Pinterest isn’t just another social media platform. It’s a visual search engine that can drive serious traffic to your business. When I first started using Pinterest for my first business, I wasn’t sure about it. Within six months, Pinterest was sending me over 1,500 daily visitors to my website.
The platform has over 400 million active users searching for ideas, products, and solutions every single day. That’s a massive audience waiting to discover your content. But most business owners don’t know how to properly set up their Pinterest account or create pins that actually get seen.
This complete guide will walk you through everything you need to know to start a Pinterest account and publish your first pin.
Why You Should Start a Pinterest Account for Your Business
Pinterest operates differently from other social platforms, and that’s exactly why it’s so powerful for business owners.
Unlike Instagram or Facebook where your content disappears quickly, Pinterest pins have incredible longevity. I have pins from three years ago that still drive traffic to my website every single day. The platform rewards quality content that provides value to users, not just flashy visuals.
Pinterest users are also in a different mindset. They’re actively searching for solutions, inspiration, and products to buy. According to Pinterest’s own data, 85% of users have made a purchase based on pins they’ve seen from brands. That’s purchase intent you can’t find on most other platforms.
For business owners, coaches, and course creators, Pinterest offers three major benefits.
- It drives consistent organic traffic without paid advertising.
- It builds authority in your niche through valuable content.
- It creates a compound effect where your content continues working for you months and years later.
Step 1: How to Start a Pinterest Account – Business vs Personal
Your first decision is choosing between a personal and business account, and this choice matters more than you might think.
Why Business Accounts Win Every Time
Always choose a business account when you start a Pinterest account. Business accounts give you access to Pinterest Analytics, which shows you exactly how your pins are performing. You can see which pins drive the most traffic, what times your audience is most active, and which keywords are working best.
Business accounts also allow you to add your website URL directly to your profile. This creates a verified link that builds trust with users and helps with SEO. Plus, you get access to Rich Pins, which automatically update information from your website.
Converting from Personal to Business
If you already have a personal Pinterest account, converting is simple and free. Go to business.pinterest.com and click “Convert your account.” You’ll keep all your existing pins and followers while gaining access to business features.
The conversion process takes about five minutes. Pinterest will ask for basic business information like your business name, website, and industry. Don’t worry – you can always update this information later.
Step 2: Optimizing Your Pinterest Business Profile
Your Pinterest profile needs to make a strong first impression.
Crafting Your Profile Name and Description
Your profile name should include your business name and a keyword that describes what you do. For example, “Soji’s Copywriting | Direct Response Marketing Expert” is much better than just “Soji’s Copywriting.”
Your profile description is crucial for Pinterest SEO. Use this 160-character space to clearly explain what you do and include relevant keywords. I recommend this formula: “I help [target audience] [achieve specific result] through [your method/service].”
Professional Profile Picture Guidelines
Use a high-quality headshot or your business logo as your profile picture. The image should be 165 x 165 pixels and look professional at small sizes. Remember, people will see this tiny image next to your pins, so it needs to be instantly recognizable.
Avoid busy backgrounds or cluttered designs. A simple, clean image with good contrast works best. I’ve tested different profile pictures for my clients, and professional headshots consistently perform better than logos for personal brands.
Adding Your Website and Verification
Website verification is essential for Pinterest success. This process confirms you own your website and gives you access to additional features. Go to your settings, click “Claim,” and follow the instructions to verify your website.
You can verify through HTML file upload, meta tag, or DNS TXT record. The HTML file method is usually the easiest for most business owners. Once verified, you’ll see a checkmark next to your website URL, which builds credibility with users.
Step 3: Setting Up Pinterest Boards That Convert
Pinterest boards are like categories that organize your pins, and they play a huge role in your Pinterest SEO strategy.
Board Creation Best Practices
Start with 5-10 boards that align with your business and target audience interests. Each board should have a clear, keyword-rich title that describes the content. For example, “Email Marketing Tips” is better than “Marketing Stuff.”
Board descriptions are just as important as titles. Write 2-3 sentences that explain what users will find on the board and include relevant keywords naturally. Pinterest uses these descriptions to understand and categorize your content.
Strategic Board Organization
Create boards that serve both your business goals and your audience’s interests. I recommend the 80/20 rule: 80% of your boards should provide value to your audience, while 20% can directly promote your products or services.
For a copywriting business, valuable boards might include “Email Marketing Tips,” “Sales Page Examples,” and “Content Creation Ideas.” The promotional board could be “My Copywriting Services” or “Client Success Stories.”
Board Cover Selection
Choose covers that match your brand aesthetic and clearly communicate what each board contains. Consistent cover designs create a professional look that builds trust with potential followers.
You can create custom covers using free tools like Canva. Keep them simple, use readable fonts, and maintain brand consistency across all boards. I’ve seen businesses increase their follower conversion rate by 40% just by improving their board covers.
Step 4: Creating Your First Pin – Design and Content
Now comes the exciting part – creating your first pin that will attract your ideal audience.
Pin Design Fundamentals
Pinterest favors vertical pins with a 2:3 aspect ratio (1000 x 1500 pixels works perfectly). Your pin should be visually appealing but not cluttered. Use high-quality images, readable fonts, and colors that stand out in the Pinterest feed.
Text overlay is crucial for Pinterest success. Most users scroll quickly, so your pin needs to communicate value instantly. Use clear, benefit-focused headlines that make people want to click. “5 Email Subject Lines That Triple Open Rates” performs better than “Email Marketing Tips.”
Writing Pin Descriptions That Drive Traffic
Your pin description should be 100-200 words and include relevant keywords naturally. Start with a hook that grabs attention, then explain the value your content provides. End with a clear call-to-action that encourages clicks.
I use this formula: Hook + Value + Keywords + Call-to-Action. For example: “Struggling with low email open rates? These 5 proven subject line formulas have generated millions in revenue for my clients. Perfect for coaches, course creators, and service providers who want to boost engagement. Save this pin and click through for the complete guide!”
Keyword Research for Pinterest
Pinterest’s search function works like Google, so keyword research is essential. Use Pinterest’s search bar to find popular keywords in your niche. Type in broad terms and see what autocomplete suggestions appear.
Pinterest Trends tool shows you what people are searching for seasonally. This helps you create timely content that captures search traffic. I also recommend checking what keywords your competitors are using in their pin descriptions.
Step 5: Publishing Your First Pin
With your pin created and description written, it’s time to publish and start driving traffic.
Choosing the Right Board
Select the board that best matches your pin’s topic. Pinterest rewards relevance, so putting a marketing tip pin on your “Marketing Tips” board will perform better than adding it to a general business board.
You can add pins to multiple relevant boards, but wait 24-48 hours between each addition. This prevents Pinterest from seeing your activity as spam. I typically add new pins to 3-5 relevant boards over the course of a week.
Optimal Publishing Times
Pinterest users are most active during evenings and weekends. I noticed that publishing between 8-11 PM in your audience’s time zone typically generates the most initial engagement.
However, Pinterest traffic builds over time rather than spiking immediately. Don’t worry if your pin doesn’t get massive engagement in the first few hours. Some of my best-performing pins took weeks to gain traction.
Adding Your Website Link
Always include your website link in the destination URL field. This is how Pinterest drives traffic back to your site. Make sure the link works correctly and leads to relevant, valuable content.
The page you link to should deliver on the promise made in your pin. If your pin promises “5 Email Subject Lines,” your webpage should provide exactly that content. Pinterest rewards pins that provide genuine value to users.
Step 6: Advanced Pinterest Strategies for Maximum Impact
Once you’ve published your first pin, these advanced strategies will help you maximize your Pinterest results.
Rich Pins Setup
Rich Pins automatically sync information from your website to your Pinterest pins. They’re available for products, recipes, and articles. Article Rich Pins are particularly valuable for business owners because they include your headline, author name, and story description.
To enable Rich Pins, add the appropriate meta tags to your website’s HTML. Pinterest provides detailed instructions for different website platforms. Most WordPress users can enable Rich Pins through plugins like Yoast SEO.
Pinterest SEO Optimization
Pinterest SEO works similarly to Google SEO. Use relevant keywords in your pin titles, descriptions, and board names. But avoid keyword stuffing – Pinterest prioritizes user experience over keyword density.
Focus on long-tail keywords that match how people actually search. Instead of just “marketing,” try “email marketing for small business” or “social media marketing tips for coaches.” These specific phrases often have less competition and higher conversion rates.
Creating Pin Templates
Develop 3-5 pin templates that match your brand aesthetic. This saves time and ensures consistency across all your pins. I create templates for different content types: tips, tutorials, quotes, and promotional pins.
Consistent branding helps users recognize your pins in the Pinterest feed. Use the same colors, fonts, and design elements across all your pins. This builds brand recognition and increases the likelihood that users will follow your account.
For those looking to master Pinterest marketing alongside other digital marketing strategies, check out my copywriting book for a step-by-step playbook that covers Pinterest optimization, email marketing, and sales page creation all in one comprehensive guide.
Step 7: Measuring Your Pinterest Success
Analytics help you understand what’s working and what needs improvement in your Pinterest strategy.
Key Pinterest Metrics to Track
Pinterest Analytics shows you four main metrics: impressions, saves, clicks, and close-ups. Impressions tell you how many people saw your pin. Saves indicate how many people found your pin valuable enough to save. Clicks show how much traffic Pinterest sends to your website.
Click-through rate is the most important metric for business owners. This measures how many people click your pin compared to how many see it. A good click-through rate is 0.2% or higher, but this varies by industry.
Content Performance Analysis
Review your analytics monthly to identify patterns. Which pins drive the most traffic? What topics resonate with your audience? Which board titles and descriptions perform best?
I recommend creating a simple spreadsheet to track your top-performing pins. Note the topic, design style, and keywords used. This data helps you create more successful pins in the future.
Audience Insights
Pinterest shows you demographic information about your audience, including age, gender, location, and interests. Use this data to refine your content strategy and create pins that better serve your ideal clients.
Understanding your audience’s other interests helps you create valuable content beyond your main niche. If your audience also saves parenting tips, you might create content that connects parenting challenges to your business solutions.
Step 8: Common Pinterest Mistakes to Avoid
Learning from others’ mistakes saves you time and helps you avoid common pitfalls.
Spammy Behavior Patterns
Pinterest penalizes accounts that engage in spammy behavior. This includes adding the same pin to multiple boards quickly, using irrelevant keywords, or creating pins that don’t match their descriptions.
Always prioritize user experience over shortcuts. Create genuinely valuable content, use relevant keywords naturally, and respect Pinterest’s community guidelines. Building a sustainable Pinterest presence takes time, but the results are worth it.
Ignoring Pinterest Best Practices
Many business owners treat Pinterest like other social media platforms, focusing on immediate engagement rather than long-term traffic. Pinterest rewards consistency and quality over viral moments.
Post consistently but don’t sacrifice quality for quantity. I recommend starting with 5-10 high-quality pins per week rather than trying to post daily with mediocre content.
Neglecting Website Integration
Your Pinterest strategy should integrate seamlessly with your website. Add Pinterest share buttons to your blog posts, create Pinterest-friendly images for your content, and ensure your website loads quickly for Pinterest traffic.
Pinterest users expect a smooth experience when they click through to your website. If your site is slow or difficult to navigate, they’ll leave immediately, which hurts your Pinterest ranking over time.
Next Steps: Scaling Your Pinterest Presence
With your first pin published, you’re ready to build a comprehensive Pinterest marketing strategy.
Content Calendar Development
Create a content calendar that includes seasonal trends, product launches, and valuable educational content. Pinterest users plan ahead, so posting holiday content 45-60 days early typically performs best.
Batch content creation saves time and ensures consistency. I recommend creating 2-3 weeks of pins at once, then scheduling them using Pinterest’s native scheduler or tools like Tailwind.
Community Engagement
Engage with other users’ content in your niche by saving valuable pins to your boards. This helps Pinterest understand your niche and can lead to increased visibility for your own pins.
Follow accounts that serve your target audience and engage meaningfully with their content. Authentic engagement builds relationships and can lead to collaboration opportunities.
Master Pinterest Marketing Through Powerful Copywriting
Pinterest success isn’t just about pretty pictures – it’s about crafting compelling copy that drives action. The difference between pins that flop and pins that generate thousands of clicks lies in the words you use. Your pin descriptions, board titles, and profile copy all work together to attract your ideal audience and convert them into customers.
Here’s how strategic copywriting can revolutionize your Pinterest marketing:
- Magnetic Headlines – Learn to write pin titles that stop scrollers in their tracks and compel them to click through to your website, increasing your traffic by 300% or more
- SEO-Optimized Descriptions – Master the art of naturally incorporating keywords while writing copy that speaks directly to your audience’s pain points and desires
- Conversion-Focused Calls-to-Action – Discover the exact phrases that turn Pinterest browsers into email subscribers and paying customers
- Brand Voice Consistency – Develop a unique voice that makes your pins instantly recognizable and builds trust with your target audience
- Psychological Triggers – Use proven copywriting principles to tap into your audience’s emotions and motivations, driving more saves, clicks, and conversions
Ready to transform your Pinterest marketing with copy that converts? Download my free copywriting guide that’ll help improve your sales and discover the exact formulas I use to write Pinterest descriptions that have generated millions in revenue for my clients. Get your copy now and start seeing results within 30 days!
