How to Make Money with Pinterest Affiliate Marketing (Even as a Beginner)

Have you ever found yourself deep in a Pinterest rabbit hole, saving everything from home decor ideas to dinner recipes and dream vacations? What if I told you all that pinning could actually turn into passive income?

No, seriously.

Pinterest isn’t just a place to collect pretty pictures. With over 500 million monthly users, it’s one of the best platforms out there for affiliate marketing—and unlike TikTok or Instagram, it doesn’t matter if you have zero followers. If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly way to start making money online, affiliate marketing on Pinterest might just be your best move.

Let’s break it down in simple steps, and I’ll also share a shortcut that makes the process even easier.

What is Pinterest Affiliate Marketing?

In plain English: You post a pin on Pinterest. That pin links to a product or service you’re an affiliate for. When someone clicks that link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission.

You don’t have to be an influencer. You don’t need a blog (though it helps). All you need is an eye for content people are searching for—and a strategy.

Pinterest works like a visual search engine. People go there to plan purchases, find inspiration, and solve problems. That means your pins can reach people actively looking for what you’re recommending.

Some hot niches? Home decor, health and fitness, personal development, parenting, DIY, digital products, and side hustle ideas.

Why Pinterest is a Goldmine for Affiliate Marketing

1. Pins Last Forever
Unlike Instagram posts that disappear in a day, a well-optimized pin can bring in traffic for months or even years.

2. People Are Ready to Buy
Pinterest users often search with a purpose. They’re planning weddings, organizing kitchens, starting small businesses—perfect for product recommendations.

3. You Don’t Need Followers
Your content gets shown in search results, not just to people who follow you. This is huge if you’re just starting out.

4. It’s Visual (and Easy to Learn)
If you can create a nice-looking image on Canva, you can make a pin. And if you can write a short caption, you can optimize for search.

8 Steps to Start Making Money on Pinterest

1. Choose a Niche

Pick something you enjoy or know a bit about. It’ll make content creation way easier. Popular ones include beauty, fashion, online business, budgeting, and minimalism.

2. Join Affiliate Programs

Some of the easiest to get into:

  • Amazon Associates
  • ShareASale
  • Impact
  • ClickBank
  • Etsy (via affiliate networks)

Once you’re in, you’ll get a custom link for each product you want to promote.

3. Create Content to Link To

You can link pins directly to affiliate products—but for better trust and conversions, many creators send people to:

  • A blog post
  • A freebie landing page
  • A product review

You can build simple landing pages with free tools like Carrd or Systeme.io.

4. Design Clickable Pins

Use Canva or similar tools to design your pins. Tips:

  • Use high-quality images
  • Bold, clear headlines (with keywords!)
  • Keep branding consistent
  • Create 2-3 pin versions per link

5. Use Pinterest SEO

Pinterest is a search engine. Treat it like one:

  • Add keywords to your profile, boards, pin titles, and descriptions
  • Use hashtags (3–5 per pin)
  • Write naturally but intentionally

Example: Instead of “Summer Dress Vibes,” say, “Affordable Summer Dresses Under $50.”

6. Schedule Pins Consistently

You don’t have to pin all day. Use a scheduler like Tailwind to post consistently without burning out.

7. Track Your Results

Pinterest has built-in analytics. You’ll be able to see:

  • Which pins get clicks
  • Which boards are performing
  • What’s leading to actual sales

Double down on what’s working and tweak what’s not.

8. Build an Email List (Optional, but Powerful)

Offer a free guide, checklist, or template related to your niche. Once they sign up, you can recommend affiliate products in your emails, too.

Want a Shortcut? Try Mastering Pinterest Profits

Now, if all of that sounds exciting but a little overwhelming, don’t worry—I’ve got something that’ll make your life way easier.

Mastering Pinterest Profits is my step-by-step blueprint for making real money with Pinterest affiliate marketing. It’s designed for beginners who want clear instructions, repeatable systems, and actual results.

Inside, you’ll get:

  • A 30-minute audio crash course on Pinterest strategy
  • A 40+ page Pinterest marketing guide
  • A 78-page affiliate marketing playbook (Pinterest-specific!)
  • Plug-and-play pin templates
  • A digital + printable Pinterest planner

What makes this different is it’s built for regular people. No tech headaches. No fluff. Just a solid, doable plan.

People are using this bundle to:

  • Make money without showing their face
  • Start a new side hustle that actually sticks
  • Build passive income while working or parenting full-time

If you’re tired of random YouTube videos and outdated blog posts that leave you more confused than when you started, this is your shortcut.

Check it out here: Mastering Pinterest Profits

Final Thoughts

Pinterest affiliate marketing is one of the most low-pressure, beginner-friendly ways to make money online. Whether you want to bring in a little side income or build something bigger, it’s a platform full of potential.

Start simple. Pick your niche, join a few affiliate programs, create helpful pins, and stay consistent. And if you’re ready to skip the guesswork and just follow a proven plan, grab the Mastering Pinterest Profits kit.

Because scrolling Pinterest is fun. But getting paid to do it? That’s even better.

Ana