If you’re using Pinterest to market your business or managing it for clients, you’ve probably asked yourself at some point: “Am I spending too much time on this?” or “Am I being as efficient as possible in the steps and processes I’m using to manage this account”?
The truth is, Pinterest is a powerful platform, but it does have a learning curve, especially if you are using it for marketing your business. It’s not a hard platform to learn and use but there are many steps involved in using it effectively for organic marketing which can be very time consuming.
I’ve been managing Pinterest accounts for over 5 years and even with continued modifications to my workflow, as I’ve learned more about the platform, I’ve found that it can still be time consuming.
Whether you’re a VA, a Pinterest manager, or a small business owner handling it all yourself, it’s helpful to understand what a realistic workload looks like and where your time is actually going.
Real-World Example: 9 Pins, 3 Hours
I recently timed myself creating and scheduling 9 fresh pins. That included:
- Choosing the content
- Designing each pin in Canva
- Writing keyword optimized titles and descriptions
- Editing each version to apply visual overlays to create unique or fresh pins
- Scheduling each pin to 5 to 7 boards using a third-party scheduler
At first glance, 3 hours for “9 fresh pins” might not sound very efficient. But when you look at the actual volume—dozens of optimized pin placements—it tells a different story. Each one isn’t just a graphic, it’s part of a broader strategy involving design, SEO, customization, and scheduling.
While it started with 9 original pin graphics, once each version was customized and scheduled to multiple boards, it resulted in 45 to 63 total fresh pins. Each variation was intentionally edited and optimized before being scheduled across relevant boards.
Altogether, it came out to about 20 minutes per original pin, a solid average considering the level of detail and intentionality behind each one.
Want to know where those 20 minutes went? Let’s break it down.
What Does Pinterest Management Actually Involve?
Pinterest isn’t just about pinning pretty graphics. If you’re managing an account with intention, here’s what that typically includes:
Content Planning & Review
Looking ahead to upcoming launches, blog posts, promotions, or seasonal themes—and mapping them to Pinterest-friendly formats.
Creating Custom Pin Graphics
Designing branded, scroll-stopping pins that align with your audience’s preferences and the platform’s best practices.
Writing Keyword-Rich Titles & Descriptions
Using strategic keywords to help pins get discovered through search—while keeping the text natural and engaging.
Scheduling to Relevant Boards
Saving each pin to the right boards, spacing them out for visibility, and using a scheduler, whether it’s a third-party scheduler like Tailwind or Pinterest’s native scheduler, to keep things consistent.
Monitoring Analytics
Reviewing performance metrics like impressions, clicks, and saves to see what’s working (and what’s not). If you’re newer to Pinterest analytics or just want a refresher, check out this post on understanding Pinterest Analytics for a deeper look at what those numbers really mean.
Adjusting Your Strategy as You Go
Tweaking pin formats, scheduling patterns, or board priorities based on what the data tells you.
Keyword Research
Staying on top of the phrases your audience is searching for—and weaving those naturally into your titles and descriptions.
Board Maintenance
Keeping your boards clean, relevant, and optimized by archiving underperformers, updating titles, and refining board descriptions.
A/B Testing
Experimenting with different pin styles, formats, or call-to-actions to learn what drives the best engagement.
Following Pinterest Trends
Tuning in to seasonal shifts and emerging interests using Pinterest Trends and other tools to keep your content timely.
There’s a lot more happening behind the scenes than most people realize, and every piece plays a role in getting consistent results.
What Often Adds Time?
Some tasks take more time than people expect, especially when you’re working with care:
- Applying visual edits or branded overlays to multiple versions of the same pin
- Saving each pin to several boards
- Creating unique descriptions that speak to different audiences or search terms
- Strategically spacing out pins to avoid overlapping and maximize visibility
Even with great tools and a clear system, managing a Pinterest account involves a lot of thoughtful decision-making behind the scenes.
So… How Much Time Should It Take?
Here’s a general weekly breakdown for Pinterest managers or business owners based on a comprehensive monthly package like mine which includes 40 custom pins, analytics, engagement, Tailwind scheduling, SEO writing, and board management. The time commitment is generally:
| TASK | ESTIMATED WEEKLY TIME | |
| Task | Time (Weekly Average) |
| Content planning & strategy | 1 hr. |
| Pin design & creation (40/month = ~10/week) | 2.5 – 3.5 hrs. |
| Title/description writing + SEO | 1–1.5 hrs. |
| Tailwind scheduling & board planning | 1.5–2 hrs. |
| Analytics review & reporting | 30 min |
| Engagement, board optimization, client communication | 30–45 min |
| Estimated Weekly Time: 7–9 hours | |
| Estimated Monthly Time: 28–36 hours | |
Time-Saving Tips If You’re Feeling Stretched
There’s no one “right way” to manage Pinterest—as long as the system supports your workload and gives you room to breathe. These strategies can help:
Batch your tasks
Focus on one step at a time—design all your pins in one session, then write and schedule in separate blocks. This works especially well if you’re planning ahead and want built-in flexibility in your schedule.
Use strong templates
A reusable design system cuts down on repetitive choices and helps maintain brand consistency.
Repurpose intentionally
If content performs well, explore fresh visual variations rather than starting from scratch.
Track your time occasionally
You may find ways to streamline just by seeing where your energy is going.
And here’s something I’ll add from my current process:
I currently cycle through each client daily rather than batching everyone at once. For me, this keeps things efficient and allows me to stay close to each account’s performance and content needs in real time, however, it is a more time-consuming approach. If you’re juggling multiple accounts, finding a rhythm—whether it’s batch-based or daily rotation—is key.
Final Thoughts
If you’re putting hours into Pinterest every week, that’s not a sign you’re slow, it’s a reflection of thoughtful, quality work. But if you’re starting to wonder whether the effort is scaling with your results, it might be time to revisit your systems or pricing structure.
Whether you’re managing Pinterest for yourself or for clients, your time matters—and with the right workflow, Pinterest can be a powerful platform that fits into your business, not take it over.
Need help making Pinterest work smarter for your business?
Whether you’re looking to streamline your workflow or hand it off entirely, I offer personalized strategy sessions and monthly management tailored to how you work—and who you serve.
From boosting brand authority and driving website traffic to tapping into valuable analytics and spotting emerging trends, Pinterest offers powerful potential for growth.
New to the platform and prefer the DIY route? Grab my free Pinterest Business Account Quick Start Checklist to get started.
For a deeper dive, check out my “How-To Guide to Use Pinterest to Attract Clients and Sales”
If you’re ready to elevate your Pinterest marketing, explore my Pinterest management packages or reach out to chat about your goals.
And if you’re navigating Pinterest on your own and want more tips like these, don’t forget to download my Pinterest Business Account Quick Start Checklist and join the newsletter.
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