7 Pinterest Strategies to Boost Your Handmade Business in 2024

Creative Ways to Drive Traffic, Increase Sales, and Build Your Brand With Pinterest

Pinterest is a goldmine for handmade sellers looking to showcase their products, drive traffic, and attract new customers. But with so many pins, boards, and strategies out there, where do you start? For handmade sellers, Pinterest isn’t just another social platform—it’s a visual search engine where your products can be discovered by people actively looking for what you create.

The key is knowing how to make your pins stand out and how to use Pinterest strategically to build your brand and increase sales.

Here are 7 Pinterest strategies tailored specifically for handmade sellers, with real-world examples from my own experience, to help you get the most out of this platform.

Tip 1: Optimize Your Pinterest Profile for Your Handmade Business

Before you start pinning, make sure your Pinterest profile is optimized for your business. This means having a professional profile picture (your logo or a product image), a clear description of what you do, and a link to your shop. Use keywords related to your handmade products so that people searching for your items can easily find you.

Real-World Example: When I first started, I didn’t think much about my Pinterest profile. But once I added a clear bio with keywords like “handcrafted fragrance” and “clean beauty,” my profile views increased, and more people started clicking through to my shop. By optimizing my profile, I made it easier for people to discover my brand.

Tip: Use keywords that describe your products, and be clear about what you offer. Make sure your profile leads people directly to your shop.

Tip 2: Create High-Quality, Eye-Catching Pins

Pinterest is a visual platform, so the quality of your pins matters. Your pins should showcase your handmade products in the best light, with clear, bright images and minimal text. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different formats—tall pins tend to perform better, and adding a call-to-action, like “Shop Now” or “Learn More,” can encourage people to click through to your website.

Real-World Example: I started creating simple product photos with white backgrounds, but they didn’t stand out. Once I began styling my products in lifestyle settings—showing how they’d look in a cozy home or paired with other items—my pins started to gain traction. I also included a clear call-to-action on the image, like "Shop the Collection," which made a big difference.

Tip: Invest in high-quality photos of your products, and make sure your pins are visually appealing. Test out different formats to see what resonates with your audience.

Tip 3: Use Keywords in Your Pin Descriptions

Just like on Google, keywords are crucial on Pinterest. Make sure you include relevant keywords in your pin descriptions so your products show up in search results. Think about the terms your ideal customer would use when searching for products like yours. Pinterest SEO can make a huge difference in how often your pins are discovered.

Real-World Example: At first, I didn’t realize how important keywords were for Pinterest. But after adding terms like “clean beauty,” “handmade fragrance,” and “natural skincare” to my pin descriptions, I saw an increase in traffic. People searching for those terms started finding my products, leading to more website visits and sales.

Tip: Use Pinterest as a search engine—think about what your customers would type in to find your products and use those keywords in your pin descriptions.

Tip 4: Create Boards That Reflect Your Brand

Pinterest boards are a great way to organize your pins, but they can also be used to build your brand’s aesthetic. Create boards that not only showcase your products but also reflect the lifestyle and values behind your handmade business. For example, if you sell eco-friendly candles, you could create boards around sustainable living, cozy home decor, or self-care rituals.

Real-World Example: I created boards that aligned with my brand, like “Self-Care Sundays” and “Natural Beauty Tips,” and filled them with pins that reflected my products’ vibe. This helped me create a cohesive brand presence on Pinterest and attracted people interested in the same lifestyle my products promote.

Tip: Think beyond just pinning your products—create boards that tell a story about your brand and reflect the values and lifestyle your audience cares about. Stuck on ideas? Here's a great prompt for ChatGPT.

Tip: To learn more about what your target market is searching for on Pinterest in your space, you can create a promotional pin that invites users to engage and share their preferences. Here's a prompt idea I used: Discover Your Clean Beauty Ritual ✨: What are you most curious about in clean beauty? 🌿 Take our quick poll and help us create content that answers YOUR top questions! Plus, get a FREE guide to glowing skin with all-natural products. Click to share your thoughts!

Tip 5: Pin Consistently and Use a Scheduler

Consistency is key on Pinterest. The more active you are, the more likely your pins will be seen. Instead of pinning everything at once, spread out your pins throughout the day or week. Using a scheduler like Tailwind can help you stay consistent without having to be on Pinterest all the time. Aim to pin 5-10 times a day to keep your account active.

Real-World Example: I used to pin sporadically and didn’t see much engagement. But once I started using Tailwind to schedule pins regularly, I noticed a steady increase in traffic. Scheduling allowed me to stay consistent without constantly having to manage my Pinterest account.

Tip: Use a tool like Tailwind to schedule your pins in advance. This keeps your account active and helps drive consistent traffic to your shop.

Tip 6: Promote Seasonal and Trending Content

Pinterest is a seasonal platform, which means certain times of the year are prime for specific content. For example, in the fall, people are searching for holiday gift ideas, fall decor, or cozy items. Take advantage of seasonal trends by pinning content that reflects current trends or upcoming holidays.

Real-World Example: During the holiday season, I created pins featuring gift sets and special holiday packaging for my handmade fragrances. I also used keywords like “holiday gifts for her”,“natural skincare stocking stuffers" and trending topics like "pumpkin spice," which led to a spike in traffic as people searched for holiday shopping ideas.

Tip: Pay attention to seasonal trends and align your content with what people are searching for at different times of the year. Adjust your pins to reflect upcoming holidays, seasons, or special events.

Tip 7: Engage with Your Pinterest Community

Pinterest isn’t just a place to pin and forget about it. Engaging with your audience by repinning, commenting, or following other relevant accounts can help build your presence. Repinning other high-quality content that aligns with your brand can help establish you as a go-to resource for your audience.

Real-World Example: I terrible at this, but recently started engaging more with other makers and eco-friendly businesses by repinning their content and leaving thoughtful comments on their pins. Not only did this help me build connections with other sellers, but it also increased my visibility and attracted more followers to my boards.

Tip: Don’t just pin your own content—engage with the community. Repin and comment on content that aligns with your brand to increase your reach and build connections.

Question:

What’s one Pinterest strategy from this list that you can implement today to start driving more traffic to your handmade business?

Remember, Pinterest isn’t just about creating pretty boards—it’s about using the platform strategically to drive traffic, increase brand awareness, and ultimately boost your sales. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to mastering Pinterest for your handmade business in 2024!