How to Make $100+/Month on Pinterest (Without a Big Following)
Pinterest isn’t just a platform for collecting recipes and home décor ideas—it’s a powerful tool that can generate real income. With over 400 million monthly active users, Pinterest offers unique opportunities to monetize your creativity and marketing skills. Whether you’re looking for a side hustle or planning to build a full-time business, learning how to make money with Pinterest can open doors to financial freedom. This guide will show you how to make $100+ on Pinterest (Without a Big Following), even if you’re just starting out.
Why Pinterest is Perfect for Making Money
Pinterest functions differently from other social media platforms. It acts more like a visual search engine where users actively look for solutions, products, and inspiration. This intent-driven behavior makes Pinterest users 85% more likely to make purchases compared to users on other platforms. The platform’s longevity is another advantage—pins can continue driving traffic and sales for months or even years after being posted, making it an ideal platform for those wondering how to make $100+ on Pinterest (Without a Big Following).
10 Proven Ways to Make Money with Pinterest
1. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing represents one of the most accessible ways to start earning on Pinterest. You promote other companies’ products through special tracking links and earn commissions when people make purchases through your recommendations.
How to get started:
- Research affiliate programs in your niche (Amazon Associates, ShareASale, Commission Junction).
- Create valuable pins that showcase products naturally.
- Write compelling pin descriptions that include your affiliate links.
- Focus on seasonal trends and evergreen content.
- Always disclose affiliate relationships to maintain trust.
Step-by-step signup process:
- Choose 2-3 affiliate programs relevant to your interests.
- Complete application forms with accurate information.
- Wait for approval (typically 1-7 days).
- Access your affiliate dashboard and generate tracking links.
- Create your first pins using high-quality product images.
2. Selling Digital Products
Digital products offer incredible profit margins since you create them once and sell them repeatedly. Pinterest excels at promoting downloadable content like printables, templates, courses, and ebooks.
Popular digital products that sell well:
- Printable planners and worksheets
- Social media templates
- Photography presets
- Online courses and tutorials
- Ebook guides and checklists
How to implement:
Create products using tools like Canva or Adobe Creative Suite, set up an online store through platforms like Etsy or your own website, and design eye-catching pins that highlight the benefits and features of your products.
3. Driving Traffic to Your Blog
Pinterest can dramatically increase your blog traffic, which translates to higher ad revenue, more email subscribers, and increased product sales. Food, lifestyle, parenting, and DIY blogs perform particularly well on Pinterest.
Strategy for success:
- Create multiple pin designs for each blog post.
- Use Pinterest SEO by including keywords in pin titles and descriptions.
- Join group boards in your niche to expand your reach.
- Pin consistently using scheduling tools like Tailwind.
- Create seasonal content that aligns with Pinterest trends.
4. Offering Pinterest Management Services
Many businesses recognize Pinterest’s value but lack the time or expertise to manage their accounts effectively. This creates opportunities for skilled Pinterest managers to offer their services.
Services you can offer:
- Account setup and optimization
- Content creation and pin design
- Keyword research and SEO optimization
- Analytics reporting and strategy development
- Community management and engagement
How to get clients:
Start by managing Pinterest accounts for free to build a portfolio, create case studies showing your results, network within online business communities, and develop packages ranging from $500 to $2,000 per month, depending on the scope of services.
5. Creating and Selling Pinterest Templates
Pinterest templates are pre-designed pin layouts that other users can customize with their own content. This business model works well because busy entrepreneurs and bloggers constantly need fresh, professional-looking pins.
Template categories in demand:
- Blog post promotion templates
- Product showcase designs
- Quote and inspiration templates
- Holiday and seasonal designs
- Niche-specific templates (fitness, food, travel)
Getting started:
Learn design software like Canva Pro or Adobe Illustrator, research trending pin styles in your target niches, create template bundles of 10-20 designs, and sell through platforms like Etsy, Creative Market, or your own website.
6. Sponsored Pins and Brand Partnerships
Once you build a substantial following, brands may pay you to create sponsored content or promote their products through Pinterest ads.
Requirements for brand partnerships:
- Consistent engagement rates above industry average.
- A clearly defined niche and target audience.
- Professional-quality pin designs.
- Strong analytics and performance metrics.
How to attract sponsors:
Create a media kit showcasing your Pinterest statistics, reach out to brands that align with your audience, join influencer marketing platforms like AspireIQ or Upfluence, and always maintain authenticity in sponsored content.
7. Selling Physical Products
Pinterest excels at showcasing physical products, especially in categories like home décor, fashion, crafts, and jewelry. The platform’s visual nature makes it perfect for product discovery and inspiration.
Best practices for product sales:
- Use high-quality, well-lit product photography.
- Create lifestyle images showing products in use.
- Include detailed product descriptions with keywords.
- Use Rich Pins to display real-time pricing and availability.
- Create seasonal collections and gift guides.
8. Teaching Pinterest Courses
As Pinterest marketing becomes more sophisticated, there’s a growing demand for comprehensive training programs. If you’ve achieved success on Pinterest, you can package your knowledge into profitable courses.
Course topics that sell well:
- Pinterest marketing for beginners
- Advanced Pinterest SEO strategies
- Creating viral pins and content
- Pinterest advertising and promoted pins
- Niche-specific Pinterest strategies
Steps to create your course:
Outline your curriculum based on student needs, record video lessons using tools like Loom or Camtasia, create supplementary materials like worksheets and templates, choose a course platform like Teachable or Thinkific, and price your course between $97 and $497, depending on depth and outcomes promised.
9. Pinterest Virtual Assistant Services
Pinterest VAs help busy entrepreneurs and businesses manage their Pinterest presence without hiring full-time employees. This service-based business can be started with minimal investment.
VA services in demand:
- Daily pinning and content scheduling
- Pin creation and graphic design
- Keyword research and optimization
- Board organization and maintenance
- Analytics tracking and reporting
Getting started as a Pinterest VA:
Master Pinterest best practices through free resources and courses, create standard operating procedures for common tasks, develop pricing packages from $15-$50 per hour, and find clients through freelance platforms, social media groups, and networking.
10. Building Email Lists for Monetization
Pinterest can be an excellent source of email subscribers when you offer valuable lead magnets. Once you build an email list, you can monetize through product promotions, affiliate marketing, and exclusive offers.
Effective lead magnet ideas:
- Free printables and templates
- Exclusive guides and checklists
- Mini-courses and video series
- Recipe collections and meal plans
- Resource libraries and toolkits
Implementation strategy: Make Money with Pinterest
Create compelling lead magnets that solve specific problems for your target audience, design pins that highlight the free offer’s benefits, use landing pages to capture email addresses, and set up email sequences that build relationships and promote relevant products.
Read Also: The Best Way to Start Making Money from TikTok (Beginner’s Guide)
How to Sign Up and Get Started on Pinterest
Step 1: Create Your Pinterest Business Account
Visit Pinterest.com and click “Sign up for business” to access additional features like analytics, Rich Pins, and advertising options. Choose a username that reflects your brand or niche, and select a professional profile photo that represents your business or personal brand.
Step 2: Optimize Your Profile
Write a keyword-rich bio that clearly explains what you offer and who you help. Include a link to your website or landing page, and verify your website to gain access to Pinterest Analytics and Rich Pins. Choose a business category that best describes your content focus.
Step 3: Create Strategic Boards
Start with 10-15 boards that cover different aspects of your niche. Use keyword-rich board titles and descriptions to improve discoverability. Make your most important boards public and consider creating a few secret boards for content planning.
Step 4: Design Your First Pins
Use tools like Canva, PicMonkey, or Adobe Creative Suite to create vertical pins (2:3 aspect ratio works best). Include overlay text that’s easy to read on mobile devices, use bright, eye-catching colors, and ensure your brand colors and fonts are consistent across all pins.
Step 5: Implement a Pinning Strategy
Pin 5-25 times daily, mixing your own content with relevant content from others. Use scheduling tools like Tailwind, Later, or Buffer to maintain consistency. Focus on pinning during peak hours when your audience is most active (typically evenings and weekends).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much money can I realistically make with Pinterest?
Earnings vary significantly based on your strategy, niche, and effort level. Beginners might earn $100-$500 per month through affiliate marketing, demonstrating that it’s possible to learn how to make $100+/Month on Pinterest (Without a Big Following), while established Pinterest marketers can generate $5,000-$50,000+ monthly through multiple income streams. Success typically takes 3-6 months of consistent effort to build momentum.
Do I need a large following to make money on Pinterest?
Unlike other social platforms, Pinterest’s success isn’t solely dependent on follower count. Quality engagement and strategic content creation matter more than follower numbers. Many successful Pinterest marketers earn significant income with fewer than 10,000 followers by focusing on high-intent keywords and valuable content, proving it’s entirely feasible for How to Make $100+ on Pinterest (Without a Big Following).
What are the best niches for making money on Pinterest?
High-performing niches include food and recipes, home décor and DIY, parenting and family, health and fitness, travel, personal finance, and wedding planning. However, you can succeed in almost any niche by understanding your audience’s needs and creating valuable content consistently.
How long does it take to see results on Pinterest?
Pinterest operates on a longer timeline than other social platforms. New pins typically take 45-60 days to gain maximum reach, and building significant traffic or income usually requires 3-6 months of consistent effort. However, some pins can go viral quickly, especially if they tap into trending topics or seasonal interests.
Is Pinterest marketing expensive to start?
Pinterest marketing can be started with minimal investment. Free tools like Canva offer design capabilities, and organic Pinterest growth doesn’t require paid advertising. Your main investments will be time for content creation and potentially $15-$30 monthly for scheduling tools like Tailwind once you scale up.
Can I use Pinterest for business if I’m not in the US?
Pinterest is available in many countries, though some features like Shopping ads and certain affiliate programs may be limited outside the US. International users can still succeed with affiliate marketing, product sales, service offerings, and driving traffic to monetized websites.
What mistakes should beginners avoid on Pinterest?
Common mistakes include pinning only your own content, ignoring Pinterest SEO, using low-quality images, posting inconsistently, not engaging with the community, and failing to track analytics. Avoiding these pitfalls and focusing on providing value to users will accelerate your success.
Getting Started: Your First Week Action Plan
Your first week should focus on foundation building. Create your business account and optimize your profile completely, design and publish your first 10 boards with keyword-rich descriptions, create 20-30 high-quality pins using free design tools, join 5-10 relevant group boards in your niche, and start following accounts that inspire your target audience.
Remember that success with Pinterest requires patience, consistency, and strategic thinking. The platform rewards users who provide genuine value and understand their audience’s needs. Whether you choose affiliate marketing, product sales, or service offerings, focus on building authentic relationships with your audience and delivering content that solves real problems.
Pinterest offers unique opportunities to build passive income streams that can grow over time. By implementing these strategies systematically and staying committed to providing value, you can learn how to make $100+ on Pinterest (Without a Big Following) and transform your Pinterest presence into a profitable business venture that generates income for years to come.
Why You’re Not Making Money on Pinterest: 20 Mistakes to Fix Now
When beginners try to monetize Pinterest, they often encounter several common mistakes that can hinder their success. Here are some of the most frequent pitfalls to avoid:
1. Ignoring Pinterest SEO
Pinterest is a visual search engine, and optimizing your pins and boards for search is crucial. Beginners often overlook the importance of keywords in pin titles, descriptions, and board names. This makes it difficult for their content to be discovered by users searching for relevant topics.
2. Focusing Only on Self-Promotion
New users often make the mistake of pinning only their own content. Pinterest’s algorithm favors a mix of original and curated content. Pinning only your own content can lead to lower engagement and reach. Aim for a balance of 80% curated content and 20% self-promotion.
3. Using Low-Quality Images
High-quality, visually appealing images are essential on Pinterest. Blurry, poorly lit, or unappealing images are less likely to be repinned or clicked on. Invest time in creating or sourcing high-quality images that stand out.
4. Inconsistent Pinning
Consistency is key on Pinterest. Beginners often start pinning enthusiastically but quickly lose momentum. Pinning inconsistently can lead to a drop in engagement and reach. Aim to pin at least 5-10 times a day, using scheduling tools like Tailwind or Buffer to maintain consistency.
5. Not Engaging with the Community
Pinterest is a social platform, and engagement is crucial. Beginners often fail to engage with their audience by responding to comments, following other users, and joining group boards. Active engagement can significantly boost your visibility and reach.
6. Ignoring Analytics
Pinterest Analytics provides valuable insights into what’s working and what’s not. Beginners often ignore these insights, missing out on opportunities to optimize their strategy. Regularly review your analytics to understand which pins are performing best and adjust your strategy accordingly.
7. Not Using Rich Pins
Rich Pins provide additional information directly on the pin, such as pricing, availability, and ingredients. They are more engaging and can drive higher click-through rates. Beginners often overlook this feature, missing out on potential traffic and sales.
8. Poor Pin Design
Pins with text overlays perform better than those without. Beginners often create pins with no text or unclear messaging. Use tools like Canva to create pins with clear, concise text overlays that convey the main message at a glance.
9. Not Utilizing Group Boards
Group boards can significantly increase your reach and engagement. Beginners often fail to join relevant group boards, missing out on the opportunity to reach a larger audience. Look for group boards in your niche and request to join.
10. Focusing on Follower Count
Unlike other social media platforms, Pinterest’s algorithm doesn’t prioritize follower count. Beginners often focus on increasing followers rather than creating valuable content. Quality engagement and strategic pinning are more important than follower numbers.
11. Not Aligning with Pinterest Trends
Pinterest trends can change quickly, and beginners often fail to adapt. Stay updated with seasonal trends and popular topics in your niche. Tools like Pinterest Trends and Google Trends can help you identify what’s currently popular.
12. Overlooking the Importance of Vertical Pins
Vertical pins (with a 2:3 aspect ratio) perform better on Pinterest. Beginners often use square or horizontal images, which are less effective. Ensure your pins are vertical to maximize visibility and engagement.
13. Not Diversifying Content
Pinterest users appreciate a variety of content. Beginners often stick to one type of pin, such as infographics or product shots. Mix up your content with how-to guides, listicles, quotes, and more to keep your audience engaged.
14. Ignoring Mobile Optimization
Most Pinterest users access the platform via mobile devices. Beginners often design pins that look great on desktop but are hard to read on mobile. Ensure your pins are mobile-friendly with clear, legible text and high-resolution images.
15. Lack of Clear Call-to-Action (CTA)
Every pin should have a clear call-to-action, guiding users on what to do next. Beginners often create pins without a clear CTA, leading to lower engagement. Use phrases like “Shop Now,” “Learn More,” or “Save for Later” to encourage action.
16. Not Leveraging Pinterest Ads
Pinterest ads can significantly boost your reach and engagement. Beginners often avoid ads due to budget constraints or lack of knowledge. Start with a small budget and test different ad types to see what works best for your niche.
17. Not Building an Email List
Pinterest is great for driving traffic, but capturing email addresses can help you build a loyal audience. Beginners often miss out on this opportunity. Create lead magnets and use landing pages to build your email list.
18. Failing to Disclose Affiliate Relationships
If you’re using affiliate links, it’s essential to disclose this information to maintain trust with your audience. Beginners often overlook this, which can lead to legal issues and loss of credibility.
19. Not Setting Clear Goals
Without clear goals, it’s easy to lose focus and direction. Beginners often start pinning without a strategy. Set specific, measurable goals for your Pinterest efforts, such as increasing traffic, growing followers, or driving sales.
20. Not Keeping Up with Algorithm Changes
Pinterest’s algorithm is frequently updated, and beginners often struggle to keep up. Stay informed about algorithm changes and adjust your strategy accordingly. Follow Pinterest’s official blog and join Pinterest communities to stay updated.
By avoiding these common mistakes, beginners can significantly improve their chances of successfully monetizing Pinterest. Focus on creating valuable content, engaging with your audience, and continuously optimizing your strategy based on analytics and trends.