Everything you need to know about Pinterest with Elaine Timms
Feb 18, 2025
How to Use Pinterest for Evergreen Marketing and More Website Traffic
If you think Pinterest is just for recipes and DIY projects, you’re missing out on a powerful evergreen marketing tool. Unlike Instagram or TikTok, where content disappears quickly, Pinterest content keeps working for you long after you hit publish.
In a recent episode of Content Magic, I chatted with Elaine Timms, a Pinterest expert, about how business owners can use Pinterest to drive traffic, generate leads, and create long-term visibility. Spoiler: it’s not just another social media platform—it’s a visual search engine with massive potential.
Why Pinterest is Different from Other Platforms
One of the biggest misconceptions about Pinterest is that it’s just another social media site. But unlike Instagram or Facebook, Pinterest is a search engine.
"Pinners are coming to the platform to get inspired, search for solutions, and plan moments in their lives. They take to the search bar and type in keywords, just like they would on Google." — Elaine Timms
This means that Pinterest marketing is more like SEO than social media. Instead of worrying about engagement or trends, you optimize your content so it ranks in searches and continues bringing traffic to your site for months (or even years) to come.
The Power of Keywords on Pinterest
Because Pinterest works like a search engine, keywords are everything. If you want people to find your content, you need to use the right words in the right places: ✅ Your Pin title
✅ Your Pin description
✅ The text overlay on your images
✅ Your website content (Pinterest scans your site for relevance!)
If you’ve ever struggled with SEO, Pinterest is a great place to start. The algorithm isn’t as complicated as Google’s, and small businesses can see results faster.
How to Use Pinterest to Drive Traffic to Your Website
So, how do you make Pinterest work for your business? Follow these steps:
1. Create Long-Form Content First
Pinterest works best when it leads to valuable long-form content, like:
- Blog posts
- Podcast show notes
- Lead magnets (guides, checklists, email opt-ins)
- Landing pages
If you don’t have strong content on the other side of your Pins, you’ll lose traffic fast. Pinterest can bring people to your site, but your website needs to make them stay.
2. Optimize Your Pins for Search
Just like Google, Pinterest needs clear and relevant keywords to understand what your content is about. Before you post, search for topics in your niche and see what’s ranking. Use those keywords naturally in your Pin descriptions and images.
3. Make Your Blog Posts Skimmable
Once people land on your site, they need to find answers fast.
"We’re all skim readers. Break up text, use bullet points, and make it easy to digest. No one wants to read a huge block of text!" — Elaine Timms
4. Use Pinterest as a Lead Generation Tool
Pinterest is amazing for top-of-funnel marketing. If you have a free resource or email opt-in, use Pinterest to get it in front of more people.
For example, if you have a guide on ‘How to Write a Website Bio’, create a Pin with a clear call to action that drives people to your landing page. Boom—new leads on autopilot.
Industries That Benefit Most from Pinterest
You might be wondering if Pinterest is only for food bloggers and DIY creators. But Pinterest is great for all kinds of businesses, including: ✅ Service-based businesses (coaches, copywriters, marketers)
✅ B2B brands (yes, people search for ‘small business marketing plan’ on Pinterest!)
✅ Online educators (course creators, membership owners)
✅ Product-based businesses (Etsy shops, designers, artists)
If your business provides educational or inspirational content, Pinterest can be a major traffic driver.
How to Get Started with Pinterest Marketing
If you’re new to Pinterest and want to start leveraging it for business, here’s your action plan: ✅ Research keywords in your niche and create a content plan
✅ Start with one core content type (blog, podcast, lead magnet)
✅ Create Pinterest-friendly images with clear text overlays
✅ Be consistent—Pinterest rewards regular pinning
✅ Track your results and optimize as you go
Final Thoughts
Pinterest never went away, but in 2025, it’s making a bigger comeback than ever. Business owners who want to escape the social media burnout cycle and get more evergreen traffic need to start paying attention.
"Blogging never died, and Pinterest never stopped working. The real money is being made by people who focus on long-term marketing, not just quick trends." — Elaine Timms
If you’re ready to start using Pinterest strategically, check out Elaine Timms’ weekly newsletter, Evergreen Impact Weekly, for deep dives on Pinterest and sustainable marketing. Sign up at elainetimms.com.
And if you need help simplifying your content marketing, grab my No-Stress Content Planner inside the Content Magic Community—so you can create high-impact content without burning out!
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