How to Make Money from Pinterest Marketing

How to Make Money from Pinterest Marketing: A Beginner’s Guide (That Actually Works)

When I first joined Pinterest years ago, I thought it was just a pretty place to save recipes and home decor ideas. I was wrong. Today, Pinterest is one of the most underrated platforms for making real money online. Unlike Instagram or TikTok, Pinterest acts like a visual search engine. People come with intent – they want to buy, plan, or solve a problem. And that intent is exactly how you can turn pins into profits.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to make money from Pinterest marketing, step by step. No fluff, no fake promises. Just honest strategies that have worked for me and countless other creators.

 

Why Pinterest is a Goldmine for Marketers (Different Than Any Other Platform)

Most social media platforms reward fleeting attention. A tweet lives for seconds, an Instagram Story for 24 hours. But a Pinterest pin can drive traffic for months or even years. I still have pins from two years ago that bring in daily clicks. That’s passive traffic – the kind you want when you’re trying to make money.

Pinterest users are also in a buying mindset. They search for “best budget winter coats” or “easy keto dinner recipes” because they plan to take action. If you can show up with the right answer, you can send those people to your blog, shop, or affiliate links.

Step 1: Set Up Your Pinterest Account for Success

Before you make a single dollar, your account needs to look trustworthy and professional. Here’s how to start.

Optimize Your Profile

• Use a real name or brand name – Avoid generic usernames.
• Write a keyword-rich bio – Tell people what you help them with. Example: “Helping moms save money with easy DIYs and budget tips.”
• Add a professional photo – A clear headshot or logo works best.

Claim Your Website

This is non-negotiable. Go to settings → Claim account → Enter your website URL. Once verified, Pinterest will show your profile picture next to any pins from your site. This builds trust and gives you access to analytics.

For more details on setting up a blog that supports Pinterest traffic, check out our beginner’s guide to starting a money-making blog. (Internal link)

Step 2: Create High-Performing Pins That Get Clicks

You can have the best offer in the world, but if your pin is ugly or confusing, no one will click. Here’s what works right now.

Design Tips for Clicks

• Vertical images – 1000 x 1500 pixels is the sweet spot.
• Bold, readable text – Use large sans-serif fonts. Test your pin on a phone screen.
• Bright, clean colors – Avoid muddy or dark backgrounds.
• Show the result – Before/after photos, recipe final looks, product in use.

Write Click-Worthy Descriptions

Your pin description helps Pinterest understand what your pin is about. Use natural language and include your main keyword (e.g., “how to make money from Pinterest marketing”) at least once. But don’t stuff keywords – write for humans first.

Example bad description: “Make money Pinterest marketing tips earn cash fast.”
Example good description: “I tried these 5 Pinterest marketing strategies to make money from home. Here’s what earned me my first $500.”

Pro tip: Always add 3-5 relevant hashtags at the end of your description. Something like #PinterestMarketing #MakeMoneyOnline.

Step 3: Drive Traffic to Your Offers (Without Being Salesy)

Pinterest users hate being sold to directly. Instead, you drive traffic to a piece of content – a blog post, a landing page, or a freebie – and then make your offer there.

I recommend creating a free opt-in (like a checklist or PDF guide) related to your money-making method. For example, if you promote affiliate products for home organization, offer a free “10-step declutter checklist” first. Then inside that checklist, recommend your affiliate products naturally.

Learn how to build an email list from Pinterest traffic in our email marketing for bloggers guide. (Internal link)

Step 4: Monetization Strategies – 5 Real Ways to Earn

Now the fun part. Here are five proven ways to turn Pinterest traffic into cash.

1. Affiliate Marketing

Promote other people’s products and earn a commission. Join affiliate networks like ShareASale, Impact, or Amazon Associates. Then create pins that review or showcase those products. Always disclose your affiliate links – it’s both ethical and required by the FTC.

Example pin idea: “10 affordable gardening tools under $20 (with affiliate links).”

2. Sell Your Own Physical Products

If you sell on Etsy, Shopify, or WooCommerce, Pinterest is your best friend. Create product pins that link directly to your store. Use rich pins so pricing and availability update automatically.

I know a seller who makes over $3,000/month just from Pinterest traffic for her printable wall art shop.

3. Sponsored Pins

Once you have at least 50,000 monthly views, brands may pay you to create pins featuring their products. You can find deals through influencer marketplaces like TRIBE or by reaching out directly. Always mark sponsored content clearly.

4. Offer Services or Consulting

Are you a virtual assistant, web designer, or social media manager? Create pins that answer questions your ideal client is searching for. Example: “5 signs you need a Pinterest manager for your small business.” Then link to a “book a free consult” page.

5. Digital Products (E-books, Printables, Courses)

Digital products have high profit margins. Create a low-cost printable (like a meal planner for $7) or a full course on a skill you know. Pinterest search is perfect for finding buyers – just target keywords like “budget planner PDF” or “beginner crochet course.”

Step 5: Use Pinterest SEO to Get Free Traffic Forever

This is the secret sauce. Pinterest is a search engine, so you need to optimize your content for the words people actually type.

How to Find Pinterest Keywords

Start typing a broad term into the Pinterest search bar. See what auto-suggestions pop up? Those are gold. Write them down. Also check the “related searches” at the bottom of the results page.

Then use those keywords in:

• Your pin title
• Your pin description
• Your board names and board descriptions
• Your profile “about” section

For example, instead of naming a board “Money Ideas,” name it “Make Money from Home | Pinterest Marketing Tips.” That’s much more searchable.

Step 6: Analyze and Tweak What Isn’t Working

Pinterest provides free analytics for business accounts. Check every 2-4 weeks to see:

• Which pins have the most impressions?
• Which pins have the highest click-through rate?
• What time of day do your followers engage most?

Then double down on what works. If a certain style of pin (like step-by-step infographics) gets double the clicks, make more of those.

Common Mistakes to Avoid (I’ve Made Them All)

• Only pinning your own content – Pinterest favors accounts that repin others. Aim for 30-40% your own pins, 60-70% curated content.
• Ignoring broken links – Check your old pins every few months. A broken link hurts trust and your analytics.
• Using tiny fonts – Most Pinterest browsing happens on mobile. If text is unreadable on a phone, people scroll past.
• Stopping too early – New pins can take 2-3 weeks to gain traction. Don’t give up after five pins.

FAQ Section

How much money can I realistically make from Pinterest marketing?

Beginners often earn 100–100–500 per month within 3-6 months of consistent effort. Part-time pinners with good strategies can hit 1,000–1,000–3,000/month. Full-time creators sometimes earn over $10,000/month, but that takes significant traffic and multiple income streams.

Do I need a website to make money on Pinterest?

You don’t strictly need a website, but it helps enormously. Without a website, you can still do affiliate marketing by linking directly to affiliate offers (using tools like Tailwind or a link shortener). However, a simple blog or landing page gives you more control and higher conversion rates.

Is Pinterest marketing allowed for Google AdSense?

Yes, as long as you follow AdSense policies. You cannot click your own ads or encourage others to click. Drive Pinterest traffic to your AdSense-approved blog with quality content. Pinterest traffic is generally high-quality and well-received by AdSense because it’s often from users actively searching.

How often should I pin to see results?

Pin 5-15 times per day for best results. Use a scheduler like Tailwind to spread pins out. Consistency is more important than volume. One quality pin per day beats 50 spammy pins.

Do I need to show my face or be on video?

Not at all. Pinterest still rewards static image pins. Many successful Pinterest marketers never show their face. Focus on helpful, beautiful images and solid SEO.

Author Info

Sarah Jenkins is a freelance content strategist and part-time Pinterest marketer who has helped over 20 small businesses grow their organic traffic. She started her own money-making Pinterest account in 2021 and now earns a consistent four-figure monthly income from affiliate sales and digital products. When she’s not creating pins, Sarah loves hiking with her rescue dog and testing new coffee recipes.