When I first stumbled into Pinterest, I thought it was just a place for recipes, wedding boards, and dream house photos. I never imagined it could become a low-key income stream — especially since I didn’t even have a blog or website.
If you’re like me — no website, no fancy business setup — but still want to earn some money online, I’m here to tell you it’s possible. Pinterest isn’t just a place to scroll pretty pictures anymore. It’s a powerful tool that can help you earn, even if you’re just getting started.
Let me show you how I’ve done it — and how you can too.
What Makes Pinterest Different
Pinterest works more like a visual search engine than a social media app. People come here not just to scroll but to find things. Things to buy, try, make, wear, or plan.
And that’s what makes it great for earning. If you know how to match what people are looking for with helpful content — even if it’s not yours — you can actually make money off the traffic that Pinterest drives.
So let’s talk about the ways you can do that.
- Use Affiliate Links (No Website Needed)
This is the easiest method I tried — and it still works.
Some affiliate programs allow you to share direct links without needing a website. That means you can create a pin, link it to your affiliate offer, and earn a commission every time someone clicks and buys.
Here’s what I do:
- Sign up for affiliate programs (I use ones like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, Impact, or Digistore24)
- Pick a product that solves a problem or fits a trend
- Design a pin using Canva (simple designs work great)
- Paste my affiliate link when creating the pin
You’d be surprised how many people actually click and buy. It adds up fast when a pin starts gaining views.
Tip: Always check the program’s rules. Not all allow direct linking on Pinterest, but many do.
- Promote Digital Products You Didn’t Create
I know what you might be thinking — “But I don’t have any digital products.”
That’s okay. You don’t have to make anything.
Plenty of creators sell digital downloads on Etsy, Gumroad, and other platforms. Some of them offer affiliate programs. You promote their items and get a piece of the sale. I once promoted a digital planner I never made and earned about $78 in one week — all from Pinterest clicks.
Just find a digital product that:
- Solves a real need (like budget templates or fitness journals)
- Has a strong sales page
- Offers decent commission (at least 20–30%)
Then create pins that spark curiosity or show how the product helps people. Link directly to the product with your affiliate code.
- Pinterest + Redbubble or Teespring (Print-on-Demand)
This one’s great if you like creating designs or even funny quotes.
You upload your design on print-on-demand sites like Redbubble or Teespring. They’ll put it on shirts, mugs, stickers — whatever. You set the price, and when someone buys, you get a cut.
Now here’s where Pinterest comes in:
- Take mockup images from the store
- Turn them into pins (lifestyle mockups work best)
- Share them on Pinterest with your product link
No need to build a site. You can earn directly when people buy through your pin.
- Use Pinterest to Build a Following (Then Monetize That)
You don’t need a site to build influence. A Pinterest profile itself can become a brand.
Pick a niche — like home decor, fashion, budget tips, or even memes. Start creating pins regularly around that topic. You can grow followers over time. Once your account has consistent engagement, you can:
- Partner with small brands who want exposure
- Sell shoutouts or pin placements
- Start offering freelance Pinterest management services
That’s right — once you get good at pin design and traffic, other people will pay you to manage their accounts.
- Link to Freebies with Upsells
This one’s a little creative.
Some affiliate programs or sellers offer free ebooks, templates, or guides that also promote their paid product on the backend. These “freebie funnels” work great.
You link your pin to the freebie. The person signs up, and if they later buy the upsell, you get paid.
I used one like this for a free side hustle guide. The guide had affiliate links inside it, and I earned a few commissions weeks later — without doing anything else.
Some Tips That Helped Me
- Don’t try to go viral overnight. Pinterest works more like Google. Your pins build up views slowly, but some of them will bring traffic for months.
- Use Canva. It makes your pin designs look clean and professional, even if you’re not a designer.
- Focus on what people search for. Try to create pins around real questions or popular topics.
- Be patient. My first few pins flopped. But once I had 20–30 pins up, things started to move.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a website to start making money on Pinterest. I didn’t. You just need consistency, some patience, and a bit of creativity. Whether you’re sharing affiliate links, promoting digital goods, or simply growing a themed account — it’s 100% possible to earn with what you’ve got right now.
Start small. Experiment. Learn as you go.
And most importantly — don’t overthink it. Pinterest is just another way to match people with solutions. If you do that well, the money follows.
