Are you making these 5 Pinterest mistakes?

When I talk about Pinterest with creative professionals, I hear the same frequent refrains: “Oh yeah, I really should work on my Pinterest marketing… I haven’t really pinned anything in months.” Or “I’m already pinning once a day but I’m not seeing results.” Or even: “I’ve actually never really used Pinterest for my business. Should I be?” Sound familiar?

You’re not alone if the idea of marketing on Pinterest feels overwhelming. I get the sense that Pinterest feels mysterious to a lot of creative entrepreneurs… and I’m guessing that’s because Pinterest really is so different from other social media marketing. It’s not what you’re used to. And that’s exactly what’s so great about it.

Pinterest is not anything like instagram. It doesn’t require constant engagement in the dms or comments. You won’t have to create reels, show up on stories, or worry about posting at exactly the right time to please the algorithm before your content disappears.

So if you’re feeling frustrated by instagram… maybe Pinterest is exactly the shift you’ve been looking for. When it’s approached with the right mindset and strategy, Pinterest marketing is actually super simple. And it has long-term potential to support your business with consistent leads, increased sales, and a growing email list.

As you start to explore Pinterest, you’ll notice that it feels a lot different from other social media marketing. Let’s explore five common Pinterest mistakes you might be making, and how you can pivot toward a more sustainable, aligned marketing approach that honors your time and creativity.

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1. You’re Not Posting Frequently Enough (the most common of all Pinterest mistakes!)

We’ve all been there: Pinterest gets put on the back burner in favor of more urgent tasks. But when you’re not pinning regularly, you miss out on the platform’s potential to help your work be discovered over time.

Pinterest thrives on consistency. Unlike social media platforms where posts quickly disappear, Pinterest content has staying power—but only if you give it momentum to begin with. That means pinning regularly, ideally several times per week (or even daily, if possible). If that sounds overwhelming, don’t worry—you don’t need to reinvent the wheel every time.

Inside Pinning with Purpose, I show you how to repurpose the content you already have—turning blog posts, portfolios, client work, or offers into dozens of pins with ease. The best part? You can schedule everything in advance, so you only need to invest time in Pinterest marketing a few times per year. Once everything is scheduled, you can let it run in the background—generating leads, sales, and subscribers to your inbox without having to think about it. With the right systems in place, Pinterest becomes a low-effort, high-impact part of your marketing rhythm.

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2. You Aren’t Using Elevated, Branded Pin Graphics

Your visual identity is one of your greatest assets as a creative. But if your pins feel disconnected from your brand—if they lack cohesion or polish—you’re missing an opportunity to make a lasting impression.

Pinterest is a visual search engine, and aesthetics matter here. Elevated, branded graphics not only catch the eye; they also build trust. When your pins are consistent in style, color, and tone, your audience starts to recognize your work immediately. That kind of familiarity can lead to more clicks, more saves, and more connection.

If design isn’t your strength or you simply don’t have the time, Pinning with Purpose includes a full set of designer-approved Pinterest templates that make it easy to create graphics that look and feel like you. No stress, just stunning visuals that elevate your brand. If you’re looking for a sneak peek at one of our templates, you can get started with these 10 Free Design Layouts!

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3. You’re Overthinking Your Keywords

Keyword strategy can feel like a complex puzzle—especially if you’re trying to satisfy an algorithm. But here’s a gentle reminder: you don’t need to overcomplicate it.

Pinterest is designed to feel intuitive to its users. That means your keywords don’t have to be perfect—they just need to reflect how your ideal client is thinking. Instead of stressing over data or SEO tools, simply ask yourself: If I were looking for this service or idea, what would I type into the search bar? Think like your audience. Speak their language.

This mindset shift can take a lot of pressure off and help you create content that actually connects. (And yes, keyword research can be helpful—but it shouldn’t be a barrier to getting started.)

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4. You’re Not Giving It Enough Time

We’ve been conditioned by other platforms to expect instant gratification—likes within minutes, comments within hours. But Pinterest works differently. It’s not about chasing quick wins. It’s about planting seeds.

On Pinterest, content takes time to gain traction. In fact, many of my pins don’t reach their full potential until about three months after they’re published. That’s not a flaw; it’s a feature. Because unlike a fleeting post that disappears in 24 hours, your Pinterest content continues to work in the background—growing your visibility, attracting new clients, and building your business quietly and steadily.

If you’ve been pinning for a few weeks and wondering where the results are, I encourage you to stay consistent. Trust the process. Your efforts today are building the foundation for long-term growth.

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5. You’re Not Thinking Long-Term

So many marketing strategies rely on urgency and constant output. But Pinterest offers something beautifully different: the chance to create lasting impact. It’s not just another content channel. It’s a visual search engine—with the potential to drive traffic to your site for months (or even years) after a pin is published.

To make the most of this opportunity, you’ll want to focus on evergreen content: blog posts, portfolio highlights, service pages, and resources that will remain relevant to your audience over time. This is one of the mistakes I see: creative professionals try to use Pinterest for urgent or time-constrained offers (like one-time launches or tickets to a particular scheduled event). Instead, you should focus on pins that will be as relevant next year as they are today.

When you pin with a long-term lens, you’re no longer chasing the next trend—you’re building a body of work that continues to serve and inspired. This is the magic of Pinterest: sustainable marketing that honors your time and amplifies your message—without burning you out.

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It’s okay to make Pinterest mistakes. The important thing is to keep going.

If you’re guilty of making these Pinterest mistakes, don’t worry. It’s normal to experience some trial and error when you’re trying something new. Pinterest probably feels unfamiliar because it IS unfamiliar—and that’s a good thing. You don’t want more of the same frustrating social media marketing. You’re ready for a shift. You’re ready for a long-term marketing strategy that feels aligned with an intentional approach to building your business.

With just a few small changes, you can build a powerful presence on Pinterest—one that supports your business (and your life) for years to come.

An Invitation

If you’re feeling pulled toward more meaningful marketing—something slower, more aligned with your lifestyle, and rooted in intention—I created Pinning with Purpose just for you. It’s a course for creative entrepreneurs who want to step into a rhythm of content creation that feels peaceful, consistent, and connected to their purpose. I’d love to see you inside the program.

You don’t need to work harder at marketing your business. You just need the right system—and a little clarity.

You’re doing beautiful work. Let’s make sure the right people are finding it.