How Beginners Can Make Money on Pinterest in 2025
If you’re new to Pinterest and wondering how people are actually making money with it in 2025, then get ready because I am going to tell you exactly how to make money from Pinterest, the easy way.
I’ve been using Pinterest to grow my income for a few years now, and let me tell you, it’s a lot more than just recipes and DIY crafts.
To begin, Pinterest is a visual search engine. Think of it like Google, but way prettier.
People go there to look for ideas, save stuff they love, and plan their next moves, whether that’s redecorating their kitchen or starting a side hustle.
And that’s exactly why it’s such a goldmine for beginners looking to make money online.
Back when I started, I had zero followers, no blog, and no clue what I was doing.
But with a few simple strategies and some consistency, things took off quicker than I expected.
The best of all? You don’t need to be a tech expert or have a huge following to see results.
In this post, I’ll walk you through real, beginner-friendly ways to make money on Pinterest right now in 2025.
We’ll cover everything from affiliate marketing and digital products to traffic strategies and step-by-step actions you can take today.
I’ll also share some tips I’ve learned along the way (including a few mistakes you’ll want to avoid).
So if you’re serious about turning Pinterest into a source of income, then grab a drink, get comfy, and let’s get into it.
Quick Note: I made $3,647 in a month with Pinterest by using this one simple strategy — and you don’t need a blog or experience to do it. Download the Free Guide Here!
Step 1: Set Up a Pinterest Business Account
If you want to make money on Pinterest, the first thing you need is a business account.
It’s free and super easy to set up. I remember switching my personal account over and wondering why I didn’t do it sooner.
A business account gives you access to Pinterest Analytics, rich pins, and more tools that help you grow faster.
Once you’re signed in, go to Pinterest’s settings and make the switch or create a brand new account as a business from the start. This sets you up for success right away.
A business account allows you to track how your pins perform. You’ll see what people are clicking on, what they’re saving, and what’s driving traffic the most.
And that’s huge when you’re trying to figure out what works. You can also claim your website or shop, which adds your URL to your profile and boosts your credibility on the platform.
Even if you don’t have a website yet, you can link to your Etsy store, Gumroad page, or even a social media profile. This simple first step puts you in the right lane to start making real income.
One more tip: enable “rich pins.” These pull extra info directly from your linked pages, making your pins look more professional and useful.
Pinterest likes rich pins, and so do users. It’s a small setup move that gives you more visibility and clicks without extra work, so it’s must do.
Step 2: Choose a Niche That Pays
When I first started, I thought I could just post about everything I liked. That’s biiig mistake. Pinterest doesn’t reward general content, it rewards focused, niche content.
That’s why step two is all about picking a profitable niche. Some niches are way easier to monetize than others. Think personal finance, fitness, recipes, beauty, DIY, parenting, and home decor.
These niches get tons of searches, and businesses are willing to pay good money to be seen in these spaces.
If you’re not sure what niche to choose, start by asking yourself:
↪ What do I enjoy talking about?
↪ What do people ask me for advice on?
↪ What are other creators making money from?
Then do a quick Pinterest search to see if people are actually searching for that topic. If the search bar auto-fills suggestions and you see lots of pins with repins and saves, then you’re onto something.
Also know that focus is key on Pinterest: If your whole Pinterest account is centered around one niche, the algorithm knows who to show your pins to, and the right audience will find you.
Don’t overthink it either: You can always adjust later. Just don’t skip this step. Choosing the right niche early can seriously speed up your results.
Step 3: Create a Strong Pinterest Profile
Your Pinterest profile is like your homepage. If someone lands on it and gets confused or bored, they’re gone.
But if they see a clear, helpful, and focused page, they’ll probably follow you and click on your pins so make sure you take care of that part.
Start with your name. Use keywords that describe what you do, like “Sarah | Easy Recipes for Busy Moms” or “Josh | Budget Travel Tips.” This helps people (and Pinterest’s algorithm) understand what your profile is all about.
Then update your bio with a clear sentence or two. Tell people who you help and what kind of content you share. Keep it simple and direct.
Next, make sure your boards are organized. Use clear titles like “Healthy Dinner Ideas” or “DIY Home Decor Projects.” No one should have to guess what your boards are about. Add keyword-rich descriptions to each one so your content has a better chance of showing up in search results.
Last tip: use a clean, high-quality profile picture. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just make sure it looks professional and fits your brand. Whether it’s your face or a logo, keep it consistent across platforms.
The goal is to make your profile easy to understand, trustworthy, and worth following. This helps you grow an audience that actually wants what you’re offering.
Step 4: Learn to Design Clickable Pins
This step changed the game for me. I used to throw random images together, and shocker, they flopped.
Here’s the thing: Pinterest is a visual platform.
Your pin has to stand out in a sea of other images. If it doesn’t catch someone’s eye in the first second, they’re scrolling past you.
So, what makes a clickable pin? First, the design has to be clean and easy to read.
Don’t crowd it with too much text. Stick to bold titles and simple fonts. I like using Canva, it’s free and beginner-friendly. They even have Pinterest templates to help you get started.
Next, your colors matter. Bright colors tend to stand out, but make sure they match your brand too. I usually pick 2–3 brand colors and use them consistently. This makes your pins more recognizable over time.
Use clear, benefit-focused text on your pin. Instead of saying “My Favorite Smoothie,” say “3 Fat-Burning Smoothies You Can Make in 5 Minutes.” See the difference? One gives a reason to click.
Also, don’t forget to add your website or username at the bottom of the pin. If someone shares it, people will still know it came from you.
Creating pins is a skill you get better at with time. Try a few designs, test them out, and tweak what works.
That’s what I did actually. Once I got the hang of pins, my clicks and income started to climb. You can do the same with a little practice.
Quick Note: I made $3,647 in a month with Pinterest by using this one simple strategy — and you don’t need a blog or experience to do it. Download the Free Guide Here!
Step 5: Use Keywords to Get Found
Keywords are everything on Pinterest. It works more like a search engine than a social platform, so if your pins don’t include the right keywords, nobody’s going to see them.
I learned this the hard way. Once I started adding the right keywords in the right places, I finally saw my traffic take off.
Here’s where you want to use keywords: your pin titles, pin descriptions, board names, board descriptions, and even your profile bio.
You don’t need to go overboard, just keep things natural. Think about what your ideal reader or customer would type into Pinterest, and include those words.
One of my favorite tricks? Use Pinterest’s own search bar. Start typing a word, and it’ll show you popular searches related to that topic.
That’s what people are actually looking for. You can also use Pinterest Trends to spot seasonal spikes and trending topics.
I also recommend checking out a browser extension like Keywords Everywhere. It shows search volume on Pinterest and Google, so you know what people care about. That’s a big help when writing pin text or naming boards.
Don’t stress if this feels like a lot at first. The more you do it, the easier it gets. Just remember, Pinterest wants to show the most helpful and relevant pins to its users.
Using keywords the right way tells Pinterest, “Hey, my pin answers that question!” And that’s how you start showing up and getting noticed.
Step 6: Start Posting Consistently — How Often Should You Pin?
Consistency is the secret sauce to succeeding on Pinterest. You don’t have to be glued to Pinterest all day, but you do need to show up regularly.
Even just two to three new pins a day. Pinterest loves fresh content, and it rewards accounts that post regularly.
So how often should you pin? If you’re just starting out, aim for 1–3 pins a day.
That could be one new design and two reshared older pins from your boards. The idea is to stay active without burning yourself out. Some people post 10–20 times a day, but that’s not realistic for everyone.
You can create a week’s worth of pins in one sitting and schedule them out using Tailwind or Pinterest’s built-in scheduler.
I use both, depending on how much content I’ve got ready. Scheduling is a lifesaver when you’ve got other stuff going on but still want your content working in the background.
And don’t forget, quality matters more than quantity. Focus on creating helpful, eye-catching pins that actually serve your audience. One great pin can do more than ten rushed ones. Track what’s working and keep doing more of that.
It took me a few weeks to get into a rhythm, but once I did, Pinterest became a solid traffic source for me. Stick with it, stay patient, and let the algorithm do its thing. It rewards consistency big time.
Step 7: Add Affiliate Links to Your Pins
Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest ways to make money on Pinterest, especially for beginners. It’s how I made my first $3000 without a blog.
▶▸Get my easy-to-follow ebook on how to succeed fast with affiliate marketing here!
You sign up for an affiliate program, get your custom links, and share those links in your pins. When someone clicks your pin and buys, you earn a commission.
Here’s how to do it right. First, only promote products you actually like or would use. If you spam random products, people won’t trust you. I started with products I already knew, like tools I used daily, eBooks I’d read, or simple home gadgets that solved a problem.
Next, create a helpful pin that clearly shows what the product is and why it’s useful. Use the title and description to explain the benefit. For example, instead of saying “Amazon Kitchen Tool,” say “This $10 Tool Made Cooking Dinner So Much Easier.” Then paste your affiliate link in the pin URL section.
Make sure you disclose that it’s an affiliate link somewhere in the description, though. A quick “This pin contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you” works just fine.
Affiliate pins can go viral if you pick the right product and angle. I had one pin that brought in passive income for weeks without any extra work. It’s one of the most beginner-friendly ways to monetize Pinterest, and you don’t even need a website to start.
Quick Note: I made $3,647 in a month with Pinterest by using this one simple strategy — and you don’t need a blog or experience to do it. Download the Free Guide Here!
Step 8: Use Pinterest to Drive Traffic to a Blog or Shop
If you’ve got a blog, Etsy shop, or online store, Pinterest can be your biggest traffic driver. I’ve used it to send thousands of people to my blog posts and digital product pages, without spending a dime on ads. And the best part? That traffic is evergreen. Pins you post today can keep sending visitors months (even years) later.
To make this work, every pin needs to link to a specific page with a clear goal. So if you’re promoting a blog post, that post should have a call-to-action like “join my email list” or “check out this product.” If you’re sending people to a product page, make sure the pin highlights exactly why they’d want it.
Use keyword-rich text in the pin title and description, just like you did before. Make it clear what they’ll get when they click. For example, “Free Printable Budget Template – Download Today” or “Top 5 Gifts for Plant Lovers.” These kinds of pins perform way better than something vague.
Make sure your landing pages are mobile-friendly, since most Pinterest users are on their phones. Keep things clean, fast-loading, and easy to navigate. If someone clicks your pin and lands on a slow or cluttered site, they’ll bounce right off.
Step 9: Join Pinterest Creator Rewards or Paid Partnerships
If you love creating pins and you’re active on Pinterest, there’s a chance to earn directly from the platform. Pinterest has rolled out a few programs like Creator Rewards and Paid Partnerships. These are great for beginners who enjoy making content and want to turn it into cash.
With Creator Rewards, Pinterest pays you for completing certain challenges. Think of it like: “Post this type of pin, get this amount.” You don’t need millions of followers. You just need to meet the criteria, follow the rules, and keep showing up. It’s a nice bonus on top of your affiliate links or blog traffic.
Paid Partnerships are another smart way to earn. Brands are always looking for Pinterest creators to promote their products. If you’ve built a niche account with quality content, you can start reaching out to brands, or they might reach out to you. Start small. Even $50 here and there can add up.
To qualify, make sure your Pinterest account is a business account, stay active, and post original Idea Pins regularly. You’ll also want to read through Pinterest’s Creator Hub to see what’s required.
These income streams aren’t passive like affiliate marketing, but they can be fun and rewarding, especially if you enjoy showing your face, using your voice, or creating how-to content.
Step 10: Track What’s Working and Improve
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is posting and hoping. If you’re not tracking what works, you’re guessing. Pinterest gives you built-in tools that make this easy and fun to watch your growth.
Head to your Pinterest Analytics dashboard. There you’ll see which pins are getting the most impressions, clicks, and saves. Focus on those. What’s the topic? The image style? The title? Double down on what’s doing well.
Also, take a look at what’s not working. Are some pins getting ignored? That’s okay. Adjust the title, image, or keywords. Pinterest rewards consistency and improvement, so don’t delete your pins. Learn from them.
It’s also smart to keep a simple spreadsheet or notebook where you track your affiliate clicks, blog visits, and pin performance. Over time, you’ll spot trends that help you grow faster.
A few quick tips:
- Test different pin styles: vertical vs square, bold text vs simple.
- Try posting at different times.
- Watch Pinterest Trends to ride hot topics early.
Improvement doesn’t have to mean more work. Sometimes it just means smarter work.
Bonus: Tools to Make Your Life Easier
Quick Note: I made $3,647 in a month with Pinterest by using this one simple strategy — and you don’t need a blog or experience to do it. Download the Free Guide Here!
Scheduling Tools
If you don’t want to pin every single day, these tools will help:
- Tailwind: This is Pinterest-approved and lets you schedule a week’s worth of pins in one sitting. You can also use their communities to get more exposure.
- Pinterest’s own scheduler: Built right into the platform. It’s free and easy to use for scheduling Idea Pins and regular pins.
Keyword & SEO Tools
Finding the right words helps your pins show up in search. Here’s how:
- Pinterest Trends: See what topics are trending and when. Great for seasonal content.
- Pinterest Search Bar: Type in a keyword and see what suggestions pop up. Those are what people are really searching for.
- Keywords Everywhere: A browser extension that shows search volume data. Super helpful if you’re doing deep research or running a blog/shop alongside Pinterest.
These tools can save you time, help you get seen, and make everything feel more manageable.
Final Tips for Beginners
Making money on Pinterest doesn’t happen overnight. But if you stick with it and follow one simple plan, things will click sooner or later.
- Start with one income stream. Affiliate marketing is great for beginners. Don’t try to do everything at once.
- Keep it simple. Don’t overthink your pins. Clear images, bold titles, and helpful content win.
- Stay consistent. Pinterest is a slow burner. The more you post, the more the algorithm trusts you. Growth builds over time.
And remember: You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to keep showing up.
Conclusion
Making money on Pinterest as a beginner in 2025 is not just possible, it’s real.
With a business account, a clear niche, and a plan to post consistently, you can turn your Pinterest boards into a source of income. From affiliate marketing to driving traffic to your blog or even getting paid by Pinterest itself, there are options for everyone.
Pick one method from this post, stay consistent for 30 days, and see what happens. It might just change the way you look at Pinterest forever.
