If you’ve ever thought “Can I really make money via Pinterest?”,
the short answer is: yes and more people are doing it than you might think.
While Pinterest might feel like a place for recipes, décor inspo or wedding boards, what many don’t realise is that it holds unique monetisation potential because of buyer-intent, link-friendly architecture, and long-lifespan content.
I’ll walk you through why Pinterest can work, how you can tap into it, and six practical ways (with suggestions) you can monetise — even if you’re starting from scratch.
Why Pinterest Deserves Your Attention
There are three key advantages that set Pinterest apart from many other social platforms:
- High buyer intent – Unlike casual scrolling on some apps, Pinterest often attracts people looking to discover ideas, plan purchases or gather inspiration. That means the audience is more likely to convert.
- Outbound links are built-in – Pinterest’s structure encourages users to click through from a pin to a website or landing page. That makes it a powerful traffic driver.
- Long shelf-life of content – A well-optimised pin can continue to drive traffic for months or even years after you publish it, unlike a fleeting social post.
Because of those features, if you invest the time to create purposeful content and link it smartly, you’re setting yourself up for long-term gains.
Six Proven Monetisation Strategies on Pinterest
Whether you’re a blogger, creator, service-provider or just looking for a side hustle, here are six pathways you can explore:
1. Drive traffic to an ad-monetised blog or website
Suppose you have a blog where you display ads (such as via networks like Mediavine) or you offer sponsored posts. By sending Pinterest traffic to your site, you increase the number of visitors, which raises your ad impressions and revenue.
Suggestions:
- Create pins that link to your most valuable blog posts.
- Use Pinterest’s built-in search/keyword features to surface your pins to the right audience.
- Monitor your blog’s RPM (revenue per thousand views) and experiment with pin designs and descriptions to boost clicks.
GRAB BLACK FRIDAY SALE HOSTING
2. Affiliate marketing
You don’t need your own product to earn online. By promoting other people’s products (via affiliate links) you can earn a commission when someone buys via your link. Pinterest works well here thanks to its link-friendly nature.
Suggestions:
- Choose affiliate products that match your Pinterest niche (e.g., home decor, fitness, digital tools).
- Create pins that highlight the benefit of the product, not just the product itself.
- Don’t forget to disclose your affiliate relationship (it builds trust + follows legal/regulatory guidance).
- Consider using resources like the Affiliate Marketing Council or blogs that explain how to optimise affiliate flows.
3. Sell your own products or services
If you’ve built your own digital product (ebook, course), physical goods (handmade items) or you offer services (consulting, design), Pinterest can help you reach interested buyers.
Suggestions:
- Design high-quality pins (use Canva or similar tools) that clearly show what your product/service offers.
- Link pins directly to your shop or landing page.
- Create themed boards (for example, by category, by seasonal offers) to organise your visual storefront.
- Use features like Pinterest Shopping Ads or Rich Pins (if available) to make the experience more seamless for the user.
4. Brand partnerships / sponsored content
If your Pinterest presence grows, you might attract brands who want you to show their product or service to your audience. Sponsored pins or boards can be a lucrative route.
Suggestions:
- Position yourself in a clear niche (e.g., eco-friendly home décor, budget travel) so that brands know who you reach.
- Always pick partnerships that feel authentic to your voice and audience. A mismatch can harm trust.
- Clearly disclose when a pin is sponsored (transparency matters).
- Keep quality high — even branded content must still entertain or educate your audience, not just sell.
5. Offer Pinterest VA services
If you get good at Pinterest — know keyword strategy, how to create high-click pins, how to read analytics — you can become a Pinterest Virtual Assistant (VA). You do the work for others; they pay.
Suggestions:
- Package your services (pin creation + scheduling + board optimisation + analytics review).
- Build a simple portfolio (even if you start with your own account).
- Offer competitive rates, then upsell add-ons like ad-management for Pinterest.
- Use freelance marketplaces or your network to find clients who know they need Pinterest help but don’t want to do it themselves.
6. Teach Pinterest marketing
If you develop deep knowledge, you can turn that into a course, e-book, webinar or coaching service. Helping others how to use Pinterest becomes your product.
Suggestions:
- Focus on a niche within Pinterest marketing (e.g., Pinterest for photographers, Pinterest for e-commerce).
- Use free content (blog post, YouTube video) to demonstrate your expertise and build trust.
- Develop a curriculum (e.g., “profile setup → keyword research → pin design → analytics → scale”).
- Use testimonials or case-studies to show that you deliver results (this builds authority).
Putting It Together: What to Do Next
If you’re ready to give this a shot, here are a few steps to get you started:
- Choose your path: Which of the six monetisation strategies above resonates with you? (You can mix later.)
- Set up your Pinterest business account (if you haven’t) so you get access to analytics.
- Research keywords in your niche on Pinterest’s search bar (type your niche + “ideas”, “tips”, “products”).
- Design 5-10 high-quality pins right away — using compelling visuals + clear value.
- Link them to your blog, store or affiliate offer — make it easy for people to click through.
- Monitor results: Use Pinterest analytics (and your website analytics) to track clicks, conversions, and what’s working.
- Scale: Once you find what works, replicate it. Consider scheduling tools (e.g., Tailwind) to automate pin posting.
A Few Additional Notes & Tips
- Don’t expect overnight riches — consistency matters more than viral luck.
- Mobile experience counts: many Pinterest users are on mobile — make sure your linked site is mobile-friendly.
- Pinterest’s algorithm changes: stay updated with Pinterest’s business blog or resources.
- Be mindful of copyright: use original or licensed visuals.
- Engage with your audience: repinning, commenting, and staying active helps visibility.
In Summary
Pinterest can be much more than just a “fun-ideas board” tool. Because it invites link-clicks, hosts users with purchase-intent and allows content to live and convert over long timeframes, it’s a powerful platform for monetisation. Whether you’re focusing on affiliate income, selling your own product, providing a service or teaching others — the possibilities are real. Start with a clear path, build quality pins, monitor what works, and scale what succeeds.
