How to Get Your First 1,000 Followers on Pinterest (and Make Money!)

Pinterest is more than just a social media platform—it’s a visual search engine where users discover new ideas, products, and inspiration. For bloggers, small businesses, and influencers, Pinterest is a goldmine for traffic and monetization. However, one of the biggest hurdles is growing your audience and reaching that all-important first 1,000 followers.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through actionable tips to grow your Pinterest followers from scratch and even make money from your growing audience.

Why Pinterest Matters for Growing Your Business and Making Money

Before diving into strategies, let’s highlight why Pinterest is such a powerful tool:

Massive Traffic Source: Pinterest generates more referral traffic than Twitter, Reddit, and LinkedIn combined. The visual nature of the platform naturally drives users to click through to external websites.
High Purchase Intent: Many users come to Pinterest to find inspiration for purchases, which is a prime opportunity for businesses and influencers to make money through affiliate links, sponsored content, or product sales.
Longevity of Content: Unlike other social media platforms where posts disappear in minutes or hours, Pinterest pins have long lifespans and continue driving traffic for months—even years.

Now that you understand why Pinterest is valuable, let’s dive into how to get your first 1,000 followers and start monetizing your efforts.

1. Set Up a Professional Profile

Your Pinterest profile is the first impression users will have of your brand, so make it count! Follow these steps to create a solid foundation:

Choose a Business Account: To make money and access analytics, you must create a Pinterest Business Account. It’s free and unlocks key features like ad tools and insights into your followers.
Use a Clear Profile Picture: Use a professional headshot or your brand’s logo. This helps in building recognition.
Optimize Your Bio with Keywords: Your bio should include relevant keywords like “Pinterest marketing,” “make money online,” or “DIY crafts” depending on your niche.
Include a Call-to-Action: Encourage visitors to follow you or visit your website by adding a call-to-action in your bio.

2. Create High-Quality, Optimized Pins

Pins are the core of your Pinterest strategy, so it’s essential that they are both visually appealing and optimized for searchability. Here’s how:

Focus on Vertical Pins: The ideal pin size is 1000 x 1500 pixels. Vertical images perform better since they take up more space in the user’s feed, catching their attention.
Use High-Resolution Images: Blurry, low-quality images won’t attract followers. Invest in tools like Canva to create professional-looking pins.
Incorporate Text Overlays: Adding text to your pins helps convey your message at a glance. Use bold, readable fonts that clearly communicate the purpose of your pin.
Use Relevant Keywords in Pin Descriptions: Pinterest functions like a search engine, so using keywords is crucial. For example, if you’re pinning about DIY home decor, use terms like “easy DIY home decor” or “budget-friendly decor ideas.”
Add Alt Text: When uploading pins, include alt text. This not only makes your pins more accessible but also helps with Pinterest SEO.

3. Pin Consistently and Strategically

To grow your first 1,000 followers, you need to stay active. Consistency is key to keeping your profile in front of potential followers.

Pin Daily: Aim to pin between 10-30 times per day. This might sound like a lot, but remember, you can repin your own content and others’.
Leverage a Scheduling Tool: Tools like Tailwind allow you to schedule pins in advance, so you’re not glued to Pinterest all day. Tailwind even suggests optimal times to post for maximum engagement.
Mix Your Own and Other People’s Pins: Pinning only your content may come across as too self-promotional. Aim for a mix of 60% your own content and 40% other users’ pins.
Use Pinterest Trends: Keep an eye on the Pinterest Trends tool to see what’s currently popular. Aligning your pins with trending topics will increase their visibility.

4. Join Group Boards and Tailwind Tribes

Collaboration is a powerful way to grow your Pinterest followers faster. Group boards and Tailwind Tribes allow you to share your pins with a larger, engaged audience.

Join Relevant Group Boards: Find group boards in your niche that allow multiple contributors. When you pin to these boards, your content gets exposure to their audience, increasing the chances of gaining followers.
Contribute to Tailwind Tribes: Tailwind Tribes is another excellent feature of the Tailwind tool. Tribes allow users to share content with others in similar niches, promoting growth and collaboration.

5. Optimize Your Pinterest Boards

Your boards are how you organize your content on Pinterest. Well-organized boards help attract the right followers.

Create Keyword-Rich Board Titles: For example, if you’re in the travel niche, instead of naming a board “Places I Love,” try “Best Budget Travel Destinations” for better discoverability.
Write Detailed Board Descriptions: Explain the purpose of the board and what type of content users can expect, using keywords where appropriate.
Keep Your Boards Niche-Focused: Don’t try to appeal to everyone. Instead, create boards that are relevant to your specific audience. This will attract followers who are genuinely interested in your content.

6. Engage with Your Audience

To grow your following, interaction is essential. Pinterest is a community, and active participation can lead to more exposure and credibility.

Respond to Comments: If someone comments on your pin, respond! Engaging with your followers shows that you are approachable and active.
Follow Other Users: Follow accounts in your niche. When you follow others, there’s a good chance they’ll check out your profile and follow back.
Comment on Other Pins: Don’t just stick to your own content. Take time to comment on popular pins in your niche. This can expose your profile to a broader audience.

7. Promote Your Pinterest on Other Platforms

Don’t rely solely on Pinterest to grow your audience. Use your other social media accounts to drive traffic to your Pinterest profile.

Share Your Pins on Instagram Stories: If you have a solid following on Instagram, share your pins in your stories and encourage followers to check them out on Pinterest.
Embed Pins in Your Blog Posts: If you’re a blogger, embed your Pinterest pins directly into your articles. This makes it easy for readers to pin your content to their own boards.
Leverage Email Newsletters: Include a link to your Pinterest profile in your email signature or as part of your newsletters to encourage followers to check out your boards.

8. Track Your Growth and Adjust

To ensure you’re on track to hit 1,000 followers, monitor your progress through Pinterest analytics.

Track Follower Growth: Regularly check how your follower count is progressing. Pinterest’s analytics dashboard will help you see which pins and boards are resonating most with your audience.
A/B Test Pin Styles: Experiment with different pin designs and see which perform best. You might discover that certain colors, layouts, or fonts drive more engagement.
Reevaluate Board Performance: If a board isn’t performing well, try updating the title or description to be more keyword-focused.

Conclusion

Building your first 1,000 followers on Pinterest is an exciting journey. With a strategic approach, consistent pinning, and engaging content, you’ll not only reach this milestone but also open the door to make money on Pinterest. Start by optimizing your profile, creating visually stunning pins, and sharing your content across various platforms. Soon enough, those followers—and potential earnings—will begin to snowball.

FAQs About Growing Pinterest Followers and Making Money

Q1. How Long Will It Take to Get 1,000 Pinterest Followers?

There’s no definitive timeline, but with consistent pinning, strategic collaborations, and engaging content, many users reach 1,000 followers within a few months. Using tools like Tailwind and participating in group boards can expedite this process.

Q2. Can I Make Money on Pinterest Before Reaching 1,000 Followers?

Yes! You don’t need thousands of followers to make money on Pinterest. You can start earning through affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, or driving traffic to your website where you monetize with ads or products.

Q3. Do I Need to Pay for Pinterest Ads to Grow?

While Pinterest ads can accelerate growth, they’re not required. Many users reach their first 1,000 followers organically by consistently pinning and optimizing their profiles.

Q4. How Can I Find Group Boards to Join?

You can use tools like Pingroupie or manually search for group boards in your niche by visiting popular profiles and seeing which boards they contribute to.

Q5. What’s the Best Time to Pin on Pinterest?

According to studies, the best times to pin are typically in the evening, especially between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Use scheduling tools like Tailwind to post during these peak hours.