Drew and I were on a walk the other week and he asked, “So seriously, how do you ACTUALLY make money from Pinterest?” I was mind-blown and instantly began breaking it down for him, explaining how Pinterest is not just for DIY crafts or wedding inspiration.

It’s a powerful visual search engine that people use to find solutions, inspiration, and ideas. Even better, if you can position your products, services, or resources as something your ideal client wants to pin (and click through to), you can turn those pinners into paying clients! Sounds easy, right?

Well, in theory, yes. But there are a few more uncomplicated steps involved that will make sure your Pinterest efforts pay off. So let’s talk about how to use Pinterest for any kind of business, whether you’re selling products, offering services, running an online business, or even marketing locally!

Want to get a massive head start on using Pinterest to skyrocket your traffic? Download my Ultimate Pinterest Guide here for free!

Why Pinterest is a Powerful Business Tool 

Unlike social media posts that vanish within hours, Pinterest content delivers long-term results. In fact, a single pin can drive traffic to your business for 6 months to a year—sometimes even longer! (Source) That means the effort you put into creating and optimizing your pins today can continue working for you weeks, months, even years later, bringing in new leads, sales, and brand awareness on autopilot.

Pinterest isn’t just another social media platform—it’s a search engine with built-in discoverability. Users come to Pinterest actively looking for ideas, solutions, and inspiration, making it an incredible tool for businesses of all kinds. Whether you’re selling products, promoting services, or driving traffic to your website, Pinterest helps you get in front of your ideal audience as the solution they are searching for.

RELATED: 5 Pinterest Strategies to Implement in 2024

How to Get Started with Pinterest for Business

If you’re new to Pinterest for business, don’t worry—it’s easier than you think! The first step is setting up a Pinterest Business Account, which gives you access to powerful tools like analytics, rich pins, and ad capabilities to help grow your brand. Once your account is ready, the real magic happens: creating and uploading your first pin!

Not sure where to start? I’ve got you covered! This step-by-step guide walks you through how to design, optimize, and post your first pin the right way. With a strategic approach, Pinterest can become a steady source of traffic, leads, and sales for your business—so let’s get pinning.

4 Pinterest Marketing Strategies for Online Businesses

01. CREATE CONTENT THAT LEADS TO CLIENTS

Pinterest users seek inspiration—meet them where they are. If you’re a health coach selling meal plans, share healthy recipes and meal prep tips that position you as the go-to expert. When they need more support, they’ll already know and trust you.

02. POSITION YOURSELF AS AN EXPERT IN YOUR NICHE

How-to content thrives on Pinterest. Solve your audience’s pain points with actionable guides like “How to Create a Weekly Meal Plan” (for health coaches) or “Step-by-Step DIY Home Decor” (for interior designers). Pro tip: Offer a freebie in exchange for an email to nurture leads beyond Pinterest.

03. START A GROUP BOARD OR TAILWIND COMMUNITY

Group boards help expand your reach by exposing your content to new audiences. Collaborate with others in your niche or use Tailwind Communities to increase visibility and engagement.

04. FOCUS ON RELATIONSHIP BUILDING

People connect with people, not just brands. Show up as the face of your business—share personal stories, behind-the-scenes content, and engage with your audience through comments and replies. A smiling profile photo makes you more approachable, and you’ll be surprised how many people connect with YOU, not just what you sell.

4 Pinterest Marketing Strategies for Product-Based Businesses

01. BUILD CONTENT AROUND WHAT YOU SELL

Don’t just pin your products—showcase them in action. Create content that integrates your products into real-life scenarios, like a candle brand featuring “Cozy Home Decor Ideas” with their candles. Shift your pin descriptions from sales-focused to inspirational to attract more engagement.

02. SHOW PEOPLE HOW TO USE YOUR PRODUCTS

Solve a problem with your product. Write an educational article addressing a common pain point, and naturally introduce your product as the solution. This approach draws in your ideal audience without feeling overly promotional.

03. BE THOUGHTFUL WITH SEO

Think like your customers—what are they searching for? Use Pinterest’s guided search to find relevant keywords, then optimize your pin descriptions, board names, and profile with detailed terms like color, material, and usage to increase visibility.

RELATED: Pinterest SEO Traffic Secrets: How We Went from 0 to 4 Million Views

04. CREATE A BRAND, NOT JUST A BUSINESS

Your brand is more than your products—people connect with the person behind them. Share your story, values, and personality across Pinterest to build deeper connections and stand out in a crowded market.

RELATED: How Pinterest Can Work for Your Product-Based Business

4 Pinterest Marketing Strategies for Service-Based Businesses

01. CREATE CONTENT THAT LEADS YOUR CLIENT

Pinterest is where people start planning—whether it’s a wedding, home renovation, or big project. Position yourself at this early stage with inspiring, problem-solving content so that when they’re ready to hire, they think of you first.

02. POSITION YOURSELF AS AN EXPERT IN YOUR INDUSTRY

Show up and serve your audience with valuable, educational content that builds trust. Blog posts and freebies help establish credibility while also capturing email addresses to continue the conversation beyond Pinterest.

03. BUILD RELATIONSHIPS THAT LAST

As a service provider, you are your brand. Share your story, show up across platforms, and engage with your audience. Respond to comments on your pins and interact with local businesses to expand your reach.

RELATED: How Pinterest Can Work for Your Service-Based Business

4 Pinterest Marketing Strategies for Local Businesses

Pinterest isn’t just for online brands—it’s a powerful tool for local businesses, too! With the right strategy, you can attract customers in your area and show up when they’re searching for local services.

01. COLLABORATE WITH OTHER LOCAL BUSINESSES

Partner with complementary businesses to cross-promote content. Whether it’s a florist teaming up with a wedding planner or a café partnering with a boutique, shared audiences mean greater visibility for both brands.

02. USE PROMOTED PINS TO TARGET LOCAL CUSTOMERS

Pinterest ads allow you to target users in your area, ensuring your content reaches the right people. Whether you’re a photographer, boutique owner, or home organizer, local ads drive real traffic to your site or storefront.

03. OPTIMIZE YOUR CONTENT WITH LOCAL KEYWORDS

Pinterest is a search engine, so use keywords that help local customers find you. Include city names, neighborhoods, and landmarks in pin descriptions, board titles, and your profile—think “Best Coffee Shops in Austin” or “Chicago Wedding Photographer Tips.”

04. SHOWCASE YOUR LOCAL EXPERTISE

Position yourself as a trusted local expert by sharing location-specific content. Pin blog posts, guides, or local tips to stay top of mind—whether it’s seasonal fashion trends for your boutique or the best trails for outdoor family photos.

Pinterest isn’t just for big brands—when used strategically, it can help local businesses connect with ideal customers and grow right in their own backyard!

Pinterest Analytics & Tracking Your Performance

Creating content is just the first step—tracking your results ensures you grow strategically. With Pinterest Analytics, you can see what’s working and refine your approach to drive more traffic.

With a Pinterest Business Account, you’ll get insights like:

✔ Impressions – How often your pins are seen

✔ Engagements – Saves, clicks, and close-ups

✔ Outbound Clicks – Traffic to your website

✔ Top-Performing Pins & Boards – What resonates most

Regularly reviewing these metrics helps you spot trends, double down on high-performing content, and tweak underperforming pins with better keywords, designs, or descriptions.

Pro tip: Pinterest content takes time to gain traction—sometimes weeks or months! Stay consistent, track your results, and keep optimizing for long-term success.

RELATED: 120X Your Content’s Lifespan in Just an Hour per Week

Pinterest for Any Business

That was a lot—but hopefully, you see how powerful Pinterest can be for any business! And yes, Drew, it can absolutely boost revenue. With a little planning and strategy, you’ll be driving traffic (and sales) in no time!

---

Looking for a Pinterest Marketing Course? You’re in luck!

Join my FREE training to learn 3 EASY steps to make Pinterest your 20x your traffic!