The Real Cost of DIY Pinterest: Is Hiring a Pinterest Strategist Actually Worth It?
Have you ever looked at the price of Pinterest management and thought, “Oof… I could just do it myself.” π
Trust me, after nearly 11 years in Pinterest marketing, I’ve heard that more times than I can count. I’ve worked with everyone from bloggers and influencers to brands like Target, Home Depot, Sephora, and Dunkin’, and no matter the size of the business, the thought is usually the same.
I get it. As business owners, we’re wired to save money wherever we can. We become the CEO, marketer, customer service rep, accountant, and somehow the IT department too.
But here’s the question I always come back to…
What Is Doing It Yourself Actually Costing You?
Pinterest management isn’t just about the monthly investment. It’s about the hours spent creating pins, researching keywords, figuring out why one pin takes off while another completely flops, and wondering if you’re actually spending your time on the things that will grow your business.
Sometimes the most expensive decision isn’t hiring help.
It’s staying stuck in DIY mode for another year.
So before you compare the cost of Pinterest management, let’s take a look at what DIY Pinterest may actually be costing your business.
π Why Pinterest Is One of the Best Marketing Investments You Can Make
Before we talk about why hiring a Pinterest strategist is a smart investment, let’s talk about why Pinterest deserves a place in your marketing strategy in the first place.
Unlike traditional social media platforms where people scroll for entertainment, Pinterest users come with intent. They’re actively searching for ideas, products, services, recipes, inspiration, and businesses they can trust.
That’s what makes Pinterest different.
Instead of interrupting someone’s scrolling, you’re showing up exactly when they’re looking for what you offer.
π 631 Million Monthly Active Users
Pinterest now has more than 631 million monthly active users worldwide, and that audience continues to grow every year.
That’s millions of potential customers searching for products, ideas, and businesses every single day.
ποΈ Pinterest Users Come Ready to Buy
According to Pinterest, the number one reason people use the platform is to discover new products and brands.
People aren’t just browsing.
They’re planning purchases.
Whether they’re searching for recipes, home dΓ©cor, wedding ideas, travel tips, educational resources, or business services, Pinterest users are actively looking for solutions.
π° Pinterest Users Are More Likely to Purchase
Pinterest reports that users are 70% more likely to make a purchase after discovering products or brands on the platform.
Why?
Because Pinterest reaches people while they’re planning.
That means your business has the opportunity to build trust before they’re ready to buy.
π Pins Keep Working Long After You Publish Them
Think about the last Instagram post you made.
It probably stopped getting engagement within a day or two.
Pinterest doesn’t work that way.
Because Pinterest is a search engine, your content can continue bringing in traffic months or even years after you publish it.
That’s one of the biggest reasons Pinterest has such an incredible long term ROI.
π Pinterest Was Built to Send People to Your Website
Unlike most social platforms that want users to stay inside the app, Pinterest is designed to send people to your website.
Whether your goal is:
- Growing your blog
- Booking clients
- Selling products
- Growing your email list
- Increasing affiliate income
Pinterest helps people discover your content and click through to learn more.
π΅ Pinterest Reaches High Income Consumers
Pinterest reaches 40% of U.S. households earning more than $150,000 annually, making it one of the best platforms for businesses selling products or premium services.
Pinterest vs Traditional Social Media
| Instagram & Facebook | |
|---|---|
| Posts disappear within days | Pins can drive traffic for months or years |
| Mostly followers see your content | Anyone searching can discover you |
| Built for engagement | Built for discovery |
| Keeps users on the platform | Sends users to your website |
| Requires constant posting | Evergreen content continues working |
| Great for community | Great for traffic, leads, and sales |
That’s why I don’t think of Pinterest as social media.
I think of it as a search engine that’s working for your business 24 hours a day.
The Hidden Cost: Your Time
Let’s be honest for a second…
Pinterest isn’t just creating a cute graphic, hitting publish, and hoping for the best.
If you want Pinterest to actually drive traffic and grow your business, there’s a lot more happening behind the scenes.
Every month you’re spending time:
- Researching keywords
- Designing fresh pin graphics
- Writing SEO friendly titles and descriptions
- Scheduling content
- Reviewing analytics
- Keeping up with Pinterest updates and best practices
- Figuring out why one pin went viral while another got five impressions (we’ve all been there!)
Now let’s put a dollar amount on that time.
Even if you only spend 8 hours a month managing your Pinterest account (and honestly, that’s probably on the low side), what is your time worth?
If you value your time at $50 an hour, you’ve already invested $400.
If you’re a coach, photographer, consultant, or service provider charging $150 an hour, those same eight hours are worth $1,200.
And here’s the kicker…
Those are eight hours you could have spent serving clients, creating products, writing content, growing your business, or simply taking a well deserved break instead of wondering why your latest pin didn’t perform.
Suddenly, Pinterest management starts looking a lot less like an expense and a lot more like an investment.
What Could You Be Doing Instead?
Every hour you spend trying to figure out Pinterest is an hour you’re not spending on the parts of your business that actually make you money.
Instead of researching keywords or wondering why your impressions suddenly dropped, you could be:
- Serving your clients
- Creating your next product or course
- Writing blog content
- Growing your email list
- Recording videos or showing up on social media
- Networking and building partnerships
- Or, hear me out… actually taking a day off.
As business owners, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we have to do everything ourselves. But the businesses that grow the fastest aren’t usually run by people who wear every hat. They’re run by people who know when it’s time to hand certain tasks over to an expert.
Pinterest is one of those tasks.
When you hire a Pinterest strategist, you’re not just paying someone to create pins. You’re buying back your time while gaining access to years of experience, proven strategies, and someone who lives and breathes Pinterest so you don’t have to.
That’s a win for your business and your sanity.
The Cost of Getting It Wrong
Here’s the thing about Pinterest…
Doing something is better than doing nothing, but doing the wrong things can keep your account stuck for months or even years.
I’ve worked with clients who were pinning consistently but still weren’t seeing results. It wasn’t because Pinterest didn’t work. It was because their strategy needed work.
Some of the most common issues I see include:
- Using keywords that no one is searching for
- Creating pins that don’t encourage clicks
- Neglecting account and board SEO
- Pinning inconsistently (or incorrectly)
- Focusing on vanity metrics instead of website traffic
- Missing seasonal trends and opportunities
The good news? Most of these problems are fixable.
Sometimes a few strategic changes can make a dramatic difference in how your content performs. That’s why every new monthly management client receives a FREE Pinterest Account Audit and SEO Optimization before we even start pinning. I want to make sure your account has a solid foundation so every pin has the best chance of succeeding.
Pinterest isn’t about luck.
It’s about strategy.
When you know what Pinterest is looking for and what your audience is searching for, every pin starts working a little harder for your business.
Here’s a Real Example
One of my recent clients came to me with a brand new Pinterest Business account. We weren’t working with years of Pinterest data or a well established account. We were starting 100% from scratch.
After just one month of implementing a strategic Pinterest plan, here’s what happened compared to the previous 30 days:
- π Impressions increased by 215%
- π Engagements increased by 280%
- π― Outbound Clicks increased by 338%
- π Saves increased by 84%
- π Total Audience grew by an incredible 1,248%
Those aren’t random numbers or lucky viral moments.

They’re the result of building a strong Pinterest foundation, optimizing the account correctly, targeting the right keywords, creating strategic pin designs, and consistently publishing content Pinterest wants to show users.
Now imagine where those numbers could be after six months or even a year of consistent Pinterest strategy. MIND YOU, this is the SLOW season on Pinterest. We like to call it the “Summer Slump”Β
Why Hiring a Pinterest Strategist Is an Investment, Not an Expense
It’s easy to look at Pinterest management as another monthly bill.
I see it differently.
When you invest in a Pinterest strategist, you’re investing in more time, more visibility, and more opportunities to grow your business.
You’re no longer spending hours trying to keep up with Pinterest updates or wondering if you’re using the right keywords. Instead, you have someone who is focused on growing your account while you focus on serving your clients and running your business.
And here’s something many business owners don’t realize…
For most businesses, professional Pinterest management is considered a marketing expense, which is generally tax deductible. While every business is different and you should always check with your accountant or tax professional, it can make investing in your marketing even more worthwhile.
The bottom line?
Pinterest management isn’t just about paying someone to create pins.
It’s about investing in a long term marketing strategy, freeing up valuable time, and partnering with someone who knows how to turn Pinterest into a consistent source of website traffic.
When you look at it that way, the question isn’t:
“Can I afford to hire a Pinterest strategist?”
It’s:
“Can I afford not to?”
Ready to Stop Guessing and Start Growing?
If you’ve made it this far, chances are you’re serious about growing your business with Pinterest.
The real question is…
Do you want to keep spending your evenings trying to figure out Pinterest, or would you rather spend that time growing your business while someone else handles it for you?
For nearly 11 years, I’ve helped bloggers, content creators, ecommerce businesses, coaches, service providers, and major brands turn Pinterest into a reliable source of long term traffic. From helping small businesses increase website visitors to working with brands like Target, Home Depot, Sephora, and Dunkin’, I’ve learned that Pinterest success isn’t about luck. It’s about having the right strategy.
When you work with me, you’re not hiring someone to simply schedule pins.
You’re partnering with someone who will:
β Build a Pinterest strategy customized to your business goals.
β Research high performing keywords your audience is actively searching for.
β Fully optimize your Pinterest profile, boards, and pins for SEO.
β Design fresh, click worthy pins that encourage website traffic.
β Monitor your analytics and continuously improve your strategy.
β Stay on top of Pinterest trends and algorithm updates so you don’t have to.
Most importantly…
I give you your time back.
Instead of spending hours trying to figure out Pinterest, you can focus on serving your clients, creating content, launching products, or simply enjoying a little more freedom in your business.
As a bonus, every new monthly management client receives a FREE Pinterest Account Audit and SEO Optimization(a $150 value).
Before I ever create your first pin, I’ll identify what’s holding your account back, optimize your profile for Pinterest SEO, and build a custom strategy designed to help your account grow from day one.
My goal isn’t to chase vanity metrics.
My goal is to help you grow the numbers that actually matter:
- Website Traffic
- Email Subscribers
- Leads
- Sales
If you’re ready to stop guessing, stop wearing one more hat in your business, and finally have Pinterest working for you instead of sitting on your to do list, I’d love to help.
π Learn more about my Pinterest Management packages here
Let’s turn Pinterest into one of the hardest working marketing tools in your business.
As always,
Happy Pinning!
xo Megan
