loves them, so get ahead of the rest by adapting to these changes now.

 

This is the first post in our newly revitalized blog series on creative entrepreneurship. If there’s a specific topic you’d like to see us share about in the future, please let us know in the comments!

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Tassel Bar Launch Party

Welcome to the Tassel Bar

At the J’Adorn Designs signature Tassel Bar event, you get to play the role of designer and build the perfect pair of tassel earrings.  Or two or three… we won’t judge!

Tassel bar pop-up shop; design your own tassel earrings at local artisan events in Maryland with J'Adorn Designs custom jewelry and bridal accessories

Last month, in early February, we launched our first ever Tassel Bar event.  This fun pop-up event is one that we are hoping to bring to our stockist locations and other local boutiques this spring and summer (and beyond).

So, if you’re a local business owner (think: boutique, salon, studio, coffee shop, etc.), TAKE NOTES!  We want to partner with you and bring this fun and colorful experience to your venue.

Tassel bar pop-up shop; design your own tassel earrings at local artisan events in Maryland with J'Adorn Designs custom jewelry and bridal accessories

Never designed jewelry before?  Don’t worry, we’ve made it easy for you!
  1. Take a design sheet
  2. Choose your tassel color
  3. Choose your gemstone bead (or beads)
  4. Choose your earlier preference
  5. Bring your design sheet to Ali or Betsy
  6. Check out with your order
  7. Your custom tassel earrings will arrive (free of shipping charges) on your doorstep

For future events, we are working towards building the earrings on-site, so that those who place their orders early enough in the event will be able to take theirs home that day!  Of course, building the tassels you design takes time and care, and if we’ve got a queue of orders, we may not be able to fill them all during the event.  The early girl gets the jewels, as they say!

Tassel bar pop-up shop; design your own tassel earrings at local artisan events in Maryland with J'Adorn Designs custom jewelry and bridal accessories

We’ve blogged about our Tassel Collections before in the spring and fall of last year, but this Tassel Bar Event is something totally brand new.

Our Launch Event boasted a complimentary lip-color bar (complete with professional makeup artist), several kinds of bubbly, chocolates and a photo booth.

These tassels just inspire FUN.  So, you can be sure that any future Tassel Bar event is going to be packed with exciting experiences!

Tassel bar pop-up shop; design your own tassel earrings at local artisan events in Maryland with J'Adorn Designs custom jewelry and bridal accessories

In addition to our Tassel Table, this event featured a pop-up of our other jewelry collections, too.  Our druzies are always so loved and we were happy to show off some of our newest designs!

Can you spy the new WHITE DRUZIES with rose quartz drops?

(Of course you can, how can you miss them?!)

Tassel bar pop-up shop; design your own tassel earrings at local artisan events in Maryland with J'Adorn Designs custom jewelry and bridal accessories

Also, those Lemon Quartz Branch Earrings are another fan-favorite.  And be sure to stay tuned to our social channels… you may see them popping up in a couple new colors soon!

Have a special color you’d like to see them in?  Let us know in the comments OR contact us here!

Tassel bar pop-up shop; design your own tassel earrings at local artisan events in Maryland with J'Adorn Designs custom jewelry and bridal accessories

With spring just around the corner, our bright and cheerful tassels have us dreaming about warm, dusky evenings and blooming flora.  And, wedding season, of course!

We’ve recently had a couple spring bridal clients place orders for tassel earrings to gift to their bridesmaids (umm… best brides EVER!).  Consider us your one-stop-shop for adding all the finishing touches to your wedding look AND celebrating the best friends who’ll be standing with you on your big day.

Tassel bar pop-up shop; design your own tassel earrings at local artisan events in Maryland with J'Adorn Designs custom jewelry and bridal accessories

So, stay tuned for lots more Tassel Bar events popping up in Central Maryland (and the eastern shore) this year.

Don’t live nearby?  No sweat!  We’ve got lots of beautiful tassel earrings in our online jewelry shop.  And if you don’t see the color combination you’re dreaming of, let us know.  We take the “custom” part of our brand very seriously!

And, local business owners, let’s work together to bring the fun to your venue!  There are perks in it for you, too… just ask us!

Tassel bar pop-up shop; design your own tassel earrings at local artisan events in Maryland with J'Adorn Designs custom jewelry and bridal accessories

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20 on the Rise: Alison Jefferies Wins Designer Award!

top creative entrepreneur jewelry designer Alison Jefferies, J'Adorn Designs custom jeweler and bridal accessories

Alison Jefferies was recently named a top designer by 20 On the Rise, a curated list of 100 creative entrepreneurs to watch!

We are so proud to share that our CEO and custom jeweler Alison Jefferies won a spot on the list of Designers in this list of rising stars!

20 on the rise finalist Alison Jefferies, Top Designer, emerging creative entrepreneur

So, what is 20 on the Rise? 

20 on the Rise is a list of creative entrepreneurs to watch, curated by The Rising Tide Society, Gusto, Peerspace, and HoneyBook.

According to their website:

“20 on the Rise is a celebration of individuals who are making waves and raising the tide, rocking their respective industries through hard work and creativity.” 

20 on the rise finalist Alison Jefferies, Top Designer, emerging creative entrepreneur

Contestants were nominated anonymously by their peers. The winners were selected based on: empowerment, impact, purpose, and passion.
20 on the rise finalist Alison Jefferies, Top Designer, emerging creative entrepreneurHere is an excerpt from Alison’s 20 on the Rise profile. It explains the heart behind what she does through her work as the owner of J’Adorn Designs and in the community.
  • 20 On the Rise: What are you best known for?
  • Alison: My custom accessory clients know me best for my warm and intuitive customer service and excellent craftsmanship of their commissioned projects. My potential clients who have come across J’Adorn Designs online know me for bridal accessories and upscale custom designs for both weddings and major life events. The designs I make are known for their combination of elegance, simplicity, botanical elements, comfortability, and quality craftsmanship.
    My TuesdaysTogether community knows me for my empathy and desire to make our resources available to everyone in the group. They know me for my genuine interest in how each of them is doing, and for my willingness to share my own expertise with them.
    Friends and family know me for my empathetic and sensitive nature, my passion for women’s rights and equality, my quirky sense of humor, my love of world languages and cultures. (I’m fluent in German!) [They also know me] for my undying love/obsession with bunnies.
    My hope is that everyone who knows me will know me as a trustworthy and caring person with a love for life and desire to share that love with them in tangible and intangible ways. I hope that the world knows me as an ally who looks for opportunities to serve them and make their lives better.

    20 on the rise finalist Alison Jefferies, Top Designer, emerging creative entrepreneur

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Introducing J’Adorn Gives

I’m officially naming a facet of J’Adorn that has been a priority from the beginning.Modern jeweler J'Adorn Designs, Maryland custom jewelry

Meet J’Adorn Gives – an initiative straight from my heart!

When I founded J’Adorn Designs to sell my handcrafted jewelry back in 2012, I knew that I’d have to reinvest every penny I made back into the business to keep growing. But I also knew that I wanted my company to be a force for good in the world.

I wanted to make philanthropy part of my business model as soon as it was financially feasible. 

J'Adorn Gives: creative philanthropy at a Maryland custom jeweler, J'Adorn Designs

I had my first chance to give back through J’Adorn Designs in 2014. 

My hair stylist invited me to donate jewelry to her salon’s annual fundraiser for suicide awareness and prevention. This was especially close to my heart, as I had recently lost a childhood friend to suicide. So, I knew I needed to jump at this chance to make a difference.

Art Fundraiser for Suicide Prevention, Maryland jeweler gives to suicide prevention benefit

I made this custom jewelry set especially for the fundraiser. Then I designed the display and brought it to the salon for the silent auction.

It made me so happy to finally be able to give with J’Adorn Designs! 

J'Adorn Gives: How one Baltimore custom jeweler gives back through creative philanthropy

Since that first silent auction, J’Adorn Designs has donated jewelry or gift certificates to lots of other local, national, and international causes.

Some of the causes J’Adorn Designs has given to include:

Philanthropy has always been a foundational value of my custom jewelry business. J’Adorn Gives is simply naming this priority.

I hope you will join me in future endeavors to make the world a more beautiful place through J’Adorn Gives!

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Tuesdays Together Catonsville: May Meetup

Tuesdays Together Catonsville Maryland entrepreneurs group, Rising Tide Society chapter led by J'Adorn Designs jeweler Alison Jefferies, photo by Little Cuddlebug Photography

Photo by Andrea Elizabeth Photography

Last week, Tuesdays Together Catonsville held its fourth meeting.

As you may recall, Tuesdays Together Catonsville is the local chapter of The Rising Tide Society that I have been leading since February. Our group met in Rooster & Hen Store‘s cafe area and discussed our monthly topic of Content Marketing while sipping house-made cold brew coffee. It was a great start to the day!

Tuesdays Together Catonsville Maryland entrepreneurs group, Rising Tide Society chapter led by J'Adorn Designs jeweler Alison Jefferies, photo by Little Cuddlebug Photography

Photo by Little Cuddlebug Photography

One of the greatest strengths of Tuesdays Together Catonsville is its diversity. Our group members come from a wide range of industries and crafts.

Each person brings a unique perspective to the discussion from their specific industry.

For instance, my content marketing strategy has been heavily focused on Pinterest in recent months because that is where my potential customers plan to make future purchases. But service-oriented businesses like C&V brand design use a different approach to reach their clientele effectively.

The variety of perspectives made for a lively discussion and lots of problem-solving ideas from different industries!

Tuesdays Together Catonsville Maryland entrepreneurs group, Rising Tide Society chapter led by J'Adorn Designs jeweler Alison Jefferies, photo by Little Cuddlebug Photography

Photo by Little Cuddlebug Photography

Every month the group of people who attend is a little bit different, depending on members’ schedules. This month we had an all-female group of small biz bosses specializing in:

Tuesdays Together Catonsville Maryland entrepreneurs group, Rising Tide Society chapter led by J'Adorn Designs jeweler Alison Jefferies, photo by Little Cuddlebug Photography

Photo by Little Cuddlebug Photography

May’s meetup was another win for “community of competition” in our city of Catonsville. I’m already looking forward to our get-together in June!

Tuesdays Together Catonsville Maryland entrepreneurs group, Rising Tide Society chapter led by J'Adorn Designs jeweler Alison Jefferies, photo by Little Cuddlebug Photography

Photo by Little Cuddlebug Photography

Are you a creative small business owner? If you’d like to join us at our next meeting, check out the Tuesdays Together Catonsville Facebook page and request to be added to the group. We would love to have you join us! 

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