We have updated our Privacy Policy Please take a moment to review it. By continuing to use this site, you agree to the terms of our updated Privacy Policy.

Pinterest Guidelines & Recommendations

Pinterest is a visual search engine as well as a social media platform. People on Pinterest are looking to find new ideas and take action, making the app an effective tool for marketing a book.

Pinterest is a valuable tool for nonfiction authors or illustrators whose work is already highly visual, but can be useful for fiction authors too, especially as a way to support another site. Authors who have active blogs or websites might consider using Pinterest as a way to promote their platform as well as their book.

Getting Started

Building Boards and Creating Pins 

Pins are images or videos that are organized in themed Boards. When pinning an image, you’ll have the option to write a short comment and select the board where that pin belongs. 

Step-by-step instructions for creating boards and pinning can be found here: All about Pinterest | Pinterest help 

Pinterest’s Business Blog has helpful articles covering best practices, news, and product updates: Pinterest Business Blog: News and Best Practices | Pinterest Business

Follow Other Boards and Re-pin

Follow influential publications, bloggers, and brands in your target market. By following these boards, you’ll see their new pins in your home feed and some of them might follow you back. 

When you see something you like, re-pin it on one of your boards. Re-pinning is a great way to engage on Pinterest and start building your boards.

Best Practices

Board and Pin Ideas

Each board should have a theme, but boards don’t have to be connected. Pinterest has tools for creating simple graphics, but getting familiar with a design tool like Canva might also be helpful. Ideas include: 

Additional Resources

Pinterest for Authors: Your Essential Guide for 2023 (publishdrive.com) 

Save ideas from anywhere on the web by installing the Pinterest Save Extension on your browser: Add the Pinterest Save Extension | Pinterest help 

Author Examples