Pinterest is one of those platforms many business owners sign up for and then quietly abandon. Mostly because they treat it like Instagram and expect instant engagement.
But if you want to promote your business on Pinterest, the first thing you need to know is that it is not a mere social media platform.
It requires far more intentionality, and is far more useful for long-term visibility.
Because Pinterest isn’t just a place where people look at dream kitchens or wedding dresses they’ll never buy. It’s a massive opportunity to get your brand in front of people who are actually looking to spend money.
If you do it right, it brings steady traffic and increases sales for your business.
So, if you’re ready to do it right, below are practical ways to use Pinterest to promote your business properly, without guessing or wasting effort.
How to Promote Your Business on Pinterest
1. Get a Business Account
First things first, you have to make your account official. And yes, this is non-negotiable. Because if you’re trying to grow a brand using a personal profile, you’re short-changing yourself.
In the first place, switching to a business account is the first real sign that you’re serious about marketing your business on Pinterest (and honestly, it’s free, so why not?).
Secondly, a business account gives you access to tools that actually help you grow, like analytics, ads, and rich pins.
Without the first, you are basically posting blindly, and the others are great features that could encourage more leads and ultimately, more sales.
Additionally, when you switch to a business account, Pinterest starts showing your content to people who are already searching for what you offer.
You also get to claim your website, which builds credibility. Plus, it gives you the “Verified” checkmark, which makes you look way more legit to potential customers.
So if you are still using a personal account and hoping for results, that might be why nothing is happening.
2. Create Content You Can Promote
Now, not every business is a natural fit for Pinterest at first glance. For example, if you sell something like plumbing parts, a photo of a pipe might not go viral.
Not only will Pinterest not know what to do with it, Pinterest users won’t find that relevant.
So, the best way to handle it is to create content around it. You need to give people something worth repining or clicking. For example, you can create:
- Blog posts that answer common questions in your industry
- How-to guides using your product
- Top 10 lists and use beautiful cover images as your pins
- Before-and-after visuals of a model using your products
- Collections: If you sell physical products, don’t just post a photo on a white background. Show them in use – like a “Cozy Living Room Aesthetic”, “Best outfits for work” or “Skincare routine for oily skin”, featuring your products
And remember, the goal is to lead them back to your site, so make sure that content actually provides value once they click.
Pinterest works best when your pins lead somewhere useful, not just to a homepage that explains nothing.
Also Read: Why Bloggers Need Pinterest: 5 Vital Reasons
3. Treat Pinterest as a Search Engine
Like I said earlier, many people erroneously treat Pinterest like Instagram, but it’s actually more like Google.
People go there with a “search” mindset. So, if you want to be found, you have to speak the language of SEO; you need to optimize your pins the same way you would optimize content for search.
This means you need to sprinkle keywords into your:
- Pin titles
- Descriptions
- Board names
So, for example, when someone types in “best organic skincare,” you want to make sure your pin is the first thing they see.
Use natural language, but be intentional about search terms so the algorithm knows exactly who to show your stuff to.
Of course, to know the terms, you need to carry out keyword research. Keyword research on Pinterest is not often like that of other search engines. Often, you find the terms right in the platform.
The ways to get search terms on Pinterest is to:
- Check Pinterest Trends: You will see what people are searching for now, and may find some in your industry
- Use the Pinterest search bar by typing in some common words in your niche and Pinterest will suggest other common search terms. See image below.
- Lastly, think about what your ideal customer is typing into the search bar.
When you do this right, your pins can keep showing up for months, even years. That means your business keeps getting visibility long after you post.
4. Create High-Quality Visuals
Although I said Pinterest is not like Instagram, it is still a very visual platform. That means if your images are blurry or dark, people are just going to scroll right past you.
So, firstly, make sure all your images are clear and visually appealing.
In addition to that, Pinterest has certain requirements you need to adhere to, for your own good.
That said, Pinterest favours pins that have the following features:
- Vertical, usually in a 2:3 ratio, because they’re more mobile-friendly and more people use the platform on their phones
- Clear and easy to read
- Bright, but not cluttered
- Text overlays that explain what the pin is about: Add a clear title on the image so people know exactly what they’re clicking on.
- Branding: Subtle logos help with brand recognition over time. Keep it clean, bright, and inspiring.
Now, don’t fret; you do not need fancy equipment to achieve this. With Canva, you can use pre-set templates to get clean designs, with readable text and good lighting.
A good rule of thumb is to check if it’s something you’d want to save to your own board. If it is, you’re on the right track.
5. Pin Consistently
You can’t just drop twenty pins on a Tuesday and then disappear for a month. Pinterest loves fresh content and regular activity.
It’s much better to pin three to five times a day than to do a massive “dump” once a week.
To make it more practical:
- Spread your pins across the week
- Create multiple pins for the same content
- Update older content with new designs
Now, I get that you may be busy and may not be able to achieve that level of consistency, so use a scheduling tool to handle it and go about running your business.
This needs to be done because consistent pinning tells the algorithm that you’re a reliable source of content, which helps your overall reach grow steadily over time.
Also Read: 11 Pinterest Marketing Mistakes Small Business Owners Make
6. Promote Your Pins
Sometimes, organic reach needs a little push, and so, promoted pins are very invaluable in promoting your business on Pinterest.
These pins are basically just ads, but the cool part is they don’t look like annoying ads; they look like regular pins.
So, they are less intrusive than ads on other platforms.
You can promote pins that are already performing well, which increases their chances of performing even better. And you can target people based on their interests or what they’re searching for.
If you have a specific product launch or a big sale, putting even a small budget behind a pin can get you massive visibility.
So, start small, test what works, and adjust.
Promoted pins are particularly great because they can drive traffic long after the campaign ends, so they are worth the spend.
7. Collaborate with Others
The good thing is that you don’t have to grow alone. Collaborating with others in your niche helps you reach people who already trust someone else.
And fortunately, Pinterest is surprisingly social if you know where to look.
The first place to look is Group Boards, which are a fantastic way to get your content in front of someone else’s audience.
Find a board in your niche, join it or request to join, and share your pins there.
Also, think about “influencer” collaborations. For instance, if you sell gardening tools, you can partner with a garden blogger to create a joint board.
So, when you share their stuff and they share yours, everybody wins and your reach expands way faster than it would if you were doing it alone.
8. Analyze Performance
Lastly, you have to pay attention to the analytics to promote your business on Pinterest properly. Use those Pinterest Analytics I mentioned earlier to see what’s actually working.
Check:
- Which pins are getting the most “saves”?
- Which ones are actually driving traffic to your website? (Because likes are cool, but clicks pay the bills)
- What content do people respond to?
Having these results will help you notice patterns and know how to structure your Pinterest marketing strategy.
So, for instance, if you notice that your “DIY Tutorials” are performing way better than your “Product Showcases,” then you can lean into that.
Don’t be afraid to change things based on what the data is telling you. It’s the only way to stop guessing and start actually growing your business on Pinterest with intention.
Conclusion
Pinterest for business rewards patience, clarity, and intention. When you stop treating it like a social app and start using it the way it was meant to be used, you will see that your visibility and sales will gradually start to increase. So, let me know, what new thing did you learn with this article?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is promoting on Pinterest really worth it for small businesses?
Yes, especially if you sell products, offer services, or create educational content. Pinterest helps small businesses get discovered by people who are actively looking for ideas and solutions, not just scrolling for entertainment.
Is a Pinterest business account free?
Yes. Creating and using a Pinterest business account is free. You only pay if you decide to run ads or promote your pins.
How long does it take to see results on Pinterest?
Pinterest is slower than most platforms. You may not see strong results in the first few weeks. But with consistent pinning and proper optimization, results often start showing after two to three months, and they tend to last much longer.
Do I need a blog to promote my business on Pinterest?
No, but it helps. If you do not have a blog, you can link pins to product pages, landing pages, or curated collections. The key is giving people somewhere useful to land after clicking.
How often should I pin content?
Aim for consistency, not volume. Pinning a few times daily or several times a week is enough, as long as you are doing it regularly and adding fresh pins over time.
Can service-based businesses use Pinterest too?
Absolutely. Coaches, writers, designers, and consultants can use Pinterest to share tips, guides, and educational content that positions them as experts while driving traffic to their services.
Do I need to use paid ads to grow on Pinterest?
No, ads are optional. Many businesses grow organically. But promoted pins can help speed things up, especially when you want to test offers or increase visibility for high-performing content.
