If you’re running a creative business, chances are you’ve spent a lot of time marketing yourself on Instagram. It’s where you show off your work, connect with your audience, and maybe even get new clients. But have you ever thought about incorporating Pinterest into your marketing plan?

Spoiler alert: Pinterest isn’t just for recipes and DIY projects.

Pinterest and Instagram might seem similar because they’re both visual platforms, but they’re actually pretty different! And if you’re not using Pinterest for your creative business, you could be missing out on a huge opportunity. Let’s take a look at some of the main differences.

How Pinterest and Instagram Are Different

USER INTENTIONS

Think of Pinterest like a search engine. People go there looking for specific ideas, solutions, or inspiration. Whether it’s “crochet patterns for beginners” or “elegant wedding invitations,” they’re searching with a purpose. Instagram, on the other hand, is more like a scroll fest. People hop on to see what’s new, check out their favorite creators, or kill time. (We’ve all been there, right? You hop onto Instagram for “5 minutes” and end up doom scrolling for over an hour.)

Content Lifespan

Pinterest is the gift that keeps on giving. Your pins can keep bringing people to your site months—or even years—after you post them. Instagram? Not so much. A post’s engagement usually peaks within a day or two and then... crickets.

engagement

On Pinterest, engagement means clicking through to your site, saving your pin, or searching for more of your content. It’s all about action. On Instagram, engagement is more about likes, comments, and shares. Great for building a community, but not always for driving traffic.

Why Creatives Need to Be On Pinterest

If you’re a creative entrepreneur—whether you’re a knitter, a stationer, a photographer, or anything in between—Pinterest can do amazing things for your business.

People Are Looking for You

Pinterest users are planners. They’re searching for ideas and solutions, and your content could be exactly what they need. Got a blog post on how to crochet a cute baby blanket for beginners? A semi-custom wedding invitation suite that’s perfect for a romantic spring wedding? Pinterest connects you with people who are already interested in what you offer.

Long-Term Traffic

You know that blog post you spent hours writing? Or that portfolio piece you’re super proud of? Share it on Pinterest, and it can keep driving traffic to your site for months. It’s like having a little worker bee out there, quietly bringing in visitors long after you’ve hit “post.”

Pinterest gets people into your funnel

Pinterest isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about strategy. Think of Pinterest as the first step in your sales funnel. People discover your content while actively searching for solutions, ideas, or inspiration. When they click on your pin, they’re already looking to take action.

And once they get to your website, they’re ready to explore! If your website is prepped and ready for them, they might…

Read through your blog posts
- TIP: Don’t forget to use lots of internal links to suggest other relevant blog posts for them to read!
Sign up for your freebie
- TIP: Embed your sign up form into your blog posts to get even more leads!
Purchase something
Follow you on social media

Over time, this steady flow of traffic from Pinterest will turn casual browsers into clients and customers, helping you build a business that grows naturally.

So... Pinterest or Instagram?

Both Pinterest and Instagram shine in their own ways, but their strengths lie in completely different areas.

I once heard Kate Ahl from Simple Pin Media say that Pinterest is like the library, while Instagram is like the bar. And honestly? That’s spot on.

Instagram, just like the bar, is where you can show off your personality, build connections, and create a sense of community. It’s perfect for giving your followers a BTS look at your business and letting them see the human side of what you do.

Stories, reels, and posts make it easy to engage with your followers. Want feedback on a new product? Post a poll in your stories. Have a design you’re excited about? Share a sneak peek in a reel. Instagram thrives on these quick, in-the-moment interactions that make people feel connected to you and your brand.

Pinterest, like the library, is all about long-term discovery. Unlike Instagram, where your post’s engagement peaks within a few days, Pinterest keeps working for you. People use Pinterest like a search engine, looking for ideas, inspiration, and solutions. That means your ideal audience is actively searching for things like “wedding invitation design ideas” or “beginner crochet patterns”. Your content could be positioned as the solution to their searches.

THE TAKEAWAY: Instagram is where you connect and engage in the moment. Pinterest is where you grow your traffic and attract leads over time. The best part? They work even better together. Let me explain…

How Instagram and Pinterest Work Together

When done right, Pinterest and Instagram can work together to help you book more clients!

Share Evergreen Content on Pinterest
Got a blog post, tutorial, or portfolio piece that people will always find helpful? Pin it on Pinterest so it can keep bringing in traffic month after month.
Use Instagram for Personality and Engagement
Save your behind-the-scenes moments, real-time updates, and interactive content for Instagram. It’s the best way to connect with your audience personally.
Cross-Promote Your Profiles
Use Instagram to send people to your Pinterest boards for more in-depth inspiration, and link your Instagram in your Pinterest profile to make it easy for followers to connect with you. Make sure to link your Instagram on your website too, to encourage visitors from Pinterest to engage further with you.

In the end, if posting on two platforms is too overwhelming, just focus on the platform that aligns with your goals right now. Pinterest is great for steady, long-term growth, while Instagram is perfect for creating a personal connection with your audience.

Feeling like Pinterest could be the missing piece in your business strategy? I’d love to help! From setting up your account to managing your pins and optimizing for SEO, I can help your business grow in a sustainable way. Feel free to send me a message and we’ll chat about how we can make that happen.

Pinterest vs. Instagram: What’s Best?