Can You Make Money on Pinterest? 7 Proven Methods Earning $500-$50K Monthly

Last Updated: January 2025 | Read Time: 13 minutes

"Can you make money on Pinterest?"

Short answer: Yes, absolutely.

Long answer: Pinterest isn't like YouTube (Partner Program) or Instagram (Creator Fund). There's no "apply and get paid" button. But Pinterest offers something better—multiple monetization streams that work together, creating a diversified income that's more stable and scalable than any single platform payout.

People are earning $500 to $50,000+ monthly on Pinterest through methods most beginners don't know exist. This guide reveals all 7.

Can You Monetize Pinterest? The Real Answer

Yes, Pinterest can be monetized—but not directly by Pinterest itself (with one exception: Creator Rewards, explained below).

Instead, you monetize through Pinterest by:

• Driving traffic to revenue-generating destinations
• Promoting affiliate products
• Selling your own products/services
• Working with brands
• Building email lists for long-term value

Think of Pinterest as a traffic engine, not a payment platform.

Why Pinterest Is Different from Other Social Platforms

Platform Comparison:

Pinterest's Advantage: You don't need 1,000 followers or 4,000 watch hours. Anyone can start earning immediately with proper strategy.

Pinterest Monetization Requirements

Minimum Requirements:

• Pinterest Business Account (free)
• Verified website (for most methods)
• Compliant content (no spam, no prohibited products)
• Age 18+ (for affiliate programs)

No follower minimum required for most monetization methods.

7 Proven Ways to Make Money on Pinterest

Method 1: Affiliate Marketing ($500-$15K/month potential)

How It Works:

• Promote products with unique affiliate links
• Earn commission when users purchase
• Commission: 3-50% depending on program

Setup Difficulty: Easy Time to First Dollar: 30-90 days Passive Income Potential: High (pins work for months/years)

Best Affiliate Programs for Pinterest:

• Amazon Associates (1-10% commission)
• ShareASale (5-30% commission)
• RewardStyle/LTK (10-20% commission, fashion)
• Etsy Affiliates (4% commission)

Example Earning Potential:

• 10,000 monthly clicks
• 2% conversion rate = 200 sales
• $5 average commission
• = $1,000/month

Pros:

• ✅ Start immediately (no approval needed)
• ✅ Wide product selection
• ✅ Passive income (evergreen pins)
• ✅ Compliant with Pinterest policies

Cons:

• ❌ Requires consistent content creation
• ❌ Income depends on traffic
• ❌ Must disclose affiliate relationships

Complete Pinterest affiliate marketing guide →

Method 2: Selling Your Own Digital Products ($1K-$30K/month potential)

What You Can Sell:

• Printables (planners, checklists, wall art)
• Templates (social media, Canva, Notion)
• E-books and guides
• Online courses
• Stock photos
• Fonts and graphics

How It Works:

• Create digital products once
• Sell unlimited copies
• Pinterest pins drive traffic to sales page
• Earn 95-100% profit (after platform fees)

Setup Difficulty: Medium (requires product creation) Time to First Dollar: 60-120 days Passive Income Potential: Very High

Selling Platforms:

• Etsy Digital (4% transaction fee)
• Gumroad (10% fee for free plan, 0% for paid)
• Teachable (courses, $39-$119/month + transaction fees)
• Your own website (0% platform fees)

Example: Printable Planner Business

• Product: 2025 Monthly Planner (PDF)
• Price: $12
• Pinterest traffic: 5,000 monthly clicks
• Conversion rate: 1.5%
• Sales: 75/month
• Monthly revenue: $900
• Annual: $10,800

Pros:

• ✅ High profit margins (95%+)
• ✅ Unlimited scalability
• ✅ Truly passive once created
• ✅ You own the customer relationship

Cons:

• ❌ Requires upfront creation time
• ❌ Need sales page/platform
• ❌ Customer support responsibility

Method 3: Sponsored Content & Brand Partnerships ($500-$10K per campaign)

How It Works:

• Brands pay you to create pins featuring their products
• You promote to your Pinterest audience
• Payment: Flat fee or performance-based

Setup Difficulty: Hard (requires established audience) Time to First Dollar: 6-12 months Passive Income Potential: Low (active work required)

Brand Partnership Types:

1. Sponsored Pins:

• Create pin featuring brand product
• Payment: $100-$5,000 per pin (varies by follower count)

2. Board Takeovers:

• Brand gets to post on your board for set period
• Payment: $500-$3,000 per month

3. Content Creation:

• Create pins, boards, or Idea Pins for brands
• Payment: $200-$2,000 per piece

Requirements:

• 10K+ followers (typical minimum)
• High engagement rate (3%+)
• Established niche authority
• Professional media kit

Where to Find Brand Deals:

• Aspire (influencer marketplace)
• ACTIVATE (brand collaborations)
• RewardStyle/LTK (fashion brands)
• Direct outreach to brands
• Influencer agencies

Example Rates by Follower Count:

Pros:

• ✅ High per-project earnings
• ✅ Build brand relationships
• ✅ Free products often included

Cons:

• ❌ Requires large, engaged audience
• ❌ Not passive (active work per campaign)
• ❌ Inconsistent income

Method 4: Driving Traffic to Ad-Monetized Blog ($500-$10K/month potential)

How It Works:

• Pinterest drives traffic to your blog
• Blog displays ads (Google AdSense, Mediavine, AdThrive)
• You earn per impression/click on ads

Setup Difficulty: Medium Time to First Dollar: 90-180 days Passive Income Potential: High

Ad Network Requirements:

Google AdSense:

• No traffic minimum
• Earnings: $5-$25 per 1,000 pageviews (RPM)

Mediavine:

• 50,000 monthly sessions required
• Earnings: $15-$40 per 1,000 pageviews

AdThrive:

• 100,000 monthly sessions required
• Earnings: $20-$50 per 1,000 pageviews

Example Earning Calculation:

• Pinterest traffic: 50,000 monthly visitors
• Blog RPM: $25 (Mediavine)
• Monthly earnings: $1,250

Pros:

• ✅ Truly passive once set up
• ✅ No selling required
• ✅ Complements other monetization methods
• ✅ Higher RPM for premium networks

Cons:

• ❌ Requires significant traffic
• ❌ Ad networks take 25-30% cut
• ❌ User experience may suffer (ads)

Strategy: Combine blog ads with affiliate links for 2x monetization from same traffic.

Method 5: Email List Building → Product Sales ($1K-$50K/month potential)

How It Works:

• Pinterest drives traffic to lead magnet (free download)
• Visitors opt in to email list
• Nurture subscribers via email
• Sell products/services to list (20-40% conversion rate)

Setup Difficulty: Medium-Hard Time to First Dollar: 90-180 days Passive Income Potential: Very High (automated funnels)

The Email Monetization Funnel:

1. Pinterest Pin: "Download my free Social Media Content Calendar Template"

2. Landing Page: Enter email to download → subscriber added to list

3. Welcome Series (7 days):

• Email 1: Deliver freebie
• Email 2-3: Valuable tips
• Email 4-5: Case studies
• Email 6: Product introduction
• Email 7: Special offer

4. Weekly Emails: Mix of value + product promotion

Example Calculation:

• Monthly Pinterest traffic: 10,000
• Email opt-in rate: 10% = 1,000 subscribers
• Monthly product launch: $97 course
• Email conversion rate: 2%
• Sales: 20/month
• Monthly revenue: $1,940

Pros:

• ✅ You own the audience (not platform-dependent)
• ✅ Highest lifetime value
• ✅ Can sell multiple products over time
• ✅ Deep relationship building

Cons:

• ❌ Requires email platform ($15-$50/month)
• ❌ Need lead magnet creation
• ❌ Email writing workload
• ❌ Takes longer to see results

Recommended Email Platforms:

• ConvertKit ($15-$29/month)
• MailerLite (free up to 1,000 subscribers)
• ActiveCampaign ($29-$49/month)

Method 6: Pinterest Creator Rewards Program ($100-$5K/month potential)

What It Is: Pinterest's direct creator monetization program (rolled out 2023-2024).

How It Works:

• Create Idea Pins (Pinterest's native content format)
• Earn based on engagement metrics
• Payment: $0.10-$1.50 per 1,000 views (varies)

Setup Difficulty: Easy (if invited) Time to First Dollar: 30 days (if accepted) Passive Income Potential: Medium

Requirements:

• Invitation-only (Pinterest selects creators)
• Must have Pinterest Business Account
• Typically need 10K+ followers
• Active Idea Pin creation
• High engagement rate

Estimated Earnings:

Current Status (2025): Program is still limited to select creators. Pinterest is slowly expanding invitations.

How to Get Invited:

• Create consistent Idea Pins (3-5 weekly)
• Build engaged audience (10K+ followers)
• High save/comment rates
• Focus on trending topics
• Apply when applications open

Pros:

• ✅ Direct payment from Pinterest
• ✅ Predictable income per view
• ✅ No external website needed

Cons:

• ❌ Invitation-only (most can't access)
• ❌ Lower earnings than other methods
• ❌ Requires video content creation
• ❌ Program availability uncertain

Alternative: While waiting for Creator Rewards access, focus on other monetization methods (higher earning potential anyway).

Method 7: Selling Physical Products (E-Commerce) ($2K-$100K+/month potential)

How It Works:

• Drive Pinterest traffic to online store
• Users purchase physical products
• You handle fulfillment (or use dropshipping/POD)

Setup Difficulty: Hard Time to First Dollar: 90-180 days Passive Income Potential: Low-Medium (depending on model)

E-Commerce Models:

1. Dropshipping:

• Sell products without holding inventory
• Supplier ships directly to customer
• Profit margin: 10-30%

2. Print-on-Demand:

• Sell custom designs on products (shirts, mugs, etc.)
• Products printed when ordered
• Profit margin: 20-40%
• Platforms: Printify, Printful, Redbubble

3. Handmade Products:

• Create and sell your own products
• Sell via Etsy or own website
• Profit margin: 40-80%

4. Traditional E-Commerce:

• Buy inventory wholesale
• Store and ship products yourself
• Profit margin: 30-60%

Best Product Categories for Pinterest:

• Home décor and organization
• Fashion and jewelry
• Wedding and party supplies
• Craft supplies
• Kitchen gadgets
• Beauty products

Example: Print-on-Demand T-Shirt Business

• Product: Graphic tees ($29 each)
• Production cost: $12
• Profit per sale: $17
• Pinterest traffic: 8,000 clicks/month
• Conversion rate: 1.5%
• Sales: 120/month
• Monthly profit: $2,040

Pros:

• ✅ Highest earning potential
• ✅ Build real brand equity
• ✅ Multiple traffic sources possible
• ✅ Scalable to six/seven figures

Cons:

• ❌ Requires inventory management (most models)
• ❌ Customer service workload
• ❌ Higher startup costs
• ❌ Complex logistics

Complete guide to selling on Pinterest →

How Much Money Can You Make on Pinterest?

Realistic Income Expectations by Timeline

Months 1-3: The Foundation Phase

• Expected earnings: $0-$200
• Focus: Setup, content creation, learning
• Key actions: Create 100+ pins, join affiliate programs, establish niche

Months 4-6: The Traction Phase

• Expected earnings: $200-$1,000
• Focus: Optimize top performers, scale what works
• Key actions: Double down on winning content, improve conversion rates

Months 7-12: The Growth Phase

• Expected earnings: $1,000-$5,000
• Focus: Diversify income streams, build systems
• Key actions: Add email list, launch products, land brand deals

Year 2+: The Scale Phase

• Expected earnings: $5,000-$50,000+
• Focus: Automation, team building, brand expansion
• Key actions: Outsource content, premium products, speaking/consulting

Income by Monetization Method (Monthly Averages)

Beginner (0-6 months):

• Affiliate marketing: $100-$500
• Digital products: $0-$200
• Blog ads: $50-$300
• Email list: Building (no sales yet)
• Total: $150-$1,000/month

Intermediate (6-18 months):

• Affiliate marketing: $500-$3,000
• Digital products: $500-$2,000
• Blog ads: $300-$1,500
• Email list: $500-$3,000
• Sponsored posts: $0-$1,000 (occasional)
• Total: $1,800-$10,500/month

Advanced (18+ months):

• Affiliate marketing: $3,000-$10,000
• Digital products: $2,000-$15,000
• Blog ads: $1,500-$5,000
• Email list: $3,000-$20,000
• Sponsored posts: $2,000-$10,000
• Creator Rewards: $500-$2,000 (if accepted)
• Total: $12,000-$62,000/month

Note: These are realistic ranges. Outliers earn significantly more ($100K+/month), but that requires substantial audience, team, and time investment.

Pinterest Monetization Success Stories

Case Study 1: Food Blogger ($8K/month)

Niche: Healthy recipes Followers: 125K Monthly impressions: 12M

Income Breakdown:

• Mediavine ads: $3,500
• Affiliate (kitchen tools): $2,200
• Sponsored pins: $1,500
• Digital cookbook: $800
• Total: $8,000/month

Strategy: Mix of recipe pins (80%) and product recommendations (20%). Blog acts as hub for all monetization.

Case Study 2: Printables Shop Owner ($22K/month)

Niche: Productivity planners Followers: 85K Monthly impressions: 6M

Income Breakdown:

• Etsy printables: $12,000
• Course (how to create printables): $8,000
• Affiliate (Canva, tools): $1,500
• Email list sales: $500
• Total: $22,000/month

Strategy: Free printable lead magnets drive email list. Sell premium planners on Etsy and upsell course.

Case Study 3: Fashion Affiliate Marketer ($15K/month)

Niche: Sustainable fashion Followers: 200K Monthly impressions: 18M

Income Breakdown:

• RewardStyle/LTK: $9,000
• Amazon Associates: $2,500
• ShareASale (Athleta, Everlane): $2,000
• Sponsored posts: $1,500
• Total: $15,000/month

Strategy: Outfit inspiration pins with affiliate links. Blog for long-form content. 3-4 sponsored campaigns monthly.

Common Pinterest Monetization Mistakes

Mistake #1: Starting with Too Many Income Streams

Why It Fails: Dilutes focus, nothing reaches critical mass.

Solution: Pick ONE primary method for first 6 months. Master it. Then add second stream.

Recommended Starting Order:

1. Affiliate marketing (fastest to revenue)
2. Add email list building (month 3)
3. Launch digital product (month 6)
4. Pursue sponsored posts (month 9+)

Mistake #2: Not Building an Email List

Why It Fails: You don't own Pinterest traffic. Algorithm changes = income disappears.

Solution: Start email list on Day 1. Even if monetizing via affiliates, capture emails.

Data: Email subscribers are worth $1-$5 each monthly. 1,000 subscribers = $1,000-$5,000/month potential.

Mistake #3: Expecting Immediate Results

Why It Fails: Pinterest is a long game. Pins take 3-6 months to reach peak traffic.

Solution: Commit to 12 months minimum before evaluating success. Plan for delayed gratification.

Reality Check: Most Pinterest income is made in Year 2+, not Year 1.

Mistake #4: Creating Only Promotional Content

Why It Fails: Pinterest algorithm penalizes promotional-only accounts.

Solution: 80/20 rule

• 80% valuable, helpful content (builds trust + algorithm favor)
• 20% promotional content (monetization)

Mistake #5: Not Tracking Performance

Why It Fails: Can't optimize what you don't measure.

Solution: Track weekly:

• Pinterest impressions and clicks
• Affiliate earnings per program
• Product sales
• Email subscribers gained
• Top-performing pins

Optimize monthly: Double down on what works, cut what doesn't.

How to Get Started Making Money on Pinterest

Week 1: Foundation Setup

Day 1-2: Account Setup

• Create Pinterest Business Account
• Verify your website
• Complete profile optimization
• Choose your monetization niche

Day 3-4: Monetization Prep

• Join 3-5 affiliate programs
• Set up email marketing tool (optional but recommended)
• Create lead magnet (if building email list)
• Install Pinterest Tag on website

Day 5-7: Content Planning

• Research top keywords in your niche
• Create 10-15 boards (keyword-optimized)
• Design 50 pins (mix valuable + promotional)
• Write pin descriptions with SEO keywords

Month 1: Content Creation & Consistency

Weekly Tasks:

• Post 15-25 pins daily (use scheduler)
• Create 20-30 new pin designs weekly
• Engage 15 minutes daily (comments, saves)
• Track analytics weekly

Monetization Actions:

• Create 3-5 affiliate pins daily
• Link to high-quality landing pages
• Test different product promotions
• Monitor which products convert

Month 2-3: Optimization & Scale

Bi-Weekly Tasks:

• Review Pinterest Analytics
• Identify top-performing pins (most clicks)
• Create 10 variations of each winner
• Prune underperforming content

Monetization Actions:

• Increase affiliate product range
• Launch first digital product (if applicable)
• Start email list building
• Test different calls-to-action

Month 4-6: Diversification

Monthly Tasks:

• Add second income stream
• Reach out to 5 brands for partnerships
• Create paid product if selling digital products
• Optimize email funnel

Growth Focus:

• Scale posting to 25-30 daily pins
• Repurpose top-performing content
• Expand into seasonal niches
• Build backlink strategy for SEO

Pinterest Monetization Tools & Resources

Essential Tools

1. Pinterest Scheduler:

• Tailwind ($14.99/month)
• Later ($18/month)
• SocialRails ($19/month)
• Compare schedulers →

2. Design Tools:

• Canva Pro ($12.99/month) - Templates
• Pinterest Graphic Maker - Free

3. Affiliate Management:

• ThirstyAffiliates (WordPress plugin)
• Pretty Links (link tracking)
• Google Analytics (conversion tracking)

4. Email Marketing:

• ConvertKit ($15-$29/month)
• MailerLite (free up to 1,000)
• Flodesk ($38/month)

5. Analytics:

• Pinterest Analytics (free, built-in)
• Google Analytics (free)
• Pinterest Tag Helper (free Chrome extension)

Free Pinterest Resources

Pinterest Business Resources:

• Pinterest Business Hub
• Pinterest Academy (free courses)
• Pinterest Trends (keyword research)

SocialRails Free Tools:

• Pinterest Hashtag Generator
• Pinterest Graphic Maker
• Pinterest Post Generator

Frequently Asked Questions About Monetizing Pinterest

Can you monetize Pinterest without a website? Yes, but options are limited. You can use direct affiliate links to products (Amazon, Etsy) without a blog. However, having a website significantly increases earning potential through blog ads, email list building, and better conversion rates.

How many followers do you need to monetize Pinterest? Zero. Most monetization methods (affiliate marketing, selling products, blog ads) don't require followers. Pinterest traffic comes primarily from search, not followers. Even accounts with 500 followers can earn $1,000+/month with proper strategy.

Does Pinterest pay creators like YouTube? Not for most users. Pinterest Creator Rewards Program exists but is invitation-only and pays less than YouTube ($0.10-$1.50 per 1,000 views vs. YouTube's $1-$10). Most creators earn more through affiliate marketing, products, and traffic monetization.

What's the fastest way to make money on Pinterest? Affiliate marketing. You can start immediately, need no product creation, and see first earnings within 30-90 days. Focus on high-commission programs (10%+) and products with strong purchase intent.

Can you sell on Pinterest without Etsy or Shopify? Yes. You can link directly to affiliate products, use Gumroad for digital products, or build a simple landing page with Buy buttons (Stripe, PayPal). However, platforms like Etsy and Shopify simplify the process and build trust.

Is Pinterest better than Instagram for making money? For most niches, yes. Pinterest has higher purchase intent (89% use for shopping), longer content lifespan (pins work for months), and allows direct links. Instagram requires larger followings for meaningful income. Pinterest works well even with small audiences.

How long does it take to make $1,000/month on Pinterest? With consistent effort (15-25 pins daily), most creators reach $1,000/month in 6-12 months. Factors: niche profitability, content quality, monetization method, and prior audience.

Do you need a business license to monetize Pinterest? Not to start. Once you're earning significant income ($5,000+/year), check your local requirements. Most solo creators operate as sole proprietors initially, then form an LLC for liability protection.

Can you monetize Pinterest in any niche? Most niches work, but visual, aspirational niches perform best: home décor, fashion, food, DIY, wellness, travel, weddings. B2B and technical niches have lower traffic but higher conversion rates.

What's the highest-earning Pinterest niche? Travel (high commissions, expensive bookings), fashion (high volume, repeat purchases), and digital products/courses (100% profit margins) are consistently top earners. However, success depends more on your unique angle than the niche itself.

Start Monetizing Pinterest Today

Yes, you can make money on Pinterest—and it's one of the most beginner-friendly platforms for building sustainable, passive income streams.

Your action plan:

This Week:

• Create Pinterest Business Account
• Choose ONE monetization method (recommend: affiliate marketing)
• Join 3 affiliate programs
• Create 30 pins (24 valuable + 6 affiliate)

This Month:

• Post 15-25 pins daily
• Track what gets clicks and saves
• Optimize based on data
• See your first $10-$100

This Quarter:

• Add second income stream (email list or digital product)
• Scale to 25-30 pins daily
• Reach $500-$1,000/month

This Year:

• Diversify across 3-4 income streams
• Build systems and automation
• Reach $3,000-$10,000/month

The best time to start was 6 months ago. The second-best time is today.

Ready to start? Try SocialRails for automated Pinterest scheduling, AI content suggestions, and analytics to help you monetize faster—starting at $19/month.

Related Guides:

• Pinterest Affiliate Marketing Complete Guide
• How to Sell Products on Pinterest
• What Are Pinterest Impressions (And How to Increase Them)