Episode 17 : Pinning with Purpose with Ashleigh Fish
In Episode 17 of Creative Diaries, Ashleigh Fish shares how Pinterest became the quiet powerhouse behind her licensing success. With over a million monthly views, she didn’t achieve that by chasing trends or posting daily—but by building a system that works long-term.
Unlike Instagram, where content disappears within hours, Pinterest operates more like a search engine. Ashleigh explains that her pins—whether they link to designs, Spoonflower pages, or her website—can still attract attention months after being published. In some cases, they even re-trend a year later, making Pinterest a sustainable platform for long-term creative visibility.
Ashleigh began using Pinterest strategically a couple of months back. Since then, she has created a content ecosystem around each design collection, repurposing mockups, colorways, and strong keywords to create dozens of pins from a single idea. These pins then direct traffic to her portfolio, Spoonflower shop, and licensing inquiry page—all without using paid ads.
One of her most important insights? Consistency matters more than frequency. You don’t have to pin every day—but you do need a clear plan. Ashleigh sets aside one day a month to batch-schedule pins, using Pinterest’s native scheduler or Tailwind. This keeps her content flowing automatically in the background, freeing her to focus on designing, pitching, or working with clients.
She also reveals how art directors and brands actively use Pinterest to scout new artists. Ashleigh has had clients reach out with screenshots of specific pins they found, asking to license them directly. Because her links are organized and targeted, it’s easy for potential clients to find exactly what they need—something she says is essential for converting views into opportunities.
For artists just starting out, Ashleigh’s advice is clear: start small. Choose three designs, create multiple pins using different colorways, backgrounds, or mockups, and add rich, relevant keywords in the title and description. Don’t expect instant results—but trust that with time, Pinterest can become a powerful silent partner in your creative business.
Ashleigh’s story is a reminder that visibility doesn’t have to mean burnout. With a thoughtful system and a long-term mindset, creatives can grow their audience and attract licensing deals—without being online every day.
🎧 Want to learn how Pinterest can support your creative business without burning you out?
Listen to Episode 17 of Creative Diaries with Ashleigh Fish and discover how to build visibility, attract licensing opportunities, and create long-term momentum—one intentional pin at a time.
Key Takeaways from This Episode:
Pinterest is a search platform, not a social media feed
Pins can gain traction long after you post them
Colorways, keywords, and mockups increase pin visibility
One design can be turned into many different pins
You don’t need to post daily, just be consistent
Organic reach on Pinterest is possible without paid ads
Pinterest is used by brands to scout for licensing opportunities
Linking directly to your designs makes it easier for clients to inquire
Scheduling tools like Tailwind help manage content at scale
Start small and build momentum over time
About Ashleigh Fish
Ashleigh Fish is a surface pattern designer, illustrator, and educator based in Australia. Known for her soft, textural prints and practical Pinterest strategies, Ashleigh teaches artists how to market their work without burning out. Through her growing online presence and top-performing pins, she attracts licensing deals, custom work, and brand collaborations—all while sharing her journey with authenticity and clarity.
Her approach blends creativity with systems, helping other artists grow visibility and stay connected to what matters most. Whether she’s designing, teaching, or pinning, Ashleigh shows that sustainable marketing is possible—and even joyful.
🔗 Follow Ashleigh on Instagram
🌐 Explore her work and classes on her website