10 Common Pinterest Mistakes New Bloggers Make (and How to Avoid Them)

When I first started with Pinterest, I was doing everything I thought I was supposed to, but my traffic was barely moving. I was pinning, creating graphics, and trying to follow the advice I’d found online. Yet, something was missing, and my blog just wasn’t getting the Pinterest traction I’d hoped for.

After months of trial and error, I finally learned what actually works on Pinterest—and what doesn’t. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure, know that you’re not alone. In this post, I’ll walk you through the common mistakes that hold new bloggers back and show you how to avoid them so you can see results faster.

Let’s dive in and set you up for Pinterest success!

1. Ignoring Keywords in Pin Descriptions

The Mistake:
Pinterest isn’t just a social media platform; it’s a search engine. Many new bloggers forget to use relevant keywords in their pin descriptions, which limits their reach and discoverability.

How to Avoid It:
Research keywords that your target audience is searching for, and incorporate them naturally into your pin descriptions, pin titles, and board descriptions. Think of keywords as a way to help Pinterest understand what your pin is about.

Example:
Instead of a description like “Delicious dinner ideas,” try “Easy weeknight dinner recipes for busy moms.” Keywords like “easy dinner recipes” and “weeknight dinners” increase your chances of reaching people who are actively searching for those terms.

2. Using Random, Unplanned Colors

The Mistake:
While bright colors catch the eye, using random colors or designs that don’t resonate with your audience can backfire. If your pins look uncoordinated or hard to read, people are less likely to click.

How to Avoid It:
Do a quick search on Pinterest for your niche topic and notice which colors and designs are trending. Use this as a guide to create visually appealing pins that fit your niche. My Pinterest Traffic Booster Templates include high-converting designs in a variety of styles, so you can skip the trial and error and go straight to what works!

Quick Fix:
Spend 5 minutes searching your topic on Pinterest and note the colors, fonts, and styles of the top pins. Use these as inspiration when creating your own pins.

3. Creating Pins That Lack Text Overlay

The Mistake:
Many beginners create pins without text overlay, which can confuse viewers about what the content offers. A pin without text often lacks context, leading to lower click-through rates.

How to Avoid It:
Always include a clear, concise text overlay on your pins. Use bold fonts and short phrases that convey the main value of your content. My templates are pre-designed with effective text overlay placements, so you don’t have to worry about positioning and readability.

Example:
If you’re sharing a blog post about organizing small spaces, a text overlay like “10 Genius Small Space Hacks” will grab attention and make the purpose of the pin instantly clear.

4. Not Creating Multiple Pins for Each Post

The Mistake:
Only creating one pin per blog post limits the chances of your content being discovered. More pins mean more opportunities to reach a wider audience.

How to Avoid It:
Create 3-5 different pins for each blog post to maximize reach. Vary the colors, images, and text slightly to appeal to different audiences. My templates make it easy to create multiple high-quality pins quickly, so you can spend less time designing and more time growing your traffic.

Quick Fix:
For each post, make one pin with a bold color, one with a neutral tone, and one with an attention-grabbing image. Experimenting with different styles increases your chances of reaching diverse audiences.

5. Using Small or Hard-to-Read Fonts

The Mistake:
If viewers can’t read the text on your pin at a glance, they’re likely to scroll past it. Tiny or overly decorative fonts are hard to read and can hurt your pin’s performance.

How to Avoid It:
Use bold, clear fonts that are easy to read on both desktop and mobile. Make sure your text size is large enough to be read without zooming in. With my templates, font size and style are already optimized for Pinterest, ensuring your text is always legible.

6. Neglecting to Add a Call-to-Action

The Mistake:
Not including a call-to-action (CTA) on your pins can lead to lower engagement. Your audience needs a nudge to click through to your blog.

How to Avoid It:
Add a simple CTA like “Read More,” “Get Inspired,” or “See the Tips” on your pins. This small addition can make a big difference in click-through rates. My templates come with ready-made CTA options, so you can effortlessly encourage action.

7. Not Pinning Consistently

The Mistake:
Inconsistent pinning can slow down your Pinterest growth. Many new bloggers pin sporadically, which makes it harder to build momentum.

How to Avoid It:
Aim to pin daily, even if it’s just a few pins. Scheduling tools like Tailwind can help automate this process. And remember, creating multiple pins per post (using templates!) can make it easier to maintain a steady flow of fresh content.

Quick Fix:
Schedule your pins for the week on Sunday to ensure consistent activity, even when you’re busy.

8. Overlooking Pinterest Analytics

The Mistake:
Many new bloggers ignore Pinterest analytics, missing valuable insights into what’s working and what’s not.

How to Avoid It:
Regularly review your Pinterest analytics to see which pins are getting the most clicks, saves, and impressions. Use this data to refine your strategy and create more of what works. If you notice certain pin designs perform better, you can replicate those styles using my high-converting templates.

9. Using Images That Don’t Match the Topic

The Mistake:
Choosing images that don’t relate directly to the content can confuse viewers and lead to lower engagement.

How to Avoid It:
Select images that are relevant to the topic of your blog post. For example, if your post is about recipes, use food-related images. My templates offer a variety of styles and image placeholders, so you can easily match your pins to your content.

10. Not Investing in Quality Pin Designs

The Mistake:
Creating pins from scratch can be time-consuming, and poor designs can result in low engagement. New bloggers often hesitate to invest in high-quality designs, but this can limit growth.

How to Avoid It:
Using high-quality templates is an easy way to ensure your pins are attractive and optimized for engagement. My Pinterest Traffic Booster Templates are specifically designed to help new bloggers create professional, high-converting pins without the hassle of design work. With these templates, you can skip the guesswork and start creating pins that drive results.

Set Yourself Up for Success on Pinterest

Pinterest can be a powerful traffic driver for new bloggers, but it’s easy to make mistakes when you’re just starting out. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you’ll be well on your way to Pinterest success. Remember, the right strategies—and the right tools—can make all the difference.

Everyone makes mistakes when they’re starting out. What matters is learning from them and moving forward. Now that you know what to avoid, you’re on your way to a Pinterest strategy that actually works. And if you’re ready to start seeing growth without all the guesswork, my Pinterest Traffic Booster Templates are here to make it easy.

Ready to boost your traffic? Pinterest Traffic Booster Templates and start creating pins that get results!