How to Make Money on Pinterest in 2025 (Even If You Don’t Have a Huge Following)

Table of Contents

 Let’s be honest — we’ve all gone down the Pinterest rabbit hole at 2 a.m., saving recipes we’ll never make and home offices we can only dream of.

But here’s the twist — what if all that scrolling could actually make you money?

In 2025, Pinterest isn’t just for finding “aesthetic” meal prep ideas. It’s also a goldmine for creators, bloggers, and small business owners who know how to use it wisely. Whether you’re promoting your brand, selling a product, or sharing affiliate links, Pinterest can quietly turn your pins into profit.

I discovered this myself when one of my “budget home office ideas” pins went viral. A week later, traffic to my blog tripled, and my affiliate clicks spiked like I had just unlocked a cheat code. Spoiler: I kind of did.

Here’s how you can do the same — without being glued to your phone all day.

1. Turn Pinterest Into Free Advertising for Your Blog

If you already have a blog, Pinterest can be your silent marketer. Every pin you create can link back to your blog, helping you attract free traffic — no ads required.

Here’s how it works:

• Design a pin using a striking image and bold text (Canva works great for this).

• Add your blog link to the pin.

• Write a clear title and description using SEO keywords.

• Watch Pinterest users click through to your post.

It’s free, visual, and surprisingly powerful.

Example:
A food blogger pinned a cheesy “Air Fryer Grilled Cheese” image linking to her recipe blog. The pin gained thousands of saves and brought in steady traffic every month. One viral pin = ongoing blog visitors = ad revenue.

2. Promote Your Online Business Like a Pro

Running an online business? Pinterest can drive sales without paying for ads.

Use your pins to:

• Showcase your product or service.

• Link to your eCommerce site or product page.

• Optimize pins for trending keywords (use Pinterest Trends for help).

If you’re on Shopify, Etsy, or WooCommerce, you can even connect your store directly to Pinterest. It will automatically create pins for your products — a set-it-and-forget-it system that markets for you while you sleep.

Example:
A watercolor artist created pins featuring her colorful paintings and linked them to her website offering step-by-step online art classes. Those pins now bring in hundreds of new students monthly — all organically.

3. Try Affiliate Marketing (Even With a Small Following)

No product? No problem. You can still make money with affiliate marketing.

Pinterest allows you to post pins with affiliate links. Every time someone clicks and buys, you earn a commission.

The key is to build trust by sharing honest recommendations and quality visuals. Pinterest is strict about disclosure, so always mark affiliate pins properly (no shady stuff here).

Popular affiliate programs include:

• Amazon Associates

• Awin

• LTK (LikeToKnowIt)

Example:
A fashion creator posts daily outfit inspiration pins. Each pin links to her LTK page, where followers can shop the exact look. Every sale earns her a small cut. Multiply that by thousands of clicks a month, and you’ve got a tidy side income.

4. Use Pinterest for Inspiration and Side Hustle Ideas

Even if you’re not ready to post, Pinterest can still inspire your next money-making move.

You’ll find thousands of pins on:

• DIY home projects that save cash

• Budget-friendly business ideas

• Tutorials on building Etsy shops or print-on-demand stores

Example:
One DIY fan skipped a full basement remodel by using Pinterest ideas for a minimalist paint-and-lighting makeover — saving over $2,000. That’s money that could go straight into her online store fund.

Pinterest Monetization Methods Compared

Method	Who It’s Best For	How You Earn	Cost to Start	Example
Blog Promotion	Bloggers & writers	Ad revenue, affiliate links	Free	Recipe bloggers, lifestyle blogs
Online Business	Product sellers	Product sales	Free or low (shop fees)	Art shops, handmade goods
Affiliate Marketing	Influencers, creators	Commissions on sales	Free	Fashion & tech pins
DIY Inspiration	Budget seekers	Indirect savings	Free	Home improvement ideas

Do You Get Paid Directly by Pinterest?

Short answer: no.
Pinterest doesn’t pay you directly like YouTube or TikTok. Instead, it helps you drive traffic and sales to places that do pay — your blog, store, or affiliate programs. Think of it as a free marketing engine that works 24/7.

How Many Followers Do You Need to Start?

You don’t need millions of followers. Some creators start earning with just a few thousand, as long as they pin consistently and create high-quality content that gets saved and shared.

Pinterest’s own advice? Focus on creating “save-worthy” content — pins people actually want to keep.

Tips to grow your audience:

• Convert to a Pinterest Business Account (it’s free).

• Use the Pinterest Trends Tool to find what’s hot in your niche.

• Study successful creators and model their designs, posting times, and keywords.

Consistency beats popularity every time.

Real-World Success Stories

1. The Food Blogger Who Went Viral:
A small cooking blog owner used Pinterest to share one recipe daily. Within six months, her traffic grew from 1,000 to 60,000 monthly visits, and her ad revenue doubled.

2. The Digital Artist:
A freelance painter turned her Pinterest gallery into a storefront. She now earns over $3,000/month teaching art online — all from free Pinterest traffic.

3. The Home DIY Dad:
After posting budget DIY projects, this dad landed sponsorship deals with tool brands. His “how-to” pins became part of his full-time business.

Final Thoughts: Pinterest = Free Marketing Magic

Pinterest might look like a cute app full of home decor ideas, but it’s quietly one of the best platforms to make money online in 2025.

Whether you’re a blogger, small business owner, or creative hobbyist, the path is simple:

1. Create pins that help people.

2. Link them to your content or product.

3. Stay consistent and track what works.

It’s free, visual, and evergreen — your pins can drive traffic for years.

✅ Ready to Start?

Sign up for a Pinterest Business Account today, create your first pin, and see what happens.
Who knows — your next “weekend project” board could turn into your next income stream.