Many bloggers have successfully leveraged Pinterest to generate income, though exact numbers are hard to pinpoint due to the diverse nature of blogging niches and monetization strategies. Earnings vary widely, with some bloggers making a few hundred dollars per month, while others earn thousands.
For instance, Kristin Larsen of Believe In A Budget reported that over 90% of her monthly traffic comes from Pinterest, significantly boosting her blog income.
Additionally, bloggers have shared their experiences on platforms like Reddit, discussing earnings ranging from modest amounts to substantial monthly incomes, attributing a significant portion of their traffic and revenue growth to effective Pinterest strategies.
These examples illustrate that with consistent effort and strategic use of Pinterest, bloggers can achieve varying levels of financial success.
How I Made Six Figures on Pinterest: A Blogger’s Success Story
Pinterest has become a game-changer for bloggers, offering a powerful platform to drive traffic and increase revenue. Today, we’re sharing the journey of Ling, the founder of FinSavvy Panda, who turned her Pinterest strategy into a six-figure success story. Whether you’re a Pinterest pro or just getting started, you’ll find plenty of actionable insights in this inspiring tale.
From 9-to-5 to Full-Time Blogger
Ling’s story begins in the corporate world, working a 9-to-5 job in wholesale banking. Feeling unfulfilled, she started looking for ways to make money online. That’s when she stumbled upon blogging and Pinterest marketing. Despite having no prior writing experience, she learned the ropes—setting up a blog, crafting engaging content, and using Pinterest to drive traffic.
Her hobby blog quickly turned into a full-time income, earning up to $500 per day within just 18 months. Realizing the potential, she took the leap, quit her job, and went all-in on blogging.
Unlocking the Power of Pinterest
Initially, Ling struggled to gain traction on Pinterest. However, through persistence and constant experimentation, she cracked the code. Her monthly traffic grew from a few thousand visitors to over 100,000, proving that Pinterest could be a lucrative tool for bloggers.
She emphasizes that while traffic can fluctuate due to seasonal trends and algorithm updates, staying adaptable and continuously learning is key to long-term success.
How to Create High-Performing Pinterest Content
Ling follows a structured approach to creating and curating Pinterest content:
- Keyword Research: She identifies trending topics and popular search terms within her niche.
- Eye-Catching Pins: Using tools like Canva, she designs visually compelling pins with bold colors, readable fonts, and attention-grabbing headlines.
- SEO Optimization: She incorporates keywords into pin titles and descriptions to improve visibility.
- Strategic Pinning: She saves high-quality pins from other creators in her niche to curated boards, leveraging communities like Tailwind for increased reach.
- Analytics Monitoring: She tracks performance metrics to refine her strategy and optimize for better results.
Proven Strategies to Grow on Pinterest
To build her Pinterest following and boost engagement, Ling implemented several key strategies:
- Focus on Quality Design: Testing different pin styles helped her determine what resonates best with her audience.
- Consistent Posting: She ensures a steady flow of fresh content to maintain visibility and engagement.
- Utilizing Group Boards & Tailwind: While Pinterest now favors personal boards, group boards with a small, engaged community can still be valuable.
- Understanding the Algorithm: Instead of panicking over traffic fluctuations, she adapts to changes and focuses on long-term growth.
Common Mistakes & Lessons Learned
Like many bloggers, Ling made mistakes along the way, but she used them as learning opportunities:
- Trying Too Many Strategies at Once: She realized that focusing on a few core strategies yielded better results than constantly chasing new tactics.
- Ignoring Niche Audience Needs: Initially, she tried to appeal to everyone, but narrowing her focus helped her build a loyal readership.
- Inconsistent Content Creation: Maintaining a regular posting schedule helped her sustain momentum and drive consistent traffic.
The top three ways bloggers and content creators make money on Pinterest are:
1. Affiliate Marketing
Pinterest is an excellent platform for affiliate marketing because it allows users to share product links directly through pins. Bloggers create pins that link to affiliate products, driving traffic to their blogs or directly to the affiliate’s sales page. When someone makes a purchase through the affiliate link, the blogger earns a commission.
How to do it effectively:
- Join affiliate programs like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or RewardStyle.
- Create high-quality pins with engaging descriptions that include your affiliate links.
- Write blog posts featuring product recommendations and drive Pinterest traffic to those articles.
2. Selling Digital or Physical Products
Many bloggers use Pinterest to sell their own products, such as e-books, printables, courses, or even handmade crafts. Since Pinterest acts as a search engine, visually appealing pins showcasing products can lead to consistent sales.
Best practices:
- Create attractive pins showcasing your product, linking directly to your shop or landing page.
- Use Pinterest SEO by adding relevant keywords in your pin titles and descriptions.
- Utilize group boards and Pinterest ads to expand your reach.
3. Display Ads & Sponsored Content
For bloggers with high traffic, displaying ads on their website (through networks like Mediavine or AdThrive) is a significant income source. Pinterest helps drive massive traffic to blogs, increasing ad impressions and revenue. Additionally, bloggers collaborate with brands for sponsored pins or blog posts.
How to maximize earnings:
- Focus on creating high-quality, valuable blog content that ranks on Pinterest.
- Apply for premium ad networks once your blog reaches 50,000+ monthly sessions.
- Partner with brands to create promoted content that aligns with your niche.
These three strategies can be combined for even greater income potential on Pinterest
Final Advice for Pinterest Success
For beginners looking to achieve similar results, Ling recommends:
- Master the Basics: Build a strong foundation in blogging and Pinterest marketing.
- Post Consistently: Publish blog content at least once or twice a week.
- Go Deep on Pinterest SEO: Understand how Pinterest works beyond the surface level.
- Learn from Mistakes: Trial and error are part of the process—keep testing and improving.
- Stay Adaptable: Pinterest evolves, so be ready to adjust your strategy as needed.
Your Path to Pinterest Success
Ling’s journey proves that anyone—introverts included—can build a successful online business with the right Pinterest strategy. If you’re looking to scale your traffic and monetize your blog, learning from her experiences can set you on the right path.
Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your approach, persistence, strategic planning, and a willingness to learn are the keys to success on Pinterest.
Leave a Reply