Pinterest is a fantastic platform for earning money, especially if you’re new to blogging or digital marketing. Back when I first started, I honestly didn’t know Pinterest could be a source of income. I thought it was just for saving recipes and DIY ideas! But after diving into the world of blogging, I quickly discovered that Pinterest is also a powerful marketing tool that can drive traffic and help you earn money—even as a beginner.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through some beginner-friendly ways to make money on Pinterest in 2024. I’ll share tips, strategies, and the tools I’ve used to grow my Pinterest presence and make it profitable. Plus, I’ll include a few affiliate links to resources that can help you get started on the right foot.

1. Affiliate Marketing on Pinterest

One of the easiest ways to start making money on Pinterest is through affiliate marketing. This means promoting products and earning a commission on any sales that result from your links. You don’t even need a blog to do this, although having one definitely adds more options (like creating in-depth product reviews).

When I first started experimenting with affiliate marketing, I created pins with eye-catching images and added my affiliate link in the pin’s URL. The key is to choose products or services that are relevant to your audience. For example, if you’re into fitness, you might promote workout gear or nutrition supplements.

Here’s a quick guide to get started:

• Choose Your Affiliate Programs: Join networks like ShareASale or Amazon Associates, which offer a wide range of products.
• Create Pins for Your Affiliate Products: Make sure the images are high-quality, and the pin description is engaging. I’ve found that using lifestyle images or showing the product in action tends to attract more clicks.
• Include a Clear Call to Action (CTA): Encourage people to “click to learn more” or “see the full product list.”

Just remember to add a disclosure to let people know it’s an affiliate link!

Affiliate Suggestion: To streamline affiliate marketing on Pinterest, tools like Tailwind help schedule pins and track performance. It’s a time-saver and ensures you’re consistently posting.

2. Drive Traffic to Your Blog and Monetize It

If you have a blog or want to start one, Pinterest can be a game-changer for driving traffic. For beginners wondering how to start a blog and use Pinterest for blogging, the two go hand-in-hand perfectly. Pinterest is essentially a visual search engine, so your blog posts can rank there, just like they might on Google.

Here’s my personal strategy for using Pinterest to drive traffic to my blog:

• Create High-Quality Content: Start with a blog post that offers real value—whether that’s a guide, list, or tutorial. This way, people are more likely to click, read, and even share it.
• Design Multiple Pins for Each Post: Each blog post should have at least 3-5 unique pins. This not only gives your content more reach but also allows you to experiment with different styles and see which works best.
• Optimize Your Pins for Keywords: Keywords are essential for getting your pins in front of the right audience. Think about what your readers are searching for and include those terms in your pin title, description, and even in the image itself.

Once you get traffic from Pinterest to your blog, you can monetize in a few ways:

• Display Ads: Sign up for ad networks like Mediavine once you reach their traffic threshold. This can create a passive income stream.
• Email Signups for Future Promotions: Capture email leads, which can help you promote affiliate products, digital products, or services later on.

Affiliate Note: If you’re ready to start a blog, Bluehost is a great hosting platform. They have a basic plan for just $2.95/month, which is affordable and perfect for beginners.

3. Sell Your Own Products on Pinterest

Another fantastic way to make money on Pinterest is by selling your own products. This could be anything from physical items like handmade jewelry to digital products like printable planners or e-books. Pinterest is ideal for this because users often come to the platform looking for creative solutions and ideas.

When I started selling digital products, Pinterest was my main source of traffic. Here’s what worked for me:

• Design Attractive Pins: Make sure your pins showcase the product clearly. Use Canva to create high-quality images with text overlays that explain the product’s benefits.
• Use Keywords for Better Reach: Just like with blog posts, use relevant keywords in your pins to reach people searching for similar products.
• Link Directly to Your Product Page: Make it easy for people to purchase by linking the pin directly to the product’s page.

If you don’t have your own website to sell products, platforms like Etsy work well. Just remember that with digital products, you create it once and can sell it unlimited times—making it a great passive income stream!

Tip: For beginners looking to design and sell digital products, Canva is a super user-friendly design tool. You can use it to create printables, social media graphics, and more.

4. Promote Services as a Pinterest Virtual Assistant

Pinterest is not only a place to share content; it’s also a platform where businesses need help. Many bloggers, influencers, and business owners are looking for Pinterest virtual assistants to manage their accounts. If you’re good with Pinterest, offering VA services could be a profitable side hustle.

When I was looking to diversify my income, I considered Pinterest VA work, as there was high demand for skills like pin creation, keyword research, and scheduling. Here’s what beginners can do to get started:

• Learn the Basics of Pinterest Marketing: Study up on Pinterest SEO, design principles, and scheduling strategies.
• Create a Portfolio: Even if you don’t have clients yet, create sample pins or a mock Pinterest account to show your skills.
• Network and Market Your Services: Join Facebook groups where bloggers and businesses might look for Pinterest help. You could also create a website or a dedicated Pinterest VA page.

Affiliate Suggestion: To make your job easier, consider using Hootsuite or Tailwind for managing multiple accounts. These tools help you keep track of multiple clients’ pins and schedules efficiently.

5. Use Pinterest to Promote an Affiliate Blog

Creating a blog focused on reviewing products or offering how-to guides is another smart way to leverage Pinterest for income. The idea here is to use Pinterest to drive traffic to a blog post that’s packed with affiliate links. When people visit your blog post and click through those links, you earn a commission on any resulting sales.

When I wrote my first affiliate blog post, I created pins specifically targeting keywords that people might search for in my niche. Here’s a step-by-step look at how to start a blog and use Pinterest for blogging with affiliate marketing in mind:

• Choose High-Quality Affiliate Programs: Networks like Impact or CJ Affiliate offer reputable programs with generous commissions.
• Write Content That’s Relevant and Engaging: For example, if your niche is tech, write a guide comparing popular tools, and include affiliate links.
• Create Optimized Pins for Each Affiliate Post: Design pins that link directly to the blog post, focusing on keywords that match the product.

Pinterest users love to discover useful products and recommendations, making this a powerful strategy for affiliate bloggers.

Affiliate Reminder: If you’re ready to start a blog, Bluehost is a great place to register your domain and start hosting. Their beginner-friendly plans make it easy to get set up.

Final Thoughts

Pinterest offers a world of possibilities for making money, especially for beginners. From affiliate marketing and blogging to selling products or offering VA services, there’s no shortage of ways to earn. The best part is, you don’t need a big following or a huge budget to get started—just a good strategy and some creativity.

If you’re ready to dive into the world of Pinterest and start building an income, be sure to try out the tips in this guide. And remember, if you’re planning to start a blog, secure your domain with Bluehost and check out their affordable basic plan.

Good luck, and happy pinning!