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Kyla Dinielle
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Are you making these common pinterest mistakes? Maybe you're growth on Pinterest has stopped, or even worse, declined. You’ve put in the effort, created beautiful pins, and built your boards, but the traffic just isn’t rolling in.

I get it! Pinterest can be a game-changer for your business, but it’s also easy to make mistakes that end up sabotaging your success. The good news? With a few simple Pinterest hacks, you can turn things around and start seeing real results.

Pinterest isn’t just another social media platform...it’s a powerful visual search engine that can drive traffic, leads, and sales for your business.

In this post, we’re diving into the top five Pinterest mistakes that could be killing your traffic, and I’ll walk you through ways to fix them that will boost your Pinterest engagement and traffic.

Ready to dive into these Pinterest mistakes and unlock the full potential of your account? Let’s get started!

Pinterest Mistake #1: Not Using the Right Keywords

Pinterest is a visual search engine, and without the right keywords, your content won’t get discovered. This is one of the most important Pinterest hacks for boosting traffic.

What’s Going Wrong?

Many users focus only on pretty visuals, forgetting that Pinterest relies heavily on keywords to show your pins in search results. If you’re not using strategic keywords, your content gets lost.

How To Fix It

  1. Use Pinterest Trends: Check Pinterest’s Trends dashboard to see what keywords are popular in your topic. Check both growing trends and top yearly trends.
  2. Search for Long-Tail Keywords: Take these trending keywords and insert them into the search bar in Pinterest (try it logged out of your account for more accurate results). Look for the words that follow the main keyword and add these long-tail keywords to your pin description.
  3. Where to Put Keywords:
    • Pin Title & Description: Add your keywords here to improve visibility.
    • On the Pin: Use text overlays that include your main keyword on your image.
    • Alt Text: Add keywords naturally for extra search juice.

By using the right keywords in these spots, you’ll boost your Pinterest growth and get your pins in front of the right audience.

Sign Up for My FREE Pinterest Funnels eCourse!

Pinterest Mistake #2: Not Pinning Consistently

When it comes to Pinterest growth, consistency is key. You can’t just pin once in a while and expect traffic to flood in. Pinterest rewards accounts that show up regularly, and this is a critical piece of your Pinterest marketing strategy.

What’s Going Wrong?

Many pinners either binge pin or go weeks without pinning, which confuses Pinterest’s algorithm and slows down your momentum.

How To Fix It

  1. Develop a Pinning Schedule: Aim to pin consistently. I recommend at least 1 pin per day. You don’t have to do this manually! Use a scheduling tool like Tailwind to queue up pins and keep your account active daily.
  2. Batch Your Content: Set aside time each week to create and schedule your pins in batches. Check out my easy Pinterest workflow that only takes you an hour a week.

By pinning regularly, you’ll keep your content fresh and improve your chances of being seen, which is key to any solid Pinterest marketing business plan.

Pinterest Mistake #3: Not Optimizing Your Boards

Your Pinterest boards are just as important as your pins. If your boards aren’t optimized, it’s harder for Pinterest to categorize your content, which means fewer people will see it. Optimized boards are a must for Pinterest marketing success.

What’s Going Wrong?

A lot of users create boards with cute or unique names. Another mistake is saving pins that aren't relevant to the board. This confuses Pinterest’s algorithm and makes it harder for your pins to get indexed.

How To Fix It

  1. Use Keyword-Rich Board Names: Name your boards based on interests or search terms. For example, instead of “What To Eat,” use something more specific like “Quick & Easy Lunch Recipes” or “Healthy Meal Prep Recipes.”
  2. Optimize Board Descriptions: Just like pins, board descriptions should include relevant keywords. This helps Pinterest understand what your board is about so your pins get categorized correctly in the algorithm.
  3. Keep Boards Focused: Each board should have a clear theme. Remove unrelated pins and keep your boards focused on specific topics. This boosts your Pinterest growth by making your boards more appealing to users and the Pinterest algorithm.

By organizing and optimizing your boards, you’ll improve your overall Pinterest marketing strategy and increase your visibility.

common pinterest mistakes pin it

Pinterest Mistake #4: Not Giving It Enough Time

Pinterest is a long game. If you’re expecting instant results, you’ll be disappointed. One of the biggest mistakes in Pinterest marketing is giving up too soon, thinking it’s not working, when in reality, it just needs more time to grow.

What’s Going Wrong?

Many people start strong but lose patience after a month or two when they don’t see immediate traffic. Pinterest SEO takes time to kick in, so short-term thinking is a recipe for frustration.

How To Fix It

  1. Understand the Timeline: Pinterest can take 3-6 months to show real traction. It’s not unusual for pins to start gaining momentum weeks or even months after they’re posted.
  2. Stay Consistent: While you’re waiting, keep pinning! Consistency is key to Pinterest growth. The more you pin, the more data Pinterest has to work with, and the better it can push your content to the right audience over time.

With a bit of patience and a long-term approach, you’ll start seeing the benefits of your Pinterest marketing strategy in the months to come.

Pinterest Mistake #5: Not Understanding Your Target Audience

If you’re not clear on who you’re trying to reach, your Pinterest content will feel scattered and unfocused. Understanding your target audience is crucial for creating pins that resonate and attract clicks—this is key for any Pinterest marketing strategy.

What’s Going Wrong?

Many users post a mix of content without considering what their ideal audience is actually searching for. This leads to pins that don’t engage or drive traffic.

How To Fix It

  1. Identify Your Ideal Audience: Think about who you’re trying to reach. What are their interests? What problems are they trying to solve? This will help you create content that speaks directly to them. Pro Tip: Use the Trends Dashboard
  2. Tailor Your Pins to Their Needs: Once you know your audience, design pins and boards that cater to their searches. Focus on creating pins that they will find helpful, inspiring, or interesting. This is where Pinterest hacks, like using audience-specific keywords and visuals, comes in handy.

By understanding your audience and crafting content that serves them, you’ll see better engagement and more Pinterest traffic.

Pinterest can be a powerhouse for driving traffic and growing your business...if you use it the right way. Avoiding these common Pinterest mistakes can help you take your Pinterest marketing strategy to the next level. 

By using the right keywords, pinning consistently, optimizing your boards, giving it time, and understanding your target audience, you'll be well on your way to boosting your Pinterest growth.

Remember, Pinterest is a long game, but with the right approach and a few strategic Pinterest hacks, you’ll start seeing the traffic and results you’ve been looking for. Keep refining your strategy, stay patient, and watch your Pinterest marketing business flourish.

Join The Secret pinners club and start driving massive traffic from Pinterest! 

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About Me

I'm Kyla, a Pinterest strategist and a single mum to 3 ruff-n-tumble boys. Over the past 8 years, I've been sharing helpful Pinterest strategies and tips to help other creators harness the power of this profitable marketing tool. Grab some of my free resources and become an expert when you join my low-cost Pinterest membership, The Secret Pinners Club.

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