Get Started as a Pinterest Manager: Make $1,000+ Per Month
Looking to get started as a Pinterest manager?
There are a TON of freelance business ideas that anyone can do.
If you’re creative and enjoy hanging out on social media, then building a business as a Pinterest manager might be the right entrepreneurial adventure for you.
You can get this job off the ground with minimal start-up costs, and be your own boss.
Whether you’re looking for a part-time side hustle or a full-time gig, this is one business idea that could be the perfect fit.
I have been using affiliate links on my blog for years. The links are text only (no images).
Express your creativity, build your own business, and live life on your own terms. From managing boards to creating strategy, there’s a ton to do.
Here’s everything you need to know to get started as a freelance Pinterest Manager:
What is a Pinterest manager?
A Pinterest Manager is exactly what you think it it. It’s someone who offers Pinterest management services. They are also sometimes referred to as Pinterest VAs (virtual assistants), strategists or coaches.
Some services they might offer, include:
- Setting up and optimizing accounts
- Creating and managing boards
- Designing and scheduling pins
- Conducting research and providing strategy
- Other consulting services
While you could work in-house for a specific company as a Pinterest Manager, most work on a freelance basis for themselves. This affords a lot of freedom to work from wherever you want on projects you love, and with clients you enjoy.
Pinterest Manager vs. Social Media Manager
It’s easy to confuse a Pinterest manager with a social media manager, but there is a difference. Freelance social media managers work across multiple platforms, creating and implementing campaigns.
In contrast to that, a Pinterest manager focuses just on one platform. Tasks a Pinterest manager might do, include:
- Creating pin content
- Managing boards
- Setting up accounts
- Scheduling future content
If you love social media and you want to move beyond a single platform, you can expand your practice. But focusing on just one platform does allow you to really hone your skills and even charge higher rates.
How to Start Your Own Pinterest Management Business
Anyone can be a Pinterest manager — you don’t need a fancy degree or special skills. So long as you’re willing to put in the work, and stay on top of the latest trends. But it’s not as simple as popping up a “we’re open for business” sign, here are the steps you’ll want to take:
1. Get to Know the Industry
Before you can start finding clients, you need to really understand the industry and what your clients are going to need from you. That means that you’ll want to:
- Be up-to-date on the latest trends and changes in Pinterest
- Know the ins and outs of how to use Pinterest
- Understand what works well and what you need to avoid
No one wants to hire a Pinterest manager that doesn’t know what they’re doing. That doesn’t mean that you need to know everything about Pinterest, we all have to start somewhere.
But it does mean that you’ll have to (a) learn on the go, and (b) have prices and packages that reflect your skills and experience. You don’t want to over promise and under deliver on your Pinterest management services.
2. Build a Portfolio
For clients to hire you, they’ll want to see what you can do. That means you’ll want to have a portfolio that you can show off.
Ideally, you’ll be able to show off everything from your gorgeous pinning skills, to optimized profiles and even analytics — but that might be a lot to ask for. I highly recommend setting up your own account that you can use as a “showroom” of sorts.
That said, you probably won’t have this all right off the bat. It takes time to build up accounts you can show off — you’ve got to work with what you’ve got. But you’ll want to have something, anything you can show off.
3. Set Your Rates
Before you start looking for your ideal clients, you’ll want to know your rates.
A lot of freelancers — writers, designers and social media managers alike — look for clients first then set their rates. That lands you in the awkward position of needing to put together some kind of proposal with no idea of what you’re going to charge. Worse yet, this might even encourage them to let their clients take the lead on rates. It’s your business, your rates… don’t let anyone decide for you!
To set your rates, start by looking at what other people in your area are charging. You don’t have to charge the same as everyone else, but it will give you some idea of what people are willing to pay.
From there, consider your own skills and experience. You can charge whatever you want, but if you’re just starting out you’ll probably want to charge a little less. However, that doesn’t mean that you want to undervalue yourself either.
When setting your rates you’ll also want to make sure that you account for your time and expenses. Plus, taxes are going to be your responsibility — so you’ll want to make sure you account for that as well.
You’ll want to know what you need to charge hourly to make the money you need and want to. But the best deal for you is going to be charging your clients a package rate — that way as you get faster, you’re the one that benefits!
4. Find Your Ideal Clients
Not everyone is your ideal client.
One of the biggest mistakes new business owners make is thinking that everyone is their potential client. That’s certainly not the case. If you try to be the right Pinterest manager for everyone, you’ll end up being right for no one.
Instead, you want to find clients that:
- Need what you’re offering — don’t waste your time trying to sell services to people that don’t need them
- Are working on projects that you’re interested in and companies that you believe in
- Can afford your rates — you do not to drop your rates for anyone
- Are individuals that you actually want to work with
When you come across clients that meet those criteria, you’ll know you’re on the right track. Unfortunately, that’s often easier said than done!
5. Deliver Impeccable Work
It doesn’t matter what kind of business you’re running, you want to deliver exceptional work. That will help you forge great client relationships that (hopefully) result in referred clients.
Delivering great work might seem intuitive, but it can be confusing where to start. These are my top four tips for providing a service your clients will love:
Set Realistic Expectations
You don’t want to overpromise and under deliver. You want to make sure everyone is on the same page, and that you set realistic expectations with your clients. Be honest about your skills and what you can deliver, then strive to go beyond that!
Stay Organized
Staying organized is crucial when you’re managing multiple clients’ accounts. Everyone’s organization system is going to be different, and you’ll want to create one that works for you.
While I personally use ClickUp for my project management, project management systems are a dime-a-dozen. Essentially, you’ll want to be able to keep track of:
- Deadlines
- Meetings
- Deliverables
I also track things like expected payments, work hours and my overall work. Essentially, you want to build whatever administrative system works best for you.
Get Written Approval
Honestly, this piece of advice really has more to do with you than your client but it’ll help everyone in the long run. You want to make sure that you get everything you do approved by the client.
That doesn’t necessarily mean they need to go through and approve each pin before you put it up, even something as simple as a “this is what I’m going to do this week, any thoughts” is perfect.
Not only does this help ensure that your client has a say in the work that’s being done without overwhelming them. But it also protects you because you have proof that they approved or agreed to something!
Be Responsive
You’ll want to make sure that you are responsive to your clients when they have questions or need help. This will provide them with the best experience, and make sure you’re both on the same page.
Now, responsive doesn’t mean available 24/7 or that you have to provide them with your email, phone number and accept their Facebook request. It’s also important to set boundaries — it’s OK for you to set specific times and reply times for your clients.
Being responsive doesn’t necessarily mean responding in an hour, it means responding within 24-hours if that’s your policy. Set whatever policy you’re comfortable with, but make sure you stick to it!
Tips for Running a Social Media Management Business
Providing services as a Pinterest Manager means you’re running a full-on business, even if it’s just you. Don’t let anyone tell you anyway!
That means that you want to make great business decisions, and think about growth. Here are my top tips for running a social media management business:
- Market and network with other Pinterest and social media mangers — there are not your competition, they’re your collogues. Having a few people around who understand your experience can be immensely helpful.
- Don’t stop looking for clients — even if you have a full roster, you don’t want to completely stop your marketing efforts because businesses boom and they have dry spells.
- Invest in your business and your own growth — don’t stop learning and growing as an entrepreneur and creative professional.
- Plan for the future — you might not want to be a solo Pinterest manager forever. Perhaps you want to start a full-on social media firm or you want to pivot to teaching others how to grow their own account — whatever your goal, you want to plan for it!
Final Thoughts: Become a Pinterest Manager
You don’t need a fancy degree or special skills to start a business as a Pinterest Manager. It’s a job anyone can upskill enough to do. As long as you’re willing to put in the work, and you can stay on top of the latest platform trends, you’re in luck — it can be an incredibly lucrative opportunity.
Taking a step into entrepreneurship is exciting, and it’s not as out-of-reach as many people think. If you’re passionate about Pinterest and social media, starting your own business as a Pinterest Manager is a great way to make money from home — and it can be quite lucrative!
So, what are you waiting for? Use these tips to get started on your journey to becoming a successful Pinterest Manager. If you start playing your had right away, you can be well onto your dream career. Plus, it’s a GREAT choice if you’re looking to lay the foundation as a digital nomad!
