Let’s be real — Instagram looks like the perfect place to show off your products. Beautiful photos, swipe-up stories (if you’re lucky), tons of influencers… but here’s the catch:
👉 If you don’t have thousands of followers, Instagram can feel like shouting into a void.
You’re stuck with one link in your bio. So you say, “Click the link in bio for this gorgeous handmade necklace!” — and then you cross your fingers. But let’s be honest… how often do people actually go back, click, scroll, and buy? Not often enough.
That’s where Pinterest quietly steals the show.
Pinterest isn’t just mood boards and wedding inspo. It’s where people go when they’re ready to discover, plan, and buy. Think of it as a visual search engine crossed with a treasure hunt — users are actively looking for ideas, solutions, and yes… products like yours.
And here’s the best part?
➡️ Your pins don’t expire after 24 hours.
➡️ You don’t need 10K followers to get seen.
➡️ 97% of top searches are unbranded — meaning people are open to finding YOU, not just Nike or Sephora.
Translation? Pinterest is the great equalizer for small businesses.
Oh, and did I mention? Nearly half of Pinterest users in the U.S. earn over $100K a year. These aren’t window shoppers — they’re ready to spend. With 450+ million monthly users (and growing), Pinterest isn’t just another social app. It’s a 24/7 storefront that keeps working for you — long after you’ve logged off.
💥👉Related: How to Use AI for Pinterest Pins That Actually Get Clicks
🛠️ Your Step-by-Step Pinterest Starter Kit
1. Start with a Business Account (It’s Free!)
This unlocks analytics, ads, and shopping features — all essential for tracking what’s working.
→ Go to business.pinterest.com
→ Sign up or convert your personal account
→ Add your logo, website, and a clear bio
💡 Pro Tip: Add a keyword to your profile name.
Example: If you sell handmade candles, name your profile:
“Cozy Wick | Handmade Soy Candles & Home Decor Ideas”
Why? Because Pinterest is a search engine. Keywords help you get found.
2. Claim Your Website
This tells Pinterest, “Hey, this is my site!” — which unlocks rich pins and lets you track clicks.
→ Go to Settings > Claim
→ Add a meta tag or upload a file to verify (your web host or Shopify can help)
→ Once verified, you’re golden
3. Turn On Rich Pins (Highly Recommended)
Rich Pins pull real-time info from your site — price, availability, description — so your pins stay fresh and trustworthy.
→ Add Open Graph or Schema markup to your product pages
→ Validate using Pinterest’s Rich Pin Validator
→ Once approved, Pinterest auto-updates your pins
4. Design Pins That Stop the Scroll
Pinterest is visual. Your pins need to POP.
✅ Use vertical images (ideal size: 1000x1500px)
✅ Show your product in action — lifestyle > studio shot
✅ Overlay text: “30% Off Summer Styles” or “New Drop: Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats”
✅ Use keywords in your pin description — think like a searcher
Example: Selling handmade earrings?
→ Pin title: “Boho Tassel Earrings for Summer Outfits”
→ Description: “Lightweight, handmade tassel earrings perfect for beach days, brunch, or festivals. Click to shop the full collection!”
5. Master Pinterest SEO
Pinterest = Google, but with pictures.
🔑 Use keywords in:
- Pin titles & descriptions
- Board names (e.g., “Minimalist Home Office Ideas” not “My Stuff”)
- Hashtags (3–5 per pin max)
Do keyword research by typing your product into Pinterest’s search bar — note the autocomplete suggestions. Those are gold.
6. Connect Your Online Store (Pinterest Catalogs)
Got Shopify, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce? Sync your products so they show up in Pinterest’s Shop tab.
→ Shopify? Install the “Pinterest for Shopify” app → done.
→ Other platforms? Upload a product feed manually via Pinterest Catalogs.
Now your products appear in shopping results — no pinning required (though you should still pin them!).
7. Try Pinterest Ads (When You’re Ready)
Start small. Use:
- Shopping Ads → Promote specific products
- Conversion Ads → Drive traffic to your site
- Retargeting Ads → Reach people who clicked but didn’t buy
Budget? Start with $5–$10/day. Test, tweak, repeat.
8. Build Momentum — Before You Even Pin Your Stuff
Pinterest rewards engagement. So before you start promoting your own pins, spend 2–3 weeks:
🔁 Repin 60–80 pins/day to your boards (split it up — 30 in the AM, 40 in the PM)
💬 Comment on relevant pins (optional but helpful)
👥 Follow accounts in your niche
Think of it like warming up the engine. The more activity your account has, the more Pinterest will show your content later.
9. Track What Works
Use Pinterest Analytics to see:
- Which pins get the most saves & clicks
- Which boards are driving traffic
- What times your audience is most active
Double down on what’s working. Tweak or trash what’s not.
10. Sweeten the Deal
Offer something irresistible:
🎁 “Free downloadable styling guide with email signup”
🔥 “Flash sale: 24 hours only — 30% off all ceramics”
Create a pin just for the offer — bold text, clear CTA, link to landing page.
📌 Pinterest Lingo — Quick Cheat Sheet
- Pin = A post. Your main content. Make it beautiful.
- Board = A folder for your pins. Think: “Fall Outfits,” “DIY Gift Ideas,” “Kitchen Reno Inspo.”
- Repin = Sharing someone else’s pin to your board. It shows up to your followers like it’s yours.
- Monthly Viewers = Unique people who saw your pins. This is your reach — way more important than follower count.
- Impressions = Total number of times your pins were seen (yes, one person can see it 10 times = 10 impressions).
💥👉Read also : Mastering Affiliate Marketing on Pinterest: A Comprehensive Guide
🌱 How to Grow Your First 1,000 Followers (Without Buying Them)
Step 1: Make Your Profile Irresistible
- Start with 10+ boards — shows you’re active and organized
- Use keywords in board titles & descriptions
- Profile photo: YOU. Smiling. Friendly. Real.
- Cover image: Showcase your best work + a CTA (“Shop Now” or “Get the Guide”)
Step 2: Know Who You’re Talking To
Ask yourself:
- What problems do they have?
- What are they searching for?
- What do they wish they knew?
Then create pins that answer those questions — even if it feels “too basic.” What’s obvious to you is gold to a beginner.
Step 3: Pin Consistently (But Don’t Burn Out)
Aim for 5–10 fresh pins per day. Mix your own content with helpful repins. Use a scheduler like Tailwind if you need to batch-create.
Step 4: Cross-Promote Like a Pro
- Share your top pins in Instagram Stories (“Swipe up for the tutorial!”)
- Drop a link to your Pinterest in your email newsletter
- Mention it in Facebook groups or Twitter threads
Don’t be shy — your people are already on Pinterest. Help them find you.
Step 5: Rinse. Repeat. Celebrate Small Wins.
Growth takes time. One pin might flop. Another might quietly bring in sales for 3 years. That’s Pinterest magic.
—
💰 How to Actually Make Money on Pinterest
1. Sponsored Pins & Group Boards
Create or join large group boards in your niche (e.g., “Handmade Jewelry Lovers” or “Eco Home Goods”). Then:
- Sell invites to other small biz owners (“Get your pins in front of 50K monthly viewers!”)
- Offer pinning services (“I’ll pin your products 3x/week for $20”)
- List these gigs on Fiverr or Etsy — use keywords like “Pinterest group board invite” or “Pinterest pinning service”
I’ve made $2K–$2.5K/month doing this — and now it takes me 10 minutes a day. Start small. Scale smart.
2. Offer Pinterest Management Services
So many small businesses want to be on Pinterest… but don’t have time. That’s your opportunity.
Services you can offer:
- Account setup & optimization
- Monthly pinning & strategy
- Ad management
- Analytics reports
How to Find Clients:
- Start with your network (yes, tell your cousin who sells candles)
- Post in local Facebook groups: “Helping local shops grow on Pinterest — DM me!”
- Set up a simple website or Google Business Profile (free!)
- Happy clients = referrals. Always.
🎯 Final Thought: Pinterest Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
I’ve got pins from 2018 that still bring me traffic. One pin alone earns me $100/month in affiliate sales — six years and counting.
That’s the power of Pinterest. It’s not about going viral today. It’s about planting seeds that keep growing — while you sleep, while you vacation, while you launch your next product.
You don’t need fancy gear or a huge team. Just:
✔️ A clear strategy
✔️ Consistent effort
✔️ A willingness to test, learn, and adapt
Start today. Your future self (and your bank account) will thank you.
—
✅ Ready to begin?
→ Create your Business Account
→ Claim your website
→ Design 3 killer pins
→ Repin 20 things to warm up your account
Hey! 👋 If this post saved you time, stress, or another “I give up” moment…
Do me a tiny favor? Share it with one friend who’s also grinding to make extra cash — but hates “guru” nonsense.
I don’t do fake scarcity, pop-ups, or “DM me for the secret.” Just real, messy, human advice.
When you share, you keep this blog alive… and help me afford more coffee (and fewer 3 a.m. panic sessions).
— Remon STS 💙
Other Articles
