Think Pinterest Doesn’t Work for Authors? Here’s Proof It Does.
My 100-day experiment showed how authors can use Pinterest as a sustainable system. I can change the way you market your books!
Hey there, writers!
It’s been a little while. After wrapping up my 100-day Pinterest challenge, I took a pause…not from Pinterest, but from analyzing my account and stats (and posting here). I needed a breather, so I took a step back to process and think about what’s next here on my Substack and about new strategies on Pinterest.
And now I’ve got some thoughts!
What 100 Days on Pinterest Taught Me
Let me remind you of this first: Pinterest is not an instant-gratification platform.
It’s not TikTok. It’s not Instagram (thankfully!). The fact that it’s not social media is what makes it brilliant.
Because when I say that the pins I posted, for example, in Week 2 of the challenge are still getting saves and clicks now, months later, I mean it.
I need to remind you of this, too: Pinterest is the quiet, reliable workhorse of author marketing. It truly does not demand your daily attention. And yet it rewards your efforts, especially consistency, over time.
Since I leaned into Pinterest, I learned a few big things:
Consistency beats perfection. Some of my “meh” pins outperformed the ones I really worked hard on. Go figure!
The real traction often happens well after you’ve pinned. I have had pins that sat quietly for weeks and then suddenly took off. I’ve had random pins go viral without explanation. This is evergreen content at its best. Think of Pinterest as a garden. You plant seeds, then stand back and let them take root. The blooms come when they’re ready.
Authors want this. The number of messages and comments I get from writers who have attended one of my workshops or who have taken (or are taking) my Pinterest Power for Authors course is astounding. So many writers never realized Pinterest was a tool they could use. That is changing, and I’m so glad!
What Has Changed for Me
Since I’ve been pinning, here’s what has happened:
My monthly Pinterest views grew by 40K+ (keep in mind that stats go up and down, but consistent growth is key!)
My email list continues to grow (thank you to those of you who joined during the challenge!)
My course traffic doubled!
And, most importantly, I have a system that works and that doesn’t burn me out
Pinterest is part of my weekly flow. It’s sustainable. And it works.
What’s Coming Next
My space here on Substack was born from the idea that authors can market smarter, not harder. We don’t have to dance on reels or post every day on five platforms just to sell our books. We can build something quieter, stronger, and more aligned with who we are.
Authors can market smarter, not harder.
As I continue here on Substack, here’s what you can expect:
Practical, low-stress Pinterest tips for authors
Real talk about marketing mindsets
Creative strategies to grow your list and your visibility
A few behind-the-scenes peeks into my own journey
And if you missed the challenge or want a refresher, go back and read my challenge posts here on my Substack, or sign up for the free email course:
📌 Start with my free 5-day Pinterest Email course. It walks you through the exact steps to get started without the overwhelm.
And if you're ready to go deeper into what’s working now, check out the full course here: 📌 Pinterest Power for Authors
Thanks for being here. I’m excited to dig deeper here with content that helps you actually enjoy marketing your books!
Talk to you soon!
Melissa