As authors, we’ve all been there. We’ve spent time making our graphics look amazing only to realize later that they aren’t doing much to actually bring in readers. The unfortunate truth is, pretty pins don’t sell books. Funnels do.
That might sound intimidating if “funnels” make you think of complex marketing systems. Take a deep breath and relax! At its heart, a book funnel is simply a path that takes a reader from discovering you…to getting curious about your books…to eventually becoming a loyal reader.
Y’all, Pinterest is the perfect place to start your book funnel journey.
What is a Book Funnel for Authors?
A book funnel is just a way to guide readers along a path. Think of it like this:
- Top of Funnel (Visibility): A reader finds you through a pin.
- Middle of Funnel (Engagement): They click through to grab a freebie—maybe a novella, a checklist, or a bonus scene—and join your newsletter.
- Bottom of Funnel (Conversion): Over time, through connection and trust, they go on to buy your books and stay in your bookish world.
A book funnel is about creating a steady flow of new readers while you get to keep writing.
How Pinterest Fits Into Your Book Funnel
Unlike Instagram or Facebook posts that disappear within hours, Pinterest pins have a long lifespan. They can keep showing up in searches for a long time (years!).
That means every pin you create has the potential to keep feeding your funnel long after you’ve moved on to your next book or project. #winning
For example:
👉 A pin linking to a free novella → reader joins your email list → later buys your whole series.
That’s the magic of Pinterest as a funnel!
Designing Pins That Work
The most important part of turning Pinterest into a funnel is to design pins with a clear Call-to-Action (CTA).
Instead of just posting a book cover, try pins that say things like:
- “Read a Free Mystery Novella Today”
- “Download Your Guide to Writing Magical Fiction”
- “Join the Cozy Mystery Club”
This way, you’re not just showing off a book, you’re inviting readers to take the next step.
Why Funnels = Long-Term Author Success
Y’all, you don’t build a sustainable author career one sale at a time. You build it by creating pathways that bring readers back again and again. Funnels do that. And in my opinion, Pinterest is one of the best ways to keep that funnel flowing with fresh, interested readers.
🎥 Want to See This in Action?
I dive deeper into this topic in my Bourbon & Books YouTube video:
👉 Pinterest for Book Funnels: Turn Pins into Readers
If you’re ready to use Pinterest to grow your author platform, attract new readers, and sell more books, head over and hit subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes.
Let’s turn your pins into pathways that lead readers straight to your stories. 📚✨
xo,
Melissa
[@realbourbonandbooks on YouTube]
P.S. Want to learn more about Pinterest? Click here for 10 reasons every author should be on Pinterest.
P.P.S. If you want to learn more about Pinterest, check out the Pinterest Power for Authors online course. Work at your own pace and discover the power of Pinterest!
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