How to Make Money on Pinterest as a Beginner — Tips You Can Follow
So you’re curious about how people actually make money from Pinterest, and not just through cute mood boards or recipe pins?
At first, it sounds a little too good to be true. But let me tell you, it’s very possible, and if you’re a beginner, you’re not too late to start.
Pinterest isn’t just for fun anymore. It’s become a powerful platform for anyone looking to earn money from home.
From sharing product recommendations to growing traffic for a blog, there are real ways to build passive income from Pinterest, without needing thousands of followers or experience.
You just need to know how and where to start.
This guide is packed with simple, beginner-friendly tips that’ll help you use Pinterest for business instead of just personal pinning.
I’ll show you how to set up your account the right way, use a smart Pinterest marketing strategy, and even explore things like Pinterest affiliate marketing or how to make money blogging.
You can treat this as a side hustle or turn it into one of your main work-from-home jobs.
That’s the beauty of this platform, Pinterest works in the background while you keep doing life. No need to be glued to your screen all day long.
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 if you’re ready to get serious about using Pinterest to actually bring in passive income (even if you’re starting from scratch), you’re in the right place here.
Let’s walk through the steps, keep it simple, and help you start building something that pays off.
Step 1: Set Up Your Pinterest Business Account
Before you think about pinning anything, you need to set up your Pinterest account properly.
If you’re using a personal account, go ahead and switch it to a Pinterest for Business account.
It’s completely free, and it gives you access to important tools like analytics, rich pins, and Pinterest ads (if you want to go that route later).
Why is a business account a must-have?
Simple.
Because Pinterest needs to know you mean business, literally.
You’ll also get a chance to claim your website and social profiles, which adds credibility and improves your reach.
When you’re setting up, choose a name that reflects what you’ll be pinning about.
If you’re focused on home decor, fitness, or budgeting tips, your name and description should make that clear.
Pinterest uses this info to recommend your pins to the right people.
Step 2: Choose a Profitable Niche (One That Gets Traffic)
One of the biggest mistakes I see beginners make is posting about everything and anything.
Wrong.
It might feel like you’re casting a wider net, but what you’re really doing is confusing the Pinterest algorithm.
Pick one niche, or maybe two if they go together.
This helps Pinterest understand your content better and show it to users who are actually interested on your content.
A focused account performs better in the long run.
Here are a few beginner-friendly niches that work well on Pinterest:
- Home organization
- DIY crafts
- Fitness routines
- Budgeting tips
- Easy recipes
- Skincare and beauty
- Side hustles and work-from-home jobs
If your goal is to make money from Pinterest, then you’ll want to pick a niche that naturally allows for affiliate links, product recommendations, or blog traffic.
Don’t overthink it. Choose something you enjoy and something people are already searching for.
Step 3: Understand How Pinterest Works
This part is often skipped, but it matters a lot. Pinterest isn’t really a social media app; instead, it’s a visual search engine.
People come here to search for ideas, not to scroll through random content.
So the way you show up in front of them isn’t by posting constantly. It’s by optimizing your pins with keywords, high-quality images, and useful info that matches what they’re looking for.
Pinterest wants fresh, helpful content. You don’t need to go viral; you just need to be helpful and searchable.
That’s where a strong Pinterest marketing strategy comes in. You want your pins to pop up in search results when someone types in things like “easy budget tips” or “cute fall outfits under $50.”
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!
You do that by using the right keywords in your pin title, description, and even on the image text.
Step 4: Create Pins That Get Clicks
Okay, let’s talk about the actual pins. If your pins don’t catch someone’s eye, they won’t get clicks, and no clicks means no traffic or sales.
Here’s how to make your pins stand out without feeling like a graphic designer:
- Use vertical images — Pinterest favors a 2:3 ratio, 1000×1500 pixels is perfect.
- Add bold, easy-to-read text on the image — Use phrases like “Easy Meal Plan for Busy Moms” or “Top 5 Budgeting Apps That Actually Work.”
- Include your keywords — These should go in your pin title and description.
- Stick to a consistent style — Choose a color palette and fonts that reflect your niche. This helps you look more legit.
- Use Canva. It’s free and super beginner-friendly for designing pins.
Even if you’re new, you can start creating professional-looking pins in less than an hour. It just takes a little practice.
Step 5: Choose Your Monetization Method
You’ve got a Pinterest account. You’ve made some pins. Now let’s talk about how to actually earn money from home using this thing.
Here are three beginner-friendly ways to make money from Pinterest:
1. Pinterest Affiliate Marketing
This is one of the easiest ways to start. You join an affiliate program (like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or Impact), grab your affiliate link, and create a pin that links to that product.
▶▸ Get my easy-to-follow ebook on how to succeed fast with affiliate marketing here!
Let’s say you’re promoting a $30 planner. You create a pin titled “The Planner That Helped Me Actually Stick to a Budget,” and your link takes users straight to the product page. When someone clicks and buys? You earn a commission.
Just make sure:
- The affiliate program allows direct linking from Pinterest
- You include a clear disclosure in your description (a simple “This pin contains affiliate links” is fine)
This method works great for recommending products you actually use and love.
2. Make Money Blogging
This one takes a bit more setup, but it’s worth it long-term. Pinterest can drive traffic to your blog, where you make money through:
- Display ads
- Affiliate links
- Sponsored content
- Digital products
It takes time to grow a blog, but once your content starts ranking, you’ll have a solid stream of traffic and income.
You don’t need to be a full-time blogger either. Just one or two solid posts a week can get things rolling.
3. Selling Your Own Products or Services
If you already have something to sell, like a printable, an ebook, or coaching sessions, Pinterest is a great way to get eyeballs on it.
▶▸ Get the clear, simple system for creating digital products that sell Now!
Create pins that speak directly to the problem your product solves and link back to your sales page.
You don’t need to be a tech expert to set this up. Sites like Gumroad or Shopify make it super beginner-friendly.
FAQs
Q1: Do I need a blog to make money on Pinterest?
A: Nope! A blog is helpful, but it’s not a must. With Pinterest affiliate marketing, you can promote products directly through affiliate links (as long as the program allows it). That said, having a blog gives you more control, better conversions, and a place to send people who want more info. Think of it as an optional upgrade, not a requirement.
Q2: How often should I post on Pinterest?
A: Quality matters way more than quantity. Aim to post at least 3–5 fresh pins a week. These can be variations of the same link with different images or titles. You don’t need to post every day, but you should be consistent. Use a scheduler like Tailwind or Pinterest’s native scheduling tool to batch your content and stay organized.
Q3: Can you actually earn real money doing this?
A: Yes, absolutely. I’ve personally seen people start from scratch and end up making hundreds (even thousands) a month. Like any other work-from-home job, you get out what you put in. It’s not a get-rich-quick thing, but with consistent effort and smart strategies, you can absolutely make money from Pinterest, even as a beginner.
Q4: How long does it take to see results?
A: Pinterest is a slow burn. Unlike Instagram or TikTok, where you might see instant views, Pinterest pins gain traction over time. Some pins can take weeks or even months to take off, but once they do, they can keep bringing traffic (and income) for a long time. Think of it as planting seeds instead of chasing quick wins.
Q5: What tools do I need to get started?
A: You don’t need much to begin. Here’s a simple list:
- Pinterest Business account (free)
- Canva (free for pin design)
- Google Docs or Notion (for planning content)
- Affiliate networks or a blog (to monetize)
- A keyword list (just search on Pinterest and take note of autofill suggestions)
That’s it. No expensive gear or expensive tools. Just some time, consistency, and a bit of creativity.
Final Tips to Help You Succeed Fast
Here are a few extra things I wish someone had told me when I first started:
- Pinterest rewards fresh content — Don’t repost the same pin over and over. Instead, create new designs or tweak your headlines and images.
- Think like your audience — What are they searching for? What problem are they trying to solve? Make pins that answer that.
- Test everything — Try different colors, fonts, images, and descriptions. You’ll be surprised by what actually works.
- Stick with it — Most people quit way too soon. Pinterest isn’t about overnight success; it’s about slow, steady growth.
Conclusion
You don’t need to be a tech wizard or a full-time blogger to make money from Pinterest.
You just need a smart setup, a focused niche, and the patience to learn as you go.
Whether you want to get into Pinterest affiliate marketing, send traffic to your blog, or promote your own products, Pinterest can absolutely help you earn money from home.
It’s beginner-friendly, budget-friendly, and doesn’t require hours of daily effort.
Even one well-designed pin can bring in results for months. So don’t overthink it. Just start.
Set up your account. Create your first few pins. Track what works. Then do more of that.
You’ve got everything you need to turn Pinterest into a legit stream of income.
