Picture this: You’re cruising the aisles of Costco. Your cart is already heavy with all the things you actually came for—paper towels, organic snacks, maybe even a bulk box of your favorite candles. But then…you see it.
A sample stand.
A smiling attendant offering you a tiny paper cup with a bite of beef jerky you never thought you needed. Or a delicate cracker topped with an overpriced dollop of crab dip.
You hesitate. Then you think: It’s free. Why not?
You take a bite.
Whoa.
It’s delicious.
So delicious, in fact, you’re tempted to send your husband back in line for a second helping.
That, my friend, is exactly what an opt-in is.
A taste. A morsel. A no-strings-attached invitation to try something you might not have discovered otherwise.
On Pinterest, your opt-in works the same way. It entices someone scrolling past a hundred other pins to stop and say, “Wait—this looks interesting.” And because it’s free, there’s no risk for them to take a taste.
If they like it? They’ll want more. They’ll come back for seconds. And soon enough, they’ll be filling their (metaphorical) cart with everything you have to offer.
So…What Is an Opt-In? (And Why You Already Have What It Takes to Make One)
Let’s keep this simple.
An opt-in is a free, valuable resource someone gets in exchange for their email address. That’s it. No PhD required. No fancy software. No 87-page PDF filled with secrets of the universe.
Here’s the truth: if you’re reading this, you’re already an expert in your field. You have insights, routines, tools, and ideas that someone else—your perfect reader, your ideal client, your future superfan—is dying to get their hands on.
Not convinced? Let’s break it down:
Do you read genre-specific books? Make a book list or text set featuring your favorites. Someone else will love discovering it.
Do you have a writing ritual or tools you swear by? Create a quick resource list. Bonus points for links so others can grab them too.
Who do you admire and why? Make a list of your inspirations with links to their websites.
What inspires your work? Share your behind-the-scenes magic. Dish, baby. Dish.
You don’t have to overthink it. Pinterest users aren’t asking for a college course—they’re looking for a taste. A little morsel of your brilliance that solves a problem, sparks curiosity, or brightens their day.
Think of it like the Costco sample from earlier. They don’t hand you the whole brisket. Just a bite-sized piece to make you want more.
Who Really Benefits From Opt-Ins? (Spoiler: You AND Your Audience)
Here’s the beauty of Pinterest: once your content has had time to settle in and index—a process that rewards a little patience and a lot of strategy—the Pinterest algorithm starts working like a concierge. It’s out there 24/7, gently nudging your pins into the hands of the exact people who are searching for what you offer.
Now add your opt-in to the mix, and boom: you’re not just inspiring browsers—you’re starting real conversations with future superfans.
And you don’t have to be “salesy” to do it. Think of it like addressing a heartfelt letter:
“Hey teachers, I made this just for you.”
“Hey parents, here’s something to make your day easier.”
“Hey illustrator pals, check out these software tricks I just figured out.”
Here’s how different book world rockstars can use opt-ins:
Authors – Grow a list of readers who are excited for your next launch. Offer them exclusive behind-the-scenes peeks, reading guides, or a book club starter kit.
Illustrators – Share coloring sheets, desktop wallpapers, or printable art. Watch your fan base grow.
Publishers – Offer teacher and librarian guides for your new releases—perfect for your core Pinterest audience.
And let’s not forget Pinterest’s powerhouse user groups: parents, teachers, librarians, and homeschooling families. They’re already on the platform, searching, planning, and pinning. Your opt-in simply helps them say yes to staying connected.
Because at its heart, an opt-in isn’t a pitch—it’s a gift.
How to Make Sure Your Opt-In Is Valuable (The Jerky-Sized Bite Approach)
Here’s the secret to creating a valuable opt-in: you don’t have to teach everything. In fact, you shouldn’t.
When I’m working on an opt-in, I remind myself to break the process down into a bite-sized morsel—something small, flavorful, and satisfying enough to leave my audience wanting more.
My jam is Pinterest (duh). And there are a billion little nuances to managing a platform. But I don’t try to hand over the whole banquet in one go. Instead, I ask:
What’s one little corner of Pinterest my audience needs help understanding right now?
Then I create an opt-in around just that. A quick win. A tiny taste of success.
Take my Keyword Toolkit, for example. It doesn’t teach you everything about Pinterest strategy. It zeroes in on one specific skill—how to brainstorm, organize, and use SEO keywords to get your pins in front of the right people. Inside, I include:
A glossary to demystify Pinterest jargon
Templates for keyword-rich pin titles and descriptions
Real examples to spark ideas
A step-by-step blueprint for DIY pin crafting
The result? People come away feeling empowered—not overwhelmed. And because they’ve experienced a win, they’re more likely to come back for seconds.
When planning your own opt-in, think:
Does it solve a specific problem?
Can someone implement it quickly?
Would I be excited to exchange my email for this?
Remember, your opt-in isn’t meant to be a 50-page manifesto. It’s more like a Costco sample: a small, delightful preview of the full experience you offer.
Pro Tip: Don’t Make It All About You
Here’s the biggest mistake I see people make with opt-ins: they turn them into mini-biographies.
Remember our Costco sample? When I pop that little bite of beef jerky into my mouth, I’m not immediately wondering who made it. I’m thinking:
“Whoa. This is GOOD.”
That moment—the moment when I’m wowed by the flavor—is when the brand earns my attention. I might not grab a full package right then and there, but I’ll remember that name. Next time I see it? I’m much more likely to toss it into my cart.
That’s how opt-ins work.
They’re not about shouting, “Look at me! Aren’t I amazing? Here’s all my stuff!”
They’re about serving your audience first. Giving them something that solves a problem or delights them in a small, meaningful way.
When you lead with value, you’re building trust. You’re leaving a positive impression in their brain:
“This creator gets me. This is GOOD.”
And guess what? That positive impression is what opens the door for them to want more from you later—without any strong-arming or pushy sales tactics.
Closing: It’s Your Turn to Serve Up Something Delicious
You’ve got this.
Somewhere in your day-to-day work as a book creator or seller lies the seed of your first (or next) opt-in. It might be:
A curated book list
A writing ritual or worksheet
A printable coloring page
A guide to your favorite tools or techniques
Or even a collection of inspiring quotes from icons in your field
Choose one small corner of your knowledge, your values, your process—just one. Then break it down into bite-sized, malleable pieces. Little samples your ideal reader can savor, enjoy, and share.
And remember: the goal is to offer value for them, not to spotlight you. Sure, you’ll include your branding and contact information on the download (you’re no amateur), but resist the urge to oversell.
Because when someone takes a bite of your opt-in and thinks:
“Wow. This is GOOD.”
They’ll naturally be curious about the creator behind it. They’ll remember you. And when the time comes, they’ll be ready to toss your full offering—the book, the guide, the workshop—into their proverbial cart.
So go ahead: create that small but mighty opt-in. Feature it on your website, share it on social media, bring it to speaking engagements, and yes—oh yes—pin it to Pinterest for all to discover.
Your audience is out there, waiting for what only you can offer.
