What Does a Pinterest Manager Do: Tasks, Cost, Pros & Cons [2025]

Are you thinking about hiring a Pinterest manager?

What does a manager actually do, and how much of the work do you have to do yourself?

Is it worth the investment?

As a Pinterest manager myself, I know firsthand what this job entails and what work needs to be done every month to move the needle.

In this article, I will offer a deep dive into the role of a Pinterest Manager, so you can better understand whether it’s the right choice for you or not.

Tip:

Check out my article on DIY vs Pinterest Manager, where I compare the costs and pros and cons for both.

First Things First — What Is a Pinterest Manager?

A Pinterest manager is a digital marketing specialist focused exclusively on growing and optimizing a brand’s presence on Pinterest.

Unlike general social media managers who might handle multiple platforms with a broad approach, Pinterest managers have deep expertise in Pinterest’s unique ecosystem, algorithm, and best practices.

Pinterest Manager can also be called:

Pinterest Strategist
Pinterest Marketing Specialist
Pinterest Virtual Assistant
Pinterest Growth Expert

Core Responsibilities of a Pinterest Manager

1. Strategic Account Setup or Audit

One of the first things a Pinterest manager will do is either set up your Pinterest account from scratch or run a thorough audit of your existing setup.

This usually includes the following activities:

Creating a keyword optimized profile
Creating keyword optimized boards with SEO-friendly descriptions that target your ideal audience
Auditing what currently works well on your account and optimizing what doesn’t
Identifying and fixing technical issues that might be limiting your account’s performance

From my experience working with clients across different industries, a lot of people underestimate this first step – getting the account set up correctly.

Coming up with cute and quirky board names, pinning personal moodboard content to your business account, and linking your Instagram feed directly to Pinterest are just a few of the common red flags that I try to fix.

2. Keyword & Content Strategy

At its core, Pinterest is a search engine, and your Pinterest manager will be an expert in finding and using the right keywords to get your content discovered.

Here is what this work looks like:

Extensive keyword research using Pinterest’s search bar, trends data, and specialized tools like Pin Inspector
Analyzing seasonal trends to align your content with peak interest periods
Creating a comprehensive content calendar that ensures consistent, strategic pinning
Identifying content gaps and opportunities within your niche
Mapping your existing content to high-potential Pinterest keywords
Mapping out interests for your account and targeting them with your content

Your Pinterest manager doesn’t just guess which topics might perform well—they use data-driven approaches to identify precisely what Pinterest users in your niche are actively searching for.

3. Pin Design

Your Pinterest manager will work with the images you have available on your website or your business portfolio, and schedule them to your Pinterest profile with correctly optimized titles & descriptions.

In addition to that, each Pinterest Manager has a monthly package that includes a specific number of custom pin designs supplied to the client every month.

This work includes:

Creating custom pin designs aligned with your brand identity
Create multiple pin designs options for the same content to test which performs best
Ensure pins follow current Pinterest best practices for size, text overlay, and image quality
Implement visual hierarchies that lead to higher click-through rates
Maintain consistent branding while still creating pins that stand out in feeds

The best Pinterest managers understand that great pin design isn’t just about aesthetics – it’s about getting clicks and saves, all while maintaining your branding and sticking to your tone of voice.

4. Scheduling & Automation

Consistency is key on Pinterest, and managers use various tools to maintain an optimal pinning schedule:

Setting up and managing scheduling tools like Tailwind, Later, or Pinterest’s native scheduler
Determining the best times to post based on when your audience is most active
Creating a balanced mix of your content across the publisher
Implementing strategies to surface your evergreen content without appearing spammy
Ensuring fresh content is regularly added to keep your account active and growing

This systematic approach to pinning ensures your content reaches your audience consistently, even when you’re focused on other aspects of your business.

5. Analytics, Reporting & Optimization

What truly sets professional Pinterest managers apart is their commitment to data-driven strategy. T

hey:

Track key performance metrics beyond vanity numbers – focusing on saves and clicks instead of followers or impressions
Generate regular performance reports showing growth and areas for improvement
Analyze which pin designs, topics, and boards are driving the most engagement
Identify underperforming content and adjust strategies accordingly
Set benchmark goals and KPIs aligned with your business objectives

Unlike the “set it and forget it” approach many take with Pinterest, professional managers constantly refine their strategy based on real performance data.

Fresh Pins vs. Repins — What Pinterest Actually Wants

Pinterest’s algorithm has evolved significantly, and good managers stay current with these changes:

Creating “fresh pins” (new images) for existing content to signal relevance to the algorithm
Strategically repinning content without triggering spam filters
Understanding how Pinterest’s distribution system works for new vs. existing content
Adapting quickly to algorithm updates and platform changes
Leveraging new features like Idea Pins or Story Pins when appropriate for your niche

This expertise helps ensure your content remains visible and favored by Pinterest’s distribution system.

I have more on this topic in my video on Youtube:

Hidden Skills That Make a Great Pinterest Manager

Behind the scenes, the best Pinterest managers bring additional expertise that elevates their work:

SEO Knowledge: Understanding search engine optimization principles is crucial since Pinterest functions primarily as a search platform. Great Pinterest managers apply SEO tactics specifically tailored to Pinterest’s unique algorithm.

Understanding Buyer Intent: Different pin types serve different purposes in the buyer journey. Professional managers know how to create content that matches user intent at various stages, from inspiration to purchase decision.

Design Thinking: Beyond just creating pretty graphics, skilled managers understand visual psychology and how design elements influence user behavior and conversion rates.

Niche Expertise: Pinterest strategy varies dramatically across industries. The approach that works for food bloggers may fail completely for SaaS companies or coaches.

Analytics Interpretation: The ability to extract meaningful insights from Pinterest Analytics and translate them into actionable strategy adjustments is what drives continuous improvement.

How Pinterest Managers Tailor Strategies by Niche

Bloggers and Content Creators

For my blogger clients, here is how I typically adjust the strategy:

Design pins that highlight the value proposition of each blog post and give people a reason to click and read it
Create content clusters around related topics to establish topical authority
Use a variety of angles and seasonal variations to maximize value of each article
Develop board structures that capture both broad and long-tail keywords
Focus on driving consistent, targeted traffic rather than viral bursts

E-commerce Brands

The most important thing most e-commerce owners neglect is creating content for their audience, beyond their product pages and product descriptions.

For any e-commerce brand that wants to succeed on Pinterest, here are some basics that need to be applied to their Pinterest strategy:

Products should be showcased in lifestyle settings rather than isolated product photos on white background
Product catalog should be automatically linked with Pinterest
The brand should have seasonal boards and generic ones, aligned with the buying cycles and different audience segments
Most importantly, it’s important to create pins that address common customer questions and pain points
Use a mix of product pins, video pins, and inspirational content to engage shoppers at different stages

Coaches and Service Providers

For service-based businesses, Pinterest managers focus on:

Creating pins that lead to lead magnets, webinars, and free consultations
Developing content that establishes thought leadership and credibility
Using testimonial-based pins to build trust and showcase results
Creating video pins that demonstrate expertise through quick tips and insights (Instagram reels are often repurposed for this)
Building topic clusters around common client questions and concerns

What Does Working With a Pinterest Manager Look Like?

I can’t speak for others, but here is what a standard onboarding process looks like for my clients:

Initial consultation via email or call
Signing of contract with minimum 3 months commitment
The client provides access to Pinterest and Tailwind account
Account Audit – this is then shared with the client as a video presentation
Feedback & Strategy approval by the client
Account Optimization
Account Strategy Plan (what content to post, what boards, what to change etc)
Keyword Research, Pin Design and Scheduling
Reporting to the Client after each month

How Much Does a Pinterest Manager Cost?

Pinterest management services vary in pricing based on experience level, services included, and the size of your business.

You can check my own three pricing options here.

Here’s what you can generally expect:

Entry-Level Services ($300-500/month):

Basic pin creation and scheduling
Simple reporting
Limited strategy development

Mid-Range Services ($500-1000/month):

Comprehensive strategy
Custom pin design
Regular performance analysis
Board optimization
Large fresh pin volumes

Premium Services ($1000-1500+/month):

Advanced strategy development
Extensive keyword research
Multiple pin designs per content piece
A/B testing
Detailed analytics and ROI reporting
Large volumes of fresh pins

How to Know If You’re Ready to Hire One

Not every business needs a Pinterest manager from day one.

Here’s a checklist to determine if you’re ready for this investment:

You have sufficient content to promote (at least 30 – 50 blog posts and other content)
You have a clear offer or monetization strategy
You’ve tried Pinterest yourself but lack the time or expertise to maximize it
Your business has the budget to sustain at least 3-6 months of management
You’re spending hours trying to figure out Pinterest strategy that could be better spent on your core business
You recognize Pinterest’s potential for your niche but aren’t seeing results from your own efforts
You need a steady source of traffic that isn’t dependent on algorithm-heavy platforms like Instagram or Facebook

Final Thoughts: Is Hiring a Pinterest Manager Worth It?

The value of a Pinterest manager ultimately depends on your business model, content strategy, and growth goals.

Here’s a balanced assessment:

When it’s worth the investment:

Your target audience is active on Pinterest
You have a content-rich business that can be visually showcased
You’re looking for a more stable traffic source than social media
You need to free up time for other business priorities
You’ve identified a clear path from Pinterest traffic to revenue

When you might want to wait:

You’re just starting out with limited content
Your budget is extremely tight with no room for marketing investment
Your target audience has minimal Pinterest presence
You haven’t established basic business systems and conversion pathways

For many businesses—especially those in the lifestyle, food, decor, fashion, education, and coaching spaces—Pinterest is a huge untapped opportunity.

Unlike the fleeting nature of social media posts, Pinterest content can continue driving traffic for months or even years after publication.

If you’re ready to make the jump and hire a Pinterest manager, reach out to me to discuss the details.

If not, you may benefit from my free Pinterest mini course below, which will help you to set your account on the right course.

Thank you for reading!

Want to Learn More?

This PDF guide will give you a crash course in Pinterest Marketing – plus I included access to my free AI tool for creating SEO optimized titles & descriptions.

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Save these for later so you can find this article when you need to refer back to it. You will also find lots of practical tips and guides on my Pinterest profile, so don’t forget to stalk me there.