17 Essential Pinterest Boards for Makers, Designers, and Creative Entrepreneurs
We know it can be super hard and exhausting to sift through all the free resources online about how to build a business. Sometimes getting on Pinterest can feel like an endless onslaught of information that’s maybe useful???
From squarespace “how-tos”, to sales strategy, to contract and legal advice, to tips about using Pinterest to grow your business we curated only the best 17 essential Pinterest boards for makers, designers, and creative entrepreneurs.
This is our second essential resources post, last month we rounded-up our favorite newsletters. Since our first round-up was a success, we’re making it a series. Keep an eye out for our selection of great resources each month. Coming up, Instagram accounts, free resources, podcasts, and more.
As always, we hate fluffy, feel-good-but-ultimately-useless advice so we surfaced only the creme de la creme of small business focused Pinterest accounts. No fluff here!
1. Squarespace with Big Cat Creative
Making a beautiful website shouldn't be difficult; but there are a lot of options out there and it's tough to know where to begin. Big Cat Creative is here to help. Choose from their custom templates or do it yourself with some FREE training. Either way you will end up with a site that is not only gorgeous but also coverts visitors in to customers. Stop by their Pinterest page for a visual lesson on layout.
Pin this: How to create a testimonial slider on squarespace (no coding!).
2. Get your shit together with Get Your Shit Together
Ok everyone it's time to Get Your Shit Together. GYST is an artist-run company spearheaded by Karen Atikinson that provides resources, technology and solutions created by artists for artists. Classes cover topics such as: negotiation, insurance, and health and safety issues. They also offer portfolio grant application and portfolio reviews. Visit this no-nonsense Pinterest page to find the best place for you to start.
Pin this: Taxes for Artists.
3. All things legal with Contract Shop
We get it; legal stuff sucks. But what if if didn't? This is the philosophy behind the ever-essential Contract Shop. Started by lawyer Christina Scalera this one-stop-shop has contract templates tailor-made for every visual art discipline we can think of. We're looking at you creative small business owners! Be sure to visit this Pinterest board to find the questions you didn't even know you had.
Pin this: 7 tips for negotiating contracts with potential clients.
4. Branding with Bonnie Bakhtiari
There are a lot of branding experts out there (like a lot a lot) but Bonnie Bakhtiari sets herself apart with a business not only dedicated to strategy but your health and wellness as well. Bonnie believes that your business can be as purposeful as it is profitable. Visit her Pinterest for sales, social media, and branding tips and see how how she’s made a simple color palette can come to life.
Pin this: Why Building Relationships Is The Most Important Part of Sales.
5. Sales strategy with The Artist Market Co.
Selling yourself is hard and selling your art is even harder. This is where The Artist Market Co. comes in. Founder Jessica Craddock puts it simply: "We teach artists to work smarter and be authentic so they can sell more art and spend their days creating beautiful things." We love that this blog covers everything from video marketing for introverted artists to basic sales strategy. Jessica's Pinterest page is every bit as beautiful as it is informative. We're not surprised as she is an accomplished artist herself.
Pin this: The Best Way to Sell Your Art on Instagram (that no one ever told you).
6. Photography inspiration with Jenna Gang
Sometimes you see a page and you just sit back and say *wow*. This is what happened to us when we ran across absolutely stunning Pinterest page by Jenna Gang. Working as a still life, food, stop motion and product photographer, Jenna's bold work is guaranteed to inspire you.
Pin this: This work for Aura Foods, also we’ll just say pin anything and everything.
Also, shameless self promotion- we did something similar if you’re looking for quick examples of different kinds of photos. It’s not quite as stylized as Jenna’s but we think these boards are really useful. We have boards for Furniture, Self Care Products, Residential Interiors, Tech Products and more. Noodle around :)
7. PR for creatives with Wolf Craft
We could never include a list of top Pinterest pages without including one our own. Need to create a high-impact press page? We gotchu. Looking to understand exactly how a publicist reads the blogs and the news? We gotchu again. Tips to ensure your next launch is successful? That too. Our Pinterest page is chock-full of really great PR Tips, in depth media strategy resources, and TONS of boards of media quality photography examples for media outreach.
Pin this: How to Create a High Impact Press Page
8. Branding with Chair co.
There is power in numbers and Char co. is no exception. This thoughtful branding company started by Char Newswanger in 2012 includes an all-women team of strategists designers and writers. Stop by their website if you're looking for support in your branding, visuals, or communication. We love that Char's Pinterest board makes room for often overlooked subjects in branding such as: supporting your people and treating your customers well.
Pin this: Intentional Words
9. Funding with The Void Academy
The Void Academy is an essential stop for any artist trying to find footing in today's marketplace. With a combined 30 years of experience in art-making, communications, web strategy, fundraising and more, the founders are committed to helping artists of all kinds build their communities and make a living. Visit The Void Academy’s Pinterest to find a funding-focused curriculum of online classes as well as insightful interviews with artists from across the globe.
Pin this: If Mozart Could Crowdfund So Can You!
10. Content & Marketing with Sarah Catherine Creative
Why is it that designing is so easy but writing copy is so darn hard? Luckily marketing expert Sarah Catherine is here to help with all of our copywriting woes. Learn why your brand needs a custom 404 page and what SEO questions you need to ask before you write your next blog post. We love the marketing education we get every time we stop by Sarah's Pinterest.
11. Pinterest with Levee Road Studio
Time to get a little meta! Levee Road Studio is all about Pinterest. Started by Amy LeBlanc in 2012 this blog covers everything you've ever wanted to know about Pinterest and more. Boosting your rank, shortcuts, algorithm changes, all of it! Be sure to stop by this Pinterest page for all things. . . Pinterest!
Pin this: How to Create a Pinterest Strategy That Actually Works in 2021.
12. All things legal with the Creative Law Shop
It's one thing to get your business up and running legally but it's quite another keep it legal in the years to come. Shop Creative Law excels at keeping you ahead of life's curveballs whether through contract templates or education. Topics on their blog cover things such as: asking your current clients to sign new agreements and how to make your business Covid-proof. Our favorite part is? Any contract you purchase comes with a lifetime update, meaning you never have to pay for a new contract again. Visit their Pinterest page and find out what you need to get your business moving.
Pin this: When and Why You Should Form an LLC.
13. Photography and product styling with Replica Surfaces
Ok. Here's the situation: you created a rad new product and need to take photographs but don't know where to begin. Replica Surfaces incredibly well thought out website not only comes with a blog bursting with all aspects of product photography but they actually include customer photographs as well! So you can see for yourself how effective their advice can be. Be sure to check out their Pinterest for great photo styling tips!
Pin this: How to Style & Shoot Clothing Photos.
14. Branding with The Identite Collective
Are you an interior designer looking for branding support and inspiration all in one place? Then look no further than The Identite Collective. Led by Anastasia Casey this lovely blog offers insights on everything from upcoming trends to project pitching. Don't just take our word for it, head over to Identite's Pinterest board to see a masterful layout in action.
Pin this: What Your Should Expect When Working With a Web Designer.
15. Pinterest with Cassie Schmidt
If you're like a lot of creatives out there you are crushing your craft but struggling with strategy. Don't worry; it's normal! This is where Cassie Schmidt comes in. Not only does she offer 1 on 1 business and marketing courses, her blog is full of everything from caption creation to streamlining your workflow. Honestly? When you get to this poppin' Pinterest board you won't know what to click on first.
Pin this: How To Use Pinterest For Business
16. Food photography with We Eat Together
We Eat Together is a food photography blog that hits every note perfectly. Created by food and travel photographer Skyler Burt this website draws you in with stunning photographs and backs them up with lighting tips styling tips gear rundowns business advice and more. Don't worry if you're not a foodie there's plenty here for everyone to feast on. Or just pop on over to their Pinterest page to watch a master at work.
Pin this: What Food Photographers Should Look for in a Camera.
17. Design inspiration with Nora Wolf
Sometimes all you really want from Pinterest is some straight-up inspiration. At our core, we’re design aficionados and our founder Nora has been pinning away dreamy spaces and objects for years.
Check out her home-focused board A place to rest these weary bones.
