Beginner's Guide: 4 Easy Tips for Using Pinterest Successfully

Scrolling through Pinterest might feel like fun and games, but behind those dreamy pins lies a platform with serious potential. With more than 533 million monthly active users, it's become a go-to place for people searching for what to try, buy, or do next.

Users on Pinterest are planning, comparing, and making decisions. That means your content, products, or ideas can appear right when needed.

And the best part? You don't need to be a pro to start seeing results. You can turn your boards into traffic-driving machines with a few smart Pinterest tips. Let's walk through four simple ways to use Pinterest successfully—even if you're just starting.

What Makes Pinterest Different from Other Social Platforms?

Pinterest works slightly differently than the platforms you might use—think Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok. While those apps are designed to keep people scrolling and engaging with others, Pinterest is built for searching. People come here with intent.

According to Pinterest, nearly 9 in 10 weekly users use the platform for inspiration on their path to purchase, and 85% of them have bought something based on the content they discovered from brands. That means your Pins aren't just content—they're part of someone's buying journey.

Another big difference? Content doesn't vanish quickly. On Facebook or Twitter (now X), your posts might only get attention for 20–30 minutes. However, on Pinterest, the half-life of a pin is over 3 months—and in some cases, even longer.

And here's where it gets exciting: when you switch to a Pinterest business account, you unlock analytics, ads, and access to more tools that help you reach the right audience. 

How to Use Pinterest for Beginners in 4 Steps

1. The Terms

Getting started on Pinterest is easier. Once you understand the basics, you can create content that attracts attention and drives results.

Pins

When you're just starting on Pinterest, it's essential to understand what Pins are. They're visual bookmarks that link to a website or URL. When users click on your Pin, they're directed to your content, so your Pin must match the link. High-quality images or videos are a must, and vertical Pins (with a 2:3 aspect ratio) tend to work best on Pinterest, especially on mobile.

Titles

Next, titles are a big deal. Your title should be clear, descriptive, and engaging to draw people in. 

For example, instead of naming your Pin "Food" opt for something specific like "Quick & Easy 10-Minute Dinner Ideas." A good title grabs attention and helps Pinterest show your Pin to the right audience.

Descriptions

Descriptions give you the chance to explain what your Pin is about. While you can use up to 500 characters, the first 50–60 characters are what Pinners see in their feeds, so make those first few words count! Include relevant keywords or your brand name, and make sure the description aligns with your Pin's image and title.

Boards

Boards are where you organize your Pins into categories. For example, if you're a car enthusiast, you might have boards like "Luxury Cars" or "Dream Cars." Creating boards around topics in your niche makes your content easier to find and helps people follow the topics that interest them most.

2. How to Use Pinterest to Find Inspiration

Pinterest is a treasure trove of inspiration, So how do you use Pinterest to discover inspiration? Let's dive into how you can easily find ideas that resonate.

Home Feed

Your Home Feed is where the magic happens. This is where Pinterest shows you Pins from the people or boards you follow and recommendations based on your activity. Pinterest curates content for you, so as you engage with different Pins, the platform gets smarter and suggests even more ideas aligned with your interests.

Following Tab

If you want to dig into your favorite creators' or friends' savings, head to the Following Tab. This is where you'll find Pins saved by the people you follow. It's a great way to discover new ideas, products, or content from like-minded users.

Today Tab

The Today Tab, introduced in 2020, is a curated space for daily inspiration. Here, Pinterest provides a selection of trending Pins and popular topics based on what's happening in the Pinterest community. You can visit this tab daily to explore fresh ideas and discover trends across various categories.

Search

Pinterest is like a visual search engine, and its Search feature is one of the easiest ways to find inspiration. Simply type a keyword into the search bar, and Pinterest will offer suggestions for related ideas, accounts, and more.

For example, if you're interested in starting a podcast, search for "Podcasting Tips." Pinterest will show you popular Pins on the topic and suggest accounts or even niche ideas related to podcasting. The best part? You don't have to click through endless pages like you would on Google. Just keep scrolling and exploring beautiful images and ideas!

3. How to Save Pins on Pinterest

Saving Pins on Pinterest is one of the most important things you'll do to keep your boards organized and share inspiring content with others. There are two key actions when saving Pins: creating and saving. Let's break down how each works.

Creating Pins

When you "create" a Pin, it means you're saving something from its source. This could be your website, a blog, or someone else's content you want to keep for inspiration. One of the easiest ways to create a Pin is by using Pinterest's browser button. 

Once you install it on your browser, you can easily pin content while browsing. All you need to do is click the Pinterest button on the page you're viewing, and Pinterest will show you a selection of images from that page to Pin.

Once you've selected an image, you can edit the description, choose a board to save it to, and hit Pin. This makes it easy to share interesting content while you browse the web.

Uploading Pins

You can also upload your Pins directly to Pinterest. On your home feed, you'll see the Pin Builder option, which allows you to upload a photo or paste a URL. After you upload your image, you can add a title, description, and link to your PIN, then choose the board where you'd like to save it. This is an excellent option for sharing content you've created or found elsewhere.

Saving Other People's Pins

Another way to stay active on Pinterest is by saving other people's Pins on your boards. This is a great way to share curated content while keeping your boards fresh. Pinterest recommends creating new original content at least once a week, but supplementing that with Pins from others helps keep your boards engaging.

To save a Pin, hover over it, select the board you want to add, and hit Save. You can also click on the Pin to see more details and then save it to the appropriate board.

4. What Should You Pin to Pinterest?

If you're new to Pinterest, you might wonder what content you should be pinning. The short answer? Anything that adds value! To grow your brand and engage your audience, you want to focus on content that answers questions, solves problems, or inspires. Here are some ideas for what to Pin.

Your Content

Start by pinning your content. This includes blog posts, podcast episodes, videos, or lead magnets (like eBooks or checklists). If you're creating something valuable to your audience, it belongs on Pinterest. Every piece of content you share can drive traffic back to your website or blog.

Your Products or Services

Pinterest is a great platform to showcase what you sell. Create Pins that are clear highlighting your offering and linking product page.

Topics Related to Your Expertise

Think about your audience's interests beyond just your products or services. Pinning content related to your expertise is a great way to build authority and connect with your followers. For example, if you're a fitness coach, you could share workout tips, healthy recipes, or motivational quotes.

Pro Tip: If you use content categories in your business, try them as a starting point to brainstorm new Pinterest boards and Pin ideas!

Showcase Your Brand's Personality

Pinterest isn't just for products and blog posts—it's also a place to showcase your brand's personality and what makes you unique. You can create boards based on your brand values, story, or interests. 

For example, if your brand is about creativity, you could create a board dedicated to design inspiration. Or, if you have a fun, quirky brand personality, you could make a board about things that reflect that, like a hobby or interest you're passionate about.

Can You Pin the Same Pin More Than Once?

You may wonder: "Can I pin the same content more than once?" The answer is yes but with a twist. Pinterest encourages you to focus on creating fresh Pins regularly. 

A fresh Pin is simply a new image (or a refreshed image) linking to the same product, blog post, or resource. You can create multiple pins for the same content, but just update the pictures, titles, descriptions, and links to keep things fresh.

Final Thoughts

Pinterest is a powerful tool to help you reach new audiences, share your message, and build something that lasts. The best part? You don’t need to be an expert or have fancy tools to start seeing results.

From learning the basics to understanding what to Pin and how to Pin it, you’re ready to step up your Pinterest game with confidence. And to make things even easier, there’s a tool built just for creators like you.

With Pinmaker, you can create high-quality, clickable Pins in just a few minutes—no design skills required.

So why wait? Start creating Pins that get noticed, shared, and clicked!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Pinterest free to use for business?

Yes, Pinterest is completely free to use, even if you’re creating a business account. You can create and share Pins, build boards, and reach new audiences without spending a dime. There are also paid options for running promoted Pins (Pinterest ads), but they’re totally optional.

2. Do I need a business account to grow on Pinterest?

It’s highly recommended. A Pinterest business account gives you access to analytics, ad tools, and additional features like Rich Pins and audience insights. These tools help you understand what’s working and how to optimize your content strategy.

3. How often should I Pin to grow my account?

Pinterest recommends sharing new content consistently—aim for at least 1–2 fresh Pins per day if possible. Fresh Pins don’t mean new blog posts every day; just new Pin designs linking to your existing content also count!

4. What size should my Pins be?

Pinterest recommends using vertical images with a 2:3 aspect ratio (for example, 1000 x 1500 pixels). This size looks best on mobile and helps your Pins stand out in the feed.

5. Can I repin the same content more than once?

Yes, but Pinterest prefers fresh Pins—new images, graphics, or layouts even if they link to the same content. This keeps your feed engaging and avoids being marked as repetitive or spammy.

6. What kind of content works best on Pinterest?

Content that solves a problem, teaches something, or inspires your audience usually performs best. This includes how-to guides, tips, checklists, tutorials, product showcases, and motivational content. Always pair it with high-quality visuals and keyword-rich descriptions.