Stop Posting This on Pinterest in December (and What to Share Instead)

Stop Posting This on Pinterest in December (and What to Share Instead) BY JEN VAZQUEZ MEDIA

Stop Posting This on Pinterest in December (and What to Share Instead)

Hey! If Pinterest feels a little slow for you right now, no worries — it might just be the type of content you’re sharing. December is a special month on Pinterest. People are planning, shopping, wrapping up the year, and looking for quick ideas that make life easier.

So today, we’re breaking down what not to post — and what to share instead so more people actually find you.

Skip the Pretty-but-Empty Images

I get it — I’m a photographer. I love a pretty photo. But those aesthetic shots with zero text? Not helpful on Pinterest.

Pinterest is a search engine, not Instagram. You’ve got about 1.5 seconds to catch someone’s eye in the feed, so your pin needs to tell people what they’re getting.

Do this instead:
Add a simple text overlay with clear keywords. Think:

  • “Holiday Blog Ideas”
  • “December Cleaning Checklist”
  • “Year-End Business Tips”

Just enough to explain the value — without making your image messy.

Don’t Post Pins Without Keywords

Pins with no title, no description, no keywords, and no link?
Pinterest has no clue where to put them.

Do this instead:

  • Create 3–5 simple keywords someone would type in to find your content.
  • Use those in your title and description so Pinterest knows exactly who should see your pin.

Keywords = discoverability. Simple as that.

Save Your 2025 Wins for Instagram

Personal wins and “look what I did this year!” posts are perfect for Insta.
Pinterest users don’t really care about your highlight reel — they care about what you can help them do.

Focus your Pinterest content on:

  • Solving problems
  • Sharing steps
  • Giving ideas
  • Offering tools, tips, or helpful content

When your pins help someone take action fast, Pinterest starts showing your stuff to more people.

Want Ongoing Pinterest Help?

If Pinterest still feels confusing and you want strategy support every month, come join The Club — my Pinterest membership filled with templates, strategy, an easy weekly workflow, and live Zoom support three times a month. You get to ask anything and have me walk you through it step-by-step.

Don’t Post Only Sales Graphics

Pinterest hates pushy content. For real.
If every pin is “BUY THIS” or “BOOK NOW,” your reach will slow way down.

You need a mix of value + soft selling.

Do this instead:

Follow my rhythm:  Free → Free → Paid

Give helpful steps, quick tips, listicles, checklists, tutorials, YouTube videos, podcast episodes, and of course, your blog posts.

Pinterest users love a good how-to. And every free, helpful piece of content builds trust, grows your email list, and makes it way easier for someone to buy later.

Quick Recap

Here’s what to stop posting in December:

  • Pretty images with no text
  • Pins with no keywords
  • Your 2025 wins
  • Only sales graphics

Here’s what to post instead:

  • Text-overlay pins with clear value
  • Strong keywords
  • Educational content
  • Blogs, videos, and tips that grow trust + your email list

Do this, and you’ll see way better traffic.

Thanks for hanging out with me today — you crushed it just by showing up for your business! 

📌 DON’T FORGET TO PIN IT!

Text Overlay Wins Stop Posting This on Pinterest in December (and What to Share Instead) by Jen Vazquez Media
Stop Posting This on Pinterest Stop Posting This on Pinterest in December (and What to Share Instead) by Jen Vazquez Media
December Pinterest Fixes Stop Posting This on Pinterest in December (and What to Share Instead) by Jen Vazquez Media
Keyword Tips Stop Posting This on Pinterest in December (and What to Share Instead) by Jen Vazquez Media
Pinterest Mistakes Stop Posting This on Pinterest in December (and What to Share Instead) by Jen Vazquez Media

Stop Making These Pinterest Mistakes if You Want More Leads

Stop Making These Pinterest Mistakes if You Want More Leads on Marketing Strategy Academy by Jen Vazquez Media

Are you on Pinterest but not seeing the traffic or leads you thought you would? You’re pinning, you’re posting, but it feels like you’re shouting into the void. I get it—and you’re not alone. Most service providers make the exact same mistakes on Pinterest, and those mistakes are literally costing them clients.

The good news? Every single one is totally fixable. Today, I’m breaking down the five biggest Pinterest mistakes I see all the time and showing you what to do instead—so your pins finally start bringing in the traffic and sales you’ve been dreaming about.

I’m Jen Vazquez, a Pinterest Pioneer who’s been using Pinterest since the beta days back in 2009. I grew my photography business to six figures with it before launching my Pinterest marketing agency. Since then, I’ve helped hundreds of service providers turn Pinterest into their lead-generating machine. And let me tell you: it’s not about working harder—it’s about avoiding these simple mistakes.

Let’s dive in!

Mistake #1: Treating Pinterest Like Social Media

This is one of the biggest mistakes I see: treating Pinterest like Instagram or TikTok. But here’s the thing—Pinterest is not social media. It’s a visual search engine.

People don’t go to Pinterest to scroll mindlessly. They go there with intention: searching for how to plan a wedding timeline, how to create a morning routine for moms, or how to solve a problem. They’re closer to making a purchase because they’re actively researching.

The fix: Think of Pinterest like Google, but prettier and friendlier. Use keyword-rich titles, descriptions, and board names. Don’t just pin pretty photos—optimize everything so your content shows up when someone is searching for exactly what you offer.

Mistake #2: Ignoring Your Website Connection

You can send all the traffic in the world from Pinterest, but if your website isn’t set up to convert, that traffic goes nowhere. Another huge mistake? Not claiming your website on Pinterest.

That’s like setting up shop in the middle of town but forgetting to put your address on the map. Without claiming your site, your pins look less trustworthy, you miss out on analytics, and you lose authority in Pinterest’s algorithm.

The fix: Claim your website in your Pinterest settings. It takes just a couple of minutes, and it unlocks analytics gold—showing you exactly what’s working so you can double down on it.

Mistake #3: Inconsistent Pinning

Raise your hand if this sounds familiar: you go all-in on Pinterest for a week or two, scheduling pins like a pro… and then life happens. Suddenly, it’s been three months since your last pin.

Pinterest notices the inconsistency, and it doesn’t reward it.

The fix: Commit to pinning consistently. Set aside one hour a week to batch and schedule pins. Repurpose content you already have—blog posts, podcasts, videos, and Instagram. And remember: Pinterest is a long game. A pin you create today can drive traffic years from now.

💡 QUICK NOTE: If you’re nodding along thinking, “This all makes sense, but I honestly don’t have the time to do Pinterest myself,” that’s exactly why I offer Pinterest Management services. My team and I handle strategy, pin design, and scheduling so you can focus on serving your clients while your Pinterest works in the background to drive leads. Click here to explore management options →

Mistake #4: Using the Wrong Images

Pinterest is visual, which means your images matter. Horizontal photos, tiny text, or pretty-but-illegible fonts blend right into the feed.

The fix: Use vertical (2:3 ratio) pins with bold fonts, high-contrast colors, and clear text overlays that tell people exactly why they should click. Remember: most people are on mobile, so your pin needs to be legible in seconds. Think of your pin as a mini ad for your content—pretty matters, but clickable matters more.

Mistake #5: No Clear Call to Action

Even if you’ve nailed everything else, you’ll still lose people if your landing page is a dead end. I see it all the time—clicking through to a blog post with no freebie, no opt-in, no next step. That’s like inviting someone into your store and then walking away.

The fix: Always add a clear call to action. Whether it’s downloading a checklist, booking a free call, or watching a video, tell people exactly what to do next. Pinterest traffic converts better than any other social platform—but only if you guide people into your funnel.

✨ Need help with ideas? I’ve put together a list of 80 different calls to action you can use for your pins, blogs, and landing pages. It’s totally free, and it’ll give you endless inspiration for guiding your audience to the next step. Grab the free list here →

Final Thoughts

Those are the five mistakes that might be stealing your Pinterest traffic and leads. The best part? They’re all super easy to fix. Once you treat Pinterest like the search engine it is, stay consistent, and guide people with clear CTAs, your account starts working for you 24/7—for years to come.

Seriously, Pinterest is the platform that keeps giving—even while you’re on vacation, maternity leave, or spending time with your kids. That’s the kind of marketing that truly supports your business and your life.

 

DON’T FORGET TO PIN IT!

3 Pinterest Mistakes That Are Costing You Traffic (and How to Fix Them)

3 Pinterest Mistakes That Are Costing You Traffic (and How to Fix Them)<br />
 on Marketing Strategy Academy with host Jen Vazquez Media

3 Pinterest Mistakes That Are Costing You Traffic

If you’re spending time on Pinterest but not getting the traffic or leads you hoped for, you’re not alone. Most service providers make the same three mistakes—and the good news? They’re 100% fixable. Today, we’re breaking them down so you can start turning those pins into clicks (and clients).

Mistake #1: Vague, Generic Pin Titles

Pinterest needs clarity, not mystery. If your pin says “My Morning Routine” or “Wedding Tips”, it’s competing with thousands of other vague titles. Instead, use keyword-rich titles that match exactly what your dream client is searching for.

Examples:

  • Instead of Wedding Tips, use 5 Things to Include in Your Fall Wedding Timeline
  • Instead of Brand Photography Session, use What to Wear for Your Brand Photoshoot: 5 Easy Outfit Ideas

Quick Fix: 

Use Pinterest’s search bar to see what people are typing in your niche. Then mirror that language for your titles so your pins stand out in search.

Mistake #2: Linking Pins to Your Homepage

If your pin leads to your homepage instead of the exact content it promises, you’re losing people fast. When someone clicks for Brand Photoshoot Ideas but lands on a generic homepage, they’ll click away in seconds.

Quick Fix:

Always link your pins to:

  • A dedicated blog post
  • A free lead magnet landing page
  • A service page or contact form

The key is to make the destination match the promise of the pin. It’s better for your audience and for Pinterest’s algorithm.

Want Pinterest to bring you leads while you’re off living your life?

That’s exactly what happens inside The Club. You’ll get simple, proven Pinterest workflows that fit your schedule, so you can grow your traffic, leads, and sales without the marketing overwhelm.

Mistake #3: Inconsistent or Random Pinning

Pinning in bursts and then disappearing tells Pinterest you’re not consistent, and the platform rewards consistency.

Quick Fix:

Batch your pinning once a week. Choose one piece of content (blog, video, podcast, or freebie) and create 3–5 different pins for it. Use Tailwind or Pinterest’s native scheduler to drip them out over the week. This keeps your account active without daily effort.

Your Next Steps

If you’ve made these mistakes, you’re in good company. Pinterest is forgiving, and fixing these now will get you back on track.

Checklist:

  • Write specific, keyword-rich titles
  • Link every pin to matching content
  • Create a weekly batching and scheduling workflow

With these small tweaks, your traffic can grow steadily and with less effort. If you want a ready-made Pinterest workflow that saves time and gets results, that’s exactly what we do in The Club. 

DON’T FORGET TO PIN IT!

3 Pinterest Mistakes That Are Tanking Your Traffic (and How to Fix Them Fast) by Jen Vazquez Media
3 Pinterest Mistakes That Are Tanking Your Traffic (and How to Fix Them Fast) by Jen Vazquez Media
3 Pinterest Mistakes That Are Tanking Your Traffic (and How to Fix Them Fast) by Jen Vazquez Media
3 Pinterest Mistakes That Are Tanking Your Traffic (and How to Fix Them Fast) by Jen Vazquez Media
3 Pinterest Mistakes That Are Tanking Your Traffic (and How to Fix Them Fast) by Jen Vazquez Media

10 Pinterest mistakes you may be making in 2021 because of outdated information

10 Pinterest mistakes you may be making in 2021 because of outdated information. There is a lot of advice out there about Pinterest than can a few years old, but people keep repeating it – not knowing any better.  Today I’m gonna share the 10 mistakes that pinners are making in 2021 from old advice:

 

10 mistakes that pinners are making in 2021 from old advice by Jen Vazquez marketing and pinterest strategist

Repining OPP

What is OPP? Not the song from Naughty by Nature, but what I call Other People’s Pins. In 2018, it was something that you heard about.  They called it the 80/20 rule.  Pin 80% OPP and 20% your own.  You’d get a lot of engagement that way with spending a little amount of time. 

Engagement isn’t what you should be focusing on with Pinterest Marketing.  You should be getting the clicks!  And with 2 billion searches on Pinterest every month (2021 hoot suite.), It’s important that you spend your time putting out YOUR content. 

My advice is to pin your content and if there is a blog or information from Tailwind Communities or that you come across while doing research that would be good for your ideal clients, pin it.  The focus though is on YOU and your content! 

10 mistakes that pinners are making in 2021 from old advice by Jen Vazquez marketing and pinterest strategist

Using your website text or logo on Story Pins

Pinterest wants to keep people on the platform, which is why they created Story Pins.  Story pins don’t have links to keep you on the platform.  Seeing things pinned that have a logo or your website address (or the TikTok logo on videos) defeats the purpose and thus they may be limiting the amount of reach on story pins. 

You may or may not see an issue, but more of my clients are starting to.  So, I’m now advising clients to keep true to the spirit of what Pinterest wants which is to keep people on Pinterest and stop using logos and website information.

10 mistakes that pinners are making in 2021 from old advice by Jen Vazquez marketing and pinterest strategist

Ignoring Cell phones

85% of pinners use the mobile app (2021 sprout social)  If that is true for your followers (Look under Analytics / Audience Insights to see which devices are accessing your Pinterest), then you should absolutely ensure that what you are creating looks good on cell phones. 

This means to NOT use small text or script fonts because they can be hard to read on smaller devices not fun at all.  

10 mistakes that pinners are making in 2021 from old advice by Jen Vazquez marketing and pinterest strategist

Not Pinning Consistently

Pinning like crazy and then ghosting is the worst thing you can do for your account when it comes to using it for marketing purposes.  Pinterest wants you to pin consistently and Tailwind is the easiest way to be consistent. 

Pinterest also has the ability to “publish at a later date”.  In the help section of interest, it says “You can schedule Pins up to two weeks in advance in your current time zone. Though you can only schedule one Pin at a time, you can have up to 100 Pins scheduled for the future.

Note: Once your Pins are scheduled, you’re still able to make updates, like choosing to publish the Pin immediately or deleting it.”  Keep in mind things change often on Pinterest, so refer to that section if you have any issues.

10 mistakes that pinners are making in 2021 from old advice by Jen Vazquez marketing and pinterest strategist

Using hashtags over keywords 

Up until around 2020, hashtags + keywords were used by the Pinterest Algorithm to understand and rank your pins in the search engine.  In 2021 they won’t work as they did.  

Here’s what my research shows from working on my client’s Pinterest accounts.  Hashtags get a big boost at first and then the analytics tend to go down considerably.  When not using hashtags, the pin tends to take longer to get analytics, but over time the analytics go up considerably.  

My advice is if you are a new account, maybe add 1-2 hashtags to one pin out of 4 or 5 that you use for one URL, and then don’t use hashtags on the rest.  See for yourself which works better.  

The FOCUS should be on keywords EVERYWHERE rather than hashtags in any case.

10 mistakes that pinners are making in 2021 from old advice by Jen Vazquez marketing and pinterest strategist

Creating boards that aren’t around your content

It’s a fact that boards have an effect on your results in the Pinterest algorithm.  It looks at your boards as a whole and having boards that aren’t specific to your business (in and around your business), then you could be hurting your results on Pinterest.  

Here’s an example: If you are a wedding photographer and you have a board called quick recipes, that doesn’t help you and could hurt you.  You could change the board title to healthy recipes to make while wedding planning.  Why? Because it’s around your business.  

If you have boards that are not around or directly pertaining to your business, then you should secret or archive them.  Secret means you can still pin to them and archiving them means you can’t pin to them.

10 mistakes that pinners are making in 2021 from old advice by Jen Vazquez marketing and pinterest strategist

Using unreadable fonts or low-quality images

Fonts:  Font that is hard to read like handwriting or script fonts are so pretty and I love them, but they may be hurting your analytics.  Pinterest reads the text on your pins, so aim for an easy-to-read font. 

If you have your heart set on pretty fonts, I recommend to my clients to use those fonts on unimportant words like and, the, then, so, etc.  Keywords should absolutely NOT be scripty if you want to effectively use Pinterest to market your business.

Quality of Images: Most phones have retina display and won’t forgive pixelated or blurry images.  Pinterest wants the best user experience, so ensure that you are clear images that show what you will be sharing on that blog post.  

10 mistakes that pinners are making in 2021 from old advice by Jen Vazquez marketing and pinterest strategist

Giving most of your attention to group boards

It’s not the secret weapon it used to be.  They used to work to get more eyeballs on your content, but group boards don’t work like they used to.  Pinterest intended them to be for collaborative projects so they used to go out to all the friends and followers of everyone on the group board. 

And now, Pinterest has appeared to limit the reach of group boards now.  If you have one that still works for you, go ahead and pin but keep an eye on the analytics to ensure it’s worth your time.

10 mistakes that pinners are making in 2021 from old advice by Jen Vazquez marketing and pinterest strategist

Mixing your personal and business account

As mentioned earlier, the Pinterest algorithm wants to see that your profile, boards, and pins all match the content you’re sharing.  If you have boards that are personal, it can hurt your analytics.  So, I always recommend to my clients to have separate boards – one for personal and one for work. 

At a minimum, secret or archive your personal boards to ensure that your business account doesn’t have personal content.

10 mistakes that pinners are making in 2021 from old advice by Jen Vazquez marketing and pinterest strategist

Not Pinning Pinterest sized pins 1000×1500

Pinterest recommends this size “We recommend using a 2:3 aspect ratio, or 1000 x 1500 pixels”.  This size gives you the most space to get your point across and encourages people to click.  Using square or landscape images takes up less space and thus gets ignored or seen less. 

Pinterest changes these specs from time to time, check the most up-to-date info on help at Pinterest.

I hope that you found this information valuable!

Want more help with Pinterest?

If you’d like more tips, check out how to work with me here.

Sign up for the FREE 3-Day Challenge

I’m so excited to teach you all about Pinterest now that there have been some changes. 

You may have heard about “Fresh Pins” and a different percentage of other people’s content vs. your content.  I’ll share all of that and much more!

Here is more information that may be helpful!

Want to save this information on Pinterest?

10 Pinterest mistakes you may be making in 2021 because of outdated information
10 Pinterest mistakes you may be making in 2021 because of outdated information
10 Pinterest mistakes you may be making in 2021 because of outdated information
10 Pinterest mistakes you may be making in 2021 because of outdated information
10 Pinterest mistakes you may be making in 2021 because of outdated information
10 Pinterest mistakes you may be making in 2021 because of outdated information
10 Pinterest mistakes you may be making in 2021 because of outdated information
10 Pinterest mistakes you may be making in 2021 because of outdated information