Can You Really Just "Post and Ghost" on Pinterest?

If you’ve been wondering whether Pinterest is a place where you can just “post and forget” – think again. While it’s true that you can take a laid-back approach and let your pins work for you, there’s so much more you can do to take your author brand to the next level. Pinterest is one of the most powerful tools you can use to build visibility, attract readers, and grow your author platform. But here’s the catch: you need to approach it with intention.

Pinterest is far more than just a place to pin pretty pictures – it’s a growth engine for your author brand. Whether you’re fine with a passive approach or ready to push it into high gear, here’s how you can make Pinterest work for you.

The Low-Key Approach: "Post and Ghost"

Let’s start with the easy route: posting and ghosting. Yes, it’s a thing. Pinterest works like a search engine, so even if you’re not posting every day or engaging like crazy, your pins can still get seen when people search for keywords you’ve used. That means, by just pinning a few times a week and optimizing your pins, you can still get eyes on your content. It's a passive approach—but it still works to some extent.

However, if you want to make the most of Pinterest and get serious results, it’s time to level up. Let’s dig into the action steps you can take to turn Pinterest into a growth engine for your author brand.

7 Actionable Steps to Supercharge Your Pinterest Strategy

1. Start with Strategic Keyword Research

Pinterest is, at its core, a search engine. That means, if you want your pins to be found, you need to use the right keywords. The keywords you choose determine when and where your pins show up in search results. This is step one in making your Pinterest account work for you.

How to do it:

• Use Pinterest's search bar: Start typing terms related to your genre, book themes, and author identity. Pinterest will show you popular search queries related to those terms. Take note of what comes up frequently.

• Check out competitors and similar creators: What keywords are other authors in your genre using? Study their boards, pins, and profiles to see what’s working for them.

• Use long-tail keywords: Think about what readers might be searching for beyond general terms. For example, instead of just “romance books,” use “historical romance novels with suspense” or “romantic comedy book recommendations.”

By optimizing for the right keywords, you ensure that your content shows up when people are actively searching for what you have to offer. Be specific—this increases the chances of your pins being discovered.

2. Create a Consistent Posting Schedule

Consistency is key. It’s not enough to post once and call it a day. Pinterest rewards users who show up regularly, and if you want your pins to be visible and relevant, you need to keep them active in the feed.

How to do it:

• Aim to pin 3-5 times per week: Set a manageable goal for how often you want to post. Make it a part of your routine. You don’t have to pin every day, but regularly posting keeps your content in front of your audience.

• Use a scheduler: Tools like Tailwind can help you schedule your pins in advance. That way, you’re pinning consistently without having to log into Pinterest every day. Tailwind even offers a smart scheduling feature that automatically chooses the best time to post based on your audience’s behavior.

Consistency doesn’t mean posting 20 times a day. It means showing up enough to keep your profile active and your pins in circulation. The more you post, the more chances you give your content to be discovered.

3. Design Pins That Get Noticed

In the crowded Pinterest feed, a visually appealing pin is the difference between getting noticed and getting scrolled past. You’ve got to make your pins stand out.

How to do it:

• Design professional, eye-catching pins: Use tools like Canva to create beautifully designed pins. Stick to Pinterest’s ideal ratio (2:3 vertical) for optimal viewing.

• Use large, readable text: Your text should be big and bold, so it’s easy to read even on mobile screens. Pin descriptions should entice readers to click through.

• Focus on high-quality imagery: Clear, crisp images are a must. If you’re showcasing your book cover, make sure the image is high resolution. If you’re showcasing a scene, character, or setting, use images that convey the mood and atmosphere of your book.

Remember, your pins are like your book cover—they represent your brand. Make them count!

4. Experiment with Different Pin Types

Pinterest offers more than just static image pins. There are multiple pin formats you can use to keep your feed fresh and engaging. Variety keeps your audience interested and gives you more opportunities to get noticed.

How to do it:

• Standard Pins: These are your basic, static pins. Use them to showcase book covers, quotes, and promotions.

• Video Pins: Video content performs well on Pinterest. Create short videos like book trailers, behind-the-scenes clips, or even quick author Q&A sessions. Keep videos under a minute to maintain engagement.

• Carousel Pins: These allow you to showcase multiple images in one post. Great for showcasing different aspects of your book or a series.

• Story Pins: This is Pinterest’s version of Instagram Stories. Use it to share quick updates, sneak peeks, or fun insights into your writing process.

Each format offers unique opportunities for engagement, so mix it up to keep your audience coming back for more.

5. Optimize Your Pinterest Boards

Your boards are more than just folders for your pins—they’re a way to organize your content and make it easy for your followers to find what they’re interested in. Well-organized boards are critical for a cohesive Pinterest strategy.

How to do it:

• Create theme-specific boards: Break your boards into categories that reflect the content your readers care about. Some ideas:

  • Book Cover Designs

  • Writing Tips & Inspiration

  • Genre Inspiration

  • Reader Engagement (like fun questions, polls, and feedback on your books)

  • Your Book’s Characters

• Curate other content: You don’t just have to pin your own content. Pin relevant content from other authors or creators in your genre. Curated boards can boost your credibility and help you build connections within the community.

Your boards should tell a story about you as an author. Make them visually appealing, relevant, and consistent with your brand.

6. Engage with the Pinterest Community

Pinterest isn’t just about posting and waiting. If you want to grow your following and increase engagement, you need to interact with others.

How to do it:

• Repin content from others: Don’t just pin your own stuff—engage with others in your genre. Repinning others’ content is a great way to connect and share the love.

• Follow relevant boards and profiles: Start following authors, bloggers, and influencers in your genre. Pinterest is a great way to build relationships with like-minded creators.

• Join group boards: Many group boards are open to contributors, and they can help your content get in front of a larger, relevant audience.

Pinterest’s community is built on collaboration. Engage actively to build your presence.

7. Track, Tweak, and Optimize Your Performance

Just like any platform, Pinterest requires you to track your results and make adjustments. Analytics are your best friend when it comes to growing your account and optimizing your content strategy.

How to do it:

• Use Pinterest Analytics: Pinterest provides in-depth data on your top-performing pins, your audience’s behavior, and engagement metrics. This will help you understand what’s working and what’s not.

• Focus on your best-performing pins: If a specific pin is getting a lot of engagement, repin it, update it, or create variations of it to get even more exposure.

• Optimize based on performance: The more you understand your audience’s preferences, the more you can adjust your strategy to match what resonates with them.

Track your progress regularly and be ready to adapt your strategy for optimal results.

Wrapping It Up

Pinterest isn’t just a place to “post and forget”—it’s a tool that, when used strategically, can turn into a powerhouse for building visibility and growing your author brand. Whether you’re in it for passive growth or ready to go full throttle, Pinterest offers endless possibilities for creative content and audience connection.

By following these seven actionable steps, you’ll be able to use Pinterest as more than just a digital bulletin board—it’ll become an essential part of your author marketing strategy.

If you’re serious about making Pinterest work for your books, don’t miss my video where I break down exactly how authors can use the platform to grow their reach, boost visibility, and bring in new readers—without burning out.

👉 Watch the Pinterest Strategy Video Now — and start building your long-game visibility today.