Introduction: My Journey to Making $500 a Day with Pinterest
I still remember the day I stumbled upon the idea of making money with Pinterest. At the time, I was desperately looking for ways to earn some extra cash online. I had dabbled in side hustles before—everything from selling on Etsy to running a blog—but nothing really clicked the way Pinterest did. Like most people, I thought of Pinterest as just a place for finding home decor ideas, recipes, and DIY projects. I had no idea that it was actually a powerful marketing machine that could drive massive traffic and income if used correctly.
One night, I was scrolling through Pinterest, looking for money-making ideas (yes, irony at its finest), and I came across a pin titled “How I Made $10,000 in One Month with Pinterest.” That caught my attention. I clicked, read through the article, and by the time I reached the bottom, my mind was racing with possibilities. Could I really make money using just Pinterest? Was this a real thing, or just another internet scam?
Curiosity got the best of me, so I decided to experiment. I had an old blog collecting dust, so I created a few pins, linked them to some posts, and followed some Pinterest marketing strategies I found online. Within two months, I was making my first $500 a month. Within six months, I had scaled that to $500 per day.
So, how did I do it? Was it easy? Not exactly. Was it worth it? Absolutely. And the best part? I’m about to show you exactly how you can do the same. Whether you want to earn passive income, start an online business, or boost an existing blog or store, Pinterest can be a game-changer for you.
In this post, I’m going to break down everything I learned—the mistakes, the wins, and the exact steps I followed—to start making $500 a day from Pinterest. And don’t worry, you don’t need to be a tech genius or marketing expert to do this. If you can upload images and type a description, you’re more than qualified. So, grab your coffee (or tea, I don’t judge), and let’s dive in.
Why Pinterest is the Best Platform for Making Money
If you’ve never thought of Pinterest as a money-making platform, I get it. Most people think of Pinterest as just another social media site, like Instagram or Facebook. But here’s the truth: Pinterest is NOT a social media platform—it’s a visual search engine. And that makes all the difference.
1. Pinterest is Built for Discovery
Unlike Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok—where people go to connect with friends and scroll through entertainment—Pinterest is where people go to find solutions. Think about it. When someone searches on Pinterest, they’re looking for something specific: “easy dinner recipes,” “best home office setup,” “how to start a side hustle,” or even “ways to make money online.” That means they’re already in a mindset to take action—whether that’s clicking on your pin, signing up for your email list, or buying something.
Pinterest is not just about inspiration—it’s about intention. People come to Pinterest to make decisions, which is why it’s one of the best platforms for driving traffic, leads, and sales.
2. Pinterest Traffic is Evergreen
One of the most frustrating things about other platforms like Instagram or TikTok is that your content dies fast. You post a reel or TikTok video, and if it doesn’t go viral in 24 hours, it disappears into the void. But Pinterest? Your pins can bring in traffic for months or even years after you post them.
I have pins that I created over a year ago that still drive thousands of visitors to my website every month. That’s because Pinterest works more like Google than social media—it rewards high-quality, keyword-optimized content with long-term visibility.
Imagine creating a pin today, and six months from now, it’s still bringing you sales, affiliate commissions, or blog traffic—without you having to do anything. That’s the magic of Pinterest.
3. Pinterest Users Are Ready to Buy
Another reason why Pinterest is a goldmine for making money? The audience. Pinterest users aren’t just looking for ideas—they’re looking to take action. According to Pinterest’s own research:
- 83% of users have made a purchase based on content they found on Pinterest.
- 97% of searches on Pinterest are unbranded, meaning people aren’t necessarily looking for a specific brand—they’re looking for the best solution.
- 45% of Pinterest users have a household income of over $100,000.
What does that mean for you? People on Pinterest have money to spend and are actively searching for things to buy. Whether you’re promoting a blog, an Etsy shop, an affiliate product, or even your own course, Pinterest can help you reach buyers who are already looking for what you offer.
4. Pinterest is Free and Beginner-Friendly
Unlike platforms like Facebook Ads or Google Ads, where you have to spend money to get traffic, Pinterest is completely free to use. You don’t need to pay for ads to get started (though Pinterest Ads can be great for scaling later). You also don’t need to have thousands of followers to get traffic.
On Instagram or TikTok, your content is mostly shown to your followers. But on Pinterest? Your content is shown to anyone searching for that topic. That means even if you start with zero followers, you can still get thousands of views on your pins and drive massive traffic.
5. Pinterest Works for So Many Money-Making Strategies
Pinterest is incredibly versatile when it comes to making money. Here are some of the best ways to monetize Pinterest traffic:
- Affiliate Marketing – Share pins that link to affiliate products (Amazon, digital courses, or physical products).
- Blog Monetization – Drive traffic to your blog and make money through display ads, sponsored posts, and affiliate links.
- Etsy or Shopify Sales – Promote digital or physical products you sell online.
- Selling Digital Products – Use Pinterest to sell printables, e-books, templates, or courses.
- Freelance Services – Use Pinterest to get clients for your graphic design, writing, coaching, or VA services.
Whether you want to make $500 a month or $500 a day, Pinterest can be your biggest traffic and income source.
Choosing the Right Niche for Pinterest Success
Before you even start pinning, the most important decision you’ll make is choosing the right niche. Pinterest isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” platform—some niches thrive while others struggle. If you pick the wrong niche, you might spend months creating content with little to no results. But if you pick the right one? You can turn Pinterest into a passive income machine.
I learned this the hard way. When I first started, I experimented with different types of content—everything from beauty tips to DIY projects. But not all of them performed well. Some niches just weren’t suited for Pinterest’s audience. Once I focused on a profitable niche that aligned with Pinterest’s search trends, my traffic and income skyrocketed.
So, how do you choose the right niche? Here’s the strategy that works:
1. Focus on What Already Works on Pinterest
Pinterest has certain niches that perform exceptionally well because they align with what users are actively searching for. Based on years of trends, these are some of the top-performing Pinterest niches:
- Personal Finance & Making Money (budgeting tips, side hustles, passive income ideas)
- Home Decor & DIY (room makeovers, minimalist living, organization tips)
- Health & Wellness (meal planning, weight loss tips, fitness routines)
- Beauty & Fashion (outfit ideas, skincare routines, makeup tutorials)
- Food & Recipes (easy dinner ideas, meal prep, baking hacks)
- Parenting & Family (pregnancy tips, parenting hacks, kids’ activities)
- Travel (budget travel tips, best destinations, travel itineraries)
- Relationships & Self-Improvement (dating tips, self-care routines, personal growth)
- Online Business & Blogging (Pinterest marketing, digital products, blogging tips)
If your niche falls into one of these categories, you already have an advantage because Pinterest users love this type of content.
2. Check Pinterest Search Trends
A great way to validate your niche is by checking what’s trending on Pinterest. Here’s how:
- Use Pinterest’s Search Bar: Start typing a keyword related to your niche (e.g., “budgeting tips”), and Pinterest will suggest popular search terms. This tells you what people are actively looking for.
- Explore Pinterest Trends: Go to Pinterest Trends and enter your niche keywords to see how interest fluctuates over time.
- Look at Popular Pins: Search for keywords in your niche and see which pins have the most saves, comments, and repins. This gives you an idea of what types of content perform best.
If your niche has lots of high-engagement pins, that’s a good sign—it means there’s demand.
3. Align Your Niche with Monetization Potential
Pinterest traffic is great, but if you can’t make money from it, it won’t matter. That’s why you should pick a niche that allows you to monetize in multiple ways. Ask yourself:
- Can I promote affiliate products in this niche?
- Are there digital products (ebooks, courses, printables) I can sell?
- Can I drive traffic to a blog and make money from ads?
- Is this niche something I can create consistent content for?
If the answer is yes to at least two of these, your niche is Pinterest-friendly and profitable.
4. Stick to ONE Niche for Maximum Growth
One of the biggest mistakes I see beginners make is trying to do too much at once. They pin about budgeting one day, then skincare the next, and then travel tips the next week. Pinterest rewards consistency, so the more focused your niche is, the better.
For example:
- If you want to talk about personal finance, focus on budgeting, side hustles, and money-saving tips.
- If you choose home decor, stick to organization hacks, DIY decor, and home makeovers.
By niching down, you’ll grow faster because Pinterest will better understand your content and push your pins to the right audience.
Step 2: Creating a Pinterest Business Account & Optimizing It
Now that you’ve chosen the perfect niche, it’s time to set up your Pinterest Business Account. Why a business account? Because it unlocks powerful features like Pinterest Analytics, Rich Pins, and Ad Manager, which will help you track your growth and make more money.
If you already have a personal Pinterest account, don’t worry—you can easily convert it into a business account in just a few clicks.
1. Set Up a Pinterest Business Account
Here’s how to create or switch to a Pinterest business account:
- Go to Pinterest for Business and click Sign Up (if you don’t have an account) or Convert to Business (if you already have a personal account).
- Fill in Your Business Details: Add your website URL (if you have one), business name, and category (choose one that best fits your niche).
- Claim Your Website: This step is crucial if you plan to drive traffic to a blog or store. It tells Pinterest that you’re the owner of the content and boosts your pin visibility.
- Enable Rich Pins: Rich Pins pull extra details from your website and make your pins look more professional. Activate them by validating your website here.
2. Optimize Your Profile for Maximum Visibility
Your Pinterest profile is the first thing people see, so it needs to be clear, professional, and optimized for search. Here’s how to do it right:
Use a Clear & Professional Name:
If your niche is personal finance, instead of just “Sarah’s Account,” go for “Sarah | Budgeting & Money Tips.” This helps Pinterest understand your niche.
Write a Keyword-Rich Bio:
Your bio should quickly explain what your account is about while including relevant keywords. For example:
“Helping women save money, earn passive income, and master budgeting! Click below for free money tips! 
”
Add a Clickable Link:
If you have a blog, Etsy shop, or email opt-in page, add the URL so followers can visit your site.
3. Create Pinterest Boards the Right Way
Pinterest organizes content into boards, and the right board strategy can skyrocket your reach. Here’s how to do it:
- Create 10–15 Boards Related to Your Niche
If you’re in the personal finance niche, create boards like:- Budgeting Tips & Hacks
- Best Side Hustles for Extra Cash
- How to Save Money on Groceries
- Use Keywords in Board Titles & Descriptions
Pinterest searches board titles and descriptions, so be strategic. Instead of “Money Stuff,” name your board “Money Saving Tips for Beginners.” - Start Pinning Quality Content
Pinterest rewards consistent activity, so pin 10–15 high-quality pins per day (a mix of your own and others’ content).
Step 3: Designing Click-Worthy Pins That Go Viral
Now that your Pinterest account is set up and optimized, it’s time to focus on pin design—the single most important factor in getting clicks, repins, and traffic. Even if you have great content, your success on Pinterest depends on how visually appealing your pins are. The competition is fierce, and a boring or unoptimized pin won’t get the attention it deserves.
When I first started, I made the mistake of creating simple, text-heavy pins with dull colors and small fonts. Guess what? No one clicked. But once I studied high-performing pins and optimized my designs, I started seeing explosive traffic growth. In this section, I’ll show you how to design viral pins that grab attention and drive clicks.
1. Understand the Psychology Behind Viral Pins
Pinterest is a visual platform, so you need to design your pins with scroll-stopping elements. A viral pin has three things:
A Bold, Easy-to-Read Font
A Bright, Eye-Catching Background
A Clear & Compelling Call-to-Action (CTA)
The goal is to make your pin stand out in the feed while also making it easy for users to know what they’ll get if they click. The best pins are simple, clean, and visually engaging.
2. The Best Tools for Creating Pinterest Graphics
The good news? You don’t need to be a graphic designer to create stunning pins. Here are the best tools to make professional-looking graphics:
- Canva (Free & Paid) – The most popular and beginner-friendly tool for creating Pinterest pins. Use their templates or customize your own designs.
- Adobe Spark (Paid) – Great for making unique, high-quality pins with more customization options.
- Crello (Free & Paid) – Another excellent design tool similar to Canva but with more animation features.
If you’re just starting, Canva is your best option. It’s free, easy to use, and packed with Pinterest-friendly templates.
3. Pinterest’s Ideal Pin Size & Dimensions
Pinterest favors vertical pins, meaning your designs should be tall and scroll-friendly. The best-performing pin size is:
1000 x 1500 pixels (2:3 aspect ratio)
Why? Because vertical pins take up more space on the Pinterest feed, making them more noticeable than square or horizontal images.
Avoid super long pins (like 1000 x 3000 pixels)—while they used to perform well, Pinterest now cuts off excessively long pins in the feed, which hurts engagement.
4. How to Design Click-Worthy Pins That Get Traffic
Now, let’s break down the elements of a high-converting pin design:
A) Use Bold, Large, & Readable Fonts
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make? Using thin, small, or script fonts that are hard to read on mobile devices. Since 85% of Pinterest users browse on mobile, your font needs to be:
Large & easy to read (even at a quick glance)
Bold enough to stand out from the background
Simple—no overly fancy script fonts
Best font styles: Montserrat, Open Sans, Lato, Poppins, Raleway
Worst font styles: Handwritten scripts, curly fonts, ultra-thin text
B) Use Bright, High-Contrast Colors
Pinterest is a visual search engine, so your colors need to pop to stand out. High-performing pins usually feature:
Bright, warm colors (reds, oranges, pinks, yellows)
Light backgrounds with dark text (or vice versa)
High contrast to ensure readability
Avoid using dull, dark, or low-contrast colors, as these blend into the Pinterest feed and get ignored.
C) Add a Clear & Compelling Headline
Your pin title is just as important as your design. The best headlines:
Are short and to the point (6–10 words)
Use numbers or power words (“$500/Day,” “Secret,” “Ultimate,” “Easy”)
Promise a clear benefit (“How to Save $1,000 Fast”)
Examples of powerful pin headlines:
- “How I Make $500 a Day with Pinterest (Step-by-Step)”
- “10 Best Side Hustles to Make Money from Home”
- “The Ultimate Budgeting Hack to Save More Money”
- “3 Pinterest Hacks That Skyrocketed My Traffic”
D) Include Your Website or Logo for Branding
Adding your website URL or logo to your pins is essential for brand recognition and preventing content theft. Many Pinterest users steal pins and redirect them to their own sites, so adding a subtle watermark helps protect your content.
Place it at the bottom of your pin in small, readable text (not too big, or it will distract from your main message).
5. The Secret to Viral Pins: A/B Testing
Not every pin will go viral, which is why testing different designs is crucial. The best Pinterest marketers create multiple versions of each pin and track which performs best.
Create at least 3-5 pin variations per blog post or product
Change colors, fonts, or headlines to see what works
Track pin performance using Pinterest Analytics
Step 4: Mastering Pinterest SEO to Get Free Traffic
Once you have beautiful, click-worthy pins, the next step is making sure people actually find them. That’s where Pinterest SEO comes in.
Pinterest is a search engine, meaning it ranks content based on keywords and relevance. If your pins aren’t optimized for search, they’ll never reach their full potential.
Here’s how to rank higher and get more traffic:
1. Find the Right Keywords for Your Pins
Just like with Google SEO, you need to use the right keywords so your pins appear in Pinterest searches. The easiest way to find high-performing keywords is:
Use Pinterest’s Search Bar – Type in a keyword related to your niche (e.g., “budgeting tips”), and Pinterest will suggest related popular searches.
Check Competitor Pins – Look at top-ranking pins and see what keywords they use in titles and descriptions.
Use Pinterest Trends – Visit Pinterest Trends to see which topics are currently trending.
2. Optimize Your Pin Titles & Descriptions
Pinterest scans your titles and descriptions for keywords, so it’s crucial to use them naturally in your pin metadata.
Example:
Title: “How to Make $500 a Day Using Pinterest (Step-by-Step Guide)”
Description: “Want to make money online? Learn how I earn $500 per day with Pinterest affiliate marketing. These simple Pinterest SEO tips will help you grow traffic and boost earnings.”
Make sure to include relevant keywords naturally without keyword stuffing.
3. Use Hashtags Strategically
While hashtags aren’t as powerful on Pinterest as they are on Instagram, they can still help your content get discovered. Use 2-4 relevant hashtags at the end of your pin descriptions, such as:
#makemoneyonline
#pinterestmarketing
#sidehustles
#financialfreedom
4. Pin Consistently (The Key to Growth)
Pinterest rewards consistency, so pinning regularly is essential. Aim to:
Pin 10-15 times per day (mix of fresh & repins)
Use Tailwind for scheduling (Pinterest’s preferred automation tool)
Focus on NEW pins (Pinterest prioritizes fresh content over old repins)
The more consistent you are, the faster your account will grow.
Step 5: Monetizing Pinterest Traffic – The $500/Day Strategy Breakdown
Now that your Pinterest business account is optimized, your pins are designed to go viral, and you’ve mastered Pinterest SEO, it’s time to focus on making money.
This is where things get exciting. I remember the first time I made money from Pinterest—it was a $12 affiliate commission. It wasn’t much, but it proved that this strategy worked. And from that small commission, I scaled my income to $500 per day using a combination of monetization methods.
The beauty of Pinterest is that you don’t need to sell your own products to make money. You can drive traffic to a blog, promote affiliate products, or sell digital products, all while earning passive income.
Here’s the exact $500/day Pinterest strategy that works.
1. Use Affiliate Marketing to Earn Commissions
Affiliate marketing is one of the easiest ways to make money on Pinterest, and it doesn’t require you to own a website or create products. You simply promote other people’s products and earn a commission when someone makes a purchase.
Pinterest allows direct affiliate links, which means you can link your pins directly to an affiliate product (as long as the platform allows it). However, a better strategy is to drive Pinterest traffic to your own blog or landing page first. This way, you warm up your audience and increase conversions.
How to Make Money with Affiliate Marketing on Pinterest:
Find High-Commission Affiliate Programs
- Join Amazon Associates, ShareASale, Impact, or CJ Affiliate for general products.
- Apply to niche-specific programs (e.g., Bluehost for blogging, Tailwind for Pinterest marketing).
- Look for products that pay $20-$100+ per sale to maximize income.
Create a Blog Post or Landing Page
- Write a helpful, informative post about the product you’re promoting.
- Example: “The Best Side Hustles to Make $500/Day (With Affiliate Links)”
- Include multiple affiliate links throughout the post.
Design Click-Worthy Pins & Link to Your Blog Post
- Create at least 5-10 different pin designs for each post.
- Optimize your pin title, description, and hashtags for SEO.
- Link the pin to your blog post, not directly to an affiliate link (this builds trust and increases conversions).
Example of a Winning Pin:
Pin Title: “How I Make $500 a Day from Home – Easy Side Hustles!”
Pin Description: “Want to make money online? Learn how I earn $500/day using these simple side hustles! Click to find the best side hustles + my top affiliate programs! #makemoneyonline #sidehustles #passiveincome”
Earning Potential: $10 – $200+ per affiliate sale. With 50-100 clicks per day, even a 2-5% conversion rate can lead to $500+ per day.
2. Drive Traffic to a Blog & Make Money with Ads
If you have a blog, you can monetize Pinterest traffic with display ads (Google AdSense, Mediavine, or Raptive). This works best when your blog gets consistent traffic, because ad revenue is based on page views.
How to Make Money with Ads:
Write Blog Posts That Solve Problems
- Example: “How to Save Money on Groceries (10 Genius Hacks!)”
- People love how-to guides, listicles, and tutorials.
- Make sure your content is SEO-optimized for Pinterest.
Join an Ad Network
- Google AdSense (low barrier, but low earnings).
- Mediavine (need 50,000 monthly sessions, but higher payouts).
- Raptive (formerly AdThrive, best for high-traffic sites).
Create Viral Pins & Drive Traffic to Your Blog
- The more traffic you get, the more ad revenue you generate.
- Pinterest + Blog Ads = Passive Income Machine!
Earning Potential:
- Google AdSense: $5 – $15 per 1,000 views.
- Mediavine: $30 – $50 per 1,000 views.
- Raptive: $40 – $80 per 1,000 views.
- 10,000 daily page views = $300 – $500 per day in ad revenue.
3. Sell Digital Products (The Passive Income Jackpot)
One of the most lucrative ways to make money on Pinterest is by selling digital products. These are instant downloads, which means you don’t need inventory, shipping, or production costs.
Some of the best-selling digital products on Pinterest include: Printables (budget planners, meal planners, checklists)
E-books & Guides (Pinterest marketing, money-making tips)
Workbooks & Templates (resume templates, wedding planners)
Courses & Memberships (Pinterest marketing, blogging, productivity)
How to Sell Digital Products on Pinterest:
Create a Digital Product in Canva or Adobe
- Example: A Budget Planner, a Pinterest E-Book, or a Meal Plan Template.
- Make sure it’s useful, valuable, and easy to download.
Set Up a Shop (Etsy, Gumroad, Shopify, or Standalone Site)
- List your product with a compelling description and attractive mockup images.
- Example: “The Ultimate Pinterest Growth Guide – Learn How to Get 100K+ Views & Make Money!”
Design High-Converting Pins & Link to Your Sales Page
- Create multiple pins for each product.
- Example: “The Budget Planner That Saved Me $10,000! (Instant Download)”
- Use power words & a clear call-to-action (CTA).
Earning Potential:
- If your digital product is $19-$49, you only need 10-25 sales per day to hit $500/day.
- Digital products = 100% profit margin, making it one of the most scalable Pinterest income streams.
4. Promote an Etsy or Shopify Store
If you sell physical products (handmade items, jewelry, home decor, etc.), Pinterest is a goldmine for free traffic.
Pinterest users actively search for products, and 97% of searches are unbranded, meaning they’re open to discovering new stores.
How to Sell on Pinterest with Etsy or Shopify:
Create a Pinterest Board for Your Store
- Example: “Best Handmade Jewelry for Women”
- Fill it with your own product pins + related curated content.
Design Click-Worthy Product Pins
- Use bright images, engaging fonts, and product mockups.
- Add a clear call-to-action (CTA) like “Shop Now” or “Get Yours Today!”
Run Pinterest Ads to Boost Sales
- Pinterest ads are cheaper than Facebook or Google Ads.
- Promote best-selling products for faster conversions.
Earning Potential:
- If your product sells for $40-$100, you only need 5-10 daily sales to reach $500/day.
Step 6: Scaling Up & Automating for Passive Income
Once you start making money on Pinterest, it’s time to scale up and automate for consistent passive income.
1. Automate Pinning with Tailwind
Tailwind lets you schedule pins in advance, so you can pin 10-20 times per day without manual work.
2. Track Your Best-Performing Pins & Double Down
Use Pinterest Analytics to see which pins are driving the most clicks & conversions, then create similar pins to boost traffic.
3. Diversify Income Streams
Combine Affiliate Marketing, Blog Ads, Digital Products, and Etsy Sales to build a sustainable Pinterest income.
Final Thoughts: Start Taking Action!
Now that you know how I make $500 per day with Pinterest, it’s time to take action and start earning!
Which monetization method are you most excited to try? Let me know