How to use Flipboard to get traffic to your site: A beginner’s guide

Struggling to get eyes on your content? You’re not alone. In today’s digital ocean, content discovery can feel like throwing a message in a bottle and hoping it washes ashore into the hands of someone curious. But what if there was a platform specifically designed for curating and sharing interesting content? Enter Flipboard!

Think of Flipboard as a digital magazine rack for the 21st century. Users create “magazines” on various topics, then “flip” (think “share”) articles, videos, and podcasts they find interesting into their magazine. It’s a fantastic way to discover fresh content and build a community around shared interests.

But here’s the real kicker: Flipboard can be a goldmine for driving traffic to your website, but it won’t come without some work. The Brilliant Bloggers community has had three different webinars with Flipboard, during which the Flipboard team shared best practices and the ins and outs of mastering this platform. Intrigued? Read on to learn how you can leverage Flipboard’s power to get your content seen.

Setting up your Flipboard profile: First impressions matter

Creating a stellar Flipboard profile is like crafting a captivating storefront window. It’s the first thing potential readers see, so make it count. Here’s how to optimize your profile.

Craft a compelling bio

Think of your bio as your elevator pitch. Briefly explain who you are, what kind of content you create, and why it’s valuable. Use keywords relevant to your niche to help people discover you.

Choose a striking profile picture

A high-quality, professional-looking headshot is ideal. You can also use your brand’s logo, but it’s less personal than a picture of you. Keep in mind that Flipboard is all about connecting with other people who share your interests.

Link your website

Make it ridiculously easy for people to find your website. Include the URL prominently in your bio and consider adding a Flipboard button to your website.

Building your Flipboard magazine: Curate with care

Now comes the fun part: creating your Flipboard magazines. Start with a handful of magazines and build up your followers on those before creating new ones. Flipboard will populate new magazines with a portion of your follower base. So build slowly and thoughtfully. Here are more tips to ensure it becomes a hub for engaged readers, and remember, if you become an Elite Member at Brilliant Bloggers, you’ll have access to all our webinars with Flipboard (and others) to learn from their team directly about how to use this platform to grow your traffic.

Magazines should have a focused niche

Don’t try to be everything to everyone. You can have magazines in many different niches, but each magazine should reflect one niche. Like salads, or European travel, or activities for kids. You get the point. But also, don’t get too niche. Salads are a fairly broad niche with wide appeal, but chicken salads or summer salads narrow the focus and may not reach as many people. 

Title it smartly

Your magazine title is like a headline — it needs to grab attention. Use keywords people might search for and keep it clear and concise.

Craft a magnetic description

Expand on your niche in the magazine description. Explain what kind of content readers can expect and why they should follow.

Become a curation connoisseur

Don’t just dump everything you find online into your magazine. Curate high-quality content that aligns with your niche and complements your content. It helps to flip trending content. Look for the little + on the flip and the number beside it. A higher number means more flips. This is a sign of trending content. You can also invite other publishers to join your Flipboard magazines.

Flip your content (strategically)

Of course, you want to showcase your work but avoid overwhelming your magazine with self-promotion. Aim for an 80/20 split — 80% curated content, 20% your own.

Add context with comments

When you flip an article or video, take a moment to add a comment. Briefly explain why you find it interesting and how it connects to your magazine’s theme. This adds value for readers and encourages engagement.

Flipboard power-ups: Take your strategy to the next level

Flipboard offers a few features that can supercharge your traffic-driving efforts.

RSS feeds

Connect your website’s RSS feed to your Flipboard magazine. This automatically adds your latest blog posts, ensuring your content is always fresh and readily available to your audience.

Flipboard groups

Brilliant Bloggers has several ways to help grow your Flipboard followers and get more exposure to your flips and magazines. We work closely with the team from Flipboard to ensure that our methods are acceptable. Flipboard has clearly stated that they don’t approve of any methods that replicate content or manipulate the platform in any way.

Promote, promote, promote

Don’t be shy about promoting your Flipboard magazine. Share it on your social media platforms, website, and email newsletter. The more people who know about it, the more traffic you’ll attract.

Keeping the momentum going: Consistency is key

Building a successful Flipboard presence requires consistent effort. Here are some tips to maintain momentum.

Schedule time for flipping

Dedicate some time each day or week to curate content for your magazine. Consistency is crucial to keep your audience engaged.

Engage with other users

Respond to comments, re-flip interesting content from other users, and participate in discussions. These foster a sense of community and keep your profile visible.

Analyze and adapt

Flipboard provides basic analytics to track your magazine’s performance. See what content resonates with your audience and adjust your curation strategy accordingly.

Experiment and have fun

Don’t be afraid to try new things and experiment with different types of content. The key is to find what resonates with your audience and complements your overall content strategy.

The flip side of the coin: Addressing potential challenges

While Flipboard can be a goldmine for website traffic, there are a few potential challenges to consider.

Standing out in the crowd

Flipboard is a vast content landscape. Make sure your magazine offers a unique perspective or valuable curation to cut through the noise and attract a loyal following.

The time investment

Building a successful Flipboard presence takes time and effort. From curating content to engaging with other users, consistency is key. Be prepared to invest the time to reap the rewards.

Limited direct traffic

Flipboard isn’t necessarily designed to drive immediate, massive traffic spikes. It’s more about building a long-term audience that’s genuinely interested in your content and niche.

Flipboard: Your gateway to a targeted audience

Flipboard isn’t just a digital magazine rack; it’s a powerful platform for connecting with a targeted audience interested in your niche. By strategically curating content, creating engaging magazines, and promoting your presence, you can leverage Flipboard to drive traffic to your website and build a loyal following. Remember, consistency is key. So start flipping, and watch your website traffic grow.

Bonus tip: Flipboard integrates with some social media platforms and content management systems like the Fediverse. Explore these integrations to streamline your workflow and maximize your Flipboard experience.

By following these tips and putting in the effort, you can turn Flipboard into a valuable tool for attracting new readers and growing your website’s audience.