My Favorite Business Tools for Running and Growing Your Business

My Favorite Business Tools for Marketing (and running) Your Business

Ready to level up your marketing game and reclaim your time? I’m all about finding the right tools to help you work smarter, not harder. Because let’s be honest, time is money, and who doesn’t want more of both? Get ready to dive into my top picks for streamlining your business and boosting results.

Let’s get this efficiency party started!

Let’s be real – running a business is a wild ride, and finding your perfect marketing flow? That can feel like finding a needle in a haystack (while juggling flaming chainsaws… blindfolded).

But worry not! I’m here to help you ditch the overwhelm and conquer those marketing goals.

And finding the PERFECT business tools for YOU? It’s kinda like finding the perfect pair of power heels. Gotta try a few on til you find the ones that make you wanna strut!

That’s why I’m spillin’ the beans on my fave tools in alpha order.

NOTE: **This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you choose to click through and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you.**

AddEvent

(FREE + Paid) Click Here

AddEvent can easily share your events and calendars using our amazing. It includes add-to-calendar buttons, beautiful embeddable widgets, RSVP, and subscriber tools.

The most used and trusted add-to-calendar button on the internet since 2012. You can add a beautiful add-to-calendar button to your website, give your users a simple way to save your event to their calendars, increase attendance, and make it a success.

Aftershoot

(PAID!) Click Here

I know you may be thinking what – why are you sharing this??!! Well, I’ve been a professional photographer since 2009 and launched my Pinterest Marketing business in 2018. Without Aftershoot, I would never have time to run a second business.

Culling: I’ve been using Aftershoot to cull my images for years. I’m shocked at how accurate it is to remove any blurry or eyes closed. I do view the closed eyes in case the photos in emotional but it takes the thousands of images I shot and gives a quarter to give to my client. You can choose more or less too! I’ve always had a problem with culling and took hours — this works as fast as 15 minutes for 3k images!

Editing: Right now, if you are a culling client, Aftershoot is offering free editing as it’s in beta. My images are 90% there then I fine-tune a few things. With indoor consistent light, I rarely have to make changes!

Asana

(FREE! + Paid) Click Here

A smarter way to work! With Asana, you can drive clarity and impact at scale by connecting work and workflows to company-wide goals. Asana powers businesses by organizing work in one connected space. More than 100,000 paying organizations and millions of teams worldwide use Asana to focus on the work that counts.

I use this for my ToDo list and also for client work.

BIGVu

(FREE! + Paid) Click Here

Have trouble showing up online or tripping over your words? Want to make more effective videos? Use BIGVU! It’s a teleprompter plus it’s an all-in-one tool for scripting, recording, and styling professional videos. BIGVU helps you:

Write scripts instantly with AI. Just say what you want, and it’s done!
Record easily with a teleprompter, then trim with a single tap.
Add subtitles, cool effects, and your logo for a polished look.
Share your videos seamlessly across all your social channels.

I use the paid version as I love to use this and create videos for Instagram, TikTok, YouTube shorts, and Pinterest videos succinctly!

Buzzsprout

(FREE! + Paid) Click Here

Podcast Hosting Made Easy! Easy and powerful tools, with free learning materials, and remarkable customer support. I used to use Anchor that got bought by Spotify which is now called Spotify for Podcasters. The week I changed to buzzsprout, my I got my highest analytics to date!! I’m not in the top 25% of podcasts with 208 podcast downloads in the last 7 days. This software made all the difference with being able to add tags!

Canva

(FREE! + Paid) Click Here

This simple and amazing content creation site will help you to create all kinds of images, presentations, posters, infographics, social media images, and really anything you can think of. There is a free version or you can pay for the pro version that gives you Pro stock photos and one click resizing and more.

I use this daily from YouTube thumbnails, Instagram graphics, facebook graphics, blog graphics, and so much more!

ChatGPT

(FREE! + Paid) Click Here

Simply put, ChatGPT by OpenAi is trained to follow instructions in a prompt and provide a detailed response. I’ve been using it since it launched in November 2022 and in February of 2023 I started paying $20 monthly for the Pro version because it is so much faster and I never have a problem getting in.

I use it for blogs, client emails, newsletters, creating titles for blogs and YouTube videos, TikTok scripts, and Instagram reels (different). I’m telling you this is incredible. Here’s a video on how I use it with tips and warnings to ensure you are using it correctly.

Claude (MY FAV)

(FREE! + Paid) Click Here

Can I share something I’m genuinely obsessed with right now? Claude. I pay for it, and the Cowork function has completely changed how I work. It handles things in the background while I’m focused on something else, which means more gets done without me doing more.

What really got me, though? It remembers my preferences. No em dashes. No emojis. My content comes out clean and ready to use. If you’re still spending time editing AI output to make it sound like you, this one is worth a look.

CloudSpot.io

(FREE! + Paid) Click Here

Build a thriving photography business on a budget! For just $3, get the tools you need to streamline your workflow, impress clients, and sell your work. Start with a free trial and experience the difference yourself.

Sell your photos with ease! Set up your own customizable storefront, offer prints, products, and digital downloads, and keep 100% of your profits. Clients will love the professional galleries and simple, secure download options.

Manage your business like a pro. Create contracts, send invoices, and track important insights about your clients and sales – all in one easy-to-use platform. Spend less time on paperwork and more time behind the camera with these powerful business management tools.

ConvertKit (Known Now as Kit)

(FREE! + Paid) Click Here

I don’t use ConvertKit (Kit) anymore now that I use FG Funnels for this and so much else, but years ago when I went from Mailchimp to ConvertKit, my open rate jumped 20%!

This is free to start and I used it free for years! The analytics are great and you can A/B test email subject lines. Check it out!

Descript

(Free+Paid) Click Here

There’s a new way to make videos and podcasts. A good way. Descript is a simple, powerful, and fun way to edit. One tool for your full workflow. Descript is the only tool you need to write, record, transcribe, edit, collaborate, and share your videos and podcasts.

Instead of a timeline type of editing, when you have a video it pulls in a script. Delete a word and the video is edited. It is insanely cool and makes it so easy to be consistent with creating video content to market your business..

Listen to my podcast about it here and I’m sharing a video soon!

Dropbox

(PAID!) Click Here

Simplify file sharing and streamline your workflow with Dropbox!

Deliver a seamless client experience: Easily share large videos, photos, PDFs, and documents without any frustrating size limits or clunky downloads.
Budget-friendly storage: Forget about expensive storage plans. Dropbox offers an affordable solution that won’t break the bank.
Work from anywhere: Access and send your files from your computer, phone, or tablet – stay productive on the go.
Collaborate effortlessly: Create shared folders where clients can directly upload the photos, videos, or documents you need

Say goodbye to complicated file transfers. Try Dropbox and discover the difference! I use Dropbox for gathering photos, docs, and videos for my annual summit Creative Marketing Summit and Marketing Strategy Academy Podcast for guests

Pinterest Driving You Nuts? It Doesn't Have To!

Imagine easily driving traffic and booking more clients with Pinterest. Our Pinterest Strategy Club takes the guesswork out of this powerful platform. Think of it like your Pinterest shortcut!

What you get inside:

LIVE coaching, pinning sessions, and masterminds: No more outdated YouTube videos! Get real-time help tailored to you.
Time-saving templates & tools: Gorgeous pins in minutes, plus insider resources to streamline your strategy.
A supportive community: Connect with like-minded entrepreneurs and get the motivation you need.

Ditch the Pinterest struggle. This club is for you if:

You’re tired of feeling lost and frustrated with Pinterest.
You crave a simple, effective approach that fits your workflow.
You want more leads without breaking the bank on ads.

Ready to turn Pinterest into your client-booking machine?

👉 Join the Pinterest Strategy Club today!

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Élevae Visuals

(PAID!) Click Here

Tired of generic stock photos that don’t reflect your brand? Élevae Visuals (formerly Social Squares) is the solution! Their exclusive library of 8,000+ images is designed specifically for female entrepreneurs, giving you the perfect visuals for social media, websites, and more.

Forget the expense of custom photoshoots! With Élevae, you’ll find bright, on-brand images in all the colors you need. Plus, they don’t just offer photos – you’ll get expert marketing tips, captions, and access to a supportive community of like-minded businesswomen.

As a professional photographer, I ONLY use Élevae for my stock photo needs beyond my own photography. Elevate your brand and book more clients with Élevae Visuals.

Fathom

(FREE+Paid) Click Here

Fathom records, transcribes, highlights, and summarizes your meetings so you can focus on the conversation. Get setup in minutes.

I’ve tried many notetakers (you’ll see Otter in this list) but I love Fathom as I just set it and forget it as a Zoom user. I hook it up via the apps in my Zoom and it automatically records the video (great backup) and gives a summary but also lists the questions asked during the call. One click and I can share it with those that were on the call. This is a no-brainer.

FG Funnels

(PAID!) Click Here

This software changed my business! (And my bottom line.)

Every year, I invest in my business. It’s a year-end tradition. In 2022, I discovered FG Funnels, and honestly, it might be the best decision I’ve ever made.

Imagine this: a single platform that builds gorgeous sales pages, automates your email campaigns, AND sets up your lead magnets, courses, or memberships – all without breaking the bank!

FG Funnels streamlined my entire process. Forget juggling multiple tools for email, scheduling, and courses! It does it all, saving me time and serious money.

Want to hear the best part? FG Funnels has incredible features, but the price tag is what sold me. Intrigued? I bet you are! Check it out and send me an email if you want more information.

Google Gemini

(FREE) Click Here

Google Gemini is a cutting-edge AI language model that’s changing how we work and create. It can generate different creative text formats, translate languages, provide comprehensive summaries, assist with coding, and much more.

Unlike ChatGPT, Gemini boasts multimodality, seamlessly understanding and processing various input types like text, images, and video. This, along with its access to real-time information through Google Search, makes Gemini even more versatile and informative.

Whether you need help brainstorming, writing content, or streamlining research, Gemini is a powerful tool designed to boost your productivity and unlock your creativity.

I literally use this EVERY SINGLE DAY!

Google Workspace

(PAID!) Click Here

Imagine ditching that generic email address and upgrading to one that reflects my business. That’s just the start with Google Workspace! I get all the tools I need to streamline how I work – my own custom email, shared calendars, video meetings, secure cloud storage, and of course, the familiar Docs, Sheets, spreadsheets, and Slides for easy collaboration.

It’s like having my own digital office assistant! Want to see if it’s right for you? Check it out to elevate your business.

Instacart

(PAID!) Click Here

Okay, I’ll admit – I used to loathe grocery shopping. Now, thanks to Instacart, I’m a total convert! It’s the ultimate time-saving tool. Think about it: someone else does the shopping while I tackle other stuff on my to-do list. I can either pick up my groceries or have them delivered right to my door. Hours of my life back every week? Yes, please!

If you’re always feeling crunched for time, Instacart might just become your favorite life hack, too.

LastPass

(FREE! + Paid) Click Here

Remember how frustrating it is when you need a password and can’t find it? LastPass totally saved me from that headache! It’s my password lifesaver, and I use it for all my clients.

The best part? I can securely share passwords with my family, so nobody’s locked out of any of our apps like Hulu, Amazon…you name it.

Pin Inspector

(FREE!) Click Here

Okay, fellow Pinterest marketers, I’ve stumbled on a game-changer! Pin Inspector is like having my own Pinterest detective agency. It helps me uncover what’s secretly working like crazy on the platform – hot trends, top-performing pins, even those sneaky ads that are crushing it. And hey, who doesn’t love a discount? Use code PIN20 at checkout for $20 off.

Disclaimer: Since it’s not a Pinterest ‘approved’ third party platform, I would not connect my Pinterest to the app. You can still do so much with it!

Stripe

(PAID!) Click Here

As my online business started taking off, payments were a total nightmare. Then I found Stripe. It’s like the backbone of my digital sales – customers can pay seamlessly, I get my money quickly, and the whole system just works.

Whether you’re just launching your online store or running a full-fledged e-commerce empire, Stripe makes the money side of things a breeze.

Tailwind

(FREE!) Click Here

Okay, fellow marketers, let’s talk about social media sanity! I’ve been a Tailwind user since 2018, and even after testing all the competition, nothing comes close. It’s my secret weapon for Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. Scheduling? Done. Optimal posting times? Tailwind’s got my back. Plus, their Communities feature is fantastic for growth.

But here’s the game-changer: Tailwind Create and Ghostwriter. Think killer graphics and engaging captions in a flash. Honestly, I’ve scaled back using Canva and ChatGPT because Tailwind does it so well for social media! Full disclosure: I work with Tailwind on education, but I’d shout their praises from the rooftops even if I didn’t!

Voxer

(FREE!) Click Here

Okay, if you’re constantly juggling communication, Voxer is about to change your life. Think of it as the ultimate walkie-talkie for your smartphone! I’m ditching endless text threads and using it for everything. Quick chats with my VA? Check. Speedy client updates? Done. Connecting with my Masterminds, memberships, and coaching? Yep!

And who wouldn’t want to talk versus type things out anyway? It’s crazy efficient and way more personal than just texting.

Summary

Give one or more of these tools a whirl and see which ones light your fire! 🔥

Remember – the right tools + my proven methods = a streamlined marketing machine that fuels your success (and lets you get back to that zone of genius)!

Let me know if you want to explore how I can help you bring your business growth vision to life!

Don’t Forget To Pin It!

My Favorite Business Tools for Running and Growing Your Business

My Favorite Business Tools for Running and Growing Your BusinessMy Favorite Business Tools for Running and Growing Your Business 2

Why Pinterest Courses Don’t Work for Service-Based Business Owners

Marketing, Pinterest, Podcast

Jen_Vazquez_Media_female_brunnette_entrepreneur_sitting_at_a_desk_looking_confused_JVM_Image

Why Pinterest Courses Don’t Work for Service-Based Business Owners

And What Actually Gets Results

If you’ve taken a Pinterest course and still aren’t seeing traffic or clients from Pinterest, you’re not alone. And the problem probably isn’t you.

Most Pinterest courses don’t actually work the way people expect them to. Not because the strategies inside them are wrong. But because Pinterest success requires something that courses just really can’t provide.

After working with service-based business owners since 2018, I kept seeing the same pattern over and over. People would take Pinterest courses from really well-known educators, learn the strategy, understand the basics — but when it came time to actually implement that strategy in their own business? Things would stall.

Let’s talk about why that happens.

The Real Problem with Pinterest Courses

There are a lot of really smart educators teaching Pinterest. And many Pinterest courses contain great information. I’m not knocking other educators at all.

But the issue isn’t the information. It’s not the strategy. It’s what happens after the course ends.

Most Pinterest courses follow a pretty similar structure. You learn keyword strategies, pin design, scheduling strategies, and content planning. You go through the lessons, take in the information, feel excited about the possibilities. Then you sit down to apply it to your own business — and that’s when the questions start:

Am I using the right keywords?
Am I finding the keywords the right way?
How many pins should I be posting? (This varies wildly — anywhere from 1 to 20 pins a day depending on your business and industry.)
Why isn’t my traffic growing yet?
Is Pinterest supposed to take this long?
Should I change my strategy?

Most courses can’t answer those questions. Not because they’re bad courses — but because every business is different, and courses rarely provide personalized feedback.

Sure, some have a community where you can ask a question. But it’s really hard to answer a specific Pinterest question about your business without knowing everything about your business and your ideal client.

A Real Example: Why a Pinterest Course Didn’t Work for My Client

Let me share a story from one of my clients. We’ll call her Lisa.

Before working with me, Lisa had purchased a very well-known Pinterest course. She went through the entire program — not once, but twice — because she thought she missed something the first time. She followed the strategy exactly as it was taught.

And it still wasn’t working for her.

This wasn’t because the course was bad. The problem was that she had no way to get feedback specific to her business.

Most Pinterest Courses Are Built for Bloggers

When we started digging into Lisa’s strategy, something became really clear. The course she’d taken was heavily built around a blogging business model. That works great if you are a blogger focused on ad revenue or affiliate traffic.

But Lisa was a service-based business owner. Her goal wasn’t just traffic — it was booking clients.

Most Pinterest courses advertise themselves as being for everyone or for creatives. But the examples and strategies inside are often designed with bloggers in mind. Service-based business owners operate very differently, and that mismatch can make implementation really confusing.

Ready to See How Pinterest Can Actually Work for You?

I just created a free Pinterest masterclass that walks through the strategy step by step. Inside, I’m going to cover:

How Pinterest drives long-term traffic
The biggest mistakes business owners make on the platform
How to build a strategy that works for you and your business — and actually brings in leads

GRAB YOUR FREE SEAT

What Happened When We Changed Her Approach

Once Lisa joined my program, we shifted the focus from learning more information to actually implementing a strategy that worked for her business, her goals, and her life.

She didn’t want to be pinning all week long. She wanted a specific time block, and she could only give about an hour.

The Follow-Up Question That Changes Everything

One of the first things I asked her to do was start asking new clients a deeper question. And this is a mistake almost everyone makes.

When you ask a new client “How did you find me?” and they say something like Instagram or TikTok — that’s not usually the full story.

I started doing this research with my own clients back in 2021. What I found was that about 83% of the time, the quick answer wasn’t the real answer.

When Lisa started asking follow-up questions, the real story came out. Many of these people had actually found her through Pinterest, a Google search, or a blog post. But when people think about where they found you, they usually give credit to the platform they were on when they decided to reach out.

That actually makes sense, right? Someone discovers you on Pinterest, clicks through to your website, reads your content, and then goes and follows you on Instagram. When they finally reach out, they think “I found her on Instagram.”

But Pinterest and search were doing the actual discovery work. They were doing the heavy lifting.

From 5 Hours a Week to 3 Hours a Month

During the seven months Lisa worked with me, we focused on refining her Pinterest strategy. Not starting over. Not guessing. Refining — because she had support and guidance on what to adjust.

She worked on Pinterest three times a month, only an hour each time. Three hours a month total.

We also created a simple marketing workflow that dramatically cut her marketing time. Before working together, she was spending about five hours every week trying to keep up with marketing. Most of that was on social media, and very little on Pinterest — because she had so many unanswered questions.

After we streamlined things, she only needed three hours a month. And with that extra time? She now spends it volunteering at her child’s school.

That’s the kind of result most business owners actually want. Not just traffic — but a marketing system that works without taking over their life.

Pinterest Success Isn’t an Information Problem

This experience reinforced something I’ve believed for years. Pinterest success usually isn’t an information problem — it’s an implementation problem.

Most business owners already have access to more information than they could ever use. You can go to YouTube University, read blogs, take courses, listen to podcasts, even ask AI tools. Information is everywhere.

But execution is where most people struggle. Sometimes they’re just a couple of questions away from getting it right — once they have somebody who actually understands their business and goals.

Pinterest success requires three things:

Knowledge
Implementation
Consistency

Courses usually provide the first one. But the other two are where most people need the most help.

Why I Built My Membership Instead of a Course

This is exactly why I created my Pinterest membership back in 2018. When everyone was telling me to “make a Pinterest course,” I said no.

I wanted to create something different. A space where business owners could actually implement what they learned — with real support.

Inside the membership, we do live trainings, live Q+A sessions, and live masterclasses. When someone gets stuck, they can ask questions and I can even share my screen and show them exactly what I’m talking about. We’re not just typing in a community and hoping we get the right answer.

We address strategy adjustments as your business changes, your goals shift, or your available time changes. And when motivation starts to drop, there’s built-in accountability to keep going.

The goal isn’t just to learn Pinterest. The goal is to actually use Pinterest to bring in clients.

How Pinterest Actually Works (It’s Not Social Media)

If Pinterest has felt confusing, slow, or like it just hasn’t worked the way you expected — it’s usually because Pinterest operates very differently than social media.

Pinterest isn’t about trends the way TikTok or Instagram are. You don’t have to constantly post to stay visible.

Pinterest is about creating searchable content that compounds over time. Think about it — whenever you search for something on Google, Pinterest results come up almost every single time.

That’s the power of the platform. Your content keeps working for you long after you hit publish.

Pinterest courses aren’t necessarily bad. But courses alone typically aren’t enough to create real results. Pinterest isn’t just about learning a strategy — it’s about implementing that strategy consistently until it compounds. That’s the part most business owners need support with.

Ready to See How Pinterest Can Actually Work for You?

I just created a free Pinterest masterclass that walks through the strategy step by step. Inside, I’m going to cover:

How Pinterest drives long-term traffic
The biggest mistakes business owners make on the platform
How to build a strategy that works for you and your business — and actually brings in leads

📌 DON’T FORGET TO PIN IT!

women sitting at desk in feminine home office we're talking about Why Pinterest Courses Don't Work for Service-Based Business Owners

Why Pinterest Feels Overwhelming (And How to Simplify Your Strategy)

Content Creation, Marketing, Pinterest

Jen Vazquez looking overwhelmed sitting at her desk in a black shirt with a white heart on it

Why Pinterest Feels Overwhelming (And How to Simplify Your Strategy)

If Pinterest feels overwhelming, I want to gently say this:

It’s probably not Pinterest.

I help service providers simplify their marketing so it actually fits their life. And Pinterest usually only feels hard when we’re unclear — not when the platform is complicated.

Let’s break this down.

Pinterest Feels Overwhelming When Your Message Isn’t Clear

Pinterest becomes heavy when you don’t know your main message.

When you’re posting too many types of content.

When your account talks about five different things.

Clarity removes pressure. Confusion creates it.

Pinterest works best when you solve one clear problem for one clear person in a relatable way. That’s it. That’s the whole thing.

Trying to Follow Every Tip Makes It Worse

Pinterest education is everywhere.

And even something I shared last year might not apply today. The platform changes.

So when you hear rigid advice like:

“You need six pins per post.”
“You must post three times a day.”
“You have to follow this exact formula.”

Pause.

Numbers are guidelines, not rules.

For example, creating three to five pins for one blog can make sense — because you’re targeting different ideas within that post. But your account will need what your account needs.

No two businesses are the same.

Pinterest Isn’t the Problem. Your System Is.

If Pinterest feels like one more thing on your plate, you’re not alone. Most service providers don’t need more ideas — they need a simple plan that fits into real life. Pinterest can drive steady traffic to your site without daily posting, trends, or burnout. You just need to know what to focus on (and what to ignore). Inside The Club, I’ll show you how to turn Pinterest into a calm, clear traffic source that works in the background — so you can get leads without feeling overwhelmed.

LEARN MORE

The Platform Isn’t Asking for More — It’s Asking for Clarity

Pinterest isn’t demanding more content.

It’s asking for focus.

When you narrow your niche, refine your message, and stop pivoting constantly, the platform actually gets easier.

If Pinterest feels heavy, it’s usually a sign your strategy needs narrowing — not expanding.

Overwhelm Isn’t a Motivation Problem

Overwhelm isn’t about discipline.

It’s about decisions.

When you’re unclear about who you’re speaking to or what you’re known for, every content decision feels harder.

But when your message is clear, your marketing gets lighter.

That’s the shift.

📌 DON’T FORGET TO PIN IT!

Female business owner at a desk typing on a labtop while thinking about her Pinterest marketing strategy.

Woman holding her hair in frustration at a pink home office desk representing Pinterest overwhelm and marketing confusion.

Business owner reacting dramatically at her desk, symbolizing frustration with Pinterest marketing confusion.

Why Pinterest Feels Slow (And Why That’s Actually a Good Sign for Your Business)

Marketing, Pinterest, Podcast

Pinterest analytics on a laptop illustrating long-term Pinterest growth and performance trends

Why Pinterest Feels Slow (And Why That’s Actually a Good Sign for Your Business)

If Pinterest feels quiet right now, I want you to hear this loud and clear: that doesn’t mean it’s broken. And it definitely doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong.

This is one of the most common moments where people start second-guessing everything. And it’s usually the exact moment they quit Pinterest… right before it starts working.

Hey, I’m Jen Vazquez. I help service providers use Pinterest in a way that actually leads to clients — not

Pinterest Is Not Instant Feedback (And That’s the Point)

Pinterest isn’t social media. I know I say that all the time, but it matters here.

Pinterest is a search marketing platform — just like YouTube. And search takes time.

When you post a pin, Pinterest doesn’t blast it out and judge it in 24 hours. It quietly tests it behind the scenes. It shows it to small groups, watches who saves it, learns what searches it belongs in, and gathers data.

That phase feels invisible. And honestly? That’s where most people get uncomfortable.

Quiet Does Not Mean Broken

Let’s reframe the silence.

Quiet doesn’t mean Pinterest isn’t working.
Quiet usually means Pinterest is learning.

And learning takes time.

This is why so many people quit Pinterest right before it starts working. They assume that if they don’t see fast results, it must not be worth the effort.

But Pinterest isn’t designed for urgency or panic. It’s designed for long-term visibility.

Feeling stuck or confused by your marketing?

My Marketing Coaching Calls are perfect if you want a second set of expert eyes on your strategy. We can look at Pinterest, walk through your analytics, simplify your marketing workflow, and get clear on your overall visibility — together on a private video call. You’ll leave with real clarity and a clear action list for what to do next.

GET HELP

Instagram Rewards Speed. Pinterest Rewards Consistency.

Instagram gives you instant feedback. You post something, and within minutes you know if it hit or flopped. Then 48 to 72 hours later? It’s gone.

Pinterest works differently.

Pinterest is more like a snowball rolling downhill. It starts small. It picks up a little traction. Then a little more. And over time, it turns into something that keeps working without you having to push every single day.

If you’re showing up consistently, talking about clear topics, and sending people somewhere helpful, you are building something — even if it feels slow right now.

Why Stopping Early Is the Real Mistake

The biggest mistake I see isn’t bad pins or wrong keywords.

It’s stopping too soon.

People assume silence means failure. So they quit. And they never get to the part where Pinterest actually starts compounding.

Pinterest is a long game. But it’s one that keeps paying you back — with traffic, leads, and visibility that doesn’t disappear overnight.

Build for the Long Term (Not the Spike)

If you want to understand how long-term visibility really works — not just on Pinterest, but across your entire marketing — I’d love to invite you to the Creative Marketing Summit 2026.

It’s our fourth year, Tailwind is sponsoring again for the fourth year in a row, and it’s a free online event built to help your marketing actually lead somewhere. Not just look busy.

You can grab your free ticket at creativemarketingsummit.com.

And if Pinterest feels slow right now? Stay consistent. Stay the course. Or reach out if you want help building a system that fits your real life.

fingers on a laptop keyboard with pinterest analytics on the screen | Why Pinterest Feels Slow (And Why That's Actually a Good Sign for Your Business) by Jen Vazquez Media

Case Study: Building an Evergreen Visibility System From Scratch

Case Studies, Content Creation, Marketing, Pinterest

Case Study: Building an Evergreen Visibility System From Scratch

Velia Beauty Co + The Beauty Lab Podcast

Client Snapshot

Client: Velia Beauty Co + The Beauty Lab Podcast
Industry: Beauty + Hair Care
Project Scope: Podcast launch and management, YouTube launch and management, Pinterest marketing, email marketing, brand photography, full content repurposing
Agency: Jen Vazquez Media

Velia Beauty Co is a hair care brand built on education, ingredient transparency, and real solutions for women navigating hair and scalp changes over time. Alongside her product-based business, Velia co-hosts The Beauty Lab Podcast with Monina — a show focused on demystifying beauty myths and answering the questions women are already searching for.

When Velia came to us, she wasn’t looking for more ideas.

She wanted a system.

The Starting Point: Built From Absolute Zero

When we started working together:

There was no podcast
There was no Pinterest account
There was no YouTube channel
There was no email marketing system
There was no repurposing workflow
There was no library of brand photos

Velia and her co-host knew early on that the only way they would stay consistent with the podcast was if someone else handled everything after recording.

They didn’t want to:

Learn marketing through free, disconnected content
Experiment with tools that wouldn’t be on brand
Spend time editing, uploading, writing, or scheduling

They wanted the podcast to become a discovery engine, not another responsibility.

The Goal: Visibility Without More Work

Velia was very clear about what she wanted:

Visibility without adding more to her plate
Consistency without burnout
Expert execution instead of DIY trial-and-error
A podcast that helped people discover both the show and her products

Her role needed to stay simple.

She and her co-host record the podcast.
That’s it.

Our Approach: One Recording → A Full Marketing Ecosystem

We built a complete, done-for-you visibility system from the ground up.

Podcast + YouTube Management

We:

Traveled on-site to help set up lighting and tech the first time they recorded, so recording felt easy yet still professional
And now we take the raw video
Edit each episode
Publish to all podcast platforms
Upload and optimize every episode on YouTube

Blog + Show Notes (Dual Publishing)

Each podcast episode is repurposed into:

A blog post for Velia Beauty Co
A separate blog post for the co-host Monina of Moderne Beauty

Same core content, different positioning — without duplicate SEO issues.

Pinterest Marketing (Started From Scratch)

We:

Created the Pinterest account from zero
Built keyword-focused boards
Published pins weekly
Used podcast episodes, blog content, and her freebie as evergreen traffic drivers

Pinterest now works quietly in the background, continuing to surface its content long after episodes are published.

Email Marketing (Done-For-You)

After about a year of podcast and Pinterest growth, Velia decided she didn’t want to implement her weekly emails herself.

We:

Set up her email marketing system from scratch
Write and send weekly emails
Include The Beauty Lab Podcast content
Strategically feature Velia Beauty Co products to support sales

This created a clean path from education → trust → product visibility.

Brand Photography for All Platforms

We also completed a brand photography shoot to create a cohesive image library for:

Website content
Blog posts
Pinterest pins
Podcast promotion
Email marketing

This ensured visual consistency across every platform and gave the brand a strong, recognizable presence wherever its content shows up.

The Results

Pinterest Growth (Built From Scratch)

Pinterest was launched with zero existing data, followers, or traffic.

Since starting and managing Pinterest for Velia Beauty Co, the account has experienced sustained, measurable growth:

Followers increased by 600%
Monthly viewers increased by 231,000%
Outbound clicks increased by 2,700%

Pinterest now functions as an evergreen discovery platform, consistently driving traffic to:

Blog content
Podcast episodes
Lead magnets and freebies

All without the need for daily posting or ongoing manual effort from the client.

Podcast Growth (Built From Zero)

The Beauty Lab Podcast launched with no existing audience and no prior episodes.

Today, the podcast shows steady, healthy growth driven by evergreen beauty education:

336 downloads in the last 30 days
758 downloads in the last 90 days
2,576 total downloads
Strong listenership across Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Because episodes focus on searchable, education-based topics, they continue to be discovered well after publishing — supporting long-term visibility for both Velia and her co-host.

Email Performance (New Channel)

Email marketing was added later and also started from scratch.

Early performance includes:

221 total subscribers
39% average open rate
1.65% average click rate

List growth is driven by:

A “greasy hair” free guide
Existing salon clients
Hair product customers

Even in the early stages, email is already supporting education, trust-building, and product awareness.

The Outcome That Matters Most

Velia and her co-host:

Record the podcast
Hand off the files
Everything else runs

Their content now:

Lives on multiple platforms
Is repurposed automatically
Continues working long after it’s published
Supports both brand visibility and product sales

No scrambling.
No guesswork.
No burnout.

Why This Works

This system isn’t about doing more content.

It’s about building one strong core asset — the podcast — and letting it power:

Blog content
Pinterest traffic
YouTube discovery
Weekly emails
Ongoing brand authority

One workflow.
Long-term visibility.
Marketing that fits real life.

Who This Is For

This type of system is ideal for:

Business owners who want visibility without more work
Podcast hosts who want consistency without burnout
Brands that want evergreen discovery instead of short-term spikes
Founders who want expert execution, not DIY overwhelm

About Jen Vazquez Media

At Jen Vazquez Media, I help female service providers simplify their marketing so it actually works — without needing more time, more content, or more hustle.

With over a decade of experience in marketing, Pinterest strategy, and brand photography, I focus on one thing: building clear, repeatable marketing workflows that bring in leads and fit real life. No guesswork. No spinning your wheels. Just systems that make sense and keep working in the background.

I believe marketing should feel supportive, not stressful. Whether you’re trying to get more eyes on your content, turn your blog into a traffic driver, or finally understand what to focus on each week, my work is about clarity, consistency, and ease.

If you’re tired of doing all the things and ready for a smarter way to show up, you’re in the right place.

Want help simplifying your marketing?

Explore DIY or Done With You services or free resources — and let’s make marketing feel doable again.

📌 DON’T FORGET TO PIN IT!

Why Brand Photography Matters More Than Ever for Marketing

Pinterest, Podcast

Why Brand Photography Matters More Than Ever for Marketing

Hey friend — let’s talk about brand photography, but not from a trends or “what looks cute on Instagram” angle. I want to talk about it from a marketing point of view. Because those are two very different conversations.

I’ve been photographing businesses since 2009, and I’ve seen this play out again and again: the photos that look the best are not always the ones that work the hardest in your marketing. And let’s be real — we want our marketing to actually do something. Not just sit there looking pretty.

Marketing Platforms Don’t Reward Pretty — They Reward Clarity

Here’s the big shift I’ve seen, especially over the last few years: marketing platforms reward clarity, not aesthetics.

Clear visuals help people quickly understand who you are, what you do, and what it feels like to work with you. That matters more now than it did last year… and way more than it did a few years ago.

People are overwhelmed with content. Like, completely overloaded. They’re more careful with their clicks, more selective with their time, and more tuned in to who feels real, grounded, and trustworthy.

Your photos do a lot of that work before anyone reads a single word.

Your Photos Speak Before Your Words Ever Do

Before someone reads your caption.
Before they skim your website.
Before they decide to click, save, or move on.

Your visuals are already telling a story.

When your photos feel generic, overly styled, or disconnected from your message, people hesitate. They might not know why — but they feel it. Even if your strategy is solid. Even if your offer is good. Even if your words are on point.

That quiet hesitation matters.

Where Brand Photography + Videography Meet Real Marketing

At Jen Vazquez Media, brand photography and brand videography aren’t about creating “pretty content” for the sake of it. They’re about creating visuals that actually do a job in your marketing.

Every image and video we create is designed to support how your business shows up online — from your website and Pinterest to social media and sales pages. We focus on clarity first: who you are, what you do, and what it feels like to work with you. That way, your visuals aren’t just on-brand — they’re working behind the scenes to build trust, confidence, and connection before someone ever clicks or buys.

If you want visuals that feel natural, aligned, and built to support your full marketing strategy (not fight it), click below!

BOOK NOW!

When Visuals Match the Experience You’re Selling

Now let’s flip it.

When your visuals actually match the result you’re selling — when they feel aligned with the experience someone wants — everything changes.

People stay longer.
They click with more confidence.
They read the whole caption.
They trust you faster.

This is true on Pinterest, your website, social media… everywhere your content lives.

Brand photography isn’t about having more photos of you. It’s about having the right photos. Photos that support your message. Photos that reinforce your offers. Photos that make your marketing feel connected instead of scattered.

Why Brand Photography Matters More Now Than Ever

Brand photography matters more now not because trends changed — but because people did.

They want clarity.
They want consistency.
They want to feel comfortable before they invest.

And your visuals are often the very first place that trust is built… or lost.

If you want to understand how visuals, strategy, and content actually work together — not as separate pieces, but as one connected system — that’s exactly what the Creative Marketing Summit 2026 is all about.

It’s a free online event at the end of February, designed for service providers who want marketing that doesn’t just look good, but actually supports their business.

You can grab your free ticket at creativemarketingsummit.com.

📌 DON’T FORGET TO PIN IT!

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