Are you scrolling through Pinterest and wondering, “Can I make money doing this?” The short answer is: yes, you absolutely can. Thousands of people—from stay-at-home parents to side hustlers and full-time content creators—are turning Pinterest into a source of real income. And the best part? You don’t need a blog, store, or big following to get started.
If you’re brand new to the platform or you’ve never thought of it as a money-making tool, this post will guide you through how to make money by pinning on Pinterest — even as a total beginner.
What Is Pinterest and Why Is It Valuable?
Pinterest is often described as a “visual discovery engine.” It’s where people go to find ideas, from healthy recipes and home decor to side hustle tips and outfit inspiration.
But here’s the secret: Pinterest users are action-takers. People use Pinterest to plan things they want to do or buy. That makes them more likely to click, sign up, or purchase compared to users on other platforms.
So instead of just browsing for fun, why not learn how to pin with purpose and turn your time into income?
Step 1: Set Up a Pinterest Business Account
Before you can earn money, you need the right foundation. A business account gives you access to Pinterest Analytics, lets you run ads, and helps Pinterest take you seriously.
Here’s how to set it up:
- Go to Pinterest for Business
- Create a free business account (or convert your account)
- Add a profile photo (your face or logo)
- Write a short bio with keywords related to your niche
- Link your website or blog (if you have one — not mandatory)
Tip: You can earn even if you don’t have a blog or website, but having one helps long-term.
Step 2: Understand How People Make Money on Pinterest
Making money on Pinterest doesn’t mean Pinterest pays you for pinning (like YouTube pays creators). Instead, you make money by driving traffic to places that pay you, such as affiliate links, blogs, products, or services.
Here are the top ways beginners earn from pinning:
✅ Affiliate Marketing
You recommend products using special links. If someone clicks and buys, you earn a commission.
✅ Driving Traffic to a Blog or YouTube Channel
More views = more ad revenue, affiliate clicks, or product sales.
✅ Promoting Your Products or Services
Think Etsy crafts, digital downloads, courses, or consulting.
✅ Offering Pinterest Services
Once you’re good at Pinterest, you can offer your skills as a Pinterest virtual assistant.
Step 3: Learn the Basics of Creating Pins
Your pins are the “ads” or visuals people click on. Even if you’re not a designer, you can create stunning pins using free tools like Canva.
What Makes a Great Pin?
- Vertical image (1000×1500 px is ideal)
- Bold text overlay (make it clear what the pin is about)
- Clear, high-quality image
- Keywords in the pin title and description
For example, if you’re promoting a weight loss affiliate product, a pin might say:
“5 Easy Breakfasts That Help Burn Belly Fat”
Link the pin to your affiliate product or blog post. Simple!
Step 4: Find a Niche and Audience
Don’t try to post about everything. Pick a niche — a specific topic you’ll post about consistently. Pinterest favors focused accounts.
Some beginner-friendly niches include:
- Health & fitness
- Budgeting & money tips
- DIY & crafts
- Fashion & beauty
- Recipes & meal planning
- Personal development
- Home organization
- Side hustle ideas
Once you know your niche, tailor your content to what your audience is searching for. For example, if your niche is budgeting, pins like “10 Ways to Save $500 a Month” or “Best Budgeting Apps for Beginners” work great.
Step 5: Start With Affiliate Marketing (Beginner Friendly)
This is one of the easiest ways to make money on Pinterest, especially if you don’t have a blog yet.
What is affiliate marketing?
You sign up for a brand’s affiliate program, get a special tracking link, and earn a small commission whenever someone buys through that link.
Popular affiliate programs for beginners:
- Amazon Associates
- ShareASale
- Impact
- ClickBank
- Etsy (via Awin)
How to do it:
- Find a product you like.
- Sign up for the affiliate program.
- Get your custom affiliate link.
- Create a pin about the product.
- Link the pin to your affiliate link (or to a blog post that contains it).
Important: Always disclose that your pin contains an affiliate link by adding “#affiliate” or “affiliate link” in the description.
Step 6: Create Pinterest Boards Around Your Niche
Boards are like folders that organize your pins by topic. Create 5–10 boards to start, each focused on a keyword or category in your niche.
Examples for a fitness niche:
- Healthy Breakfast Ideas
- Home Workout Tips
- Weight Loss for Women
- Fitness Motivation
- Meal Prep Recipes
Pin relevant content to each board, both your own and from others. This helps Pinterest understand what your profile is about — and shows your pins to more of the right people.
Step 7: Stay Consistent (And Use a Pinning Schedule)
Pinterest rewards consistent activity, not spammy behavior.
Tips:
- Pin 5–10 times a day (use a mix of your own and others’ content)
- Use a free scheduling tool like Tailwind or Pinterest’s own scheduler
- Repin your best pins every few weeks
More activity = more chances to get your pins seen, clicked, and shared.
Step 8: Track Your Results
Use Pinterest Analytics (available on business accounts) to track:
- Which pins get the most impressions and clicks
- What boards perform best
- What your audience is interested in
If one pin is doing really well, make more content like it. Test different styles, headlines, and topics to see what gets the most traction.
How To Make $10K a Month in 2025? – 16 Proven Ways!
Real-Life Example: A Beginner’s Journey to Making $300/Month
Let’s say Jane is a beginner who loves organization. She starts a Pinterest account and signs up for an affiliate program that sells digital planners.
- She designs 10 pins in Canva that say things like:
- “Best Digital Planner for Busy Moms”
- “Plan Your Week in 5 Minutes”
- She links those pins to her affiliate product page.
- She pins daily, joins Pinterest group boards, and shares content.
- Within a few weeks, she sees clicks, and by the second month, she earns her first $50.
- She scales up — more pins, more products, more traffic — and eventually hits $300/month.
Jane didn’t have a blog, followers, or a fancy setup — just consistency and strategy.
How to Start a Career in Digital Marketing: The Complete Beginner’s Guide
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Posting random, off-topic pins — stay focused on your niche
- Ignoring keywords — use SEO-friendly titles and descriptions
- Only pinning once in a while — consistency is key
- Overusing affiliate links — mix value posts with money posts
- Using low-quality images or tiny text, your pins need to stand out
FAQs for Beginners
Q: Do I need a blog to make money on Pinterest?
No! Affiliate marketing can be done directly on Pinterest. But having a blog gives you more control and more ways to monetize long-term.
Q: Is it free to use Pinterest?
Yes. Everything we’ve discussed here can be done for free.
Q: How long does it take to make money?
It depends on your effort and niche. Some people earn within weeks, others take a few months. Be patient and consistent.
Q: Can I use Pinterest on my phone?
Yes, but creating and scheduling pins is easier on a laptop or desktop.
Final Thoughts: Start Where You Are
You don’t need fancy tools, a huge audience, or years of experience to start making money on Pinterest. You just need to:
- Pick a niche
- Learn how to create great pins
- Use affiliate links or promote your content
- Stay consistent and track what works
Pinterest is a long-term platform. With time, it can become a steady source of income — even passive income — where your old pins keep earning for you months or years later.
So if you’re a beginner wondering whether this platform is “worth it” give it a shot. The earlier you start, the sooner your pins can start paying you back.
Would you like a free Pinterest content calendar or pin design template to help you get started? Let me know — I’m happy to share!
Get Paid to Talk to People: 25 Best Companies Hiring in 2025
Let me know if you’d like to convert this into a downloadable PDF lead magnet or add some visuals!