How to Make Money on Pinterest
If you’re looking for ways to get money that don’t feel like pulling teeth, Pinterest might surprise you. I’ve been using it for years now, and I’ve learned that it’s not just for recipes and DIY projects; you can actually make real money on Pinterest. And no, you don’t need a huge following, a blog, or a full-blown business to get started.
You’re probably here because you’re looking for easy, doable ways to earn extra money online. Maybe you want to build a side hustle, or maybe you just want some quick wins that don’t take up your whole weekend. Either way, Pinterest can help if you know what to do and how to do it.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to make money on Pinterest. I’ll show you simple methods that work, free tools to use, and the best part, which is how to keep it low-effort but still effective.
We’ll talk about things like affiliate marketing, digital products, and setting up a solid affiliate marketing strategy that fits your style.
This isn’t about getting rich overnight, though. But if you’re serious about learning a few money-making hacks and using Pinterest the right way, you can start seeing results a lot faster than you might think.
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!
So grab your coffee (or snack of choice), and let’s talk Pinterest, because there are way easier ways to make money than slogging through boring side gigs.
Why Pinterest Is a Goldmine (That Most People Ignore)
So here’s the thing, Pinterest isn’t just for saving recipes or wedding inspo. It’s a search engine where people are actively looking for ideas, products, and solutions.
That means if you show up with something helpful (and clickable), you can earn from it. No dancing, no constant posting. Just a smart strategy.
People type in real stuff like “budget-friendly kitchen gadgets” or “cute home office setup.” That’s your window to share helpful pins, drive traffic, and get paid on the way.
1. Use Affiliate Marketing (This Is a No-Brainer)
If you want a low-effort way to get started, affiliate links are where it’s at.
What’s Affiliate Marketing in Simple Terms?
You recommend a product you like. Someone clicks your link and buys it. Boom, you get a commission. That’s your affiliate marketing strategy in action.
How To Do It on Pinterest:
- Sign up for affiliate programs like Amazon, ShareASale, or Impact.
- Create a pin about the product (Canva makes it easy).
- Add your affiliate link to the pin’s destination URL.
- Write a short description with keywords like money-making hacks or “best budget tools.”
Just don’t forget to add a simple disclaimer in your pin description like: “This post contains affiliate links.”
▶▸ Get my easy-to-follow ebook on how to succeed fast with affiliate marketing here!
People are clicking and buying from Pinterest; it’s happening every day. The sooner you jump in, the better.
2. Sell Digital Products Directly Through Pins
This one’s perfect if you want to create once and earn forever. Digital products = no shipping, no inventory.
▶▸ Get the clear, simple system for creating digital products that sell Now!
What Can You Sell?
- Printable planners
- Budget trackers
- Canva templates
- Checklists
- Journals
- eBooks
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!
If you’ve ever Googled “how to make money fast,” creating a $5 digital product might be the smartest answer out there.
Where Do You Sell?
You don’t need a website. Use:
- Etsy
- Gumroad
- Payhip
- Stan Store
- Shopify Starter ($5/mo)
Link your pin to your product page, write a short description, and boom, you’re in business.
3. Offer Pinterest Services
Maybe you’re not ready to sell or do affiliate marketing. That’s cool. You can still make money by helping others grow their Pinterest accounts.
Yup, people pay for this.
What Services Can You Offer?
- Creating pins
- Keyword research
- Pin scheduling
- Pinterest account setup
- Monthly management
If you enjoy Pinterest and know your way around Canva and Tailwind, this is an easy way to earn extra money online.
Start by offering services on Fiverr or Upwork, or join Facebook groups where bloggers and Etsy sellers hang out. You’d be surprised how many people are begging for help with Pinterest.
4. Create Pins That Drive Traffic to YouTube or TikTok
Let’s say you have a YouTube channel or TikTok where you share useful content. Great, Pinterest can bring a whole new audience to those videos.
Here’s How to Do It:
- Grab a screenshot or make a teaser pin.
- Link the pin to your YouTube video or TikTok link.
- Use an attention-grabbing title like “How I Save $200/Month on Groceries” or “Best Amazon Finds for Your Home Office.”
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!
Once people land on your video, you can promote affiliate links, digital products, or anything else. Pinterest sends the traffic, your content does the rest.
5. Promote Print-on-Demand Products
Print-on-demand is perfect for creatives who don’t want to handle inventory. You create a design, upload it, and a third-party prints and ships the product when someone orders.
What You Can Sell:
- T-shirts
- Mugs
- Tote bags
- Stickers
- Wall art
Use platforms like Printify, Printful, or Redbubble, and link your products directly to your pins. Use mockups to make your pins pop and write clear, benefit-driven descriptions.
This is another simple way to get in on extra money online without a big investment.
6. Build an Email List With Pinterest (Then Sell Later)
Here’s a slightly slower play, but it works long-term. Build an email list from Pinterest traffic, and then promote products or services through email.
What You’ll Need:
- A freebie (like a checklist, guide, or template)
- A landing page (MailerLite and ConvertKit offer free plans)
- A pin that leads to your landing page
- A follow-up email sequence (you can keep it simple)
You don’t have to sell anything up front. Just build trust, send helpful tips, and naturally plug in your affiliate marketing strategy or product links over time.
Think of it like planting seeds. Give it a little time and those emails can turn into solid income.
7. Make Idea Pins That Get Attention
Pinterest’s Idea Pins (kind of like Instagram Stories) don’t allow direct links yet, but they’re great for building trust and reach.
What to Share in Idea Pins:
- “3 quick budget tips that saved me $100 this month”
- “Before and after of my home office makeover”
- “Top Amazon items under $20”
These are especially good if you’re using Pinterest to grow a personal brand or warm up an audience for future offers.
Even if they don’t make money directly, they help Pinterest push your other pins higher in search. That means more traffic to the ones that do pay.
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!
8. Create Viral-Style Pins With a Twist on It
Pinterest loves “list-style” pins. You know the ones:
- “7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting Etsy”
- “5 Hacks to Save Money on Groceries”
- “10 Ways to Make Extra Money from Home”
Now combine that with how to make money fast content, and now you’ve got a winning combo.
People love easy-to-skim tips. Just make sure your pin:
- Has a clean, bold headline
- Uses an eye-catching image
- Links to something useful (YouTube, product page, etc.)
You’re not just pinning pretty things. You’re creating a money funnel, one click at a time.
9. Use Group Boards and Communities to Grow Faster
Pinterest’s algorithm rewards engagement. Group boards and Tailwind Communities help you get that boost early on.
What They Do:
- Share your pins with a wider audience
- Help you get repins and saves
- Connect you with creators in similar niches
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!
Search “Pinterest group boards” on Facebook or Tailwind’s built-in communities. Just make sure the board or group is still active before joining.
It’s a solid way to fast-track growth without spending hours a day online.
10. Track What’s Working and Fix What’s Not
No one gets everything right the first time. The good news? Pinterest gives you the data you need to tweak and grow.
Watch These Metrics Closely:
- Outbound clicks
- Saves
- Impressions
- Engagement rate
If a pin’s getting views but no clicks, maybe the image is strong but the call-to-action is weak. If it gets saves but no traffic, maybe it’s missing a link.
The fix is usually small. But you only find it by tracking.
This part might sound “boring,” but it’s actually the secret sauce. It helps you stop wasting time and focus on what brings in real money.
Common Pinterest Mistakes to Avoid
Let’s save you from the same mess-ups I made early on:
- Using pins with cluttered designs or hard-to-read fonts
- Ignoring keywords in your titles and descriptions
- Linking to broken or unrelated pages
- Spamming affiliate links with no real value
- Not disclosing when you’re using affiliate links
Pinterest wants to show helpful content. If you keep it clear, honest, and useful, the platform will reward you.
How to Stay Consistent (Without Burning Out)
You don’t have to pin every day. Seriously.
Try This Weekly Schedule:
- Day 1: Create 3–5 new pins (use Canva templates)
- Day 2: Schedule them using Pinterest’s free scheduler or Tailwind
- Day 3: Analyze past pins, tweak what’s not working
- Day 4: Brainstorm new ideas or update old pins
That’s it. A few hours a week = consistent growth, clicks, and earnings.
Consistency matters more than volume on Pinterest. Just keep showing up every day.
Conclusion: You Really Can Make Money on Pinterest
You don’t need to go viral. You don’t need a blog. You don’t even need thousands of followers.
Pinterest gives you a real shot at building income, on your terms. Whether you’re starting with zero or already have a small audience, there’s a way to earn on this platform.
Want ways to make money that actually fit your schedule and skills? Pinterest might be your new best friend.
- Recommend products you love
- Sell something simple
- Help others grow
- Share helpful info
Start small. Test things. Learn as you go.
