How to Use Pinterest: Beginner's Guide to Marketing Tips

Did you know that 85% of Pinterest users say they use the platform to plan new projects and purchases? 

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Your audience isn’t just scrolling for fun, they’re actively looking for inspiration, ideas, and products to buy! And, if you’re not using Pinterest for marketing, you’re missing out on millions of potential visitors actively searching for ideas, products, and solutions, just like the ones you offer!

Unlike Instagram or TikTok, where content fades fast, Pinterest pins can drive traffic for months or even years. That’s why smart marketers love it!

But how do you set up, optimize, and grow your presence on Pinterest? 

Through this article, we will walk you through essential marketing tips from creating your business account to mastering SEO, analytics, and ads. 

What is Pinterest?

Pinterest is a visual discovery engine where users search, save, and share ideas in the form of Pins. Think of it as a mix between a search engine and a social platform, where people explore topics ranging from fashion and home decor to business and digital marketing.

Why is Pinterest Crucial for Marketing?

Unlike social platforms like Instagram and Facebook, where content has a short shelf life, Pinterest stands out by offering long-term traffic potential. A well-optimized Pin can continue driving website visits, leads, and sales for months or even years after it’s posted.

• Pinterest users are action-takers: 83% of weekly Pinners make a purchase based on content they see on Pinterest. 
• Pinterest drives more referral traffic: It generates 33% more referral traffic to websites than Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit combined.
• Users come with intent: Unlike passive scrolling on other platforms, 55% of Pinners use the platform to find new ideas and products before making a purchase.
• High buying power: 87% of people on Pinterest have bought a product because of Pinterest, while 93% use Pinterest to plan a future purchase.
• Pins last longer: The average lifespan of a Pin is 100 days or more, compared to just hours for a tweet or Instagram post. 
• Since 97% of searches on Pinterest are unbranded, even small businesses have a fair chance to get discovered, without competing against big-name brands!

Now that you understand why Pinterest is a powerful marketing tool, the next step is learning how to use it effectively to grow your brand, increase traffic, and drive conversions.

How to Use Pinterest for Marketing

Pinterest isn’t just about pretty pictures, it’s a powerful marketing tool when used strategically. 

Here’s how to grow your brand and reach more potential customers on Pinterest.

1. Set Up Your Pinterest Business Account

To unlock the full potential of Pinterest marketing, you need a Pinterest Business account. This gives you access to analytics, ads, and other marketing tools that aren’t available to personal accounts.

• Create or Convert to a Business Account: You can start fresh or switch your existing personal account.
• Optimize Your Profile: Choose a professional profile picture, craft a keyword-rich bio, and add your website link.
• Claim Your Website: This allows Pinterest to track your content performance and boosts credibility.

Do you know? Businesses that claim their websites on Pinterest get more visibility and trust, as their domain appears on every pin linked to their site.

2. Understanding Pinterest’s Content Discovery Mechanism

Pinterest’s algorithm determines which Pins appear in users’ feeds and search results. To maximize visibility, you need to understand how it works. Here are the key factors:

Relevance

Pinterest prioritizes Pins that match a user’s:

• Search queries (keywords in titles, descriptions, and alt text).
• Past engagement (saves, clicks, or boards they follow).
• Interests (based on their activity and pinned content).

Pin Quality

High-quality Pins rank higher. The algorithm evaluates:

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• Image/video clarity: Bright, high-resolution visuals perform better.
• Useful content: Pins that solve problems or inspire action (e.g., tutorials, checklists).
• Freshness: New Pins get an initial boost, but evergreen content can resurge.

User Engagement

Pins with higher engagement signals (saves, clicks, comments) are deemed valuable and shown to more users. Ways to boost engagement:

• Clear CTAs (e.g., “Save for later!”).
• Rich Pins (product details, recipes, or article previews).
• Timely posting (peak hours: 8–11 PM, weekends).

Domain Authority

Pinterest rewards trusted sources. Claiming your website and enabling Rich Pins improves your domain’s authority, making your Pins more likely to rank.

Pro Tip: Use PinMaker to generate SEO-optimized Pins that align with Pinterest’s algorithm for better reach!

3. Create Engaging Pinterest Graphics

Since Pinterest is a visual-first platform, your pin design is the first thing that catches a user’s attention. In a sea of endless scrolling, your pins need to stop users mid-scroll and entice them to click, save, or visit your website.

1. Use Vertical Images for Maximum Visibility

• Ideal pin size: 1000 x 1500 pixels (2:3 aspect ratio).
• Taller images take up more space and perform better.

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2. Add Bold, Clear Text Overlays

• Use large, easy-to-read fonts (mobile-friendly).
• Keep headlines short & impactful (e.g., "10-Minute Dinner Recipes").
• Ensure good contrast (dark text on light background & vice versa).
• Avoid covering key parts of the image

3. Maintain Brand Consistency

• Use consistent colors, fonts, and design style.
• Add a subtle logo or website URL for brand recognition.

4. Use High-Quality, Scroll-Stopping Images

• Choose bright, high-resolution visuals.
• Keep designs clean & clutter-free.
• Ensure images align with your message & niche.

5. Include a Strong Call-to-Action (CTA)

• Guide users with clear CTAs (e.g., “Save for later!” or “Click to read more!”).
• CTAs boost engagement & direct users to the next step.

Use PinMaker, the AI-powered tool, to create appealing pins, save time, and ensure your pins look professional and are optimized for Pinterest.

4. Optimal Posting Frequency for Sustained Growth

Pinterest rewards consistency more than any other platform. Here's how to optimize your posting schedule:

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Daily/Weekly Posting Guidelines:

• New accounts: 5-10 Pins/day to build momentum
• Established accounts: 15-30 Pins/day (mix of fresh & repurposed)
• Absolute minimum: 3 Pins/day to stay active

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Why Consistency Wins:

• Algorithm prioritizes active accounts
• More data to identify winning content
• Older Pins get resurged visibility

5. Master Pinterest SEO to Get Discovered

Pinterest is a search engine, so your pins need SEO! Use keywords strategically to boost visibility.

• Find trending keywords via Pinterest’s search bar, trends.pinterest.com, or PinMaker.
• Add keywords naturally in titles and descriptions (2-3 sentences) with a CTA.
• Use alt text to describe images clearly with keywords.
• Name boards with SEO-friendly titles and write optimized descriptions.
• Claim your site, enable Rich Pins, and add Pin Buttons for better traffic.
• PinMaker instantly generates AI-powered Pinterest titles & descriptions.

SEO-optimized pins require strategic keywords, compelling titles, and high-quality designs, but doing it all manually takes time. With PinMaker, you can instantly generate AI-powered Pinterest titles & descriptions with the best SEO practices.

6. Build a Winning Pinterest Strategy

A structured plan ensures long-term Pinterest growth.

• Post 5-30 pins/day and mix 80% fresh, 20% repinned content.
• Pin at peak times (8-11 PM, weekends) for better reach.
• Use seasonal content 30-45 days ahead.
• Create new pin designs instead of repinning the same image.
• PinMaker helps you stay consistent with SEO-friendly content!

Pinterest rewards fresh content. Instead of repinning the same image repeatedly, create new designs and variations for the same blog post or product.

7. Use Pinterest Analytics to Track Performance

Want to know what’s working and what’s not? Pinterest Analytics provides valuable insights into your content’s performance, helping you refine your strategy for maximum engagement and traffic.

The key metrics to track are:

• Impressions: How many people are seeing your pins in their feed or search results?
• Saves (Repins): How many users are saving your content to their boards? This indicates how valuable your content is to users.
• Outbound Clicks: The ultimate goal! How many people clicked through to your website?
• Engagement Rate: A combination of clicks, saves, and comments—this helps you determine which pins are performing best.

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Identify your top-performing pins and repin them with slight variations to keep your content fresh!

8. Boost Growth with Pinterest Ads

Unlike Instagram or Facebook ads, Promoted Pins blend naturally into users’ feeds, making them less intrusive and more engaging.

How to Run a Successful Pinterest Ad Campaign?

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1. Choose the Right Ad Format: Pinterest offers multiple ad formats to suit different marketing goals:

• Standard Pins: Regular pins boosted for more reach.
• Carousel Ads: Multiple images in one ad, ideal for showcasing products.
• Video Pins: Great for storytelling and engagement.
• Shopping Ads: Perfect for e-commerce, linking directly to product pages.

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2. Target the Right Audience: Pinterest allows powerful audience targeting based on:

• Interests: Reach users searching for topics related to your niche.
• Keywords: Target specific high-intent search terms.
• Website Visitors & Email Lists: Retarget warm leads.

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3. Monitor & Optimize Regularly: Track your ad’s performance metrics and adjust bidding, visuals, and text accordingly.

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Start with a small budget and scale up based on performance. Even $5-$10 per day can yield great results when targeting the right audience!

9. Mastering Seasonal Trends for Year-Round Traffic

Pinterest operates on a predictable planning cycle where users search for ideas weeks before taking action. According to Pinterest's internal data, holiday-related searches typically begin two months before the actual event, such as Christmas or Easter. Additionally, 45% of Pinterest users start planning for holidays at least 60 days in advance, with some beginning up to four months earlier. Here's how to leverage this unique behavior:

The Pinterest Seasonal Playbook

Pinners don't just celebrate seasons—they plan them like military operations. Win their attention by being first in line with solutions.

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1. Reverse-Engineer Content Timing

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• Winter holidays: Launch Christmas decor Pins by October 15
• Back-to-school: Post organizational content in early June
• Summer activities: Share "patio makeover" ideas in March

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2. Trend Stacking Strategy

Combine seasonal themes with evergreen topics for maximum reach:

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• "Fall Wedding Centerpieces Using Dollar Store Items" (seasonal + budget)
• "Quick Summer Meals for Working Moms" (seasonal + time-saving)

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3. Evergreen-to-Seasonal Conversion

Repurpose top-performing Pins with seasonal tweaks:

• Original: "10-Minute Home Workouts"
• Seasonal: "10-Minute Holiday Workouts (No Equipment Needed)

10. Engage with Pinterest Community for More Engagement

Pinterest isn’t just about posting content, it’s about building relationships and engaging with your audience.

The more active you are, the more Pinterest’s algorithm rewards you with better visibility.

Ways to Boost Engagement on Pinterest:

• Join & Contribute to Group Boards: Group boards expand your reach by exposing your pins to a larger audience. Find active boards in your niche and request to join.
• Respond to Comments & Messages: Engaging with users builds trust and credibility. If someone asks a question, reply with helpful insights!
• Partner with Influencers: Pinterest influencers can help amplify your brand by sharing your pins with their audience. Look for Pinners with high engagement rates in your industry.

Now that you know how to create engaging Pinterest graphics, let’s talk about a tool that can make the process even easier. PinMaker takes the guesswork out of Pinterest marketing by generating eye-catching pin titles, descriptions, and visuals in seconds.

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Here’s how it can elevate your strategy! 

Take Your Pinterest Marketing to The Next Level with PinMaker

Creating engaging, SEO-optimized pins is key to Pinterest success, from crafting the perfect title to designing eye-catching visuals. 

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PinMaker is an AI-powered Pinterest tool that streamlines your workflow and helps you create high-performing pins in seconds.

• Instantly Generate SEO-Friendly Titles & Descriptions: No more keyword guesswork! Get AI-optimized text designed to boost search visibility.
• High-Converting Pin Templates: Professionally designed graphics that are click-worthy and shareable.
• Trend-Based Pin Suggestions: Discover what’s trending in your niche to stay ahead of the competition.
• Built-In Analytics: Track pin performance and get insights into what works best for your audience.
• Time-Saving Automation: Create multiple pin variations in minutes, so you can focus on growing your brand instead of manually tweaking designs.

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Why waste hours brainstorming and designing when AI can do the heavy lifting for you? 

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Try PinMaker today and watch your Pinterest strategy take off effortlessly!