Pinterest isn’t just for recipes, DIY projects, and home décor inspo — it’s also one of the most powerful platforms to make real money online. If you’ve ever wondered how those pins with pretty graphics lead to income, the answer is simple: Pinterest drives massive traffic, and traffic equals money-making opportunities.
The best part? You don’t need millions of followers or a marketing degree. With the right strategy, you can use Pinterest to build a side hustle or even a full-time income — whether you’re a blogger, small business owner, or just starting from scratch.
In this guide, we’ll cover exactly how to make money with Pinterest in beginner-friendly steps, different income streams you can explore, and practical tips to grow consistently.
Why Pinterest Is a Money-Making Platform
- It’s a search engine, not just social media. People go to Pinterest to search for ideas, products, and solutions — which means they’re ready to take action.
- Long content lifespan. A pin can drive traffic for months or even years, unlike Instagram or TikTok posts that disappear quickly.
- High buyer intent. Pinterest users often search for things they want to try or buy (recipes, outfits, budgeting tips, home décor).
Simply put: Pinterest traffic can fuel blogs, affiliate sales, and businesses without you having to be “online” all the time.
Ways to Make Money With Pinterest
Here are the top 7 proven methods to monetize Pinterest:
1. Drive Traffic to a Blog
If you have a blog, Pinterest is one of the best ways to bring in readers. More traffic = more income from:
- Ads (Google AdSense, Mediavine, Ezoic)
- Affiliate links inside posts
- Sponsored posts when brands pay you to feature their products
Pro Tip: Create multiple pins for each blog post with different images/titles to maximize traffic.
2. Affiliate Marketing
You can pin directly to affiliate links (if allowed by the network) or drive traffic to blog posts that include affiliate products.
Examples:
- Amazon Associates
- ShareASale
- RewardStyle / LTK
- Awin
Example Pin: “10 Best Air Fryers Under $100” → Links to your affiliate recommendations.
3. Sell Digital Products
Pinterest is perfect for promoting digital downloads that sell over and over again. Popular ideas:
- Printables (meal planners, kids’ chore charts)
- Budgeting templates
- E-books or guides
- Online courses
Use platforms like Etsy, Gumroad, or Shopify to host your products.
4. Promote Services
If you’re a coach, VA (virtual assistant), or freelancer, Pinterest can bring in clients. Create pins that highlight:
- Your portfolio
- Services you offer
- Testimonials
Example: “Hire Me as Your Pinterest Manager” → Leads to a services page.
5. Pinterest VA / Manager
Yes, you can literally get paid to manage other people’s Pinterest accounts. Bloggers and small businesses often outsource pin design, scheduling, and growth strategy.
Income potential: $300–$1,000+/month per client.
6. Sell Physical Products
Got an Etsy shop, Shopify store, or small business? Use Pinterest to showcase your products with lifestyle photos. Pins can link directly to your product page.
Example: Handmade jewelry, home décor, clothing, or even pet treats.
7. Sponsored Pins / Brand Partnerships
Once you build consistent traffic and an audience, brands may pay you to feature their products in pins or blog posts.
How to Set Up Pinterest for Success
Step 1: Create a Business Account
- Switch your account to a Pinterest Business account (it’s free).
- This gives you analytics, ad options, and credibility.
Step 2: Optimize Your Profile
- Use a clear profile picture or logo
- Write a keyword-rich bio (what your content helps with)
- Add your website link
Step 3: Claim Your Website
- Add your domain (e.g.,
savvyearners.com) - This builds trust with Pinterest and allows you to track traffic.
Step 4: Set Up Boards Strategically
- Create boards around your niche (Budgeting Tips, Easy Recipes, Home Organization, etc.)
- Add keyword-rich board titles and descriptions.
Step 5: Design Eye-Catching Pins
- Use Canva for free templates
- Stick to vertical images (2:3 ratio)
- Bold, easy-to-read fonts
- Bright, clean backgrounds
Step 6: Be Consistent
- Pin daily (use Tailwind or Pinterest scheduler)
- Create multiple pins per blog post/product
- Monitor analytics to see what’s performing best
How Much Can You Make With Pinterest?
It depends on your strategy and consistency:
- Beginner bloggers: $100–$500/month within 3–6 months
- Intermediate (consistent traffic): $1,000–$3,000/month
- Advanced (big traffic + multiple monetization streams): $5,000+/month
Pro Tips for Growing on Pinterest
- SEO is key. Treat Pinterest like Google — use keywords in pin titles, descriptions, and board names.
- Fresh pins matter. Keep designing new pins instead of reusing the same one over and over.
- Quality > Quantity. A few strong, keyword-rich pins perform better than dozens of low-quality ones.
- Test & learn. Try different designs, fonts, and headlines to see what your audience clicks.
Final Thoughts
Pinterest is more than pretty pictures — it’s a traffic powerhouse that can turn into a real income stream. Whether you want to grow a blog, sell products, promote services, or dive into affiliate marketing, Pinterest is one of the most beginner-friendly platforms to start.
The key is consistency. Don’t expect overnight success, but with the right pin designs, keyword strategy, and patience, you could be earning anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars a month.
✨ Start small. Create your business account, design your first pins, and focus on one monetization method at a time. Before long, you’ll see why so many entrepreneurs (myself included!) swear by Pinterest for making money online.
