Why a 'Backburner' Pinterest Strategy is a No-Brainer
Pinterest isn't just for recipes and home decor; it's a powerful visual search engine where users plan their purchases, find service providers, and discover solutions to their problems. For your location-independent business, this is an untapped goldmine.
Your Content is Already There: People use browser extensions to 'Pin' articles, service pages, and resources they find valuable directly from your website. Without an official account, you get zero credit or traffic from this activity.
The Snowball Effect: When you set up and claim your account, all those existing Pins (and all future ones) start linking back to you. This signals to the Pinterest algorithm that your content is valuable, boosting your visibility in the Smart Feed and driving organic growth without you lifting a finger.
It's Non-Negotiable: If you publish any content online—blog posts, case studies, podcasts, freebies—setting up a basic Pinterest presence is essential. It's the foundation for capturing traffic you're currently missing out on.
The 7-Step Lazy Setup for Passive Pinterest Growth
Follow these simple steps to put your Pinterest marketing on autopilot and start reaping the rewards.
Step 1: Get a Free Pinterest Business Account
A business account is crucial. It's free and unlocks essential features like analytics and the ability to claim your website. You have two options:
Convert an existing personal account: If you already use Pinterest, you can easily convert it. Just be sure to set any personal or off-brand boards to 'secret' so they don't confuse your new audience.
Start from scratch: Create a brand-new business account. This is the cleanest option if you don't have a personal account or want to keep things separate.
Action: Head to Pinterest and create or convert your business account now.
Step 2: Add Your Profile Images
First impressions matter. A blank profile looks unprofessional and untrustworthy. You only need two images, which you can easily repurpose from other platforms.
Cover Photo: Use an on-brand image. Your LinkedIn or Facebook cover photo often works perfectly.
Profile Picture: A clear photo of your face builds connection and trust faster than a logo. If you're a larger brand, a logo is fine.
Action: Upload a cover photo and profile picture.
Step 3: Optimize Your Profile with Keywords (Pinterest SEO)
Remember, Pinterest is a search engine. Your profile needs to be optimized so your ideal clients can find you. First, identify your core keywords. Think about what terms people would search for to find your services. Be clear and direct.
Examples: "virtual assistant for coaches," "digital nomad tax advice," "expat financial planning," "online business setup."
Next, place these keywords strategically:
Account Name: [Your Name/Brand Name] | [Main Keyword]
Account Description (Bio): Write a clear, benefit-driven bio that naturally includes your primary and secondary keywords.
Action: Identify your keywords and add them to your account name and bio.
Step 4: Claim Your Website
This is arguably the most important step. Claiming your website proves you own your content. Pinterest prioritizes Pins from claimed websites, giving your content wider distribution. It also adds a verification icon to your profile and ensures that any Pin saved from your site (by you or anyone else) is credited to your account, funneling all that authority and traffic back to you.
Action: Follow the on-screen instructions in your Pinterest settings to claim your website and any subdomains (like for your blog or online courses).
Step 5: Create 5 Foundational Boards
Boards are how you categorize your content. They help visitors quickly understand what you offer. You don't need dozens to start—just five well-defined boards are enough.
Identify your top 5 content categories or service areas.
Create a board for each topic, giving it a clear, keyword-rich name (e.g., "Digital Nomad Visas," "US LLC for Non-Residents," "Remote Work Productivity").
Write a short, keyword-optimized description for each board. Explain what kind of content can be found there. For example, for a board named "US LLC for Non-Residents," the description could be: "All the essential guides, tips, and checklists for international entrepreneurs on setting up and managing a US LLC. Find information on banking, taxes, and compliance."
Action: Create and describe 5 boards that reflect your main content pillars.
Step 6: Add Pinterest Sharing to Your Website
Make it incredibly easy for your website visitors to share your content. Install a social sharing plugin (like Grow by Mediavine or Social Pug) that adds a Pinterest 'Save' button to your images and pages. This actively encourages the pinning behavior that will grow your account passively.
Action: Install a social sharing plugin on your blog posts, service pages, and landing pages.
Step 7: Do a One-Time Promotion
While this strategy is designed to be passive, a small initial push can kickstart your growth. Spend 30 minutes sharing your new Pinterest profile with your existing network.
Post about it on Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook.
Include a link in your email newsletter.
Ask friends and family for a follow.
Action: Spend 30 minutes asking your network to follow your new Pinterest account.
