{"id":17408,"date":"2025-12-16T14:40:47","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T21:40:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cravebooks.com\/blog\/?p=17408"},"modified":"2025-12-16T14:40:47","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T21:40:47","slug":"the-most-underrated-marketing-platform-for-authors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cravebooks.com\/blog\/the-most-underrated-marketing-platform-for-authors\/","title":{"rendered":"The MOST Underrated Marketing Platform for Authors"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"prose dark:prose-invert inline leading-relaxed break-words min-w-0 [word-break:break-word] prose-strong:font-medium [&amp;_&gt;*:first-child]:mt-0\">\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\">Most authors think of Pinterest as a place for recipes, outfits, or home d\u00e9cor. But for millions of readers, Pinterest is actually a search engine they use to plan what they\u2019ll buy and read next. In a recent CraveBooks conversation, Pinterest strategist Heather Ferris (an 8\u2011year Pinterest veteran who now educates creators for Pinterest itself) broke down how indie authors can tap into that behavior to drive long\u2011term traffic and book sales.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The MOST Underrated Marketing Platform for Authors\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dh1wKXlzSzE?start=5&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2 data-start=\"231\" data-end=\"272\">Why Pinterest Is Different for Authors<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"274\" data-end=\"551\">Most authors think of Pinterest as a place for recipes, outfits, or home d\u00e9cor. In reality, it\u2019s a search engine where readers actively plan what they\u2019ll buy and read next. Unlike social media posts that disappear in a day, Pinterest content can keep driving traffic for years.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"553\" data-end=\"577\">That difference matters.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"579\" data-end=\"582\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"584\" data-end=\"629\">Readers Arrive With Intent (Not to Scroll)<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"631\" data-end=\"731\">Pinterest users don\u2019t show up to be entertained \u2014 they arrive with intent. They search phrases like:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"733\" data-end=\"845\">\n<li data-start=\"733\" data-end=\"763\">\n<p data-start=\"735\" data-end=\"763\">\u201cBooks like <em data-start=\"747\" data-end=\"760\">Fourth Wing<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"764\" data-end=\"792\">\n<p data-start=\"766\" data-end=\"792\">\u201cFantasy romance series\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"793\" data-end=\"810\">\n<p data-start=\"795\" data-end=\"810\">\u201cBeach reads\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"811\" data-end=\"845\">\n<p data-start=\"813\" data-end=\"845\">\u201cCozy mystery book club picks\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"847\" data-end=\"1064\">In fact, <strong data-start=\"856\" data-end=\"899\">96% of Pinterest searches are unbranded<\/strong>, which means readers aren\u2019t looking for you by name yet. They\u2019re looking for a <em data-start=\"979\" data-end=\"985\">type<\/em> of book or reading experience. That\u2019s exactly where indie authors can compete.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1066\" data-end=\"1263\">This is why Pinterest behaves more like Amazon search or Google SEO than Instagram or TikTok. Once your content is properly keyworded, it can resurface again and again as readers plan future reads.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"1265\" data-end=\"1268\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"1270\" data-end=\"1311\">How Readers Use Pinterest to Buy Books<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1313\" data-end=\"1399\">Readers use Pinterest as a digital planning board. They save pins to collections like:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1401\" data-end=\"1476\">\n<li data-start=\"1401\" data-end=\"1417\">\n<p data-start=\"1403\" data-end=\"1417\">Vacation TBR<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1418\" data-end=\"1434\">\n<p data-start=\"1420\" data-end=\"1434\">Dark Fantasy<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1435\" data-end=\"1454\">\n<p data-start=\"1437\" data-end=\"1454\">Romantasy Reads<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1455\" data-end=\"1476\">\n<p data-start=\"1457\" data-end=\"1476\">Bookish Aesthetic<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1478\" data-end=\"1687\">They don\u2019t buy immediately. They save first \u2014 then come back later and purchase. If your books, reader magnets, or series lists are pinned correctly, they can live inside those boards long after you post them.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"1689\" data-end=\"1692\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"1694\" data-end=\"1732\">Pinterest Explained in Author Terms<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1734\" data-end=\"1786\">Think of Pinterest like a filing system for readers:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1788\" data-end=\"1981\">\n<li data-start=\"1788\" data-end=\"1827\">\n<p data-start=\"1790\" data-end=\"1827\"><strong data-start=\"1790\" data-end=\"1806\">Your profile<\/strong> is your storefront<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1828\" data-end=\"1881\">\n<p data-start=\"1830\" data-end=\"1881\"><strong data-start=\"1830\" data-end=\"1840\">Boards<\/strong> are genre shelves or reader categories<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1882\" data-end=\"1981\">\n<p data-start=\"1884\" data-end=\"1981\"><strong data-start=\"1884\" data-end=\"1892\">Pins<\/strong> are visual ads that link anywhere you want (Amazon, your site, newsletter, direct store)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1983\" data-end=\"2257\">One of the biggest takeaways from Pinterest strategist Heather Ferris is that <strong data-start=\"2061\" data-end=\"2124\">niche profiles consistently outperform broad, personal ones<\/strong>. Authors who focus tightly on their genre and readers see far more traction than those mixing books with unrelated personal content.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2259\" data-end=\"2346\">Your author account should be about your books and your readers \u2014 not your entire life.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"2348\" data-end=\"2351\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"2353\" data-end=\"2393\">What to Pin (Without Overthinking It)<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2395\" data-end=\"2474\">You don\u2019t need advanced design skills. Canva templates work well for Pinterest.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2476\" data-end=\"2508\">Strong starter content includes:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2509\" data-end=\"2739\">\n<li data-start=\"2509\" data-end=\"2566\">\n<p data-start=\"2511\" data-end=\"2566\">Book cover pins (retailer links and direct store links)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2567\" data-end=\"2606\">\n<p data-start=\"2569\" data-end=\"2606\">Free reader magnets and bonus content<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2607\" data-end=\"2651\">\n<p data-start=\"2609\" data-end=\"2651\">\u201cIf you like this, you\u2019ll love that\u201d lists<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2652\" data-end=\"2688\">\n<p data-start=\"2654\" data-end=\"2688\">Reviews, quotes, or short excerpts<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2689\" data-end=\"2739\">\n<p data-start=\"2691\" data-end=\"2739\">Short-form video reused from Instagram or TikTok<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2741\" data-end=\"2831\">If it helps readers discover you or move closer to reading your books, it\u2019s worth pinning.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"2833\" data-end=\"2836\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"2838\" data-end=\"2875\">How Often You Actually Need to Pin<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2877\" data-end=\"2931\">You do <strong data-start=\"2884\" data-end=\"2891\">not<\/strong> need to post constantly to see results.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2933\" data-end=\"2954\">A realistic approach:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2955\" data-end=\"3079\">\n<li data-start=\"2955\" data-end=\"2987\">\n<p data-start=\"2957\" data-end=\"2987\">Start with <strong data-start=\"2968\" data-end=\"2987\">one pin per day<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2988\" data-end=\"3044\">\n<p data-start=\"2990\" data-end=\"3044\">Even <strong data-start=\"2995\" data-end=\"3025\">7\u201310 quality pins per week<\/strong> can build momentum<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3045\" data-end=\"3079\">\n<p data-start=\"3047\" data-end=\"3079\">Focus on consistency, not volume<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3081\" data-end=\"3143\">Pinterest rewards clarity and usefulness far more than hustle.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"3145\" data-end=\"3148\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"3150\" data-end=\"3192\">Quick Profile Optimizations That Matter<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3194\" data-end=\"3263\">Before creating a lot of content, it\u2019s worth tightening your profile:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3265\" data-end=\"3538\">\n<li data-start=\"3265\" data-end=\"3328\">\n<p data-start=\"3267\" data-end=\"3328\">Use your <strong data-start=\"3276\" data-end=\"3306\">genre in your profile name<\/strong> (not just \u201cAuthor\u201d)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3329\" data-end=\"3401\">\n<p data-start=\"3331\" data-end=\"3401\">Include clear keywords in your bio describing who your books are for<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3402\" data-end=\"3471\">\n<p data-start=\"3404\" data-end=\"3471\">Treat your banner like a billboard: genre, hook, and book visuals<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3472\" data-end=\"3538\">\n<p data-start=\"3474\" data-end=\"3538\">Keep personal interests on secret boards or a separate account<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3540\" data-end=\"3634\">These small changes make it easier for Pinterest \u2014 and readers \u2014 to understand who you\u2019re for.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"3636\" data-end=\"3639\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"3641\" data-end=\"3680\">Why This Is an Opportunity Right Now<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3682\" data-end=\"3805\">Most author marketing advice still pushes Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. That\u2019s exactly why Pinterest remains overlooked.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3807\" data-end=\"3824\">Pinterest favors:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3825\" data-end=\"3938\">\n<li data-start=\"3825\" data-end=\"3847\">\n<p data-start=\"3827\" data-end=\"3847\">Search over trends<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3848\" data-end=\"3881\">\n<p data-start=\"3850\" data-end=\"3881\">Systems over constant posting<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3882\" data-end=\"3938\">\n<p data-start=\"3884\" data-end=\"3938\">Assets that quietly work in the background for years<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3940\" data-end=\"4079\">As Pinterest continues moving toward deeper ecommerce, authors who establish their presence now will be positioned well ahead of the curve.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"ready-to-pin-your-way-to-more-book-sales\" class=\"mb-2 mt-4 font-display font-semimedium text-base first:mt-0 md:text-lg [hr+&amp;]:mt-4\">Ready to Pin Your Way to More Book Sales?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\"><strong>CraveBooks Standard and Pro members<\/strong>\u00a0get exclusive access to the\u00a0<span class=\"text-box-trim-both\">CravePerks page<\/span>, featuring\u00a0<strong>Pin Profit Academy<\/strong>\u00a0by Pinterest expert Heather Farris\u2014at\u00a0<strong>20% off<\/strong>\u00a0her full course price.<\/p>\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\">Master keywords, pin design, automation, and board strategy to boost your book traffic and sales\u2014plus get coaching, Canva templates, and a private author community.<\/p>\n<p class=\"my-2 [&amp;+p]:mt-4 [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&amp;_strong:has(+br)]:pb-2\"><strong>Claim your 20% member discount now<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>and turn Pinterest into your evergreen marketing machine.<\/strong>\u00a0<a class=\"reset interactable cursor-pointer decoration-1 underline-offset-1 text-super hover:underline font-semibold\" href=\"https:\/\/cravebooks.com\/membership-pricing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span class=\"text-box-trim-both\">Access CravePerks \u2192<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Most authors think of Pinterest as a place for recipes, outfits, or home d\u00e9cor. But for millions of readers, Pinterest is actually a search engine they use to plan what they\u2019ll buy and read next. In a recent CraveBooks conversation, Pinterest strategist Heather Ferris (an 8\u2011year Pinterest veteran who now educates creators for Pinterest itself) [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[283,189,287],"tags":[202],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cravebooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17408"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cravebooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cravebooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cravebooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cravebooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17408"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/cravebooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17408\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17412,"href":"https:\/\/cravebooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17408\/revisions\/17412"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cravebooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17408"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cravebooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17408"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cravebooks.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17408"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}