How to Make a Video on Pinterest

Making a video for Pinterest is one of the most effective ways to get your brand, blog, or product discovered on the platform. Unlike other networks that focus on who you know, Pinterest is all about what you're looking for, making it a powerful engine for organic reach. This guide walks you through everything from understanding what works on Pinterest to creating and publishing your first Video Pin, step by step.

Why Video Pins are a Game-Changer

First, let's get something straight: Pinterest isn't your typical social media app. It's a visual discovery tool where millions of people go to find ideas and inspiration for their next purchase, project, or plan. They're in an active mindset, ready to act on what they find. This is where Video Pins come in. While a beautiful static image can stop someone mid-scroll, a video can tell a story, demonstrate a process, and create an emotional connection in a matter of seconds.

The Pinterest algorithm loves fresh, engaging content, and right now, that means video. Video Pins stand out in a sea of static images on the home feed, search results, and boards. They auto-play as users scroll, giving you a valuable opportunity to grab their attention. For creators and businesses, this translates to higher engagement rates, more saves, increased outbound clicks to your website, and a better chance of your content being shown to a wider audience.

The Anatomy of a High-Performing Pinterest Video

Before you hit record, it's helpful to understand what makes a Pinterest video succeed. Unlike the dance trends on TikTok or the polished vlogs on YouTube, Pinterest videos have their own unique DNA. They're typically helpful, inspiring, and designed to move a viewer toward an action - whether that's saving the Pin for later or clicking through to your site.

Go Vertical, Always

An overwhelming majority of Pinterest users are on their mobile devices. This makes a full-screen, vertical format non-negotiable. Aim for a 9:16 aspect ratio (1080x1920 pixels) to take up the most screen real estate and provide the most immersive experience. Filming horizontally and expecting people to turn their phones just isn't going to happen.

Keep It Short & Engaging

While Pinterest allows videos up to 15 minutes long, the sweet spot for organic Video Pins is much shorter. Aim for somewhere between 15 and 60 seconds. Your goal is to deliver value quickly. The first 3-5 seconds are the most important part of your video. You need a strong hook that makes it clear what the video is about and why someone should keep watching.

Design for Sound-Off Viewing

Assume most people will watch your video with the sound off. Your story needs to make sense without audio. Use on-screen text overlays to guide the viewer, highlight key steps, or list important ingredients. You can add background music, but lean on your visuals as the primary storytelling tool. If it’s helpful, use burnt-in captions for any speaking portions.

Start with a Strong Visual Hook

Your Pin's cover image - the static frame that appears before the video plays in some views - and the first second of motion are critical. Think movement, transformation, a compelling "before-and-after" shot, or a sneak peek at the final result. If your video is about baking a cake, show a gorgeous shot of the finished, frosted cake right at the start before getting into the steps.

Provide Actionable Value

Pinterest users are planners and doers. They're not just passively scrolling, they're looking for solutions and ideas. Your video should cater to that mindset. Show them how to do something, offer them inspiration, or solve a problem. Great formats include:

• Quick recipe tutorials
• Step-by-step DIY projects
• "5 Ways To..." listicles
• Fashion try-on hauls
• Product demonstrations or unboxings
• Simple life hacks

End with a Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)

What do you want the viewer to do after watching your video? Tell them! You can add text overlays at the end of your video with simple CTAs like "Save this idea for later," "Tap to shop the look," or "Click the link for the full recipe." You can reinforce this in your Pin's description, too.

Step-by-Step: How to Create Your First Video Pin

Ready to make your own? Here's the complete process, broken down into manageable steps.

Step 1: Plan Your Video Idea

Start with your niche and your audience. What are they searching for on Pinterest? Use the Pinterest search bar's autocomplete feature to see what pops up around your topics. For example, if you're a food blogger, typing "chicken dinner" might suggest "chicken dinner ideas quick," "chicken dinner healthy," and "chicken dinner for family." Each of these is a great starting point for a video. Plan a short video that provides a clear solution or answer to one of these queries.

Step 2: Film & Edit Your Content

You don't need fancy equipment. Your smartphone is more than capable of producing high-quality video for Pinterest.

• Filming: Always shoot vertically. Find a spot with good natural light and try to keep your phone as steady as possible. A simple, inexpensive phone tripod can make a massive difference.
• Editing: You can edit directly in the Pinterest app, but using a third-party mobile editing app often gives you more flexibility. Apps like CapCut, InShot, and Canva are fantastic and user-friendly. When editing, chop up your clips to keep the pace snappy, add text overlays to explain each step, and choose some fitting background music (always use commercially licensed or royalty-free audio).
• Technical Specs: Keep your final file as an MP4 or MOV, under 2GB.

Step 3: Upload the Video to Pinterest

Once your video is saved to your phone or computer, it's time to upload.

1. On either desktop or the Pinterest app, tap the Plus (+) icon and select "Pin."
2. Drag and drop or select the video file you created.
3. The video will process and appear in the Pin builder interface.

Step 4: Optimize Your Pin Details

This is where the behind-the-scenes work happens. Uploading the video is just one part of it - optimizing the details is what helps people find it.

Choose an Eye-Catching Cover Image

Pinterest will automatically suggest frames from your video to use as a cover image. You can scroll through and pick one that's clear, compelling, and gives a good sense of the video's content. A great cover can be the reason someone stops scrolling.

Write an SEO-Friendly Title

Your title is hugely important for search. Be descriptive and use the primary keywords your audience would use to find this content. Instead of "Yummy Recipe," a better title is "Easy One-Pan Lemon Herb Chicken Recipe."

Craft a Keyword-Rich Description

You have up to 500 characters here, so use them wisely. Write a few sentences describing what the video is about and what viewers will learn. Weave in your primary and secondary keywords naturally. Tell a short story and explain the benefit of watching.

Add a Destination Link

This is your chance to drive traffic! Add a direct link to the relevant blog post, product page, or signup form on your website. Make sure the link works and leads to a page that gives the viewer what they expect based on your video.

Choose a Relevant Board

Don't just pin to a generic "My Videos" board. Add your video pin to your most relevant, niche-specific board. Board titles and descriptions are also important for SEO, so make sure they're optimized too.

Step 5: Publish or Schedule

Finally, you can either "Publish" immediately or use Pinterest's built-in scheduler to post it at a later date and time. Look at your Pinterest Analytics to see when your audience is most active and schedule your video to go live then.

Beyond the Basics: Tips for Next-Level Video Pins

Once you've got the hang of creating and publishing, here are a few ways to level up your strategy.

Create Branded Templates

Use a tool like Canva to create simple video templates that use your brand's fonts and colors. This small effort makes your content instantly recognizable as people scroll through their feed and builds brand awareness over time.

Repurpose From Other Platforms (Smartly)

That great Instagram Reel or TikTok you made can absolutely work on Pinterest, but with a few adjustments. First, always remove the watermark from the video. Second, adjust the content for the Pinterest mindset. While a trending audio might work on Reels, a Pinterest video is often more about evergreen utility. You might want to switch the trendy audio for some simple background music and add more explanatory text overlays.

Analyze and Adjust

Pay close attention to your Pin stats in the Pinterest Analytics dashboard. Look at which videos are getting the most impressions, saves, and especially outbound clicks. Identify patterns in what's working - is it a certain format, topic, or video length? Once you find what resonates with your audience, do more of it.

Final Thoughts

Creating compelling Pinterest videos doesn't require a Hollywood budget or a professional film crew. It's about combining a mobile-first format, a strong visual hook, and genuinely helpful content with smart, keyword-driven optimization. Don't let perfection be the enemy of good - start creating, experiment with different ideas, and learn from what your analytics tell you.

Once you get into a groove creating videos for Pinterest, you'll naturally want to share them on Reels, Shorts, and TikTok too. Instead of manually uploading and tailoring content for each app, we built Postbase to make this seamless. Our platform is designed specifically for short-form video, letting you upload a video once and schedule it across all your platforms from one visual calendar. It helps you stay consistent and grow your presence everywhere without getting buried in the chaos.