How to Use Pinterest for a Business: Interview with Kara Duncan

If you’ve ever felt burnt out from the constant grind of creating content for Instagram or TikTok, you’re not alone. What if I told you there’s a smarter, more sustainable way to market your business that works while you sleep and keeps working for months or even years?

In this interview, I’m chatting with Pinterest expert Kara Duncan, a content strategist who helps busy entrepreneurs turn scattered ideas into blog and Pinterest content that actually does the heavy lifting. With a background that spans luxury salons to destination wedding planning, Kara’s marketing advice is grounded, doable, and refreshingly non-hustle-y.

Whether you’re prepping for your most profitable Black Friday yet or finally ready to escape the social media hamster wheel, you’re going to want to bookmark this post. Let’s dive into how to use Pinterest for a business in 2025 and why starting now is your secret weapon for Q4 success.

Why So Many Entrepreneurs Are Over the Social Media Hustle

We opened our chat by acknowledging the elephant in the room: social media burnout.

“A lot of entrepreneurs feel trapped in the social media grind because they think it’s the only way to grow,” Kara shared. “They’re told to post daily, jump on trends, and constantly be ‘on.’ It’s exhausting and it’s not always effective.”

Kara’s “aha” moment came in the pandemic when prior she had been doing all the things as a destination wedding planner and finally digged into her numbers since she was slower and 93% of her business was coming from Google and Pinterest and she was so confused about how when she was DAILY on Instagram versus definitely not on Pinterest.

Meanwhile, one well-optimized Pinterest pin she created for herself had the potential to bring in consistent traffic and email sign-ups for over a year.

“That’s when I thought: wait can I just stop marketing on Instagram? Spoiler YOU CAN!”

Moral of the story? GO AND LOOK AT YOUR ANALYTICS! When Bekah did this she realized not only were people not coming from Instagram but the ones who were weren’t converting to clients which made it an easy decision to say PEACE OUT for the summer (and maybe forever).

Why Pinterest is the Most Underrated Platform of 2025

Pinterest isn’t new, but it is wildly underused by service-based business owners and creatives who could benefit most. So many service-based businesses don’t use it (which means your competition is low), but people ARE USING it for their business, so the volume can be high (like in the thousands).

Pinterest is one of the first places people go when they start an idea including start a business, learn how to market on Instagram, do my rebrand or launch a website.

“Pinterest is a search engine, not a social network,” Kara explains. “It’s where people go with intent. They’re not there to scroll, they’re there to solve a problem, plan a project, or make a purchase.”

When asked who should be on Pinterest, Kara’s response was MOST businesses.

• Coaches
• Course creators
• Bloggers
• Food
• Home Decor
• Weddings
• Etsy shop owners
• Website designers and brand strategists
• Anyone with a lead magnet, service, or product they want discovered

Even if you think your niche doesn’t fit Pinterest, Kara says it’s worth looking again. “If your audience is searching for answers, inspiration, or education, Pinterest should be part of your strategy.” Also, the fastest growing cohort is Gen-Z so it is NOT dying and if that is your clientele 100% get on Pinterest.

The best part? Pinterest offers long-term SEO marketing benefits. Your pins can show up in search results on both Pinterest and Google, giving your content even more reach and visibility without additional effort.

Pinterest vs. Social Media: Content That Lasts

One of the biggest differences? Pinterest content has longevity. As long as the content is relevant it will continue to rank. Kara has Pins that are 5 years old and still ranking. Most content peaks around 6 months so don’t expect a quick dopamine hit so it can be hard to see the payoff, but it will continue and you can balance evergreen and timely content. For example if you have a Black Friday thing you do every year, those pins will see a surge around Black Friday every year, it doesn’t need to be year sensitive.

A pin you create today could still be driving traffic to your site a year from now. Compare that to Instagram, where your post disappears in 48 hours. Pinterest is about building a library of searchable content.

Instead of needing to be constantly online, Pinterest allows you to schedule out fresh pins in batches and let them work in the background which is perfect for busy solopreneurs, moms, or business owners juggling a million plates.

This is also one of the most overlooked SEO marketing benefits. Pinterest doesn’t just help you grow now, it builds compounding traffic that supports your business month after m onth.

Pinterest Is SEO. Here’s How to Use It That Way

Pinterest and SEO go hand in hand, but many business owners overlook this powerful connection.

“Pinterest is really just visual SEO,” Kara said. “When you treat it like a search engine and use keywords intentionally, it can drive serious traffic.”

Straight images tend to get saved, but not clicked on. A graphic that is something like “10 Spring Flower Ideas” those type of things actually get clicked on and then you have more opportunity for conversion.

Here’s Kara’s breakdown for structuring a pin with SEO in mind:

• Pin Title: Use a keyword-rich, problem-solving phrase that is short and to the point (e.g., “How to Plan a Profitable Black Friday Sale”)
• Pin Description: Add your keywords naturally, include a call-to-action, and mention what’s behind the click. 200-300 words is the sweet spot is what the Tailwind CEO said. 500 words means you run the risk of keyword stuffing or confusing the algorithm.
• Link: Make sure your website slug has a keyword in it. Pinterest wants blogs or some type of content so typically don’t go to a sales page, but instead to something helpful.
• Image Text: Use bold, clear fonts and contrast so the pin is easy to read even on mobile
• Alt Text: Fill in the image’s alt text with descriptive keywords—Pinterest uses this to understand your content

Pinterest Strategy for Entrepreneurs: How to Drive Black Friday Traffic & Sales

If you’re an entrepreneur planning for Black Friday, Pinterest is a game-changer that often gets overlooked. Unlike other platforms that keep users glued to their app, Pinterest actually wants to send traffic to your site. That’s what makes it such a valuable tool in your Black Friday marketing strategy.

Whether you’re promoting a product, digital download, or seasonal offer, here’s how to use Pinterest strategically to maximize your Black Friday results—even if you’re just getting started.

Why Pinterest Works Differently Than Other Platforms

Pinterest is not social media—it’s a visual search engine. While platforms like Instagram and TikTok prioritize in-app engagement, Pinterest encourages users to click through to websites, blogs, and online shops. That means every pin you post has the potential to drive real traffic to your offer or lead magnet.

But there’s a catch: Pinterest also tracks how users engage with your content once they land on your site. If they click away immediately (a high bounce rate), it can hurt the performance of your pin in search results. That’s why it’s essential that your landing pages match your pin’s promise—and convert that traffic into subscribers or buyers.

Is It Too Late to Pin for Black Friday?

Nope—and here’s why.

Pinterest content tends to peak over time, but that doesn’t mean you need to start six months in advance. If you’re gearing up for Black Friday, start pinning as early as August or September. This gives your pins time to gain traction while still being timely for the holidays.

Pinterest is a top-of-funnel platform, which means your goal should be to guide traffic into your email list, sales funnel, or even your Instagram for further nurturing.

How to Use Pinterest for Seasonal & Evergreen Promotions

Whether you’re promoting a Black Friday bundle, launching a summit, or running a limited-time offer, Pinterest can work for both seasonal and evergreen content.

Here’s how:

• Repurpose long-form content like blogs, YouTube videos, or podcast episodes into multiple pins.
• Embed freebies, lead magnets, or checklists into your blog posts for added conversion opportunities.
• Use visuals like mood boards or color palettes that tie into your offer. These types of pins tend to perform well and encourage saves.

Quick SEO Tips for Pinterest in 2025

• Hashtags are out. You no longer need to include hashtags in your pin descriptions. Focus instead on using relevant keywords in your titles and descriptions.
• Prioritize click-worthy headlines. Think “Black Friday Must-Haves for Small Business Owners” or “5 Lead Magnets That Convert Holiday Shoppers.”
• Design pins that are vertical (2:3 ratio), easy to read, and visually appealing. Use your brand colors and fonts for consistency.
• Add text overlays so users instantly understand the value of the pin, even if they don’t read the description.

Lead Magnets That Convert Pinterest Traffic

Pinterest users love content they can take quick action on. If you’re trying to grow your list before Black Friday, try lead magnets like:

• Done-for-you templates
• Downloadable PDF guides
• Interactive quizzes
• Access to a private podcast
• Freebie libraries or planners

When publishing blog content, place your call-to-action (CTA) near the top of your post, not just at the end. Include banner graphics throughout your blog to break up text and keep readers engaged—especially if your brand isn’t super visual.

Pinterest-Friendly Blog Design Tips

Cara (our Pinterest pro guest speaker!) emphasized these best practices for blog content that works with Pinterest:

• Use plenty of white space and break up long paragraphs for better readability.
• Add inbound links (to your own blog posts) and outbound links (to helpful resources). Be sure to set outbound links to open in a new tab, so your site stays open.
• Create high-converting blog layouts that combine content, visuals, and CTAs seamlessly.

Final Thoughts: Make Pinterest Work For You This Black Friday

Pinterest offers long-term traffic, search visibility, and scalable growth when paired with long-form content and an intentional email funnel. Whether you’re hosting a summit, launching a digital product, or prepping for Black Friday sales, this platform gives you the opportunity to attract and convert a highly motivated audience.

✅ Start pinning early (August or September)
✅ Repurpose your long-form content
✅ Guide users into your email funnel
✅ Optimize your pins with keywords—not hashtags
✅ Use strategic blog design to drive conversions

Ready to get ahead of the Black Friday rush? Now’s the perfect time to start pinning.

By treating your Pinterest strategy like SEO, you’re not only boosting Pinterest traffic, you’re building out long-term search visibility. It’s one of the SEO marketing benefits that makes Pinterest a game-changer in any sustainable lead generation plan.

Want more black friday tips?

READ MORE: Website Pop-Ups: How to Grow Your Email List Without Annoying Your Audience (Just in Time for Black Friday)

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