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How to Grow Your Email List with Pinterest in 2025

Pinterest isn’t just another social media platform—it’s a visual search engine where people go to find solutions, not just scroll. That makes it one of the most powerful (and overlooked) tools for growing your email list in 2025.

Unlike Instagram or TikTok, where posts vanish quickly, pins can drive traffic and subscribers for months—or even years—after you publish them. When you combine that long-term discoverability with a smart funnel, you can turn Pinterest into a consistent source of targeted, high-quality email subscribers.

And the best part? You don’t need to be a tech expert or spend hours every day pinning. With the right strategy and tools, even beginners can start building a thriving list.

Affiliate Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services I genuinely use and love.

Why Pinterest is Perfect for List Building

Pinterest users are already in “search mode.” They’re actively looking for planners, templates, guides, and resources to solve a problem. That means your lead magnets aren’t being pushed at people who aren’t interested—you’re showing up exactly when they’re looking for help.

Here’s why this matters for email growth:

  • Long-term traffic: A single pin can generate sign-ups for years.
  • Targeted audience: Keywords connect your freebie with people ready to take action.
  • Scalable growth: One high-performing pin can snowball into hundreds of new subscribers.

If you’ve been struggling with short-lived traffic from Instagram or unpredictable algorithms on TikTok, Pinterest gives you a stable foundation.

What You’ll Learn in This Guide

By the end of this article, you’ll know how to:

  • Create lead magnets Pinterest users can’t resist
  • Design pins that drive clicks and conversions
  • Build funnels that capture subscribers automatically
  • Automate your list-building with email tools
  • Track and optimize results for long-term growth

Let’s dive in.

Step 1: Create a Lead Magnet That Solves a Problem

The most successful lead magnets do one thing really well: they solve a specific problem quickly.

Here are some examples by niche:

NicheLead Magnet Example
Blogging“30 Blog Post Prompts (Free PDF)”
Finance“Debt-Free Tracker Template”
Wellness“7-Day Clean Eating Meal Plan”
Freelancing“Client Pitch Script (Copy/Paste)”
Travel“Ultimate Packing Checklist”
DIY“Home Decor Project Planner”

Tips for lead magnets that convert on Pinterest:

  • Keep them visual and easy to use
  • Solve one specific problem at a time
  • Format as PDFs, checklists, templates, or mini-courses

Step 2: Build a Pinterest-to-Email Funnel

A simple, effective funnel:

  1. Pinterest Pin – visually appealing, communicates value
  2. Landing Page – promotes your freebie + opt-in form
  3. Confirmation Page – thanks users and delivers the download
  4. Email Welcome Series – builds trust and nurtures subscribers

Recommended tools:

  • Email & Forms: GetResponse / Kit / MailerLite
  • Design Pins & Lead Magnets: Canva
  • Popups & Inline Forms: Thrive Leads
  • Landing Pages: Carrd / Elementor

Choosing your email platform:

To make this work, you need a solid email marketing platform. Here’s a quick breakdown:

  • MailerLite – Perfect if you’re just starting out. Super beginner-friendly, affordable, and gives you all the essentials (forms, automations, analytics).
  • Kit (formerly ConvertKit) – Designed for creators and bloggers. Great automation features and tagging so you can send the right content to the right subscribers.
  • GetResponse – A powerhouse for scaling. It includes funnels, advanced automation, and even webinar tools for when you’re ready to take things further.

No matter which you choose, the key is to have forms, automation, and tracking set up—so your funnel runs while you focus on creating content.

Step 3: Design Pins That Get Clicks and Conversions

Key principles for high-performing Pinterest pins:

  • Include words like “Free Download” or “Free Template”
  • Use bold, easy-to-read fonts and high-contrast colors
  • Stick to your brand color palette for recognition
  • Use the recommended size: 1000 x 1500 px (2:3 ratio)
  • Test multiple pin versions per freebie to see which performs best

Pro Tip: Add an overlay or mockup of your lead magnet to show value instantly. Check out my full guide on Pinterest Pin Design Tips.

Step 4: Write Optimized Pin Titles & Descriptions

  • Include your main keyword (e.g., “grow email list”)
  • Strong call-to-action: “Download the freebie”
  • Add 2–5 relevant hashtags: #emailmarketing, #bloggrowth

Example Pin Description:

“Want to grow your blog’s audience? Grab this free content calendar designed for bloggers and side hustlers. Plan 3 months of content in one hour! #growemaillist #pinteresttips #bloggingtools”

For more help with Pinterest SEO, check out my post on Pinterest Pin Titles & Descriptions.

Step 5: Schedule Your Pin in Tailwind

Now it’s time to get your pin in front of hundreds and thousands of viewers! Tailwind is the only Pinterest-approved scheduling tool and I love it! It saves me tons of time pinning both my own content and other people’s content.

Since I try to publish new pins every single day, Tailwind is a HUGE time saver. All I have to do is schedule the pin and it automatically goes onto the boards I tell it to.

I tend to generate all my pins on 1 day of the week and then just schedule then throught the week, leaving me to do other things, of which there are many, for the rest of the week!! (Tailwind provides you TONS of stats so you know which pins and boards are working the best for you!

Scheduling multiple new pins a week means that my lovely pins are being pushed through Pinterest for months out!

Step 6: Repeat + A/B Test Everything

Testing is key to consistent growth:

  • Create 2–3 pin variations for each freebie
  • Track results with:
  • Pinterest Analytics
  • Email provider’s subscriber tracking
  • UTM links + Google Analytics

Tip: Test both design and messaging — sometimes small tweaks can double conversions.

Helpful Tools for Pinterest List Building

ToolPurpose
MailerLiteBeginner-friendly email platform
KitAutomation + segmentation for creators
GetResponseAdvanced funnels + scalability
CanvaPin & lead magnet design
TailwindPinterest-approved scheduling + analytics
Thrive LeadsPopups & inline forms
CarrdSimple landing pages

What Growth Can You Expect?

Realistically, a Pinterest-optimized funnel can generate:

  • 25–100 subscribers/month with one freebie
  • Faster growth with multiple freebies + consistent pinning
  • Evergreen traffic = long-term, passive list-building machine

Pro Tip: Over time, your pins accumulate traffic — meaning a single lead magnet can continue generating subscribers for months or years.

Monetize Your Email List

Once you’ve started growing your email list with Pinterest, the next step is turning those subscribers into revenue. Whether you’re selling digital products, promoting affiliate offers, or offering services, your email list is a goldmine waiting to be tapped.

I’m putting together a full guide on how to monetize your email campaigns, so keep an eye out for that post — it’ll walk you through strategies to increase conversions without feeling pushy.

In the meantime, you can start experimenting by:

  • Promoting relevant freebies or mini-courses that naturally lead to paid offers
  • Including affiliate links (like the tools mentioned here!) in helpful emails
  • Segmenting your list based on interest to deliver targeted offers

Final Thoughts

Pinterest is one of the best-kept secrets for growing your email list in 2025. With the right freebie, an optimized pin strategy, and an automated funnel, you can turn casual scrollers into loyal subscribers who stick with you long-term.

Start simple: create one freebie, design a few pins, and connect it to your email platform. Whether you go with MailerLite or simplicity, Kit for creator-focused automation, or GetResponse for advanced scaling—you’ll have everything you need to grow.

And don’t forget—you can save hours every week by automating your pinning with Tailwind That way your funnel keeps working 24/7 while you focus on creating content your audience loves.

The sooner you start, the sooner your pins can begin working for you.

So there you have it, but remember:

While I’m sharing my best strategies and honest insights on growing your email list with Pinterest, success takes consistent effort, patience, and experimentation. Don’t expect overnight results, but if you apply these strategies, you absolutely can see incredible growth in your audience and list quality.

FAQ: Growing Your Email List with Pinterest

How quickly can I start seeing email subscribers from Pinterest?

Results vary depending on your niche, pin quality, and how consistently you post. Many creators see their first subscribers within a few days to a couple of weeks once their funnel is live. Consistency and testing are key.

Do I need a business account on Pinterest to grow my email list?

Yes! A Pinterest Business account gives you access to analytics, rich pins, and Tailwind scheduling integrations — all tools that make list-building more efficient.

Can I use Pinterest for any niche?

Absolutely. Pinterest users are searching for solutions in countless areas, from blogging and finance to wellness, travel, DIY, and freelancing. Make sure your lead magnet solves a real problem in your niche.

How many pins should I post each week?

Aiming for 3–5 new pins per week is a great starting point. Tailwind makes scheduling multiple pins easy, helping your content reach more boards and audiences without spending hours manually pinning.

What’s the best type of lead magnet for Pinterest?

Visual and actionable freebies work best: PDFs, templates, checklists, planners, mini-courses, or cheat sheets. Check out examples in the guide above.

Can I repurpose Instagram or TikTok content for Pinterest?

Yes, but it needs to be reworked for Pinterest’s vertical format and SEO-focused descriptions. For tips, see my posts on Pinterest Pin Design Tips and Pinterest Pin Titles & Descriptions.

How do I track which pins are converting into email subscribers?

Use a combination of Pinterest Analytics, your email platform’s tracking, and UTM links with Google Analytics to see which pins drive the most conversions.

Can I monetize my email list directly from Pinterest subscribers?

Yes! Once you’ve built an engaged list, you can sell digital products, promote affiliate offers, or offer services. I’m preparing a detailed guide on monetizing email campaigns.

author avatar
Lee
Hi, I’m Lee, creator of The Side Hustler. Over the years I’ve built side hustles through blogging, freelancing, Pinterest marketing, and even launching Shopify stores from scratch. My goal is to share honest, beginner-friendly strategies so you can grow a profitable online business without the overwhelm.

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