The Pinterest Marketing Mistake You Might Be Making (And How to Fix It)

March 28, 2025

Have you been trying to use Pinterest for your business but feeling like no one’s actually seeing your pins? You’re posting, designing cute graphics, even linking back to your shop or blog—but still… crickets?

If that sounds like you, don’t worry. You’re definitely not the only one.

A lot of people (especially those of us running our businesses solo or as busy moms) start using Pinterest and expect it to work like Instagram or Facebook. But the truth is, Pinterest works very differently—and if you’re treating it like a social media app, you might be making one of the biggest (and most common) Pinterest mistakes.

Let’s break it down, and I’ll walk you through what to do instead—so you can actually start seeing results.

The Big Mistake: Treating Pinterest Like It’s Social Media

Here’s where most people go wrong: they treat Pinterest like another social media app.

But Pinterest is not like Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok.

Pinterest is a search engine—kind of like Google, but with pictures. Instead of scrolling to be entertained, people come to Pinterest looking for answers, ideas, and inspiration. That means your content needs to be searchable, not just pretty.

Think about it like this: on Instagram, you post a cute graphic and hope your followers see it before it disappears. On Pinterest, people type in words like:

“how to make extra money at home”
“printable wall art for nursery”
“Pinterest marketing tips for beginners”

And Pinterest shows them results based on those words. If your pins don’t match what people are searching for, they won’t show up. It’s not personal—Pinterest just doesn’t know your pin exists.

So if you’re only posting when you have something new, or using clever but vague titles like “This Changed Everything,” chances are your pins are getting lost in the crowd.

Why This One Mistake Can Slow Down Your Business Growth

Here’s the hard part: you could be doing so much right—posting often, designing pretty pins, linking to helpful content—but if you’re not using keywords and search-friendly strategies, it’s like shouting into the wind.

No one can find your stuff.

And that’s super frustrating, especially when you’re already wearing 10 hats running your business. You don’t have time to waste on things that don’t work.

When you use Pinterest the wrong way, it doesn’t help you grow your email list, send traffic to your shop, or sell your products. Even though Pinterest is filled with people looking for things like planners, journals, checklists, art prints, or templates—if your pins aren’t showing up in front of them, they’ll never know how amazing your stuff is.

But the good news? This is one of the easiest mistakes to fix. You just need to start using Pinterest the way it’s built to work.

How to Fix It: Start Thinking Like Pinterest

Okay—now let’s talk about what to do instead. Once you know how Pinterest works, it gets a whole lot easier to create pins that get clicks, saves, and sales.

Here are three simple steps to turn things around:

1. Start With Keyword Research

Before you design a pin or write a description, go to the Pinterest search bar and just start typing something related to your business.

Let’s say you sell digital planners. Type in “digital planner.” You’ll see suggestions like:

digital planner for beginners
2025 digital planner
digital planner for students
daily digital planner for iPad

Those suggestions? That’s Pinterest literally telling you what people are looking for. These are the keywords you want to use in your pin titles, descriptions, and even your board names.

Instead of naming a pin “Plan Your Life,” try “2025 Daily Digital Planner for Busy Moms.” It’s clear, helpful, and matches what people are searching for.

If you’re not sure which keywords to use, think about what you would type in if you were looking for your own product. Keep it simple and specific.

2. Make More Than One Pin for the Same Content

Here’s a little Pinterest secret: you don’t need to create a brand-new blog post or product every time you want to pin. In fact, Pinterest loves when you make multiple pins for the same thing.

Let’s say you wrote a blog post about goal setting. You can make 5–10 different pins for that same post. Use different images, styles, and titles like:

“How to Set Goals That Actually Work”
“Free Printable Goal Planner for 2025”
“Simple Goal Setting Tips for Busy Women”

Each pin links to the same blog post, but gives people a different way to discover it.

This helps your content stay fresh and gives you more chances to reach different kinds of Pinterest users. Plus, you can space out those pins over time—so Pinterest keeps showing your stuff weeks or even months later.

3. Stick to a Simple, Consistent Schedule

You don’t need to pin 20 times a day. But you do need to show up regularly.

Pinterest rewards consistency. That means posting a little bit over time is better than posting a bunch all at once and then disappearing.

If you can, schedule a few pins a week using a tool like Tailwind. Or pick one day each week to sit down and batch your pins. Even 3–5 new pins a week can go a long way if you’re using good keywords and linking back to strong content.

The key is to keep showing up. Pinterest takes a little time to pick up steam, but once it does, you’ll start seeing traffic from pins you posted months ago.

Pinterest Takes Time, But It’s Worth It

Here’s something no one really tells you: Pinterest isn’t about instant results. You probably won’t get hundreds of views overnight. But what you will get is long-term traffic that keeps growing.

I’ve seen pins that I posted last year still bringing in clicks today. That’s the magic of Pinterest. Once you learn how to use it the right way, it becomes one of the easiest ways to get consistent traffic to your blog, shop, or offers.

So if you’ve been feeling frustrated or ready to give up, don’t. You’re closer than you think. A few simple changes—like using keywords and posting consistently—can make a big difference.

Let’s Wrap It Up

If your Pinterest pins aren’t getting much attention, you’re probably just missing one important piece: using Pinterest like the search engine it is.

Here’s a quick recap to help you remember:

Don’t treat Pinterest like Instagram
Use the Pinterest search bar to find keywords
Add those keywords to your pins and boards
Create multiple pins for the same blog post or product
Stay consistent with your posting schedule
Give it time—Pinterest growth builds slowly but lasts long

You don’t need to do it all perfectly. Just start small and keep learning as you go.

Want Help With Your Pinterest Strategy?

If you’re ready to take your Pinterest to the next level, I’ve got something that can help.
The Power of Pinterest Playbook is my step-by-step guide to help you create a Pinterest strategy that actually works. It’s made for busy women, digital product creators, and beginners who want real results—without feeling overwhelmed.

You don’t have to figure it out on your own. I’ll show you exactly what to do.

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