Making money on Pinterest is a real thing and if I can do it, you definitely can too. If you came across this page, it’s probably because you are researching how other people are making money on Pinterest or looking at different strategies that will help you make $$$ on our fave site, Pinterest. Keep reading to get learn how I began making money on Pinterest and when I made my first $500.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure here.
Making Money on Pinterest: How Long it Took to Make My First $500
Hi – I’m Jess! I am the owner of Hey Sweet Style, a life & design blog + a genuine Pinterest addict who turned her pastime into more than a hobby. I created my website at the end of 2020 and currently (as of 2022) make a generous monthly income from the help of Pinterest and Google.
When I got my start
While I can’t pinpoint the exact year I began pinning, I can tell you that I was in college (2012-16) and the fashion trends were outrageous. I created a board for just about every kind of trend & outfit ie. bubble necklaces, neon clubbing outfits, peplums & pumps, and so many more. I had no idea what would come from those categorized boards years later.
How I turned my Pinterest into a money maker
When I look back on my Pinterest journey, there are a lot of things that I wish I knew. But, I’m thrilled I had one thing right: my boards were very organized, which helped my profile tremendously.
People are more drawn to follow something when it’s organized and easy to navigate so I believe having an organized profile was an important key to my success.
Quick tip: keep your profile niched down if you intend on making money. Avoid scattering your main topic. For example, if you are passionate about teaching – stick to teaching topics for your boards and steer clear of a clashing niche like… hair design or bartending tricks under the same account.
Once I had determined my niche and decided to cut ties with my “niche-clashing” boards, I began applying to affiliate network programs – my first choice was LTK (or rewardStyle). With success, I was accepted into the program and began looking at Pinterest as a business (this was before I started my website). It was game time.
How long did it take to make money?
After researching LTK guidelines, I began uploading pins with my affiliate links. LTK tip: install the LinkNinja extension to quickly grab your affiliate links!I am (mostly) anonymously blogging, meaning that I don't upload my own personal pictures. I share images of products that are LTK eligible with my personal affiliate links while staying within copyright guidelines. See the example below.
Once I had a consistent schedule of posting product images with affiliate links and content that was starting to pick up traffic, I began making sales.
My first sale came about 2 months into being an LTK affiliate, solely from Pinterest SEO – I still did NOT have a website.
Pinterest + website = $$$
I decided to make a brand for myself so I began researching the ins and outs of building a website for myself. I took the route of doing it by myself because I am the type of person who hates asking for help when I can *probably* figure it out myself. Now looking back, I would recommend hiring someone for the more complex side of website development. It’s very time-consuming if you are new to WordPress and coding.
The money started consistently coming in when I began posting keyword-rich blog posts that were also generously full of affiliate links (but not overwhelmingly too much). I was focused on making click-worthy pins for my blog posts and soon, my work was paying off.The BIGGEST way your favorite blogs generate money
Back when I was researching how to make money blogging, I remember always seeing bloggers emphasizing the power of ad money when it comes to blogging income. And boooy, they weren’t lying.
I applied to Google Adsense around the start of my blogging journey (2020), was rejected due to lack of content, but I continued to funnel out my keyword-and-affiliate-link packed posts.
Before I knew it, I was accepted into Adsense and making money. Granted, I was making cents but, that adds up!
To briefly address a "con" of having ads on your website... they aren't aesthetically pleasing.
How long did it take to hit $500?!
It’s a journey, remember that! Each blogger has their own strategy and we’re all just out here trying to keep up with the ever changing algorithm of Pinterest and Google.
I titled this blog post Making Money on Pinterest because frankly, that’s where most of my traffic is coming from. Website traffic = ad revenue.
I hit my first $500 within one month of having ads up and running on my website along with active affiliate links.
Personally, I HIGHLY recommend anyone who is interested in making money on Pinterest to get a domain, to purchase hosting (Bluehost has been incredible and they are super affordable. Start here!), then begin publishing blog posts, and creating appealing pins to drive traffic to your website.
The money will come once you nail down a strategy that works for you and you stay consistent with posting. You got this!!
If you have any blogging questions, feel free to message me over on Pinterest! I love talking to anyone who has an interest in blogging or making money on Pinterest.
Check out my other blog posts!
How to Make Money on Pinterest
Beth Dutton Halloween Ideas
High-End Modern Rustic Furniture for Less!
