If you are a small business owner with a shop on Etsy, then one of the best things you can do as part of your marketing strategy is to learn how to use Pinterest for Etsy. Pinterest has become so much more than just a place to look at pretty pictures. In recent years, Pinterest has gained traction as one of the most invaluable marketing tools that can be seen to drive traffic to blogs, websites, and of course, Etsy stores. In this article, we will explore why Pinterest is so important for promoting your Etsy shop, key ways to get the most out of this social media platform, and key strategies for why should be using Pinterest to market your Etsy Shop!
What is The Best Way to Promote Your Etsy shop?
There are a number of ways to promote your Etsy shop, but one of the most effective is through Pinterest.
Pinterest is a social media platform that allows users to share images and videos, which can be linked back to websites or blogs. Pinterest is especially useful for promoting Etsy shops, as it allows users to browse through a variety of products and shops all in one place.
What is Pinterest?
Pinterest is a search engine combined with a social media platform that allows users to share images and videos, which can be linked back to websites or blogs.
Pinterest is not like any other social media platform. Pinterest is especially useful for promoting Etsy shops, as it allows users to browse through a variety of products and shops all in one place.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. I only suggest products I use and love.
Why should you use Pinterest?
Pinterest is an incredibly powerful marketing tool because it allows you to reach a large number of people with very little effort. Pinterest is also unique in that it allows users to save images and videos (known as “pinsâ€) for later, which means that your Etsy shop can be discovered long after someone has first seen it.
Can I Promote Etsy on Pinterest?
Yes! You can absolutely promote your Etsy shop on Pinterest. In fact, Pinterest can be an incredibly powerful marketing tool for Etsy shops.
Here are some key ways to get the most out of Pinterest:
– Use high-quality images: Pinterest is all about visuals, so make sure that the images you use are clear and eye-catching.
– Use keywords: Pinterest is a search engine, so be sure to include relevant keywords in your descriptions and tags.
– Link back to your Etsy shop: Be sure to include a link back to your Etsy shop in every pin, so that users can easily find it.
– Use Pinterest ads: Pinterest offers a variety of advertising options that can help you reach a larger audience.
Why You Should Promote Your Etsy Listings on Pinterest
Since pinners can save Pinterest content to their boards to come back to later, this means that your Etsy shop can be discovered long after someone has first seen it. Pinterest is an incredibly powerful marketing tool for Etsy shops, so be sure to make use of it!
If you’re not using Pinterest to market your Etsy shop, you’re missing out on a valuable opportunity. Pinterest is a unique and powerful platform that can help you reach a larger audience
Let’s dive into how to use Pinterest to promote your Etsy shop!
How to Sell on Pinterest from Etsy
The first step is to go to Pinterest.com and create an account. After you have created your account, you can start creating boards to pin your pins promoting your Etsy listings to.
Once you have your account created, you will be able to create pins within the Pinterest platform and post them to your boards. Your followers will be able to see your pins, but your reach is not limited to just your followers.
Remember, Pinterest is a search engine! This means that you will increase your reach and audience by putting your Etsy listings on Pinterest. People go to Pinterest to search for things such as gifts, cards, inspiration, templates, etc.
Not sure how you would use Pinterest to increase your Etsy sales? Go to Pinterest and search for whatever type of product you sell in your Etsy shop. I can almost guarantee that your competitors will be marketing on Pinterest. I am positive there is a niche for anyone to fit into to market their Etsy shop on Pinterest! And if not, that is even better for you to get the opportunity to be the leading brand in your niche on Pinterest!
How to Use Pinterest for More Etsy Sales
By now, you understand Pinterest is a powerful marketing tool for Etsy shops. You also realize that Pinterest is a search engine and people go to Pinterest to find things to buy.
The next step in using Pinterest for more Etsy sales is understanding how to use the platform as a search engine. This can be done by optimizing your pins and boards for Pinterest SEO.
There are a few key things to keep in mind when optimizing your pins and boards for Pinterest SEO:
– Use high-quality images: Pinterest is all about visuals, so make sure that the images you use are clear and eye-catching.
– Use keywords: Pinterest is a search engine, so be sure to include relevant keywords in your descriptions and tags.
– Link back to your Etsy shop: Be sure to include a link back to your Etsy shop in every pin, so that users can easily find it.
Let’s dive into how to do each one of these steps. By the end of this post, you will know everything you need to feel confident promoting your Etsy shop on Pinterest and increasing your sales on Pinterest!
How Do I Optimize My Pinterest Profile for Etsy?
To optimize your Pinterest profile for your Etsy shop, you need to add keywords to your Pinterest name and description. You want to add these keywords to your name and description on your Pinterest profile so you can be found in Pinterest search.
You can see below how I have optimized my profile by adding keywords to my name and description on my Pinterest profile.
Should I have a Pinterest Business account for my Etsy Store?
Yes, you should most definitely create and Pinterest Business account for your Etsy store on Pinterest. Pinterest Business accounts are free and easy to set up.
A Pinterest Business account gives you access to Pinterest Analytics, which is an amazing tool that allows you to track your Pinterest activity and see what’s working well for your Etsy shop on Pinterest.
For specific instructions on how to create a Pinterest business account for your business, read my post on How to Create a Pinterest Business Account: The Ultimate Guide to a Pinterest Business Profile.
Should I make the Pinterest account in my name or my business name?
You should create your Pinterest account in your business name if you are using it primarily to promote your business and your Etsy shop. If you will be pinning your Etsy products to your boards, I suggest creating your Pinterest account in your business name.
You can also create a second account as your personal account in your own name if you want to pin and repin things that are not specific to your business’ niche.
Most Pinterest marketers have both a Pinterest Business account and a personal Pinterest account.
How to Optimize Your Pinterest Profile for Your Etsy Shop
If you don’t already have a Pinterest account for your Etsy shop, then you need to create one! Creating a Pinterest account is free and easy. You can sign up for a Pinterest account here.
Once you have created your Pinterest account, be sure to complete your profile by adding a profile picture, description, and website.
In your profile description, be sure to include relevant keywords for your Etsy shop. Pinterest is a search engine, so you want to make sure you are including keywords that people will use to search for your products on Pinterest.
For example, if you sell handmade jewelry on Etsy, then some relevant keywords you may want to include in your Pinterest profile description are: “handmade jewelryâ€, “sterling silver jewelryâ€, and “boho jewelryâ€, etc.
Pinterest Profile Picture
Your Pinterest profile picture should be your Etsy shop logo. Your Pinterest profile is an extension of your brand, so you want to make sure that your Pinterest profile picture is consistent with your other social media accounts and your Etsy shop logo.
If you don’t have a logo for your Etsy shop, then I recommend using Canva to create one. Canva is a free online design platform that anyone can use to easily create professional-looking graphics.
Pinterest Profile Description
Your Pinterest profile description is where you want to include relevant keywords for your Etsy shop. Pinterest is a search engine, so you want to make sure you are including keywords that people will use to search for your products on Pinterest.
For example, if you sell handmade greeting cards on Etsy, then some relevant keywords you may want to include in your Pinterest profile description are: “handmade cardsâ€, “greeting cardsâ€, “stationeryâ€, etc.
You also want to include a call-to-action in your Pinterest profile description telling people what you want them to do. For example, you may want to include a call-to-action such as “Visit my Etsy shop for handmade cards†or “Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspirationâ€.
Your Pinterest profile description should be clear, concise, and keyword-rich. And don’t forget to include a call-to-action!
Add Your Website to Your Profile
Be sure to include a link back to your Etsy shop in the website section of your Pinterest profile. This is important because you want to make it as easy as possible for people who find your Etsy shop on Pinterest to be able to click through and visit your shop.
Now that we’ve covered how to optimize your Pinterest profile for your Etsy shop, let’s move on to creating boards!
What are Pinterest Boards?
Pinterest boards are where you save or “pin†images on Pinterest. You can have as many boards as you want on Pinterest, and you can name them anything you want.
Pinterest boards can be about anything you want. For example, I have a board on my Pinterest account called “Pinterest Pin Canva Templates” where I save all of the images from Pinterest pin template products.
You want to make sure that your Pinterest boards are relevant to your Etsy shop and products. You also want to make sure that you are using keywords in your Pinterest board names and descriptions so that you can be found in Pinterest search.
Creating Pinterest Boards for Etsy
When creating Pinterest boards for your Etsy shop, you want to make sure that they are:
– Relevant to your Etsy shop and products
– Named with keywords so you can be found in Pinterest search
– Filled with high-quality images
– Linked back to your Etsy shop
You want to create multiple boards for each type of listing that you have so you can pin to all of these boards each time you add a new listing to your Etsy shop.
Pinterest Boards to Create for Your Etsy Shop
For example, if you sell handmade jewelry on Etsy, then you may want to create Pinterest boards such as:
– Handmade Earrings
– Handmade Bracelets
– Handmade Rings
– Handmade Necklaces
If you sell digital products on Etsy, then you may want to create Pinterest boards such as:
– Printable Wall Art
– Wedding Invitations
– Birthday Party Printables
– Baby Shower Printables
Make sure that your Pinterest boards are relevant to your Etsy shop and products, are named with keywords so you can be found in Pinterest search, and are filled with high-quality images. And don’t forget to link back to your Etsy shop in each Pinterest board description!
Claim Your Etsy Shop on Pinterest
Now that you have created your Pinterest business account for your Etsy shop and optimized your Pinterest profile and created boards, it is time to claim your Etsy shop on your Pinterest account.
How to link Your Etsy Shop to Pinterest
Go to your Pinterest account settings to claim your Etsy shop and connect it to your Pinterest account.
To do this, go to Pinterest.com and click on the three dots in the top right-hand corner of the screen. Then, click on “Settingsâ€.
In the left-hand column, scroll down and click on “Claimâ€.
Then click on “Etsy†and link your Etsy shop to your Pinterest account.
Why is it a good thing to claim your Etsy shop on Pinterest?
Claiming your Etsy account on Pinterest ensures that Pinterest attributes your Etsy listings back to you when someone else shares your listings on Pinterest.
This means that whenever someone saves your Etsy listings to their Pinterest boards, your Pinterest profile information will appear next to it. This aids in the discovery of more of your work and your Pinterest profile.
Claiming your Etsy account also gives you access to Pinterest analytics for your Etsy listings. With Pinterest Analytics, you can see how people are interacting with your Pins, which can give you valuable insights into what is working well and what needs improvement.
*AS OF FEBRUARY 2022, PINTEREST NO LONGER ALLOWS YOU TO CLAIM YOUR ETSY ACCOUNT ON PINTEREST*
Read the explanation below!
Are You Unable to Claim Your Etsy Account on Pinterest?
Pinterest has made recent updates to the platform in early 2023, and we are seeing a shift in the relationship between Pinterest and Etsy.
It used to be possible to claim your Etsy, Instagram, and YouTube about on Pinterest, but now all of these claim options are gone.
You are still able to claim your website on Pinterest. I do not believe they will ever take away claiming your own website, because that would diminish the actual point and reasoning for the creation of Pinterest.
There is No Option to Claim Your Etsy Shop on Pinterest
Now that the Claim button is gone on both desktop and mobile versions of Pinterest, it is safe to say Pinterest does not want us claiming our Etsy accounts anymore.
I was a little unsure of why Pinterest decided to take away the Claim Etsy button, so of course, I reached out to my BFFs at Pinterest Help. This was his response:
“We’re always trying out new things behind the scenes at Pinterest. What you’re experiencing is expected behavior. While we can’t go back to the old format, we truly appreciate your feedback on this experience.
I’ve passed it along to my team, and we’ll be sure to keep it in mind as we continue to build out new features and improve the current ones.”
This is the same response that I got when I asked about the original Pinterest default cover image layout being taken away. 😳
Do you remember Pinterest’s default cover image collage?
The old default cover image on Pinterest was an automatic collage of all of your pins.
Everyone loved this default cover because it highlighted your pins on your profile. If you are missing this automatic option, have no fear.
I created a Canva template for Pinterest’s default cover image collage.
âž¡ï¸â€‹â€‹ GRAB MY PINTEREST DEFAULT COVER IMAGE TEMPLATE ⬅ï¸
What To Do if Pinterest Failed to Connect to Etsy
Since Pinterest is no longer supporting the connection and claiming of Etsy accounts on the Pinterest platform, I would not worry about it if Pinterest failed to connect to your Etsy.
I always follow Pinterest’s best practices, and if Pinterest no longer supports this option, there really isn’t anything that we can do about it.
My advice? Move on and continue your pinning schedule as normal!
How do I pin from Etsy to Pinterest?
Now that you have optimized your Pinterest profile for your Etsy shop and created Pinterest boards for your Etsy shop, it’s time to start creating pins!
What is a Pinterest Pin?
A pin is an image that is added to Pinterest. Pins can be saved from websites and blogs, or they can be created within Pinterest.
Pins that are saved from a website will have a URL attached to them, while pins that are created within Pinterest will need to have the URL added to them at the bottom of the pin.
Pins can be saved to different boards on Pinterest. For example, you may have a board for pins of your handmade jewelry, so you can pin your pins about handmade jewelry to that specific board.
You can also add a description to each Pinterest pin. The descriptions can be up to 500 characters long, and they should include keywords that are relevant to the image.
Can I pin directly from my Etsy shop to Pinterest?
How to create a pin from Etsy
Etsy does allow you to post directly from your Etsy listing to Pinterest, but I do not suggest using this format as your sole form of creating pins for your listings on Pinterest.
Etsy listing photos are landscape size and ratio which is not the ideal image size to use for your pins on Pinterest. Nonetheless, below is how you can create pins from your Etsy listings if this is something you would like to do.
Creating Pins from Etsy Listings
To create a Pinterest pin from an Etsy listing, start by going to the listing that you want to create a pin for.
Click on the Share button, and then click on the Pinterest icon.
A new window will open, and you will be able to choose what board you want to save your pin to.
Again, this is a super simple way to pin your listing to Pinterest if you do not want to do any work or create any pins specifically on Pinterest.
I do not suggest using this as your sole strategy on Pinterest, but it is an option.
Why can’t I just pin straight from my Etsy shop using the pin it button?
The Pinterest “Pin It” button is a Pinterest browser extension that allows you to pin images from websites to your Pinterest boards without having to go to the Pinterest website.
The “Pin It” button can be added to your web browser, and once it is installed, you will see a “Pin It” button on each image that you hover over on Etsy.
The issue we find with pinning your pins directly from your Etsy shop is that the image sizing is not within Pinterest best practices and you are also not able to change the title and description of your pin.
The title and description for the pin will be pulled directly from Etsy. This is not always the best case because most of the times people change their descriptions to add more keywords and phrases to their pin descriptions before pinning them.
How to Make a Pin to Promote your Etsy Shop on Pinterest
The best way to promote your Etsy shop on Pinterest is to create customized pins for each of your Etsy listings to pin on Pinterest.
You can use Pinterest to drive traffic to your Etsy shop by creating pins that are high-quality, have great descriptions, and are pinned to the correct board.
Keep in mind, when people click on your pin, they will be taken directly to your listing on Etsy.
How to Pin Etsy Items on Pinterest
To create pins for Etsy items on Pinterest, you will need to create pin images for each one of your pins that include your Etsy listing photos to highlight your products.
The easiest way to create images for your pins is by using Canva.
You also need to write a Title and a Description for each of your pins. Your title and description for your pins should include keywords that are relevant to your image and Etsy listing.
You will also need to choose which Pinterest board you want to save your pin to. Once you have created your pins, you can start pinning them on Pinterest!
When creating pins to promote your Etsy shop on Pinterest, it is important to remember a few key things…
Maximize Space with Vertical Images
Pinterest wants you to create vertical images for your pins. Creating vertical images will also increase your screen real estate for your pins.
The best sizes for Pinterest pins are 1000x1500px and 1080x1920px.
I create all of my pins in Canva! If creating pins from scratch is something that seems overwhelming to you, check out my Pinterest pin Canva templates!
What other pins should I create to promote my Etsy shop on Pinterest?
In addition to creating pins for your Etsy listings, you can also create:
– Pins for blog posts that you have written about your Etsy shop or products
– Pins for products that have been featured in the press
– Teaser images for upcoming sales or new product launches
– Collaborations that you are a part of
By creating a variety of different types of pins, you will be able to reach a wider audience on Pinterest and increase traffic to your Etsy shop!
How Often Should I Pin on Pinterest?
The general rule of thumb is to pin at least every single day. The amount of pins that you post each day is different for every account and also depends on how many Etsy listings you have in addition to blog posts about your products.
If you are new to Pinterest and just want to get your feet wet, I suggest aiming for 1-3 daily pins on your Pinterest account.
If you are more experienced with Pinterest or social media marketing you can aim for many more pins per day. It all depends on how many pins you have time to create and schedule.
HOT TIP: You NEED to be using a Pinterest scheduling tool to be able to pin that many times per day.
I use Tailwind for my account and all of my clients’ accounts. I have nothing but good things to say about them!
âž¡ï¸â€‹â€‹ TRY TAILWIND FOR FREE ⬅ï¸
How to Set Up Your Pinterest Account for Etsy Sales FAQs
Now that we have gone over the basics of how to set up your Pinterest account to promote your Etsy shop and increase your Etsy sales, let’s dive into some FAQs!
What kinds of things should I pin?
As we mentioned earlier, you should be creating pins for your Etsy listings, blog posts about your products, press that your products have been featured in, upcoming sales or new product launches, and collaborations.
You can also repin other people’s pins that are relevant to your niche as well! Pinterest is all about sharing content that is valuable and interesting to your audience.
Should I just have one board for my business?
The Pinterest algorithm LOVES when you have multiple boards on your Pinterest profile because it shows that you are an expert in your niche. I recommend having at least 12-15 boards on your Pinterest profile.
Would it be better to do different boards for different items I sell?
If you have different products that you sell, I recommend creating Pinterest boards for each product category. For example, if you sell jewelry and clothes, you would create a Pinterest board for your jewelry and a Pinterest board for your clothes.
This will help you to be more specific with the pins that you are creating and save people time who are looking for a specific type of product on Pinterest.
How many pins should I have on each board?
There is no magic number when it comes to the number of pins that you should have on each board.
I recommend having at least 30-50 pins on each board so that people who are looking at your boards will see that you are an expert in your niche and have a lot of valuable content to share!
If I have specific boards for specific items, do I link them separately on my listings?
Yes! You should definitely be linking to your different Pinterest boards on your different Etsy listings. This will help people who are looking at your listing to find more content that they might be interested in and help you to drive traffic to your Pinterest account!
What should you write in your pin descriptions for promoting your Etsy shop?
When you are creating pins to promote your Etsy shop, you want to be sure to include Pinterest keywords in the description of your pins.
You also want to make sure that your pin descriptions are interesting and engaging so that people will want to click on your pin and visit your Etsy shop!
A great way to do this is to include a call to action in your pin descriptions such as “visit my Etsy shop for more products like this!”
What’s the Best Pinterest Strategy for your Etsy Shop?
Now that we have gone over the basics of how to set up your Pinterest account and some FAQs, let’s talk about what the best Pinterest strategy is for your Etsy shop!
The best Pinterest strategy for your Etsy shop is to pin high-quality images of your products on a variety of different boards daily.
You should also be sure to include keyword-rich descriptions of your products and links back to your Etsy listings in your pins.
In addition, you should be repinning other relevant content from Pinterest onto your own boards.
By following these simple tips, you will be well on your way to driving traffic to your Etsy shop and increasing your Etsy sales!
Does all of this sound overwhelming?
If so, hang in there! I am here to help.
I am a Pinterest strategist and account manager. I help my clients increase engagement on social media while cultivating relationships with their audience and landing more sales and clients.
I would love to chat about how I can help you increase your Etsy sales on Pinterest!
If you are wondering what a Pinterest strategist is, read my post What is a Pinterest Manager? How to Grow Your Pinterest Account with a Pinterest Marketing Strategist.
Pinterest SEO for Etsy
Pinterest has its own form of SEO on the platform that pinners and content creators call Pinterest keywords. Pinterest keywords are basically the Pinterest equivalent to Google keywords.
Just like with Google, you want to use Pinterest keywords in your pins and boards so that people can find your content more easily on Pinterest.
Where do I find keywords for my Pinterest pins?
To find Pinterest keywords, you can use the Pinterest search bar and start typing in words related to what you are selling.
You will then see a drop-down menu of Pinterest keywords that you can use in your pins and boards.
Another great way to find Pinterest keywords is to use the Pinterest Keyword Tool within the Pinterest ads manager. This tool allows you to enter a keyword related to your niche and then gives you a list of Pinterest keywords that you can use in your content!
How to Get More Followers on Pinterest
Pinterest is a great platform to use to drive traffic to your Etsy shop, but in order to be successful on Pinterest, you need to have a following.
The best way to get followers on Pinterest is by creating high-quality pins that are relevant to your target audience.
You should also be active on the platform, repinning other peoples’ content and commenting on pins.
In addition, you can run Pinterest ads to help you get more followers on the platform.
Use a Pinterest Strategy for Your Etsy Shop
If you want to drive traffic to your Etsy shop and gain more followers, then you need to be using Pinterest as part of your marketing strategy!
Pinterest is a powerful platform that can help you increase your Etsy sales if you use it correctly.
Be sure to include Pinterest keywords in your pins and boards, pin high-quality images of your products, and be active on the platform to get more followers on Pinterest!
Pin Every Day
You should be pinning on Pinterest every day if you want to build a following and increase your Etsy sales by promoting your Etsy shop on Pinterest. This is one of the most important things is to stay consistent to get consistent results!
Create Idea Pins
Creating Idea Pins will also help you gain a following on Pinterest. Idea pins are pins that are not specifically promoting a product but rather an idea or lifestyle.
For example, if you sell beach-themed jewelry, you could create an idea pin about outfits that highlight your beach-themed jewelry.
Including ideas like this in your Pinterest strategy will help you gain followers who are interested in your products and the ideas that
Schedule Your Pins
You should also be sure to schedule your pins so that you are consistently pinning throughout the day and week.
I use Tailwind’s Scheduling Tool for my account and all of my clients’ accounts. I have nothing but good things to say about them!
âž¡ï¸â€‹â€‹ TRY TAILWIND FOR FREE ⬅ï¸
How to Use Pinterest for More Etsy Sales in 2023
Now that you know how to create Pinterest boards for Etsy, it’s time to start pinning!
When you are creating pins for your Etsy shop, you want to make sure that they are high quality and include relevant keywords so they can be found in Pinterest search. You also want to make sure that each pin links back to your Etsy shop so people can easily purchase your products.
Will Taking the Time to Market on Pinterest Really Help my Etsy Business?
Yes!!! A million times, yes! Pinterest is one of the best marketing tools that you can use to drive traffic to your Etsy shop.
Not only does Pinterest help you get found in Google search, but it also allows you to build a following of potential customers who are interested in your products.
If you take the time to create high-quality pins and boards and be active on Pinterest, you will start to see an increase in your Etsy traffic and sales!
Now that you know how to use Pinterest to promote your Etsy shop, it’s time to start pinning!
Happy pinning!
Overwhelmed by everything that goes into Pinterest marketing?
Reach out to me! I am a Pinterest strategist and account manager. I help my clients increase engagement on social media while cultivating relationships with their audience and landing more sales and clients.
Contact me here to get in touch! I would love to chat about how I can help you increase your Etsy sales on Pinterest!
Free Resources:
- Pinterest Planning Template + Resources List
- 25 Best Free Canva Fonts List Canva Template
- Pinterest Profile Cover Template
Related Posts:
- What is a Pinterest Manager? How to Grow Your Pinterest Account with a Pinterest Marketing Strategist
- How to Use Pinterest to Grow Your Email List From Scratch: 15 Step Guide
- How to Create a Pinterest Strategy for Your Business
jim kimikh says
Thanks, interesting and good advice
sammytravis says
Thank you!