Do You Really Need Pinterest Followers to Get Traffic and Sales?

If you’ve been wondering whether you need a big following on Pinterest to actually get clients, the short answer is no. In fact, followers on Pinterest don’t work the same way they do on Instagram or TikTok, and chasing them isn’t the smartest way to grow your business.

This is where most service providers get stuck. You’ve been told that growth = followers, so naturally, when you start using Pinterest, you look at your follower count and wonder if it’s even worth the effort.

But here’s the truth: Pinterest is a search engine, not a social platform. And that changes everything.

Let’s break down what really matters and what to focus on instead if you want Pinterest to bring you leads while you’re offline.

Do followers on Pinterest actually matter?

Not really. Pinterest isn’t like Instagram, where follower count directly affects how many people see your content. On Pinterest, what matters is keywords, because that’s how people find your content.

Pinterest users come to the platform to search for something specific. They aren’t scrolling to follow people, they’re looking for ideas, inspiration, or help. Most users don’t even notice who created the content they’re saving. They care about what’s helpful, not who posted it.

So no, you don’t need thousands of followers on Pinterest to get clients. You could have zero followers and still make sales if your content is showing up for the right keywords.

Why Pinterest works without followers

Here’s something most people don’t realise: 96% of Pinterest searches are unbranded. That means your dream client is not searching for a specific business name or influencer. They’re searching for “how to plan a brand shoot” or “best website copywriting tips.”

They’re open to discovering new people and services - so if you’re using keywords that match what they’re searching for, you can show up (even if they’ve never heard of you before).

That’s why I focus so much on keywords. If you want to start ranking for what your clients are searching for, grab my Pinterest Kickstart Kit.

What to focus on instead of followers on Pinterest

Here’s where you should put your energy if you actually want leads from Pinterest:

1. Create content your ideal client is searching for

This is your blog posts, lead magnets, and sales pages. When you pin valuable, keyword-rich content consistently, you’ll start showing up in search results. Pinterest will drive traffic straight to your website, no follower count required.

2. Use strong keywords in your pins

This is the fastest way to get found. Your titles, descriptions, and board names should use the same words your clients are typing into Pinterest. If you don’t know where to start, my Pinterest Kickstart Kit walks you through how to set this up step-by-step—no guesswork, no fluff.

3. Be consistent, not perfect

You don’t need a beautifully curated feed or fancy graphics. What you need is helpful content pinned regularly. Pinterest rewards consistency, not aesthetics (despite what you’ve heard).

Followers on Pinterest: FAQ

Get answers to common questions about building a following on Pinterest, and whether it even matters.

Do followers on Pinterest help with reach?

A tiny bit, but not in the way you think. Followers might see your new pins in their home feed, but most people find content through search, not through following others. That’s why focusing on keywords gets you better results than focusing on followers.

Can you make sales without followers on Pinterest?

Absolutely. I’ve had clients land leads and make sales from Pinterest with less than 50 followers. Why? Because their content was optimised and solved a real problem. Pinterest is more about strategy than status.

How many followers on Pinterest do you need to start seeing results?

You don’t need any. I know that sounds wild in a world where we’ve been trained to watch our follower count, but Pinterest plays a different game. Focus on content and keywords, not numbers.

Should I still try to grow my following on Pinterest?

If it happens naturally, great. But don’t waste time on it. Instead, focus on creating content your clients actually need and make sure it’s showing up in search results.

Final thoughts on followers on Pinterest

You don’t need a big following on Pinterest to get leads. What you do need is a smart strategy that gets your content in front of people searching for exactly what you offer.

The best part? Pinterest works while you sleep. While you’re handling client work, doing school pickup, or finally getting five minutes to yourself - your marketing can still be working in the background.

Want to start using Pinterest the smart way? Grab the Pinterest Kickstart Kit - it’s will show you how to set up your profile to start pinning on the platform in under an hour. Or, if you’re ready for the full system, The Search & Scale System gives you the exact steps to make Pinterest and Google do the heavy lifting for you.

You don’t need more followers. You need a system. Let’s make your marketing work while you’re offline.