Pinterest Affiliate Marketing: Using Pinterest To Elevate Your Earnings

Not only is it a powerful social media platform, but Pinterest is also a lucrative way for content creators to make money. To start, Pinterest has a large audience, with 482 million people using the platform every month, and that number continues to grow. That equates to many potential eyes (and clicks) on your content. Although there are many ways to make money on the platform, Pinterest affiliate marketing is a great first step to earning income.

Why? Well, Pinterest’s unique ability to drive organic traffic through shared and repinned content makes it a powerful platform for affiliate marketing.

Here’s everything you need to know about launching an affiliate marketing strategy on Pinterest.

What’s Pinterest Affiliate Marketing?

Pinterest affiliate marketing refers to the practice of leveraging the Pinterest platform to promote and drive traffic to products or services through an affiliate link. Affiliate marketing is one of a variety of ways to make money on Pinterest. 

Creators can join an affiliate platform and collaborate with brands to gain access to unique tracking links or codes. Then, These links are strategically integrated into Pinterest content, such as Pins, boards, or descriptions. When Pinterest users click these affiliate links and make purchases, the Creator earns a commission. This form of marketing capitalizes on Pinterest’s visual nature, encouraging Creators to curate visually appealing content that resonates with their target audience and entices them to purchase products.

Successful Pinterest affiliate marketing requires a deep understanding of the platform’s user base and trends. Creators often utilize visually striking images, informative descriptions, and engaging captions to capture the attention of Pinterest users. Additionally, effective keyword research and optimization play a crucial role in ensuring the visibility of affiliate content on the platform. 

As Pinterest continues to evolve and introduce new features, creators are adapting their strategies to stay relevant and capitalize on emerging trends, ultimately driving traffic and generating revenue through their carefully crafted affiliate content.

How To Make Money on Pinterest With Affiliate Marketing

Firstly, making money through Pinterest affiliate marketing requires understanding both the platform and the basics of affiliate marketing. 

To use affiliate links on Pinterest, you’ll need to join relevant affiliate programs and obtain unique tracking links or codes from partner brands. These links can be seamlessly integrated into your Pin captions, board descriptions, and your profile bio. Specifically, the goal is to weave these affiliate links into content that not only showcases products but also provides value or solves a problem for the audience.

Promoting affiliate links on Pinterest requires a keen understanding of the platform’s algorithm and user behavior. Utilizing effective keyword research and optimization techniques helps in making content discoverable by a wider audience. You can create themed boards centered around your niche, ensuring a cohesive and visually appealing presence. 

Once you earn commissions on sales generated through your affiliate links, you can get paid through your affiliate platform!

Does Pinterest Affiliate Marketing Work?

If you’re asking, “Does Pinterest affiliate marketing work?,” it truly does. There are dozens of YouTube reviews from Pinterest users who’ve launched successful affiliate marketing programs and campaigns. In fact, Creator Katie Grazer makes an extra $300 per day through Pinterest affiliate marketing. 

If you’re already using affiliate links across other social media sites, then incorporating them into Pinterest will just be one more piece of your strategic puzzle. However, if you’re just starting with affiliate marketing and are new to Pinterest, it will take a little more time and effort. But don’t forget that Pinterest content is evergreen. This means your Pins live on your Pinterest board indefinitely or until you remove them. Therefore, your Pinterest affiliate marketing efforts can continue to live on and earn commission indefinitely.

Why Content Creators Should Try Pinterest Affiliate Marketing

You might wonder how Pinterest affiliate marketing is different from affiliate marketing on other social media sites. It all comes down to the audience the platform attracts and the site’s end goal.

TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook are some of the most popular social media platforms. These sites are geared towards sharing content, connecting, and interacting with others. Often, their feeds are designed for general scrolling, and the platforms will serve you content they think you’ll engage with. 

However, on Pinterest, users are intentional in their searching and browsing. Instead of simply scrolling until something catches their eye, Pinterest users are looking for something specific like a recipe, an outfit idea for an event, or the exact steps for a DIY project they’ve been working on. 

Because of this intentionality, Pinterest users are highly engaged and primed to interact, click, and make purchases. In fact, Pinterest shoppers spend 80% more money per month than users on other platforms. Creators should try Pinterest affiliate marketing to take advantage of this engaged user base and their shopping habits. By targeting Pinterest users’ interests, Creators can drive sales to products that match Pinterest users queries.

How To Start Affiliate Marketing on Pinterest

Is your interest piqued, and you want to learn how to start affiliate marketing on Pinterest? 

Here are a few steps to get you started:

1. Find your niche: Selecting a clear niche can help you maximize your profile, boards, and Pins to target users’ specific interests. Pinterest’s audience tends to use the platform to search for content for the following areas: Photography, DIY and crafts, beauty and health, food, fashion, and home decor.
2. Join affiliate programs: While Pinterest is the tool to drive more users to your links, your income comes from your affiliate partner. Look for a reputable program that works with the types of brands and products you plan to promote. You may also want to select a program with a variety of affiliate tools and products that can help you create an array of compelling shoppable content. 
3. Switch your personal Pinterest account to a Pinterest Business account: You’ll have to switch your personal account to take advantage of Pinterest features exclusive to business accounts. Once you do, you’ll gain access to Pinterest analytics and the Pinterest Creator Hub. Additionally, you can create product catalogs, video ads, carousels, etc. 
4. Build well-organized and compelling Pinterest boards: You want to make it easy for users to find content on your profile. You should organize boards by themes and topics, and optimize your boards for SEO and search discovery. 
5. Promote products in your Pins: Create Pins and Pinterest content that elegantly promotes products. Consider how your content can tell a story and explain how and why your audience should care about this product. And make sure the products you choose align are things you genuinely use and love.  

How To Do Affiliate Marketing on Pinterest: Your Strategy for Success

Are you ready to maximize your Pinterest affiliate marketing efforts? The next step is developing a strategy for continued success. Like learning how to make money on TikTok, Instagram, or other platforms, you need a solid understanding of how the platform works. 

Importantly, you should familiarize yourself with Pinterest’s algorithm. It’s all about organic reach and the discoverability of content. Pinterest uses an algorithm to determine how to show your content. The algorithm takes into consideration time, engagement, and relevance to users. Even though you can’t control the platform’s algorithm, you can prime your content for organic reach. Here are five strategies to help you learn how to do affiliate marketing on Pinterest.

1. Know Your Pinterest Audience

The first component to knowing how to start affiliate marketing on Pinterest is knowing the platform’s audience. 

Firstly, the target Pinterest demographic spends more money on Pinterest than other social media sites. And Pinterest tends to appeal to a more mature audience. The median Pinterest user age is 40, and the largest age demographic on the platform is between 50 and 65. This demographic makes up 38% of users on the site. While Pinterest is the inspiration playground for Millennials and older generations, it also attracts many Gen Z users. In fact, Pinterest boasts roughly 21 million Gen Z users, and that number continues to grow.

Spend some time researching Pinterest’s audience demographics, which can help you figure out how to frame your content for maximum success. For example, if you’re a travel Creator and you see that Pinterest has many travel-savvy parents as users, you can create Pins that focus on travel hacks for parents.

2. Optimize Your Content for Pinterest Affiliate Marketing

As of July 2023, there are over 240 billion pins on Pinterest. That equates to a lot of scrolling. It’s crucial to optimize your content for Pinterest affiliate marketing. Especially since every click and transaction matters. Here are various ways to optimize your content to ensure the right viewers see it.

• Use various Pin formats: There are currently four types of Pins on the platform: Image, Video, Rich, and Product Pins. Image and Video Pins are self-explanatory; one contains a single photo, while the other contains video media. Rich Pins are Pins that automatically sync your website information with your Pins. Last, Product Pins feature saleable content. Be sure to use the format that suits your content.
• Try Idea Pins: Pinterest rolled out Idea Pins in 2021 as another option for creating content pins on the site. Idea Pins are different from static Pins as you can add multiple images or add video content. The formatting of Idea Pins is similar to what you’d find on Instagram Stories. Use these Pins to tell a story, provide a tutorial, or showcase products at once. 
• Pin Reposting: Check your Pinterest analytics to see which Pins perform well. You should repost those Pins every so often to encourage constant engagement. Additionally, assess if you have Pins that historically perform well but don’t anymore. You can update the imagery and repost it to boost views.
• Research trends: Use the platform’s helpful internal tool, Pinterest Trends, to research what topics are trending on Pinterest. Knowing what users are searching for can help spark content ideas, and help you create timely Pins that satisfies users’ inquiries.

3. Create Scroll-Stopping Pins

Having visually appealing content is essential. But how do you ensure your audience sees your Pinterest affiliate marketing content? 

Create visual imagery that draws users to your pin and entices them to engage with your content. Then, they’re more likely to click on the pin to check out more of your content.

Ensure your Pins have:

• High-Quality Imagery: Use clear, high-resolution images that are visually appealing and showcase the product or content effectively.
• Eye-Catching Graphics: Incorporate attractive graphics, overlays, or text that enhance the visual appeal of the Pin and highlight key information.
• Consistent Branding: Maintain a consistent visual identity with your brand colors, fonts, and style to establish a recognizable and cohesive presence on Pinterest.
• Readable Text: If including text, ensure it’s easy to read, concise, and complements the overall design. Use a font size and style that is legible, even on smaller screens.
• Vertical Orientation: Opt for a vertical layout, as it tends to perform better on Pinterest. Aim for a ratio of 2:3 or 1:2.3 to make Pins stand out in the Pinterest feed.
• Relatability and Authenticity: Depict the product or content in a relatable context, helping users envision how it fits into their lives. Lifestyle-oriented visuals often resonate well with Pinterest users.

4. Build a Strong Pinterest SEO Strategy

To make the most of Pinterest affiliate marketing, you should have a strong Pinterest SEO strategy. Pinterest SEO (search engine optimization) refers to the practice of optimizing content on the Pinterest platform to enhance its visibility in search results and recommendations. Given Pinterest’s nature as a visual search engine, users often discover content by searching for specific topics, ideas, or products. 

Utilizing SEO on Pinterest is essential because it directly impacts your content’s discoverability and reach. By optimizing for relevant keywords and creating content that aligns with popular search queries, you can attract a larger audience and ultimately, more clicks and sales to your affiliate links. 

A robust Pinterest SEO strategy involves the strategic use of keywords, relevant descriptions, and other optimization techniques to ensure that Pins, boards, and profiles are easily discoverable by users seeking related content. Here’s what you’ll need to do to maximize your profile and content for SEO:

• Keyword research: Find high-ranking keywords that help your content populate in Pinterest searches. You can utilize Pinterest’s guided search feature to find relevant keywords.
• Pin titles: Use clear, descriptive titles that incorporate relevant keywords.
• Caption keywords: Craft engaging and keyword-rich Pin descriptions that provide context and value.
• Optimize boards: Create boards with clear and specific themes or topics, and optimize board titles and descriptions with relevant keywords. Regularly update boards with fresh and relevant content.
• Enhance your profile: Craft a concise and compelling profile description that includes relevant keywords.

5. Create a Consistent Pinning Schedule

When it comes to Pinterest affiliate marketing success, consistency is everything. And pinning often will help you retain your visibility and engagement. Generally, experts suggest pinning 1-4 Pins a day, while others suggest a maximum of 15-25 Pins per day. Either way, Pinterest is prioritizing “fresh Pins,” meaning they prefer entirely new content over reposts of older Pins. The great news is that your content lives on the platform indefinitely, so your Pins will have a long shelf life, and can be seen again and again.

There are a variety of tools that can help you schedule Pinterest posts. Accordingly, Pinterest even has their own scheduling tool for business accounts. The tool allows you to schedule up to 10 Pins at any time. And the platform allows you to make publishing date, title, and link changes.

Pinterest Affiliate Marketing: Content Ideas to Pin Your Way to a Payday

Your content is the heart of your affiliate marketing strategy. We can’t emphasize enough how important your eye-catching content is. It draws users to your Pins and invites them to follow your link and interact with your content. 

Pin-spiration can strike at any time. As you wait for your next brilliant content creation idea, here are a few suggestions to help you get started. Feel free to take a page from our Pinterest affiliate marketing content idea guide and make it all your own.

Pinterest Affiliate Marketing Content Idea #1: Style Inspiration

Fashion is the fourth most popular Pinterest category. It’s no surprise why. Fashion is constantly evolving. It changes from season to season, and trends come and go. Furthermore, sometimes you want to change your style or breathe new life into your wardrobe. If your niche is style inspiration, you’ll love Pinterest affiliate marketing. Here are a few ideas if you’re wondering how to create a stand-out pin that complements your unique aesthetic.

• Weekly OOTD (outfit of the day) style round-up: Create an image carousel highlighting a few favorite outfits for the week. Add your affiliate marketing links to ensure you generate income. 
• Capsule wardrobe: The rise of sustainability and environmental awareness has led many fashionistas to creating long-lasting, curated capsule wardrobes. Create a Pinterest video or Idea Pin that showcases your capsule wardrobe, and all the many outfits you can create from these items. Make sure you add your affiliate links to the caption. 
• Seasonal wardrobe ideas: When the seasons change, so does your wardrobe. Create a Pin that directs to a collection of items your audience could use to transition their wardrobes to a new season.  

Pinterest Affiliate Marketing Content Idea #2: Travel Guides

Travel is another category that resides in the list of top 10 Pinterest categories. Travel-related content has a staggering 5 billion pins saved. Considering the millions of places you could visit, there’s a ton of content to cover. 

Firstly, use high-quality images of your travels as Pins to drive traffic to product reviews and articles containing Pinterest affiliate marketing links. Here are a few travel topic ideas that will evoke wanderlust in your audience. 

• City-Specific Travel Essentials: Create a series of Pins highlighting the travel essentials you need for different destinations. For example, if you’re heading to somewhere warm, you can link to the best beach totes and easy-to-travel-with sunscreens.
• Travel Hack Tips: Some people find traveling daunting. Help your audience find a new love for travel by offering your best travel hacks. Link to your favorite apps to make travel simple. Or, show them the products that help you pack efficiently, like packing cubes and foldable garment bags.

Pinterest Affiliate Marketing Content Idea #3: Home Decor Inspiration

Home decor inspiration tops the list of the most popular categories on Pinterest. Significantly, this category has “over 23 billion pins and 682 million boards dedicated to (it).” Home decor is such a broad category with an endless amount of content you can create on the subject. Here are a few Pinterest affiliate marketing content ideas for home decor.

• Create “Shop my Home Look” themed collages: You can compile a list of your favorite decor based on a common theme, such as minimalist decor under $50. Or, the best throws and pillows to give your home cozy Hygge vibes. Then, don’t forget to add your shoppable affiliate links!
• Home Renovation Journey: Share your decor inspiration and must-have items if you’re on a remodel journey or building a house from the ground up. Bring your audience along with you for each step of the way, and link them to the new items you’re buying and the tools you’re using to renovate.
• Seasonal Decor DIY Ideas: Share DIY home decor projects for different seasons or holidays. Additionally, you can create step-by-step pins highlighting easy and affordable projects, such as handmade wreaths, seasonal table settings, or decorative wall art. Include affiliate links to the materials and tools needed for each project, allowing followers to conveniently access the products and recreate the decor in their own homes.

A Few Final Thoughts on Pinterest Affiliate Marketing

There is unlimited potential in Pinterest affiliate marketing. The essence of Pinterest is high-quality and alluring content paired with an engaging, vibrant community. As you set out on your affiliate marketing journey, don’t shy away from connecting and collaborating with other Pinterest users. Often, the best ideas come from working together. Once you find your niche footing, join affiliate marketing programs and create awe-inspiring content, the income-generating possibilities are endless.