From Pen to Pin – Pinterest Strategies Every Author Needs

Why Authors Need Pinterest in Their Marketing Arsenal

Pinterest for authors is a powerful, marketing platform that can significantly boost your book visibility and sales. Unlike traditional social media, Pinterest functions as a visual search engine where your content remains findable for months or even years.

Quick Guide to Pinterest for Authors:

Pinterest Feature	How Authors Can Use It
Business Account	Set up a free business account to access analytics and promotional tools
Optimized Profile	Include keywords in display name and bio (e.g., "Mystery Author Jane Smith")
Strategic Boards	Create boards for book covers, character inspiration, settings, and writing tips
Vertical Pins	Design eye-catching 1000×1500 pixel pins with clear text overlays
Rich Pins	Enable article pins to automatically pull metadata from your blog posts
Group Boards	Join collaborative boards to expand reach within your genre community

Pinterest offers authors unique advantages that other platforms don't. With over 433 million monthly active users (predominantly female) and 70% of users actively finding and researching products, it's an ideal platform for connecting with potential readers.

Unlike Instagram or Facebook where posts quickly disappear from feeds, Pinterest content can drive steady traffic for years. This evergreen quality makes it especially valuable for authors who want long-term visibility for their backlist titles.

The platform's visual nature allows you to showcase your book covers, create character mood boards, share inspirational writing quotes, and drive traffic to your website, blog, or retailer pages where readers can purchase your books.

"Pinterest is quite amazing as a low-maintenance marketing tool for writers," notes one successful author who maintains steady website traffic with just 10-15 minutes of daily Pinterest maintenance.

I'm Favour Obasi-ike, host of the "We Don't PLAY" podcast and founder of Work & PLAY Entertainment, where I've helped numerous authors implement effective Pinterest for authors strategies that transform their findability and sales. My expertise in digital marketing has helped writers leverage Pinterest's unique visual search capabilities to connect with ideal readers and create sustainable book promotion systems.

Why Pinterest Works for Storytellers

In today's attention economy, authors are constantly battling for visibility. While most social platforms offer fleeting exposure, Pinterest delivers something far more valuable: sustained findability and engagement.

Pinterest isn't just another social network—it's a visual findy engine where users actively search for inspiration, ideas, and yes, their next great read. With 433 million monthly active users spending an average of 14 minutes per day on the platform, Pinterest offers authors an engaged audience that's actually looking for content like yours.

What makes Pinterest particularly powerful for storytellers is its unique position as both a social platform and a search engine. When you post on Facebook or Instagram, your content typically disappears from feeds within 24 hours. On Pinterest, your pins can continue driving traffic for months or even years after you publish them. This longevity is gold for authors who want sustainable visibility without constant posting.

According to scientific research on search intent, Pinterest users approach the platform with a findy mindset that's perfect for introducing them to new books and authors. Unlike social media where users primarily seek connection, Pinterest users are actively looking for new ideas and products—including their next read!

Pinterest for authors: key benefits

Pinterest for authors offers several distinct advantages that make it worth adding to your marketing strategy:

Evergreen content lifespan means your pins keep working for you long after you've moved on to other projects. One author I worked with took a full month off but still received 20,000-30,000 page views from older pins. Talk about passive marketing!

The audience demographics align beautifully with book-buying habits. Two-thirds of active Pinterest users are female, more than half of US millennials use the platform, and 8 out of 10 US moms are pinning regularly. If you're writing for women readers (especially in the 50-64 age bracket, which makes up 38% of US users), you're in the right place.

High purchase intent sets Pinterest apart from other platforms. Users come with buying on their minds—68% have finded new products while pinning, and 70% say it's their favorite place to research products. This translates to a higher average order value (AOV) when they do click through to buy.

Long-tail traffic continues flowing to your content through Pinterest's search function. Unlike the "post and pray" approach on social media, Pinterest functions as a search engine where readers can find your pins through relevant searches months or even years later.

Niche communities thrive on Pinterest, allowing you to connect with readers who share specific interests related to your books. Whether it's historical settings, character aesthetics, or writing craft tips, you can build engagement beyond simple promotion.

Genres that thrive on Pinterest for authors

While all authors can benefit from Pinterest, certain genres perform exceptionally well on the platform:

Romance books find a natural home on Pinterest with its predominantly female audience. Sweet romance author Becky Wade has built a substantial following by creating boards featuring couple aesthetics, wedding inspiration, and romantic settings that resonate with her readers.

YA fantasy readers love creating aesthetic boards around characters, magical settings, and fantasy worlds. Authors in this genre can leverage this by sharing world-building elements and character inspiration that spark readers' imagination.

Cookbooks and food writing fit perfectly on Pinterest, where food is one of the most popular categories. Cookbook authors can share recipe previews, cooking tips, and mouthwatering food photography to build anticipation for their books.

Self-help and personal development content thrives because Pinterest users actively search for inspiration and life improvement ideas. Authors in this space can share quote graphics, worksheet previews, and actionable tips that showcase their expertise.

Children's literature has a ready audience of parents and teachers who frequently use Pinterest to find book recommendations, activities, and educational resources. Children's book authors can create boards with reading activities and complementary educational content that extend the life of their books.

For more insights on how to leverage these advantages, check out our guide to Pinterest for Business that covers platform-specific strategies for creative entrepreneurs.

Build & Optimise Your Author Profile

Your Pinterest profile isn't just a digital business card—it's the welcoming front door to your author brand. When set up strategically, it becomes a powerful hub that connects readers to your books and content for years to come.

Take a look at how Becky Wade positions herself clearly as a "Sweet Romance Author" in her profile. This immediate clarity helps readers who love that specific genre find and follow her work.

Pinterest for authors: account checklist

Let's make sure your author profile is ready to shine and be found by your ideal readers.

First things first—upgrade to a Pinterest business account. It's completely free and open ups valuable analytics that show you exactly what's working. Already have a personal account? No worries! You can convert it without losing any of your existing pins or boards.

Your display name needs to work harder than just showing your name. Add your genre right in there—something like "Mystery Author Jane Smith" or "Jane Smith | Historical Fiction Writer." This simple tweak helps readers searching for their favorite genres stumble upon your profile.

Your bio may be tiny (just 160 characters!), but it's mighty. Make it count by weaving in relevant keywords while still sounding like a human. Something like: "Award-winning author crafting magical realism stories that blend everyday life with unexpected wonder. Book club favorite since 2018."

Don't forget to claim and verify your website through Pinterest settings. This critical step not only builds trust with potential readers but also enables Rich Pins—those improved pins that automatically pull metadata from your blog posts, making them more informative and engaging.

Want to really level up your Pinterest for authors game? Check out these Pinterest SEO Hacks that can dramatically improve your findability.

Common mistakes to avoid

Even experienced authors stumble when setting up their Pinterest profiles. Let's make sure you don't fall into these common traps:

Board spam is a real enthusiasm killer. Rather than creating a separate board for each book (which feels overwhelming and promotional), organize your content thematically. Think "Cozy Mystery Settings" rather than "My Book: Death by Teacup."

Many authors create gorgeous pins but forget the clear call-to-action. Every pin should gently guide readers toward a next step—whether that's visiting your blog, joining your newsletter, or checking out your latest release.

Are you regularly peeking at your Pinterest analytics? If not, you're missing out on golden insights about what your potential readers actually care about. Fifteen minutes reviewing your data can save hours of creating content that doesn't resonate.

Consistent branding matters more than you might think. When readers see your pins in their feed, they should instantly recognize your visual style through consistent colors, fonts, and imagery. This builds trust and recognition over time.

Pinterest is fundamentally a search engine with social features. Without strategic keywords in your profile, board titles, and pin descriptions, your lovely content becomes virtually invisible to searchers.

Finally, resist the temptation to only share book covers. While showcasing your books is important, Pinterest users respond much more enthusiastically to lifestyle content, inspiration, and valuable information. Share your writing process, character mood boards, setting inspiration, and reader resources to build a deeper connection.

By thoughtfully building your Pinterest profile with these elements in mind, you're creating not just another social media presence, but a findable hub that will continue working for you and your books long after you've moved on to writing your next masterpiece.

Board & Pin Strategy that Sells Books

Now that your profile shines, let's focus on creating a strategic collection of boards and pins that will actually move books from shelves to readers' hands. Think of your Pinterest presence as a cozy bookstore where different displays attract different browsers—each board serving as a unique entry point for potential readers.

Your boards shouldn't just showcase your books; they should tell a story about you as an author and connect with readers' interests. I've seen authors transform their sales by thinking beyond basic promotion to creating a rich, engaging experience.

Start with these essential board themes that draw readers in naturally:

Create a beautiful showcase of your book covers and latest releases, complete with enticing blurbs and direct purchase links. But don't stop there! Readers love peeking behind the curtain, so build character inspiration boards that bring your fictional people to life visually.

One romance author I worked with created a "Sweet Small-Town Settings" board featuring images that inspired her fictional hometown—readers became so invested they started suggesting real locations for future books!

Behind-the-scenes content works wonders too. Share glimpses of your writing space, research trips, or even your caffeine station that fuels those late-night writing sessions. These personal touches help readers connect with you as a person, not just a name on a cover.

Position yourself as a helpful resource by sharing writing tips and craft advice. This approach works particularly well for non-fiction authors, but fiction writers can benefit too—readers who aspire to write are often your most engaged fans.

When naming your boards, think like a reader searching for content. Rather than "My Fantasy Series," try "Epic Fantasy Worlds | Dragon Riders & Magic Systems." This keyword-rich approach helps the right readers find you through Pinterest's search function.

Crafting high-performing pins

Your pins are tiny ambassadors working 24/7 to attract readers. Their design can make or break your Pinterest success. The ideal pin is vertical (1000×1500 pixels) with bold, readable text that communicates value instantly.

Brand consistency matters enormously. Use the same fonts, colors, and styling across your pins so followers recognize your content immediately in their feed. I recommend creating pin templates in Canva that you can easily customize for different content while maintaining your visual identity.

Balance is key—mix educational content (writing tips, behind-the-scenes looks) with product pins (book covers, purchase links). The 60/40 rule works well: 60% valuable content, 40% direct promotion. This approach builds trust before asking for the sale.

Every pin needs a clear call-to-action. Don't leave readers wondering what to do next—tell them explicitly: "Read the first chapter free," "Find the series," or "Get book club questions." These simple directives significantly increase click-through rates.

And don't forget to optimize those pin descriptions! Include relevant keywords naturally and write compelling descriptions that make readers want to learn more. One Pinterest for authors trick I love: use the first 50-60 characters strategically, as these show up in the feed without expanding.

Group boards & collaborations

Want to expand your reach exponentially? Collaboration is your secret weapon. Group boards connect you with new audiences who already trust the board owner.

Join active group boards in your genre where readers are genuinely engaged. Quality matters more than quantity here—one highly engaged board beats ten dormant ones. You can join groups by searching for relevant keywords and requesting to contribute.

Try creating collaborative boards with fellow authors in your genre. A "Summer Beach Reads" board shared between several romance authors can introduce each of you to the others' audiences. For book launches, coordinate with your street team to create boards where reviewers and influencers share their thoughts and promotional content.

Some of my most successful Pinterest for authors clients invite readers to contribute to special boards—fan art collections, "Where I Read Your Book" photo boards, or character casting suggestions. These interactive experiences transform passive readers into invested community members.

Pinterest isn't just another promotional channel—it's a visual storytelling platform perfectly suited for authors. When you approach it with creativity and strategic thinking, the results can be truly remarkable for your author brand and book sales.

Measure, Iterate, Scale

The magic of Pinterest for authors happens when you move beyond simply posting pins and start using data to refine your approach. Think of Pinterest as a garden—you plant content seeds, but then need to analyze what's growing well and adjust accordingly.

Understanding Pinterest Analytics

Your business account comes with a treasure trove of insights tucked under the "Analytics" tab. When I work with authors, I always encourage them to get comfortable checking these numbers at least once a month.

What should you be looking at? Start with impressions—these show how many eyeballs are seeing your pins in feeds and search results. It's like knowing how many people walked past your bookstore window. Then check your engagements, which tell you how many people were interested enough to save your pin, click on it, or take a closer look.

The real gold, though, is in outbound clicks. These represent actual readers who've made the journey from Pinterest to your website, blog, or book sales page. That's the bridge between "nice picture" and "I want to read this book!"

I love diving into audience insights with my clients. Sometimes you think you're writing for one demographic, but find your Pinterest audience is completely different! This can reveal untapped reader markets you hadn't considered before.

Take time to identify your top-performing pins. Is it your character aesthetics that get the most traction? Your writing tips? Book cover reveals? Understanding what resonates helps you create more of what works.

For serious authors, I recommend setting up Google Analytics with UTM parameters. This might sound technical, but it's actually quite simple and gives you the full picture of how Pinterest visitors behave once they reach your site. Are they signing up for your newsletter? Clicking through to retailers? This information is pure gold.

Testing and optimization

The authors I see having the most success on Pinterest accept experimentation. They're not afraid to try different approaches and let the data guide their strategy.

A/B testing pin designs is easier than you might think. Create two variations of the same pin—perhaps one with your book cover prominently featured and another focusing on a character quote—and see which performs better. I've seen conversion rates double simply by changing a text overlay color or image style.

While Pinterest isn't as time-sensitive as other platforms (pins can drive traffic for months or years), experimenting with posting times can still yield interesting insights. Some authors find weekend mornings bring more engagement, while others see better results with weekday evenings.

Finding the right content mix takes some finesse. The sweet spot for most authors is roughly 60% value-based content (helpful blog posts, writing inspiration, genre discussions) to 40% promotional content (book covers, launch announcements, sales). This balance keeps readers engaged while still moving books.

Don't forget to regularly refine your keywords. Pinterest trends shift, and the search terms readers use evolve too. What worked six months ago might not be as effective today.

Tools & resources for busy writers

Let's be honest—as an author, your primary job is writing books, not becoming a Pinterest expert. Thankfully, several tools can help streamline your Pinterest marketing:

Pinterest's native scheduler is a free, no-brainer first step. You can plan and schedule pins right within the platform, setting up a week or month of content in one sitting.

For more serious Pinterest users, Tailwind offers robust scheduling, analytics, and their SmartLoop feature that automatically recirculates your evergreen pins. Many authors I work with find the time savings well worth the subscription cost.

Canva remains my go-to recommendation for creating gorgeous pins without design skills. Their Pinterest templates are perfectly sized and professionally designed—just add your book cover and text.

When you're ready to level up, tools like Pin Inspector let you analyze competitors' most successful pins. This isn't about copying—it's about understanding what resonates in your genre and putting your unique spin on proven formats.

For the tech-savvy, IFTTT (If This Then That) can automate pin creation whenever you publish new blog content, saving valuable time.

Pinterest isn't just another social media time-sink—it's a long-term investment in your author platform. Unlike tweets or Instagram posts that disappear into the void after 24 hours, pins continue working for you for months or even years, connecting your stories with readers who are actively searching for their next great read.

Want to dive deeper into Pinterest strategies custom specifically for your books? At Work & PLAY Entertainment, we specialize in helping authors build sustainable Pinterest systems that drive real results. Check out our Pinterest services designed specifically for storytellers.

Frequently Asked Questions about Pinterest for Authors

How often should I pin without spamming followers?

When it comes to Pinterest, quality always trumps quantity. Most authors find that sharing 5-15 pins daily hits that sweet spot—enough to maintain visibility without overwhelming your followers. Aim to create at least 40% original content, with the rest being strategic repins that add value to your audience.

I've found that consistency matters far more than sheer numbers. It's much better to share 3-5 thoughtfully created pins every day than to dump 30 pins one day and then disappear for a week. Your audience responds to reliability!

During special periods like book launches or promotional campaigns, you can temporarily increase your pinning frequency—just be sure to return to a sustainable rhythm afterward. Many of my clients use scheduling tools to spread their pins throughout the day, which helps maintain a steady presence without requiring constant attention.

Can Pinterest really drive book sales on Amazon or KU?

Yes, absolutely! Pinterest can be remarkably effective at driving book sales, especially when you create strategic pins that link directly to retailer pages. What makes Pinterest unique is that users often come to the platform with purchase intent already in mind.

One of my romance author clients shared this success story: "I maintain several boards related to my mystery series setting, and they consistently drive traffic to my Amazon page. What's remarkable is that pins I created two years ago still generate sales today."

For Kindle Unlimited authors, Pinterest offers a slightly different but equally valuable pathway. You can use your pins to drive readers to landing pages where you offer a free chapter in exchange for newsletter signups. Once they're on your list, you can guide them toward your KU titles. This two-step approach builds both your readership and your subscriber base simultaneously.

The evergreen nature of Pinterest means your pins continue working for you long after you've created them—something that simply doesn't happen on other platforms where content disappears from feeds within hours.

What keywords should go in my display name and bio?

Your display name is prime real estate for Pinterest for authors visibility. Include:

• Your author name (obviously!)

• Your main genre or niche

• Optionally, your primary book subject

For example, "Emma Johnson | Cozy Mystery Author" or "Michael Chen | Science Fiction & Time Travel Writer" will help readers who love those genres find you.

For your bio, weave in 4-5 keywords related to:

• Your specific sub-genre (like "steamy romance" or "epic fantasy")

• Themes in your books ("strong heroines," "family secrets")

• Your target reader's interests ("book clubs," "beach reads")

• Your author brand positioning ("award-winning," "bestselling")

A well-crafted bio might read: "Crafting emotional romance novels with strong heroines and guaranteed happily-ever-afters. Helping readers escape reality one swoony book boyfriend at a time."

A simple way to research effective keywords is to use Pinterest's search bar—it will suggest popular search terms as you type. These suggestions reflect what real users are actively searching for, giving you valuable insight into the language your potential readers are using.

Conclusion

Finding a marketing platform that works for you long-term can feel like searching for a unicorn. But Pinterest for authors might just be that magical creature you've been looking for. Unlike Facebook or Instagram where your carefully crafted posts vanish within hours, Pinterest keeps serving up your content to new readers for months—even years—after you create it.

Think of Pinterest as the marketing gift that keeps on giving. I've seen authors still getting traffic from pins they created three years ago! That's the power of a visual search engine working for you 24/7.

Let's recap what makes a winning Pinterest strategy:

First, build a foundation with a properly optimized profile. Those keywords in your display name and bio aren't just decoration—they're how readers who love your genre will find you.

Next, think like a reader when creating your boards. What would intrigue someone who enjoys your style of books? Character aesthetics, setting inspiration, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of your writing process all create connection points with potential fans.

Your pins are your ambassadors, so make them count. Beautiful vertical images with clear text and compelling calls-to-action will stand out in a crowded feed. Every pin should lead somewhere meaningful—your website, newsletter signup, or book retailer page.

Don't go it alone! The collaborative nature of Pinterest through group boards can exponentially expand your reach. Partnering with other authors in your genre creates a rising-tide-lifts-all-boats effect that benefits everyone.

And please, please don't skip the analytics. The data will tell you exactly what's working and what's not, so you can do more of what connects with your readers.

Here at Work & PLAY Entertainment, we've guided countless authors through implementing these Pinterest strategies, helping them transform their visibility and sales. Our Houston-based team brings together our unique audio expertise and data-driven approach to create Pinterest marketing plans that actually deliver results.

Will you see overnight success? Probably not. Pinterest is a marathon, not a sprint. But with consistency and strategic planning, you'll build a powerful findy engine that continues bringing new readers to your books with minimal ongoing effort.

I encourage you to start small—pick just one strategy from this article and commit to it for the next 30 days. Watch what happens, then gradually add more tactics as you get comfortable with the platform.

Your stories deserve to be finded by the readers who will love them most. Pinterest for authors might just be the bridge that connects you with your ideal audience, creating not just sales, but true fans who'll follow you book after book.

Ready to take your Pinterest presence to the next level? Learn more about our Pinterest services designed specifically for storytellers like you.