How to make money on Pinterest

Who doesn’t love a fun mood board? The folks behind Pinterest certainly understand our human need to group photos of all that inspires us. Redoing your kitchen? You can use Pinterest to gather shots of chic cabinetry, hardware, and tiles. Simply love cats? Pin pics of these cuties so you have something to turn to when you need some cheering up.

But like any social media app, Pinterest is not just for fun. It’s a platform where content creators can earn money. With around 430 million monthly users globally, plenty of viewers are just waiting for content that will make them say “love that!” or “aww.”

Read on to learn how to monetize your participation on this app with strategies on everything, from how to make money on Pinterest with affiliate marketing to how to drive traffic to your e-commerce site or blog.

5 ways to make money on Pinterest

Whether you’re an online business owner who wants to make money selling your own products or a social media star who would like a little bit of extra money, there’s a way to use Pinterest to your advantage. Here are five ways to monetize your mood boards.

How to make money on Pinterest with affiliate links

Sign up for a third-party affiliate marketing program to partner with brands looking for influencers like you so they can reach a specific target audience. Team up with brands you like whose products align well with your vibe, and then embed an affiliate link in your photos. You’ll earn a commission for clicks, leads, and sales, depending on the type of affiliate program you’re working with. Just be sure to read up on the latest regulations from Pinterest on affiliate links. If you can’t post one, you can always put up a Linktree URL, which can house all the links you want in one tidy place.

How to make money pinning on Pinterest

If you have a business or represent someone who does, you can drive sales by pinning items in your photos. Own a chic clothing boutique? Open a Pinterest business account and pin the products in your pictures. You can even upload your whole product list and create special pins that allow viewers to see how much that leather jacket costs before they click through to your e-commerce site and make a purchase. If you represent a brand, you can apply the same logic with affiliate products. You’ll later get commissions for the leads you bring in.

How to make money on Pinterest with AdSense

This money-making technique is a bit more involved, but we know you can pull it off. If you have a blog presence, you can partner with Google AdSense to host relevant marketing content on your page. But how does this work if Pinterest isn’t a blog? You can use your account as a jumping-off point, inviting Pinterest users with a link in your bio or on your photos to check out your blog. The idea is to use Pinterest to drive traffic elsewhere.

How to make money on Pinterest with an e-commerce site

You can try the tactic we described above of pinning your products in photos so that viewers can click through to your e-commerce site, and you can also add a Linktree URL to your Pinterest bio so people who love your content can check out your whole online store, your other social media platforms, and more.

How to make money on Pinterest with a blog

On a blog, you can do all sorts of marketing: affiliate, sponsored, AdSense posts, and so on. So, if you have a money-making blog, why not drive more traffic to it by creating click-worthy content for Pinterest and providing viewers with a link to check out your site? And if you do have that successful of a blog, why not make posts about becoming a better blogger? That’s sure to get your audience to engage with your site, not just your Pinterest content.

How to make money on Pinterest without a blog

Blogs can be money-makers, but you don’t need one to make money on Pinterest. Try the affiliate link technique, drive traffic to your e-commerce site, or even sell your skills as a Pinterester to brands or individuals who want to improve their presence on the platform. You can freelance as a content creator, an account manager, or an all-around Pinterest virtual assistant.

Tips for being successful on Pinterest

Engaging your audience is the only way to start making money online or on any social media platform. The No. 1 rule of any marketing strategy? Make great content that your followers will love. Here’s how to win at Pinterest marketing.

Create ‘fresh pins’

Post content the world has never seen before. The Pinterest algorithm pushes new, unique content to the top. If you have an e-commerce site, you have a great opportunity here because you can post new product drops in aesthetically-pleasing shots “Planet Pinterest” has never seen.

Stick to your niche

Create relevant content for your Pinterest boards that appeals to your following. Your page will look more visually coherent, and aesthetics are everything on Pinterest. Plus, you won’t confuse your viewers with seemingly random posts.

Quality vs. quantity

In a world of perfectly curated social media accounts, nothing is worse than an account trying to get more viewers without first trying to make standout content. Spend time creating high-quality images and curating your posts, especially if your business is focused on design, DIY crafts, or the arts. Pinterest is huge for these categories, and it’s a visual app to boot.