This site features affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you if you decide to purchase through them. These commissions help us bring more valuable content to you. For more information, please see our full disclosure for more info.
Pinterest Advertising offer an effective way to grow your online business by reaching users who are actively searching for ideas and solutions. If you’re running an online business, you may have already tried advertising on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Google.
But Pinterest is another platform worth considering for connecting with people ready to make purchasing decisions. The platform’s audience often visits to plan purchases, making it an excellent place for businesses to engage with potential customers.
We’ll walk you through how to set up Pinterest Ads and share practical tips to help improve your campaigns. Whether you’re new to this platform or looking to fine-tune your approach, you’ll find helpful information to enhance your advertising strategy.
Why Use Pinterest Advertising?
Unlike other social platforms where users scroll through content to connect with friends or consume entertainment, Pinterest is an intentional space. Users actively search for products, services, and ideas that align with their goals or interests.
Think about it – from home decor to DIY crafts to planning weddings, Pinterest users have intent. This intent-driven browsing creates a high-potential environment for advertisers.
You’re not interrupting someone’s feed; you’re meeting them exactly where they’re looking for solutions. With that context in mind, let’s look into the step-by-step process to create and optimize Pinterest ads.
Looking for a step-by-step guide on running Pinterest Advertising? Click here to learn how!
Step 1: Create a Pinterest Business Account
Before you can run ads, you need to create a Pinterest Business account. Don’t worry; it’s free. The business account allow you to key features like analytics, ad tools, and more.
Once your account is set up, take a moment to optimize your profile. Use a clear business name, upload a professional profile picture or logo, and craft a bio that clearly explains what your brand is about.
Remember, this is your chance to make a strong first impression with potential customers.
Step 2: Set Up Your Billing Information
To run ads, you’ll need to set up billing. Pinterest accepts both credit cards and PayPal, so pick the option that works best for you. This step is straightforward, but don’t overlook it. Without billing set up, your campaigns won’t go live.
Step 3: Choose a Campaign Objective
When creating a new campaign, Pinterest will ask you to select an objective. Here are the most common ones:
- Drive consideration: Drive visitors to your website.
- Get conversions: Encourage users to take specific actions, like signing up for a newsletter or making a purchase.
- Build awareness: Increase the visibility of your brand.
Choosing the right objective depends on your business goals. If you’re new to Pinterest ads, starting with a traffic campaign is often a good idea. It’s relatively simple to set up and provides measurable results.
Step 4: Define Your Budget
Ad budgets can feel intimidating, but Pinterest allows you to start small. A daily budget of $5 is enough to test the waters. Once you start seeing results, you can increase your spending incrementally.
Just avoid the temptation to scale too quickly. Sudden jumps in ad spend can throw off your campaign’s performance and lead to wasted money.
If you’re aiming for significant results, consider budgeting $20–$50 per day. This range gives you room to test multiple campaigns and audience segments.
Also, keep in mind your target audience’s average order value (AOV). Businesses with high AOVs can afford to spend more on ads, while lower AOV businesses may need to be more cautious.
Step 5: Target Your Audience
Effective targeting is the backbone of any successful ad campaign. Pinterest makes it easy to reach the right audience with options to filter by:
- Demographics: Age, gender, and location.
- Interests: Categories like home decor, fashion, or travel.
- Behaviors: What users search for and save on Pinterest
For best results, narrow your audience to focus on people most likely to engage with your brand. If you’re selling eco-friendly home goods, target users interested in sustainability and minimalism.
The more specific you get, the more likely you are to see conversions.
Step 6: Create Stunning Visuals
Pinterest is a highly visual platform, so your ad’s success depends largely on its appearance. Vertical images are a must – horizontal ones get cropped and often ignored.
Use high-quality photos or videos that stand out in the feed. If you’re working with limited resources, even a smartphone can produce professional-looking visuals with the right lighting and composition.
Experiment with different formats, such as:
- Infographics: Great for breaking down complex ideas.
- Videos: Capture attention with movement and storytelling.
- User-Generated Content (UGC): Adds authenticity and relatability.
Step 7: Write Engaging Ad Copy
Your visuals might grab attention, but your copy needs to close the deal. Keep it short, relevant, and curiosity-piquing. Focus on the value your product or service provides.
Instead of saying, “Buy our product,” try something like, “Transform your space with this easy decor hack.”
Testing different copy styles can be a game-changer. You might find that the version you thought was “meh” outperforms the one you were excited about. Don’t be afraid to experiment.
Step 8: Use the Pinterest Tag and Rich Pins
If you want to track your campaigns effectively and gather data on your audience, installing the Pinterest Tag on your website is a must. The Pinterest Tag is a piece of code that helps you monitor user actions, like clicks or purchases, after they interact with your ad. This data allows you to optimize your campaigns for better results.
Unsure how to add the tag to your website? Check out our step-by-step guide on installing a Pinterest Tag. For more questions, visit the Pinterest Help Center.
Additionally, Rich Pins are an advanced feature that automatically syncs information from your website to your Pinterest ads. They can display details like product prices, availability, and descriptions.
This additional context makes your ads more appealing and helps potential customers make informed decisions. Setting up Rich Pins requires adding metadata to your site, but the payoff is worth it.
Not sure how to set up Rich Pins? Check out this article on adding Rich Pins to your website.
Bonus Tips for Pinterest Advertising
- Use Negative Keywords: These help exclude irrelevant searches, saving you money and focusing your campaign on the right audience.
- Start Small and Scale Gradually: Always begin with a modest budget to test your audience and creative strategy. Increase spending only when you see consistent results.
- Avoid Common Pitfalls: Stay away from clickbait, excessive text, or irrelevant ads. Pinterest’s audience values authenticity and visually pleasing content.
- Leverage Seasonal Trends: Pinterest users plan ahead, so align your ads with seasonal events or holidays. For example, start promoting Christmas decor in October.
- Test Ad Formats and Placements: Rotate between different creative types to see what resonates most with your audience. What works for one campaign might not work for another.
Track Your Results
Pinterest provides robust analytics through its Ad Manager. Use this tool to monitor your campaigns’ performance.
Track metrics like impressions, clicks, and conversions to understand what’s working. Adjust your targeting, visuals, or copy based on these insights. Remember, advertising is a learning process. It’s okay to tweak and refine as you go.
Still wondering if Pinterest Advertising is worth it? Learn the benefits and the do’s and don’ts to make the most of your campaigns – click here.
Final Thoughts
Pinterest Advertising offer a powerful way to connect with an engaged audience looking for inspiration and solutions. By starting small, targeting effectively, and creating visually stunning content, you can build campaigns that drive meaningful results for your business.
Success won’t happen overnight, but with patience and consistent effort, you can turn Pinterest into a key part of your marketing strategy.
Now, it’s your turn – start experimenting and watch your business grow, one pin at a time!
Was this article helpful? Save it now for quick access later! 👇
Rodney got into Pinterest marketing to help grow his wife’s cake business. In just three months, his strategies tripled their page views. Now he helps other businesses grow with Pinterest too. When he’s not working, you’ll probably find him enjoying something sweet.