Unpinning the Truth: Busting the Top Pinterest Marketing Myths That Hold Your Online Business Back

There are so many reasons to focus on Pinterest for marketing your online business – from driving website traffic to getting in front of an audience that doesn’t know you yet, Pinterest is a marketing platform that shouldn’t be ignored.

But Pinterest can also be confusing and there seems to be a lot of myths that won’t go away.

In this post, I am debunking and hopefully retiring the top Pinterest myths and misconceptions that might just be holding you back from using Pinterest for your online business marketing.

Table of Contents

Pinterest Marketing Myths and Misconceptions Uncovered and Debunked

Pinterest Marketing Myth #1 – Pinterest Is Only Good for Home Decor, DIY, and Recipes

Yes, it’s absolutely true that there are certain “big” niches on Pinterest – from food recipes to home decor to DIY ideas, there is no shortage of inspiration on these topics.

BUT – thinking these are the only niches that do well is a mistake.

Change your mindset – instead of thinking that Pinterest is only for recipes and DIY, think of it as those are the core niches that are popular.

Like with everything else, that means there are other niches that just don’t get talked about as much when discussing Pinterest.

I invite you to hop over to Pinterest and type in words that describe your business – you might just be surprised at what you find.

Pinterest Marketing Myth #3 – Pinterest is For Women

Absolutely – once upon a time, Pinterest WAS known as the app for women or more specifically moms.

However, for several years now, men have been one of the fastest-growing demographics for Pinterest.

While Pinterest is still very female user-driven, don’t discount it completely if your business targets men.

Again, hop onto Pinterest and do a quick search of topics related to your business to see if perhaps you’re leaving this powerful online marketing platform behind for the wrong reasons.

RELATED READ: How To Do Keyword Research on Pinterest

Pinterest Marketing Myth #4 – Pinterest Is Only for Young People

Let’s rephrase this one, shall we?

Pinterest is for young people to solve a problem or get inspired but it isn’t only for younger people.

Pinterest users span a lot of generations – from millennials who are decorating houses to parents who plan family vacations to retirees looking to take up new hobbies – and everything in between.

Pinterest’s diverse user base makes it an ideal platform to target a wide range of audiences, so don’t underestimate the power of Pinterest in reaching different age demographics.

Pinterest Marketing Myth #5 – Pinterest Is Only Middle-Aged People

See the Pinterest myth above – the same applies here.

Pinterest is one of the only platforms that attracts a wide variety of age demographics so don’t let that be the reason why you don’t explore marketing your online business on Pinterest.

Pinterest Marketing Myth #6 – Pinterest Is Only For Big Brands

Let’s bust this misconception about Pinterest once and for all.

Pinterest is an online marketing platform that levels the playing field and allows small online business owners to get in front of their target audience easily (and with some work!).

You don’t need a big ad spend budget or a ton of followers to see success on Pinterest.

Pinterest Marketing Myth #7 – Pinterest Doesn’t Actually Drive Website Traffic

When you use Pinterest strategically, you can absolutely build traffic to your own website.

In fact, given enough time and the right Pinterest marketing strategy, Pinterest will send traffic almost on autopilot.

That means the content you’re pouring your heart into can be discovered for weeks, months, and even years to come.

And, before you start thinking about a new misconception – no, that doesn’t mean that you create that piece of content and then never update it.

What it means is that you can build traffic to the blog link and then update it as the topic changes and shifts.

Want to chat more about a solid Pinterest marketing strategy? Book a call with me to find out how Pinterest can help your online business marketing.

Pinterest Marketing Myth #8 – You Can Set and Forget Your Pinterest Marketing Strategy

Sometimes I wish this were true but like any other platform, Pinterest needs consistent effort in order to grow into an organic traffic source for your business.

Pinning regularly, creating content your audience wants, and checking to see what’s working are key areas that need to be worked consistently.

The Pinterest difference is the fact that your content is discoverable for such a long time.

Pinterest Marketing Myth #9 – Pinterest Doesn’t Work for Service-Based Businesses

Another Pinterest marketing misconception that needs to be laid to rest.

Pinterest marketing can absolutely work for a service-based business – whether you’re a graphic designer, life coach, or digital marketer, Pinterest is an excellent platform to demonstrate your expertise and invite potential client leads to join your online eco-system where you can then nurture them further.

Create visually appealing infographics, tip sheets, or video snippets that highlight your skills.

Potential clients love to see results and expertise, and Pinterest can help you display your services in a visually compelling manner.

Pinterest Marketing Myth #10 – Pinterest Users Don’t Convert

Pinterest users will absolutely convert but typically need a little warming up.

However, if you nail your messaging and problem-solving and then put the solution right in front of the pinner, there is a good chance they will convert.

Pinterest users are no different than any other platform user – they need to see what’s in it for them, understand how it will improve/change their lives, and have a clear path to purchase.

Create content and pins that are informative and have clear calls to action in order to have the best chance to convert.

Another question to ponder is what does a conversion mean to you?

A conversion does not always mean a money transaction sale.

It can also mean a new email sign-up, an affiliate sale, or a pinner joining your online community.

Pinterest Marketing Myth #11 – Pinterest Takes Too Much Time

Every single marketing channel you choose is going to take time to build and grow.

There are truly no exceptions here.

Time management is key in any marketing strategy, and Pinterest is no exception.

While it’s true that creating compelling content takes time both on and off Pinterest, there are several tools and scheduling options that will support your Pinterest marketing efforts.

With a content calendar and scheduling tools, you can grow your Pinterest presence without it becoming a time-consuming chore.

Pinterest Marketing Myth #12 – You Should Pin A Lot Everyday

I added this last one since I see it everywhere – the recommendation is to post a lot of pins every day.

We’re talking about 30+ pins – which, if you don’t know, is a lot of pinning.

I want you to remember that quality will always trump quantity.

Focusing on keywords, creating visually pleasing pins with strong text overlays, and being consistent is a far better plan than creating 30+ pins every day and hoping for the best.

Marketing on Pinterest needs to be intentional and fewer QUALITY pins will far outweigh 100s of mediocre pins.

There you have it – the top Pinterest marketing myths busted.

Breaking free from lumping Pinterest into one of these misconceptions means you’re opening the door to using an awesome online marketing platform that will bring results for years to come. more Pinterest myths debunked!

Are you ready to harness the power of Pinterest to elevate your brand, connect with your audience, and drive meaningful engagement?

Explore our expert Pinterest marketing services that have been crafted with online business owners in mind.

Want to stay up to date on all things Pinterest marketing? Make sure to join our Pinterest Marketing Clarity Newsletter!

Elaine Timms Creative