How to Post on Pinterest (And Actually Grow Your Following)
Let me guess ... you've been hearing about Pinterest for a while now, maybe you've even scrolled through it yourself looking for recipes or home décor ideas, and somewhere in the back of your mind you've been thinking, "I should really be on there." But every time you sit down to figure it out, it feels overwhelming and you close the tab.
I've been there! And I'm here to tell you: it's so much simpler than it looks. Once you understand how Pinterest actually works, you're going to wonder why you waited so long. So let's break it down step by step.
First- What Pinterest Actually Is
Pinterest is not a social media platform. Not really. It's a visual search engine. People go to Pinterest the same way they go to Google - to search for answers, ideas, and inspiration. That's great news for you, because it means every single pin you post has the potential to be discovered by a brand new person, weeks, months, even years after you post it. Your content has a long shelf life here, unlike Instagram or Facebook where posts disappear into the void after 48 hours.
Step 1: Set Up a Business Account
If you haven't already, go to Pinterest.com and create a business account (or convert your personal one - it's free). A business account gives you access to Pinterest Analytics so you can actually see what's working, and it unlocks features that help you grow. It takes about five minutes. Do this first.
Once you're in, fill out your profile completely - a clear photo or logo, a keyword-rich bio, and your website if you have one. First impressions matter, even on Pinterest.
Step 2: Create Your Boards Strategically
Before you start pinning, you need somewhere to pin to. Boards are like folders that organize your content by topic. Think about what your audience is searching for and create boards around those themes.
For example, if you're in the personal finance space, you might have boards like:
- Budget Tips for Beginners
- Ways to Save Money Every Month
- Side Hustle Ideas
- Mindset Shifts Around Money
Use clear, searchable titles (not cute or clever - we're thinking Google search terms here). Add a keyword-rich description to each board too. Pinterest uses all of this to understand what your content is about and who to show it to.
Step 3: Create a Pin Worth Clicking
Now for the fun part. A Pinterest pin has a few key ingredients:
The Image: Vertical images perform best - aim for a 2:3 ratio (1000 x 1500 pixels is the sweet spot). Use bright, clear visuals. Canva is your best friend here and it's free. You don't need to be a graphic designer - you just need something that stops the scroll.
The Text Overlay: Most top-performing pins have text right on the image so people immediately know what they're going to get. Keep it short, clear, and benefit-focused. "5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting a Budget" beats "My Budget Journey" every single time.
The Title: When you upload your pin, you'll write a title. Make it descriptive and include keywords naturally. Think: what would someone type into the search bar to find this?
The Description: This is where you can get a little more detailed. Write 2-3 sentences that describe the pin, weave in relevant keywords, and tell people what they'll learn or get if they click. Don't keyword-stuff - just write like a human who knows their stuff.
The Link: Always, always link your pin somewhere. Your blog post, your website, your opt-in page - wherever you want people to go. A pin without a destination is a missed opportunity.
Step 4: Post Consistently (But Don't Burn Yourself Out)
You don't need to post 30 pins a day. That advice is outdated. What Pinterest rewards now is consistency and quality. Aim for 5-10 pins per day if you can, but even 1-3 high-quality, fresh pins daily will move the needle over time. You can use a free scheduler like Tailwind to batch your pinning and stay consistent without living on the platform.
Pin your own content and other people's relevant content. Being a good curator builds trust with the algorithm and with your audience.
Step 5: Use Keywords Like Your Growth Depends on It (Because It Does)
I can't stress this enough: Pinterest is a search engine, which means keywords are everything. Use Pinterest's own search bar to research what people are looking for - start typing your topic and see what auto-fills. Those suggestions? That's exactly what real people are searching for. Sprinkle those terms into your board names, board descriptions, pin titles, and pin descriptions.
This is how you go from 12 monthly views to 12,000.
The Bottom Line
Pinterest is one of the most underrated platforms for growing an audience, especially if you're sharing content around topics people actively search for - money, mindset, personal growth, wellness, home, food, business. You don't need to go viral. You just need to show up consistently, create content that's genuinely helpful, and let the platform do its job.
You've already taken the first step by being here and learning. Now go open that Pinterest tab and start. Your people are already searching for exactly what you have to share.
You've got this.
Sandi Molder is the voice behind Money, Mindset and Finally Putting Yourself First - a space for women who are done playing small and ready to take their finances, their mindset, and their lives back into their own hands.
