The Biggest Pinterest Mistakes That Are Hurting Your Growth

If you’re new to Pinterest or you’ve been on the platform for years and still feel like you’re struggling to grow your account, you’re not alone! Pinterest can be tricky to navigate, but the good news is that you don’t have to keep making the same mistakes. In fact, there are some common Pinterest mistakes that many people make, and fixing them can really help you start seeing the growth you’re hoping for. Let’s dive into the biggest Pinterest mistakes that could be holding you back, and more importantly, how to fix them.

1. Not Having an Optimized Profile

One of the most common things people overlook is optimizing their Pinterest profile. If your profile doesn’t clearly explain what your business is about or who you are, it’s hard to attract the right followers. Think of your profile as your Pinterest “first impression.”

To fix this, make sure your bio clearly tells people what you do, who you serve, and what kind of content they can expect from you. Don’t forget to include keywords that are relevant to your business and niche so Pinterest knows exactly what you’re about. And make sure your profile picture is clear image and on-brand. This could be your logo, product image, or picture of you. It’s a small thing, but it goes a long way!

2. Not Knowing Your Audience

It’s easy to get excited about creating content, but if you’re not creating it with your audience in mind, you’re going to miss the mark. Pinterest is a search engine, and people are looking for solutions to their problems. If you don’t know who your ideal audience is or what they need, your pins won’t resonate with them.

To fix this, take the time to understand who you’re speaking to. Look at your Pinterest analytics to see which pins are performing well, and pay attention to what your audience is engaging with. This helps you create content that speaks directly to their needs and interests.

3. Not Using Keywords in Pin Titles, Images, and Descriptions

This is a big one! If you’re not using keywords in your pin titles, images, or descriptions, your pins won’t show up in search results, and you’ll miss out on valuable traffic. Keywords are how Pinterest understands what your content is about and matches it with what people are searching for.

Make sure your pin titles are descriptive and include relevant keywords naturally. In the description, aim to use keywords that your target audience might search for, but avoid keyword stuffing. Also, don’t forget about your images! Use descriptive file names and alt text to help your pins show up in search. It may seem like a small thing, but it makes a massive difference in your visibility.

If you’re struggling to find the right keywords, grab my FREE Pinterest Keyword Bank Tool to make the process easier. This tool will help you uncover the most relevant and effective keywords to use in your pins and descriptions to boost your searchability and reach on Pinterest.

4. Not Pinning Consistently

Consistency is key on Pinterest. If you’re only pinning once a week or sporadically, it’s going to be hard for your content to gain traction. Pinterest rewards consistent pinners by showing their content to more people.

To fix this, make a plan to pin consistently. You don’t have to post 50 pins a day, but make sure you’re pinning regularly. I usually aim for 3-5 fresh pins a day with new accounts.  But, even if you can only schedule 1 pin per day, as long as you are consistent, you will see growth, it just might take a little longer. 

I personally use Tailwind to help my clients and me with staying consistent. Tailwind is a great tool for scheduling pins in advance, so you can stay consistent even when you’re busy. It allows you to plan and automate your pinning, so you never have to worry about missing a day of posting. Plus, it helps ensure your pins get seen at optimal times, giving you a better chance at engagement.

5. Not Analyzing Pinterest Analytics

If you’re not looking at your Pinterest analytics, you’re flying blind. Pinterest gives you a ton of valuable information about how your pins are performing and who’s interacting with them. Without checking your analytics, you’ll have no idea what’s working and what’s not.

The fix here is simple: take a look at your analytics regularly. This will help you see which pins are driving traffic, what keywords are working, and where you might need to improve. Use that data to refine your strategy.

6. Focusing Too Much on Design and Not Enough on Strategy

Sure, pretty pins are great, but if you’re putting all your energy into making your pins look perfect and not enough into the strategy behind them, you’re missing the point. Beautiful designs are important, but they need to be backed up by a strategy that’s built around keywords and your audience’s needs.

To fix this, focus on creating pins that not only look good but also serve a purpose. Make sure your content is optimized with the right keywords, your pins link to helpful content, and you’re using a strategy to reach your target audience.

Don’t be afraid to make adjustments as you get more confident with your strategy.

Avoid the Biggest Pinterest Mistakes and Grow Your Business

It’s easy to fall into the trap of making the same mistakes on Pinterest, but the good news is that these mistakes are fixable! By optimizing your profile, understanding your audience, using the right keywords, pinning consistently, and analyzing your results, you’ll be on the right track to growing your Pinterest account and driving more traffic to your website. So, take a step back, look at where you’re going wrong, and start making changes today. You’ll be amazed at how much difference it can make!

If you’re looking for more help with your Pinterest account, reach out to our team! We’d love to help you grow your business on Pinterest.

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