Let’s talk about Pinterest ads—the not-so-secret weapon I’ve used to quietly and consistently scale my business without relying on algorithms or going viral. I know paid ads can feel a little intimidating (or a lot), especially if you’ve never dipped your toes into that world before. I used to feel the same way. Ads felt like something reserved for “big” businesses with teams and fancy strategies… until I realized Pinterest was playing by completely different rules.

If you’re new to Pinterest ads—or maybe you’ve heard a whisper about them and want to see what the buzz is really about—this post is for you. I’m going to walk you through exactly how Pinterest ads work, why they’re different from social media ads, and how they could be the sustainable traffic-driving, sales-generating strategy you’ve been looking for.

Let’s dive in.

What Makes Pinterest Ads So Different?

Here’s the thing most people don’t realize: Pinterest isn’t a social media platform—it’s a search engine.

Let that sink in for a second.

While Instagram and Facebook are built for interaction and connection, Pinterest is built for discovery. People come to Pinterest not to scroll for entertainment, but to find things.

To plan. To dream. To search for inspiration or a solution.

And that mindset changes everything when it comes to advertising.

Think of it like this: Pinterest is where people go with intention.

They’re already searching for ideas—recipes, outfit inspiration, home design, content strategies, wedding decor, business tips… and yes, even the exact products and services you offer.

So when your ad shows up on Pinterest, it doesn’t interrupt someone’s day like an Instagram ad might. Instead, it joins the journey they’re already on. It becomes part of their vision board. And that’s powerful.

So… How Do Pinterest Ads Actually Work?

Let’s break it down in the simplest way possible.

When you run a Pinterest ad, you’re essentially paying for your pin (a visual post) to show up in front of people who are searching for content like yours. Here’s what that process looks like:

1. Create a Pin (Ad Image or Video)

This is the creative part! You’ll upload an image or video—ideally something that’s scroll-stopping, helpful, and aligned with your brand. You can add a short headline and a link to your website, product, service, or blog post.

2. Choose Your Audience (AKA Targeting)

Here’s where the magic happens. Pinterest allows you to target based on keywords—the search terms your dream customer is typing in. This is what sets it apart from most social platforms. You can also target people who have:

• Interacted with your website
• Engaged with your pins
• Or fit certain interests, locations, or demographics

You’re putting your content exactly where people are looking for it.

3. Set Your Budget

You get to decide how much you want to spend. Seriously—you can start with just $5 a day and see what works. Once you start seeing results, it’s easy to scale up. (I’ve had days where I spent $11 and made over $400. Wild, right?)

4. Track & Optimize

Pinterest gives you a dashboard where you can see how your ads are performing. Which pins are getting clicks? Which ones are converting? You can pause, adjust, or duplicate ads based on what’s working. It’s like having your own little marketing lab.

Why Pinterest Ads Work So Well (Especially for Small Businesses)

I’ve run ads on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest—and here’s why Pinterest continues to win in my book:

• Longevity: Pinterest pins last. Even after you stop paying for an ad, that pin continues to live on the platform and gain organic traction.
• Search Intent: You’re targeting people actively looking for your offer.
• Less Saturation: Pinterest ads are still underutilized, which means your competition is probably sleeping on this.
• Budget-Friendly: You can start small and scale based on what’s converting.
• Perfect for Evergreen Offers: Courses, memberships, digital products, and even services with strong value can thrive here.

My Journey with Pinterest Ads

When I started using Pinterest ads, I was honestly just testing the waters. I uploaded a few prewritten captions I had sitting on my laptop and ran a small ad to see if anyone would bite. Spoiler: they did.

That one test led to building a platform called Wordsmith—my all-in-one content creation tool for business owners who want done-for-you strategy, writing prompts, and personalized support to show up online.

And yes, Pinterest ads helped scale Wordsmith to over $600,000 in revenue (without posting on social media every day).

I realized I had found a way to build something meaningful—without chasing algorithms or needing to be constantly “on.”

So… Where Should You Start?

If you’ve been curious about Pinterest ads, here’s my honest opinion: they’re one of the best places to start if you’ve never run an ad before. Why? Because:

• You’re placing your ad in front of people already searching for what you offer
• It doesn’t require a big budget
• You’re not dependent on having a huge social media following

And if you’re wondering what you should promote first, I always recommend starting with your best-selling offer—not something new or untested. Promote what already works.

Want Me to Show You How to Set It Up?

So many of my business friends were asking how I ran my Pinterest ads that I decided to record the entire process—from choosing the creative to targeting, tracking, and optimizing. I walk you through the exact steps I take to build ads that convert—and I kept it under 90 minutes because I know your time is precious.

If you’re ready to learn how to run your own ads, but want someone to actually show you the behind-the-scenes—this is for you.

👉 Grab the Pinterest Ad Strategy here

Running Pinterest ads changed everything for me. It gave me a way to grow without burning out. A way to scale without needing to show up online every single day. A way to connect with people who were already searching for what I offer.

And maybe, it’ll do the same for you.