Pinterest isn’t just for saving vacation ideas or wedding inspiration. It’s a place packed with money-making potential. Yes, you can turn your Pinterest habit into a side hustle or even a thriving business.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to make money on Pinterest for beginners. You don’t need a massive following or tech skills to start. Grab a notebook (and maybe a snack) because this is going to be fun and simple to follow.
This post includes affiliate links to products I love and recommend, meaning I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.
Why Use Pinterest for Business?
Pinterest works like a visual search engine. People come here searching for ideas, products, and solutions to their problems.
This makes Pinterest the ideal connection point between businesses and potential customers. By creating eye-catching pins and using the right strategies, you can turn Pinterest into a platform that generates income.
Now, let’s explore specific ways to make money on Pinterest for beginners.
1. Affiliate Marketing: Making Money One Pin at a Time
Affiliate marketing is like being the connector of the internet. You promote products with a unique link, and when someone buys through it, you earn a commission.
Here’s how to make it work on Pinterest:
- Start by joining affiliate programs like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or LTK (LikeToKnowIt).
- Instead of linking directly, create a blog where you write helpful reviews or guides featuring these products. Link your affiliate products in the blog posts.
- Design eye-catching pins that highlight the product or topic covered in your blog. You can create them with AI tools like Leonardo.
- In the pin description, add a short call-to-action like, “Learn more” or “Find out why this is my favorite [product/topic],” and link to your blog.
Pro Tip: Focus on niches you’re genuinely passionate about, like home decor, fitness, or beauty. Pinterest users love ideas, and it’s easier to build trust and engagement when you’re sharing what you truly enjoy.
And don’t forget to always disclose affiliate links. It’s required by law, and it builds trust with your audience.
2. Sponsored Content: Partnering With Brands
Sponsored content is a great way to earn money by collaborating with brands that align with your niche. Brands pay you to promote their products or services, giving you a chance to turn your influence into income.
Here’s how to make it work on Pinterest:
- Build a profile that showcases your niche and attracts the right audience. Brands look for creators with engaged followers.
- Create high-quality pins that highlight the brand’s product or service, ensuring they align with your usual content style.
- Work closely with the brand to create content that meets their expectations while staying true to your voice.
Pro Tip: Focus on building long-term partnerships with brands. It’s better to have a few reliable collaborations that fit your niche than to promote random products that might confuse your audience.
Always disclose when content is sponsored. Transparency is key to maintaining trust with your followers and complying with legal requirements.
3. Use Pinterest to Drive Traffic To Your Blog
Blogging is one of the most popular ways to earn passive income, and Pinterest is the perfect partner to help you grow your blog traffic. Together, they create a powerful combination that can boost your income.
Here’s the plan:
- Start a blog if you don’t have one yet. For reliable hosting, I recommend Hostinger, which is perfect for setting up a WordPress site.
- Pick a beautiful WordPress theme that fits your niche and style. You can find stunning options at Bluchic. They have many elegant and professional themes.
- Write helpful content that your audience is searching for, such as tutorials, guides, or recipes. Focus on solving problems or providing value.
- Create eye-catching pins that link directly to your blog posts. Make sure your pins stand out and include clear, compelling titles.
Pinterest works like a free traffic generator for your blog. If your blog is monetized with ads, affiliate links, or digital products, that traffic can easily turn into income.
Pro Tip: Consistency is key. Regularly publish new blog posts and create fresh pins to keep your Pinterest audience engaged and growing.
4. Sell Digital Products
Selling digital products is a fantastic way to turn your creativity into income. From printables to eBooks, the possibilities are endless, and Pinterest can help you showcase your products to the right audience.
Here’s how to get started:
- Create digital products your audience will love, such as digital planners, templates, or guides.
- Set up an online shop. You can use platforms like Etsy or PayHip, which is perfect for selling digital products directly to your customers.
- Design visually appealing pins to promote your products. Include enticing titles and descriptions that highlight the benefits of your items.
- Link your pins to your shop’s product pages to make it easy for potential customers to purchase.
Pro Tip: Focus on niches that are popular on Pinterest, like organization, home decor, or fashion. Make sure your products solve a specific problem or meet a need.
5. Be a Pinterest Virtual Assistant
Yes, being a Pinterest Virtual Assistant (Pinterest VA) is a real thing. And people are willing to pay good money for it.
As a Pinterest VA, you help businesses by managing their Pinterest accounts, creating pins, running ads, and analyzing performance.
Here’s why it’s beginner-friendly:
- You don’t need a fancy degree, but you do need to learn how to use Pinterest for business.
- Businesses are eager for Pinterest-savvy folks.
- You can charge hourly or by package, often earning $25–$50/hour starting out.
Head to platforms like Fiverr or Upwork to market your skills, or pitch directly to small business owners.
6. Optimize Your Account With Pinterest SEO
Pinterest runs on keywords. If you’ve ever typed something like “easy dinner recipes” into the Pinterest search bar, you’re already familiar with its search engine-like vibe.
So, to optimize your Pinterest by using strategic keywords in these places:
- Pin titles and descriptions
- Text overlays on images
- Alt Text
- Board titles and descriptions
- Pinterest BIO
Research trending keywords using the Pin Inspector tool, or find them in the Pinterest search. And remember, Pinterest loves consistency. Posting at least once a day keeps your account relevant.
However, to see the best results, you’ll need to pin more. Right now, I’m pinning 13+ times per day, and thanks to different AI tools, it doesn’t take me much time to create and schedule pins.
7. Tap Into Pinterest Ads
If you have some budget to spare, Pinterest Ads can help you reach a larger audience and drive more traffic to your income streams.
Promoted pins look just like regular pins but get shown to more people. Many businesses find Pinterest Ads give them better results compared to platforms like Facebook or Instagram, often spending less and earning more.
You can target users based on their interests, keywords, or even past searches. Whether you want to increase sales for your online shop or grow your blog traffic, Pinterest Ads can give you the extra boost you need.
8. Use Pinterest for Microservices on Platforms Like Fiverr
Did you know you can offer Pinterest-related services on Fiverr or other freelance platforms? It’s a smart way to turn your Pinterest skills into income. Here are some ideas to get started:
- Design Pinterest templates using Canva.
- Manage Pinterest accounts for busy entrepreneurs.
- Write keyword-optimized pin titles and descriptions.
- Create pins with AI tools fast.
Small business owners, like Etsy sellers, are always looking for ways to boost their visibility. Pinterest is the perfect solution, and your expertise can help them stand out.
Pro Tip: Keep your turnaround times short. It will help you attract more orders and boost your income.
Summing Up: Pinterest Is a Money-Making Playground
Pinterest is packed with opportunities to turn your creativity into cash. Whether you are using affiliate marketing, driving traffic to your blog, or offering services as a Pinterest virtual assistant, there is space for everyone, from part-time side hustlers to full-time business owners.
Take the next step and learn how to make money on Pinterest for beginners with my Pinterest course. It is packed with easy-to-follow strategies to help you turn your Pinterest passion into a real money-maker.
Petra Šranc (CEO of Big Income Paradise) is passionate about teaching female entrepreneurs how to do Social Media Marketing to grow their business online. She also focuses on teaching Social Media content tactics to skyrocket traffic, leads, and sales. 
