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Hi there, creative mompreneurs! If you’ve just opened an Etsy shop or are looking for ways to attract more customers to your handcrafted treasures, you’ve probably heard about the power of Pinterest. Spoiler alert: it’s not just a social media platform—it’s a visual search engine that can work wonders for your Etsy products!
As a mom coach and fellow entrepreneur, I know how overwhelming marketing can feel when you’re just starting. That’s why I’ve put together this step-by-step guide on how to market your Etsy shop on Pinterest—even if you’re a total beginner.
Let’s dive in and turn those Pinterest pins into Etsy sales!
Why Pinterest Is a Goldmine for Etsy Sellers
Did you know Pinterest has over 500 million monthly active users? Most of them are looking for inspiration, DIY ideas, or unique handmade products—sound like your ideal customer? Yep!
Pinterest is the perfect platform for Etsy sellers because:
- It’s highly visual:
Your beautiful product photos can shine. Because Pinterest users are used to seeing high quality photos, your product pins can take advantage of the spotlight.
- It drives traffic:
Pins link directly to your Etsy listings. Pinterest is by far the most clickable of all the social media platforms. Moms are already on Pinterest clicking to get recipes and printables. So they are more likely to click on your listings when they show up in search results.
- It targets shoppers:
People on Pinterest are often ready to buy. Because it is so clickable, the Pinterest platform gives etsy shop owner a unique opportunity to feature their products to new potential customers.
If you’re not leveraging Pinterest yet, you’re leaving money on the table because your competition is most definitely already there. But don’t worry—we’re about to change that! Using the following easy steps to get started, you'll have your Etsy business pinned on Pinterest in no time.
Step 1: Set Up Your Pinterest Business Account
Before we dive into pinning, let’s make sure your foundation is solid.
1. Create a Business Account:
A Pinterest business account gives you access to analytics, ads, and rich pins—tools that help you grow your reach and track your success. The best way to make the most of your Pinterest strategy is to open a business account or switch your existing personal account.
2. Optimize Your Pinterest Profile:
- Choose a clear profile picture (your logo or a great photo of yourself). Although I suggest a logo to start, because sometimes a picture of an actual person will attract a lot of spam accounts. Unless your business is coaching or a personal brand, using a logo to match your Etsy shop is probably best.
- Write a bio that’s keyword-rich. To be sure your profile shows up in more searches, use words that are popular for Pinterest SEO. More on that later.
- Be sure to add your Etsy store link to your profile so that your new pins will show in the created tab of your profile.
3. Claim Your Etsy Shop:
Claiming your Etsy shop on Pinterest allows you to track pins linked to your products and boosts your shop’s credibility. It also allows you to enable rich pins. Each product listing will automatically populate in a rich pin with important details like title and price. This way, if you update a title or price on your listing in Etsy, it will automatically update on Pinterest.
Step 2: Design Pin-Worthy Product Images
Pinterest is all about aesthetics, so your product photos need to stand out. Here’s how:
- Use Vertical Images:
Pinterest favors images with a 2:3 ratio (like 1000x1500 pixels). However, the first thing to do is to automatically pin each of your Etsy listings using the Pinterest Chrome extension. This will get your products up faster. Then you can go back through and create vertical pins using Canva templates and even create videos to use on other social media platforms.
- Bright, Clean Backgrounds:
Make your products pop with good lighting and uncluttered backdrops. This is the same suggestion for your product cover photos on Etsy, so you may already have beautiful photos of your products. Pinterest is another great place to make use of those pictures.
- Add Text Overlays:
Use tools like Canva to add text overlays to your vertical image. For example: “Boho Earrings – Perfect Holiday Gift!”
- Show Your Products in Action:
Lifestyle photos (e.g., someone wearing your jewelry or holding your handmade mug) perform better. Try Canva's new mockup templates for other print on demand products like t-shirts, mugs and tote bags to show off your designs.
Step 3: Create SEO-Rich Pin Titles and Descriptions
Pinterest is a search engine, so keywords are your best friend. Think about what your ideal customer might type into the search bar in order to break through the Pinterest algorithm.. Since your Etsy listings should be optimized for SEO already, you can use the same titles with a similar product description.
- Use Keywords in Titles:
Instead of “Pretty Necklace,” try “Handmade Boho Necklace | Unique Jewelry for Women.”
- Write Descriptive Descriptions:
Include keywords naturally. For example: “This handmade macramé wall hanging is perfect for boho home décor lovers. Shop now on Etsy!”
- Hashtags Still Matter:
Add 2-3 relevant hashtags like #EtsyShop, #HandmadeJewelry, #GiftsforHer or #BohoDecor. Use Instagram to search for relevant hashtags of your industry or products.
Step 4: Build Organized Boards
Your Pinterest boards should feel like a well-curated boutique that reflects not only your brand but the interests as of your target audience as well.
1. Create Boards Around Themes:
Think about all the aspects of what your ideal customer might be searching for on Pinterest. Every one of us is a complex human being who is searching for motivation, inspiration, life hacks, and helpful tips. We all want to be healthy, meal plan, and decorate our homes for the holidays. Create boards for generic themes that have nothing to do with your business, but that your customer is most definitely searching for. Then create relevant boards for your products like Gifts for Her, Home Decor, and more.
Try using more niche-specific boards for popular searches. For example:
- “Handmade Jewelry Ideas”
- “Boho Home Décor Inspiration”
- “Unique Holiday Gift Ideas”
2. Use Keywords in Board Titles:
Pinterest boards are searchable, so make titles descriptive and use popular keywords and trending searches. Take advantage of the seasonal searches as well, especially if they are relevant to any of your products on Etsy.
3. Add Detailed Board Descriptions:
Use relevant keywords to describe what the board is about. Be sure to periodically look for new keywords in the search bar on Pinterest to catch changes in trends or wording of popular searches.
Step 5: Pin Consistently and Strategically
Pinterest rewards consistency, so don’t pin 50 images one day and then ghost for a week. Use a mixture of scheduled pins through apps like Tailwind and manual pins of your Etsy items directly on Pinterest.
- Pin Daily:
Aim for 5-10 pins per day to keep your account active.
- Use Scheduling Tools:
Platforms like Tailwind can help you plan and schedule pins ahead of time.
- Mix Content:
Pin a mix of your products and complementary content of other people's pins (like DIY projects or inspirational quotes).
Step 6: Leverage Rich Pins
As mentioned before, Rich Pins are a Pinterest feature that automatically syncs product details from your Etsy shop (like price, availability, and descriptions). They make your pins look more professional and actionable.
To enable Rich Pins for Etsy, claim your website in your profile then follow Pinterest’s setup guide for the latest requirements—it’s quick and worth the effort!
Step 7: Join Pinterest Group Boards
Group boards are a fantastic way to expand your reach. These are collaborative boards where multiple users pin content.
- Search for Relevant Group Boards:
Use tools like PinGroupie or look for boards related to Etsy, handmade goods, or your niche.
- Follow the Rules:
Every group board has rules, so follow them to avoid being removed.
Step 8: Drive Traffic with Video Pins
Video Pins are a powerful marketing tool for storytelling. They’re a great way to engage your audience and showcase your products in action.
- Share Behind-the-Scenes Content:
Show how you make your products.
- Create Tutorials:
For example, “How to Style Your Boho Earrings.”
- Use Call-to-Actions:
Encourage viewers to visit your Etsy shop in the pin description.
Step 9: Analyze Your Pinterest Analytics
Once you’ve been pinning for a while, check your analytics to see what’s working. The most important analytics, however, are those to your Etsy Shop. You want to make sure your efforts on Pinterest are showing up as a traffic source on your Etsy Shop statistics. Then you can check Pinterest analytics to improve your pin performance.
Check Outbound Clicks: It's a good idea to check your Pinterest analytics monthly to be sure your strategy is still working and you don't waste a lot of time. Make sure your outbound clicks are increasing.
- Track Pin Performance:
Which pins are driving the most clicks to your Etsy shop?
- Adjust Your Strategy:
Focus on creating more content like your top-performing pins.
Step 10: Consider Pinterest Ads
If you have a little marketing budget, Pinterest ads can help you reach a larger audience. Start small with the minimum of $1/day and test promoted pins to see what resonates.
- Promote Best-Selling Products:
Choose pins featuring your most popular items.
- Target the Right Audience:
Use Pinterest’s targeting options to focus on specific demographics or interests.
Quick Tips for Success on Pinterest for your Etsy shop
1. Be Patient:
Pinterest is a long-term game. It can take weeks or months for pins to gain traction.
2. Stay On-Brand:
Use consistent colors, fonts, and photography styles to create a cohesive look.
3. Engage with the Community:
Follow other creators, repin complementary content, and comment on pins to build relationships.
Wrapping It Up
Marketing your Etsy shop on Pinterest doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Start small, stay consistent, and remember—Pinterest is a marathon, not a sprint.
By creating beautiful, keyword-rich pins, optimizing your profile, and engaging with the platform, you can turn Pinterest into a traffic-driving powerhouse for your Etsy shop.
Now, it’s your turn: Grab a cup of coffee, set up your Pinterest boards, and start pinning your way to Etsy success!
Written in collaboration with artificial intelligence (ChatGPT-3.5). Edited by a human.
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Have questions or need more tips? Drop them in the comments below—I’m here to help. Happy pinning, mompreneurs!
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