Have you ever spent hours on Pinterest pinning your favorite recipes, home decor ideas, or fashion finds? What if I told you that you could turn all that time spent pinning into a profitable side hustle? That’s right—Pinterest isn’t just for inspiration; it’s also a great way to make money online!
If you’re new to making money with Pinterest, don’t worry. Whether you’re a stay-at-home parent, a student, or someone looking for extra income, this guide will show you step-by-step how to get started with affiliate marketing, product promotions, and even selling services—all through Pinterest.
Let’s dive in!
Why Pinterest?
Before we jump into the “how,” let’s talk about why Pinterest is the perfect platform for making money online. Unlike social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook, Pinterest is more like a search engine. People come to Pinterest to find things—whether it’s products, solutions to problems, or inspiration. This means Pinterest users are often in “buying mode,” making it an ideal platform to promote products, services, and affiliate links.
Pinterest has over 450 million active users worldwide, and many of them use the platform to search for products to buy. So, why not get in front of this traffic and turn it into an income stream?
Step 1: Set Up Your Pinterest Account for Success
The first step to making money on Pinterest is optimizing your account for business. This will allow you to track your analytics, promote your pins, and make your content more searchable.
- Convert your account to a Business account – This is free and gives you access to Pinterest analytics and tools that can help you track what’s working.
- Create keyword-rich boards – Use keywords related to the products or services you plan to promote. For example, if you’re promoting health products, create boards like “Healthy Living Tips” or “Wellness Essentials.”
- Optimize your bio – Your profile should include keywords that describe what you do. Include a link to your blog, website, or affiliate page in your bio so followers can click through.
Step 2: Start Affiliate Marketing with Pinterest
Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest ways to make money on Pinterest, and it’s a great starting point for beginners. You earn a commission every time someone purchases a product through your affiliate link.
Here’s how to get started:
- Join affiliate programs – There are many programs out there like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or Rakuten where you can sign up to promote products and earn commissions.
- Create beautiful pins – When promoting products via affiliate links, eye-catching pins are a must. Use free design tools like Canva to create visually appealing pins that will get people to click.
- Include your affiliate link in the pin description – Make sure to include your affiliate link directly in the pin description or use a URL shortener to keep things tidy. Always disclose that the link is an affiliate link for transparency.
- Pin to relevant boards – Don’t just pin your product to any board. Make sure it’s going to a board that matches the product’s niche, like “Best Home Office Gadgets” if you’re promoting office furniture.
Pro Tip: You can also write blog posts featuring the product you’re promoting and pin that post on Pinterest. This adds more value and can increase conversions. Check out our detailed guide on Affiliate Marketing Tips to learn more.
Step 3: Promote as a Pinterest Virtual Assistant
Did you know that many bloggers, small business owners, and influencers pay people to manage their Pinterest accounts? If you’re good at creating engaging pins, organizing boards, and driving traffic, you can offer Pinterest management services as a side hustle.
Here’s how you can get started:
- Offer your services on freelance platforms like Fiverr or Upwork. Create a gig offering Pinterest management or Pinterest VA (virtual assistant) services.
- Create your own website showcasing the services you offer. Include a portfolio of pins you’ve designed or success stories of clients you’ve helped.
- Promote your services on Pinterest – Yes, you can promote your own Pinterest-related services on Pinterest! Create pins advertising your service and link them to your freelance profile or website.
Example services to offer:
- Pin design and creation
- Pinterest SEO (optimizing boards and pins)
- Pinterest account setup and management
Internal Link: If you want more ideas on passive income, read our full guide on 7 Passive Income Ideas to explore other ways to make money online.
Step 4: Sell Your Own Products or Services
Pinterest can also be a powerful tool if you have a product or service to sell. Whether you’re selling handmade crafts, or eBooks, or offering coaching services, you can use Pinterest to drive traffic to your sales page.
Here’s how to do it:
- Create pins promoting your products or services – Use high-quality images of your product or service and create pins that stand out. Add a clear call-to-action like “Shop Now” or “Learn More.”
- Link the pin to your shop or service page – Make sure the link takes users directly to where they can purchase or learn more about what you offer.
- Use Pinterest Ads to boost your visibility – If you want to accelerate your success, consider investing in Pinterest Ads. These allow you to target users based on keywords, interests, and demographics.
Step 5: Maximize Traffic with Pinterest SEO
Just like Google, Pinterest relies on keywords to help users find content. By optimizing your pins, boards, and profiles for search, you can reach a wider audience.
Here’s how to optimize your pins for Pinterest SEO:
- Use relevant keywords in your pin titles and descriptions.
- Hashtags can help your content get found. Use 3-5 relevant hashtags in your pin descriptions.
- Pin regularly – The more active you are, the more Pinterest will show your content to others.
Internal Link: If you’re just starting out, check out our Blogging 101 post to learn how to combine Pinterest with blogging for even greater reach.
Conclusion: Start Your Pinterest Side Hustle Today!
Making money on Pinterest doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you choose affiliate marketing, selling your own products, or offering Pinterest management services, the key is to get started. Pinterest offers endless opportunities to earn extra income if you take the time to optimize your account, create engaging pins, and consistently provide value to your audience.
If you’re ready to make Pinterest part of your side hustle, start by choosing one of the methods above and take action today! Remember, you don’t need to be an expert—you just need to get started.
Call to Action: Ready to start earning money with Pinterest? Learn more about Affiliate Marketing and explore Passive Income Ideas to boost your income potential!