When I started experimenting with Pinterest a year ago, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Fast forward to today, and I’m averaging over 113,000 impressions every month. Pinterest has become one of the biggest drivers of traffic to my blog and podcast.
Here’s what worked, what didn’t, and the lessons I’ve learned from one full year of growing on Pinterest.
Why Pinterest Is Worth It for Midlife Women
Most of us have been using Pinterest for years and it feels familiar and comfortable. Unlike Instagram or TikTok, Pinterest doesn’t come with the same drama. It is widely considered one of the most positive spaces online.
Even better, Pinterest is a traffic driver. Whether you’re promoting a blog post, a podcast, a YouTube video, or even your Instagram, it keeps working long after you hit publish. Content has a much longer shelf life than on other platforms.
And here’s a fun fact: Gen Z is using Pinterest more than ever and sticking around. That means Pinterest isn’t slowing down, it’s growing.
Early Surprises
One thing that surprised me was how quickly Pinterest reached out. Yes, they wanted me to advertise, but they also offered helpful tips for organic growth. They truly want creators to succeed, even with little to no ad budget.
If you’re considering applying for Pinterest Merchant Status, here’s my advice: don’t rush it.
You need a privacy policy, return policy, and shipping policy in place.
You can only apply three times.
If you think you’re ready, talk to their team first so you don’t waste one of your applications.
I learned this lesson the hard way. I never officially applied, but I was flagged as if I had because I was using Pinterest in a way that looked like advertising.
What Content Performs Best
For me, seasonal content wins every time. Holiday content, especially Christmas and fall, consistently drives growth.
My most viral pin to date was a Fourth of July s’mores station. It received over 110,000 impressions in just two months. The catch? Hardly anyone clicked it because the image told the whole story. That was a lesson learned. Sometimes you need to tease the content so people actually click through to your site.
Tools That Save Time
When I started, I designed every pin myself in Canva. It was fun but incredibly time-consuming. Now I use Tailwind to bulk schedule pins.
Here’s what I’ve found:
• Consistency is everything. If you can only do one pin a day, do it.
• I average 10 to 13 pins a day, and that’s when my traffic really jumped.
• Bulk scheduling keeps me consistent without feeling chained to the platform.
(P.S. I’ll share my Tailwind affiliate link below if you’re interested in trying it.)
Pinterest Is a Long Game
Pinterest isn’t for quick wins. It takes time for pins to gain traction. In fact, many don’t take off until 13 months later.
For example, my fall pins from last year are just now performing well this year. That’s because I was posting in the moment instead of ahead of the season. Ideally, you should be posting a couple of months before the holiday or season.
Self-care and self-improvement content also works year-round, but even those topics can take time to gain momentum.
Helpful Resources
Two resources made a big difference for me:
• The Simple Pin Podcast — Great for both Pinterest strategies and overall business growth.
• Meagan Williamson’s Pinterest Growth Challenge — A free, weeklong challenge packed with actionable tips.
Both gave me nuggets of insight I could apply right away.
Practical Tips for Getting Started
If you’re new to Pinterest, here are my top beginner tips:
Set up a Pinterest Business Account. It’s free and the only way to access analytics.
Fill out your bio and board descriptions. Pinterest needs context to recommend your content.
Don’t obsess over followers. Pinterest is about topics, not people. Followers aren’t even part of analytics.
Commit for the long haul. If you want fast results, Pinterest isn’t the right platform. But if you’re patient, it’s one of the best traffic drivers out there.
Looking Back After Year One
My first year on Pinterest has been eye-opening. It’s now responsible for more than half of my site’s traffic, and it’s growing steadily every month. Pinterest isn’t about instant wins. It’s about steady, consistent effort that pays off over time.
If you’re in midlife and looking for ways to grow your blog, podcast, or creative project, Pinterest is absolutely worth your attention.
Resources Mentioned
The Simple Pin Podcast: https://www.simplepinmedia.com/simple-pin-podcast/
Pinterest Growth Challenge (free, affiliate link): https://meaganwilliamson.com/pinterest-challenge/?affiliate=ourdailylifestyles
Pinterest Trends Tool: https://trends.pinterest.com/
Tailwind App (affiliate link): http://www.tailwindapp.com/i/OurDailyLifestyles
Second Act Simplified Membership: https://www.skool.com/second-act-simplified-2166/about?ref=588968a9710e42d487e9903b2a692bf5
Visit our Blog at: https://www.ourdailylifestyles.com/
Life Simplifying Resources: https://www.ourdailylifestyles.com/shop
Join Our Christmas Countdown: https://www.ourdailylifestyles.com/christmas-countdown
