3 Angelic Ways to Easily Make Money on Pinterest

How to make money on Pinterest for beginners? Have you ever searched for the answer to that question on a search engine? If you have, then we’re the same. I used to think that Pinterest could make money. However, after I studied it, Pinterest is not a source of money, but rather a tool to make money.

Ever thought that Pinterest, a platform that might have just been a place to find visual inspiration, could actually be a source of income? Yup, that’s right! Behind the millions of eye-catching pins, there’s huge potential to make money, especially in the dynamic US market.

Often, people think Pinterest is just a place to look for home decor ideas, recipes, or fashion inspiration. In fact, it’s more than that. Pinterest is an incredible visual search engine.

Imagine this: according to Statista, in the first quarter of 2023, Pinterest had 463 million monthly active users worldwide. That’s a fantastic number, isn’t it? And, Statista also mentioned that in the same year, 85% of Pinterest’s weekly users have made a purchase based on Pins from brands. This means that Pinterest isn’t just a place to “window shop,” but also a place where people look for products and services they need.

So, how do you turn pins into profits? Relax, we’ll discuss it one by one, in simple language that’s sure to motivate you.

First Step: Building a Solid Foundation

Before going further into how to make money on the side, let’s build a solid foundation. Just like building a house, a strong foundation will determine the durability of the building itself.

First, understand your audience. Who do you want to target on Pinterest? Since we’re focusing on the US market, it’s important to understand the trends, needs, and preferences of people there. Do some simple research. What’s popular among Americans? What are they searching for on Pinterest?

Second, optimize your profile. Your Pinterest profile is like a storefront. Make sure your profile looks professional and attractive. Use a clear profile picture, an informative description, and a link to your website or online store (if you have one). Remember, first impressions are crucial!

Third, create relevant boards. Boards are where you group pins by theme. Create boards that align with the niche you want to pursue. For example, if you want to sell handmade crafts, create boards with themes like “DIY Crafts,” “Handmade Gifts,” “Home Decor,” and so on. A well-organized profile will make it easier for users to find the pins they’re looking for.

Effective Strategies to Make Money on Pinterest

Alright, now we’re getting to the most exciting part: strategies to make money on Pinterest! Get your notes ready and pay close attention!

1. Affiliate Marketing

How to make money on Pinterest affiliate marketing? Well, first, find affiliate programs that match your niche. Many companies in the United States offer affiliate programs, such as Amazon Associates, ShareASale, and CJ Affiliate. Sign up for these programs.

Second, create attractive pins for the affiliate products you’ve chosen. Use high-quality images and persuasive descriptions. Don’t forget to include your affiliate link on the pin. Make sure the link works correctly and leads to the right product page.

Third, promote your pins! Share your pins on relevant boards, use appropriate hashtags, and interact with other users. The more people who see your pins, the greater your chances of earning a commission.

“According to data from Business Insider, 81% of brands and 84% of publishers leverage the power of affiliate marketing, a statistic that will continue to grow as affiliate marketing ad spend increases in the United States.” This further confirms that affiliate marketing is a huge opportunity.

So if you’re wondering how to make money on Pinterest with Amazon, the explanation above has answered it.

2. Driving Traffic to Your Online Store

Do you have an online store? Pinterest can be a powerful weapon to boost sales! How? Drive traffic from Pinterest to your online store.

First, make sure your online store is connected to your Pinterest account. This will make it easier to track the performance of your pins and see which products are most popular.

Second, create attractive product pins. Use appealing images and informative descriptions. Include the price, availability information, and other important details.

Third, use Rich Pins. Rich Pins are a type of pin that displays extra information like price, product availability, and product description directly on the pin itself. This makes it easier for users to find out product details without having to leave Pinterest.

Fourth, promote your pins! Just like before, promote your pins on relevant boards, use appropriate hashtags, and interact with other users.

3. Selling Services

Making money online from home by selling services is possible on Pinterest. How? First, create a visual portfolio on Pinterest. Create boards that showcase your best work. Make sure the images used are high-quality and accurately represent your skills.

Second, write a clear description of the services you offer. Explain what you can do, how your process works, and how to contact you.

Third, use the right keywords. Use keywords that people often search for when looking for the services you offer. For example, “Graphic Designer USA,” “Wedding Photographer New York,” “Virtual Assistant Services.”

Fourth, interact with other users. Connect with users who might need your services. Leave helpful comments on relevant pins and build your reputation as an expert in your field.

Potential Earnings on Pinterest

It’s important to understand that Pinterest does not pay users directly, unlike video-sharing platforms or marketplaces. Pinterest is a highly effective marketing tool, but it is not a direct source of income. Don’t get caught in the misconception that you can get money directly from Pinterest. So, when we talk about earning potential on Pinterest, it’s heavily influenced by several factors, including:

• Marketing Strategy: How effective your strategy is, including the ones outlined in this article, such as profile optimization, creating engaging content, using the right keywords, and interacting with other users. Implementing the right strategy consistently will increase your chances of success.
• Products or Services Offered: The type of product or service, its quality, and its demand in the market will significantly determine your earning potential. Unique, high-quality products that are currently trending will naturally have a better chance.
• Pricing: Competitive pricing that aligns with the value of your product or service is crucial for attracting buyers. Prices that are too high or too low can have a negative impact.
• Chosen Niche: The competition and market size within your chosen niche will also influence your earning potential.
• Effort and Consistency: Like any business, making money on Pinterest requires effort, consistency, and patience. There are no instant results.
• External Factors: Factors beyond your control, such as market trends, changes in Pinterest’s algorithm, and economic conditions, can also have an impact.

FAQs

1. How to make money on Pinterest Reddit?

Certainly not directly. Neither Pinterest nor Reddit is a direct source of money, but rather tools to make money. Reddit can be used as an additional traffic source by strategically promoting Pinterest pins in relevant subreddits. This promotion should not be done in a hard-selling manner but should provide informative value to the Reddit community. So, don’t be fooled, focus on using Reddit as a bridge to direct the audience to Pinterest, which will then be directed to the actual source of income (online store, affiliate links, etc.).

2. How to make money on Pinterest with no followers?

Building followers on Pinterest is important, but it’s very possible to make money on Pinterest even with few or no followers. Pinterest is different from other social media platforms that rely heavily on follower count. Pinterest is more like a visual search engine, prioritizing content discovery through search and interests.

So, the strategy for making money with the help of Pinterest without followers is:

1. Focus on Pinterest SEO: This is key! Do keyword research using available tools. Optimize your profile, boards, and pins by including relevant keywords in titles, descriptions, and image file names. Use relevant hashtags in moderation (3-5 hashtags).
2. Group Boards: Join active and relevant group boards within your niche. Pay attention to the number of members and the frequency of pinning. Follow group board rules and avoid spamming. This is an effective way to reach a wider audience beyond your followers.
3. Paid Promotion (If You Have the Budget): If possible, use Pinterest Ads to promote your pins and reach a more specific audience. Target audiences based on interests, demographics, and keywords.
4. Idea Pins: Create engaging, informative, and relevant Idea Pins, such as tutorials, tips, or behind-the-scenes stories about your product. Although Idea Pins can’t be directly linked externally, they are a great way to build brand awareness and reach new audiences.
5. Consistency: Consistently upload new pins regularly and interact on the platform. This is important for building your brand and increasing visibility even without many followers.

3. How to make money on Pinterest TikTok?

Here’s the analogy:

• TikTok as “Top Funnel”: Use TikTok to grab the attention of a large audience and build brand awareness through short, viral, and trendy videos. Think of TikTok as the “entrance” that piques people’s curiosity.
• Pinterest as “Mid-to-Lower Funnel”: Make Pinterest the place to provide more detailed information and guide the audience towards conversion (purchase, registration, etc.). Think of Pinterest as the place to “convince” and “convert” an already interested audience.

Strategies to use:

• Create short, catchy videos that align with trends.
• Provide a teaser or snippet that makes people curious.
• End with a clear Call-to-Action (CTA) to visit your Pinterest profile.
• Include a link to your Pinterest in your TikTok bio.
• Create dedicated boards related to your TikTok content.
• Upload pins that are more detailed, informative, and relevant (tutorials, product lists, tips, etc.).
• Consider Idea Pins for more in-depth content.

Make sure there is a clear correlation between your TikTok and Pinterest content. Don’t let TikTok viewers who visit your Pinterest be disappointed because they don’t find the content they expect. Use consistent visuals and branding across both platforms.

Example:

• TikTok: A 15-second video showcasing a simple yet stylish bedroom makeover (only a short snippet). CTA: “For the full bedroom makeover tutorial, check out my Pinterest! (Link in bio).”
• Pinterest: A board titled “Bedroom Makeover Ideas.” Pins containing before-after photos, a shopping list (affiliate links), and an Idea Pin with a step-by-step video tutorial.

TikTok and Pinterest are like two tools in one toolbox. Each has different functions and strengths but complement each other to achieve maximum results.

• TikTok is like a “megaphone” or “loudspeaker.” Its function is to quickly attract the attention of many people, make your brand or product known, and build buzz.
• Pinterest is like a “storefront” or “catalog.” Its function is to display your products or services in more detail, provide complete information, and convince potential customers to make a transaction.

The main goal is still to make money, and the actual source of income (online store, affiliate links, services offered) remains outside of both platforms.

4. How to make money on Pinterest YouTube?

The approach is similar to Pinterest and TikTok. The difference is that with YouTube:

• Video Format: YouTube is generally used for longer and more informative videos, while TikTok focuses on short and catchy videos.
• Content Types: YouTube content can be more diverse, ranging from tutorials, reviews, vlogs, webinars, and so on. TikTok is more oriented towards trends, challenges, and short-form entertainment.
• Algorithm: The YouTube and TikTok algorithms differ in how they recommend content to users.

5. How to make money on Pinterest as a photographer

Here’s how photographers can leverage Pinterest to land clients and market their photography services, specifically tailored for the USA market:

1. Focus on a Niche and Build a Portfolio: Focusing on a specific niche, such as weddings, newborns, product photography, or food photography, helps build a strong brand and reach the right clients. Create dedicated boards to showcase your best work within each genre. Popular niches in the USA include:
   • Wedding Photography: (e.g., “Rustic Wedding Photography,” “Elopement Photography,” “Destination Wedding Photography”)
   • Newborn Photography: (e.g., “Newborn Photography Poses,” “Lifestyle Newborn Photography”)
   • Family Photography: (e.g., “Outdoor Family Photoshoot Ideas,” “Candid Family Photography”)
   • Senior Portraits: (e.g., “Senior Picture Ideas for Girls,” “Senior Photo Outfit Ideas”)
   • Real Estate Photography: (e.g., “Luxury Real Estate Photography,” “Interior Photography Tips”)
   • Food Photography: (e.g., “Restaurant Food Photography,” “Food Styling Tips”)
2. Optimize Pin Descriptions and Tell a Story: Write informative descriptions that include relevant keywords (e.g., “Los Angeles Wedding Photographer,” “Chicago Newborn Photographer,” “Product Photography NYC”). Include location details, gear used (if relevant), and add a captivating story or context behind the photo. End with a clear Call-to-Action (CTA). Examples:
   • “Looking to capture your dream wedding in Southern California? Contact me via DM or email for a free consultation!”
   • “Need stunning product photos for your online store? Let’s chat! Email me for a quote.”
3. Use a Subtle Watermark: Protect your work with a small, transparent watermark placed in a corner that doesn’t detract from the photo’s composition.
4. Drive Traffic to Your Website/Contact: Include a link to your personal website, blog, or social media profiles on every pin and on your Pinterest profile. Make it easy for potential clients to reach you.
5. High-Quality Pins: This is crucial! Ensure your photos are high-resolution and professionally edited. First impressions matter.
6. Facilitate Booking: Since Pinterest doesn’t have a built-in booking feature, direct potential clients to book through:
   • DM (Direct Message) on Pinterest: Enable messaging and instruct potential clients to contact you via DM for booking details and payment.
   • Email: Include your email address on your profile and pin descriptions.
   • Website Booking Form: If you have a website, create a dedicated booking form and link to it from your pins.
7. Pricing: Research the standard pricing for your niche in the USA market. Set prices that reflect the quality of your work, your brand, and your target market.

(Optional) If Selling Fine Art Prints:

1. Create a Separate Board for Fine Art Prints: If you’re also interested in selling fine art prints, create a separate board dedicated to limited edition prints. Direct potential buyers to contact you via DM, email, or a website form for further information.

Key Considerations for the USA Market:

• Keywords: Use keywords that are commonly used in the USA (e.g., “Fall Family Photoshoot,” “Senior Pics,” “Engagement Photoshoot”).
• Location Targeting: Specify the areas you serve (e.g., “Serving the Greater Los Angeles Area,” “Based in New York City”).
• Cultural Sensitivity: Be mindful of cultural nuances and preferences within the USA market.
• Legal Considerations: Familiarize yourself with any relevant photography laws and regulations in the USA.

Example Keywords for USA Audience:

• Wedding: “California Wedding Photographer,” “New York Wedding Photography,” “Destination Wedding Photographer,” “Boho Wedding Inspiration,” “Rustic Wedding Ideas”
• Newborn: “Newborn Photographer NYC,” “Chicago Newborn Photographer,” “Baby Photoshoot Ideas,” “Newborn Photography Props”
• Family: “Family Photographer Los Angeles,” “Boston Family Photos,” “Fall Family Photoshoot,” “Outdoor Family Pictures”
• Senior Portraits: “Senior Pictures Las Vegas,” “Senior Portraits Austin,” “Senior Photo Ideas for Guys,” “Senior Picture Outfit Inspiration”