I know it can be tempting to just take those gorgeous Instagram posts and repurpose them for Pinterest, right? I mean, it seems easy enough—just copy-paste and boom, you’re done. But… here’s the truth—it’s NOT the way to build a successful Pinterest strategy. And I’m going to explain why!

If you’re relying on Instagram content to do the heavy lifting on Pinterest, you’re missing the mark. Pinterest is NOT just another social platform. It’s a search engine. Yes, you heard me right—Pinterest is a search engine, and it’s NOT about throwing up pretty pictures and hoping someone will magically find your content. Pinterest works when your content speaks directly to your dream clients. And that means more than just repurposing random Instagram posts.

The Problem with Repurposing Instagram Posts on Pinterest

Here’s the thing: Pinterest and Instagram are like apples and oranges. Sure, both are visual platforms, but they work differently.

Instagram is where you engage with your followers, stay on top of trends, and post to maintain that “always-active” presence. Pinterest, on the other hand, is where people go when they’re actively searching for solutions—like wedding inspiration, photography tips, or specific locations. It’s a platform for discovery, not just engagement.

A lot of creatives come to me saying, “I’ve been posting my Instagram photos on Pinterest for months, and I’m still not getting any results.” And to that, I say—well, there’s a reason for that. It’s because Pinterest is a strategy game, not a quick-fix post-and-pray platform. Simply reposting your Instagram content isn’t going to do much if it’s not optimized for Pinterest’s search engine.

Let’s take my client, a wedding photographer based in California. She came to me frustrated because she had been reposting her IG content but wasn’t seeing any results. We dug deeper, and guess what we found? Her Pinterest strategy was non-existent. She was posting beautiful photos, but they weren’t optimized with keywords, and they weren’t targeting the right people. I helped her create Pinterest-specific pins with tailored keywords that spoke directly to couples in her area looking for intimate wedding photography. Fast forward a couple of months, and she’s now getting consistent leads and has even booked three destination weddings in the last two months—all because her Pinterest is working for her!

What You Should Be Doing Instead

So, what should you be doing instead of just reposting Instagram photos? Let me break it down for you—create Pinterest-specific content that’s optimized and speaks to the exact people you want to work with. Here’s how:

Profile Optimization with Keywords

The first thing you need to do is optimize your Pinterest profile. Your profile should clearly state who you are and what you do. Add relevant keywords like “Wedding Photographer in [Location]” or “Boho Wedding Photography Specialist.” This helps Pinterest understand exactly what your business is about, so your content shows up in front of the right people.

Use Pinterest-Specific Keywords

Pinterest is a search engine (did I mention that already?!), so using the right keywords is CRITICAL. Do some research and figure out what your dream clients are searching for. Keywords like “wedding photographer in [Your City]” or “best wedding photo locations in [Your City]” can help your pins pop up when couples are looking for services like yours.

Tailor Your Pins

When creating pins, don’t just repost Instagram photos. Customize them for Pinterest! Create pins that include keywords, relevant images, and a clear message about what you offer. Your pins should resonate with your ideal clients and be easy to find when they search for wedding photography, wedding venues, or specific locations.

Take Action!

Stop wasting time reposting Instagram photos and crossing your fingers. If you want Pinterest to actually work for you, you need to treat it like a strategy—not a platform for random posting. That means customizing your pins, optimizing your profile, and speaking directly to the people you want to work with.

Ready to take your Pinterest game to the next level?

If you’re tired of guessing and want a customized strategy that actually works, let’s chat! My Pinterest Academy will walk you through everything you need to know—from setting up your profile to creating engaging pins, all while making sure you’re targeting the right audience. Plus, if you want to skip the DIY phase altogether, I offer Done-For-You Pinterest & Blogging services to get your business on autopilot!

JOIN THE ACADEMY HERE! Or contact me for my DFY services!