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How Authors Can Use Pinterest for Marketing.
A Beginners Guide to Growing Your Audience and getting traffic to your website using Pinterest.
Hi, I'm Kelly a VA (for White Light Publishing 🤭) and an Essential Oil Lady. I wanted to share with you how I've used Pinterest for my own marketing and my clients marketing as another way of getting traffic - (which equals sales) to your website. My job is on social media, but to be honest I struggle to market my own business. There's no way I'm getting on video to sell my products and services, my limit is maybe holding an essential oil bottle and showing my hand, and I've got a few photos of myself I use over and over. So for me Pinterest has been a game changer. I have all the things - FB, Instagram and a YouTube which I then just repurpose the content I have already made for Pinterest onto ... when I remember.
Once I've got my leads, or clients through to my website from Pinterest, then I can nuture them, with one on one calls, emails and all the things. I also find people who find me on Pinterest then go to my website are more like warm leads, they are actually interested in my products and services, because they have clicked on one of my pins, they've gone to my website and maybe had a look around, then maybe followed me on Instagram or Facebook - just watching then they reach out when they are ready to buy or to find out more.
Disclaimer - Pinterest is not a quick fix marketing hack, it takes time and consistency to get results, but if you do put in the time every week you will start to see results in 6 months or so. Now you're probably thinking whaaattttt 6 months but from there it just kind of snowballs and if you keep going you'll find it easier each week to knock out your content and getting continual leads and sales. It's taken me ages to actually be consistent myself but now I am it's taking me less and less time each week and because I'm tapping away at it each week, I seem to have fresh ideas always popping up and my process is getting faster and faster.
Why Pinterest is Perfect for Authors
Pinterest is more than a social platform - it's a search engine with a visual twist. Here's some facts and figures to convince you 👇
Firstly Pinterest operates on keywords just like Google does. Users type in search terms, and Pinterest returns pins, boards, and profiles based on keyword relevance, not on a chronological or social algorithm. This means people who use relevant keywords in their pin descriptions or profiles can rank higher in search results and reach a wider audience.
Pinterest content has a much longer lifespan compared to typical social media posts. Pins can continue to show up in search results months or even years after they’re published, which is similar to how webpages or blog posts rank in a search engine. This makes Pinterest ideal for authors wanting consistent, long-term visibility for their books and blog posts.
Around 97% of Pinterest searches are unbranded, meaning users aren’t searching for specific products or companies but instead for inspiration or information (e.g., “fantasy book series” or “writing tips for beginners”). This is similar to how users might type keywords into a search engine rather than looking for specific brands or profiles on other social platforms like Instagram or Facebook.
Pinterest uses a “visual SEO” approach where images, graphics, and keywords work together to improve content discovery. The platform uses image recognition technology to make related pin suggestions based on what users search, save, and click on, all of which is exactly how search engines analyze and rank content.
Pinterest learns from user behavior (like a search engine) to show users results that fit their preferences. Pinterest’s algorithm personalises the content feed and search results based on what the user has previously searched for, clicked on, or pinned, ensuring that users see the most relevant pins, boards, or profiles.
Pinterest has over 460 million active users worldwide who primarily use the platform as a place to find new ideas and products. According to Pinterest, 85% of users visit Pinterest when starting a new project, just as they would go to Google or YouTube for search and learning.
Pinterest is a unique opportunity for authors to connect with readers, get more visibility and ultimately drive traffic to your work. The diverse range of users on Pinterest means you may just get eyes on your work which you may not attract elsewhere.
What Content can I create for Pinterest as an Author?
First off start creating some blog posts. Each blog post is a long form piece of content which you publish on your website. From that blog post you create 5 Pinterest pins relating to that blog post and pin to Pinterest linking back to your blog post.
Then create some pins of your Book Covers, or teaser images, quotes from your books and link them back to your books on your website.
Create some pins around your writing - writing tips, or "Day in the Life" images, grab Julia's free Book Marketing Magic download to help you with these and link all these back to your About You page on your website.
Blog Post Ideas for Authors
A few ideas to get those writing juices flowing:
Behind the Scenes of [Your Book Title]: Inspiration, Research, and Writing
Share what inspired the book, any interesting research that went into it, and the challenges or surprises in the writing process.
How to Create Compelling Characters Readers Will Fall in Love With
Offer tips on character development and share examples from your own books.
A Day in the Life of an Author
Let readers into your daily routine, writing habits, and anything unique about your workspace or rituals.
Top 5 Books That Inspired Me as a Writer
Write about books that influenced your writing style, genre, or themes. This helps readers connect with your influences and see what shaped your work.
Writing [Genre]: My Favorite Tips and Tools
Focus on specific genres like romance, sci-fi, or fantasy, and share your approach to writing within that genre. Mention any helpful tools or techniques.
How I Stay Motivated and Overcome Writer’s Block
Talk about how you handle obstacles in writing and any rituals or practices you use to stay inspired and productive.
The Road to Publishing: My Journey from Manuscript to Bookstore
Outline your experiences with publishing—whether it’s self-publishing, working with a publisher, or choosing the right path for you.
Creating a World for [Book or Series Title]: World-Building Tips
If you write in fantasy or sci-fi, explain your approach to creating a believable world, complete with language, culture, history, and maps if applicable.
The Power of Book Covers: How I Designed the Cover for [Your Book]
Describe the creative process behind your book cover and what you wanted it to communicate.
How Reading Widely Has Made Me a Better Writer
Discuss why reading different genres, authors, or styles has influenced your writing skills or opened your mind to new techniques.
How to Find the Right Editor and Why They’re Essential
Share your tips for choosing an editor and explain the benefits of working with one.
Writing with All Five Senses: Bringing Your Story to Life
Guide readers on how to use sensory details in their writing to create immersive scenes.
My Favorite Writing Quotes and How They Keep Me Going
Curate a list of quotes that inspire your writing and reflect on how each one has impacted you.
Lessons Learned from My First Draft of [Book Title]
Be honest about the ups and downs of drafting, and share tips for getting through those tough first drafts.
10 Writing Prompts to Spark Your Creativity
Provide unique prompts that encourage readers (or other writers) to tap into their creativity.
My Favorite Writing Tools and Apps for Authors
Review software, apps, and tools that have helped you stay organised, improve your writing, or find inspiration.
How to Start Your Own Author Newsletter (And Why You Should)
Walk through the benefits of email marketing for authors and offer tips on starting a newsletter to connect with fans.
What’s Next for [Your Name or Series]: Hints About Upcoming Projects
Share teasers for future books, series, or other projects, building excitement among your readers.
How to Balance Writing with a Full-Time Job (or Family Life)
Offer insights for writers juggling a day job, parenting, or other responsibilities alongside their writing passion.
How I Developed the Plot for [Your Book]: Tips on Outlining and Planning
Give a behind-the-scenes look at your plotting process and offer tips for other writers on planning a story.
I hope these give you some inspiration. And remember you are a writer. So write. Everyday. You might just find that writing for your Pinterest Marketing might even unlock some magic for your BIG writing projects.
Some tools to help you on your Pinterest Marketing Journey
Making Pinterest Work for You - Pinterest Marketing Strategy Academy
I spent years myself fluffing around with Pinterest not quite committing to it and not quite understanding how it worked properly and how consistent I actually had to be to make it work. So finally I invested in my Pinterest Marketing Coach Jen Vazquez and her Pinterest Marketing Strategy Academy and I have not looked back. With monthly masterclasses and pinning sessions Jen holds you accountable and her energy is amazing, whenever I'm getting slack I watch a masterclass and get going again. If you want to really commit to Pinterest and making it work for you, I'd highly recommend this!
Don't have your own website yet?
If you don't have your own website yet consider a DIY Rocketspark Website - these drag and drop websites are so easy to use and the simple plan comes with 10 shop items, a great way to start off. I am a Rocketspark Website partner so can help get you set up.
Tailwind
Once you get going on Pinterest Tailwind is going to be your best friend. Tailwind is a scheduling tool that helps you bulk load pins, so as you get your blog posts written each week you can load all the pins in - in advance using Tailwind. You can start off loading straight into Pinterest but once you get ahead with your content it's much easier to use Tailwind and also the Tailwind communities. We have our own White Light Publishing Community we have just started up. These communities help your content get to even more people!
Pinterest offers authors a unique and powerful way to connect with readers, drive traffic to your site, and showcase your work in an approachable, authentic way. It’s a platform where creativity and consistency pay off—and the effort you invest today can continue to bring people to your work for months or even years to come. If you’re ready to commit to a new marketing journey, give Pinterest a try! And remember, you don’t have to tackle it all alone. With tools like the Marketing Strategy Academy and user-friendly website platforms like Rocketspark, you’ve got everything you need to start building a strong author brand online. And if all else fails you can give me a yell 🗣️
Kelly Windley - VAandOilsLady 🤘
Pin for later 📌
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