How To Use Pinterest To Make Money With Affiliate Marketing

I know I know, everyone wants t tell you how you need to be able to have a good SEO, or run expensive Facebook, or dominate YouTube to be a successful affiliate marketer. Don’t get me wrong, these are all good options.

However, Pinterest has been a hidden gem for affiliate marketing. Unless you want to promote a pin, guess what? It’s Free. There are millions of people that possibly push your pin by saving it to one of their boards.

What is Affiliate Marketing on Pinterest?

That’s a fair enough question I think. The basic just is that you share a product with a community of people by posting a link in your pin. If someone buys the product using your link that you have been given by that company, then Viola, you just made a commission.

Say you posted a link for someones Esty site. You made an enticing pin and got a fellow pinner to click on your pin, then click on the site using the link for your pin. They like the product and purchase the product. It’s that simple.

Where Can I Get Affiliate Links?

The simple answer is ANYWHERE. Just look around at product websites and scroll to the bottom of the websites and you’ll see terms like “partner with us,” or “affiliate program.” For that matter Google your favorite store and type in affiliate after it and see who offers affiliate programs. You’ll be surprised in what you fine out.

There are also affiliate networks that have company’s pooled together that will allow you to promote a product.

Here are some of the top affiliate networks sites:

• ShareASale.
• ClickBank.
• CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction)
• Amazon Associates.
• eBay Partner Network (EPN)
• FlexOffers.
• Pepperjam.
• Rakuten Marketing (formerly LinkShare)

Amazon and Pinterest

In the beginning of Pinterest you weren’t allowed to use direct Amazon links. You had to create a landing page to send your audience, then hope they click the Amazon link from your page. As technology has gotten better and the ability to flag spammers early the rules have changed. You can now directly link your pin to Amazon. However, by doing so you could be losing out on valuable email information.

There are strict rules to doing this, so make sure you look at the Amazon rules and follow them so you do not risk your account.

What Should I advertise?

The easy answer is anything. Find products you like and believe in. Build boards or even an entire Pinterest account around it and blow it up so to speak. You should spend time daily pinning and re-pinning your products.

If you have a blog then take ideas from your blog and find products. Send pinners back to you blog for traffic and views then send them to the product site.

For example if you have a mommy blog and you like writing about traveling. Find a bed and breakfast affiliate and write a blog about it. Pin the blog and in you blog have a link to the B&B. You may even find one that will let you come use the B&B for free or a discounted rate in order to get your review and advertising.

Do I need a Blog?

No you do not need a blog. However, many of the affiliate netbooks require you have a blog a before they will approve your account.

For those networks that don’t require a blog you can create landing pages to send pinners to. There are many places such as WIX and Google Sites where you can create landing pages for free.

You can also create a small blog and start the ball rolling.

Guidelines and Rules

Make sure you know the rules before you start creating adds and sending people to a site for a product. If you don’t it could put your account in jeopardy.

Pinterest Business Account – If you have not done so already turn your account into a business account. It’s easy to do and is free, but it’s a must before you can start placing adds on your pins.

Affiliate Disclosure – You must put a disclosure in your pins claiming there are affiliate links. You can put this in your description, or it can be as simple as adding a #affiliate at the end of your description.

Solid Descriptions – Your product description should be short and informative. The first 50 characters is what will catch the readers attention, so make those first 50 worth is. The better your description is the better chance you have of ranking in the search engine which will increase your chance for sales.

Create Boards That Are For Your Pins – Using the example from above. If you are advertising for a B&B then create a B&B specific board. Start pinning pins from other people. Find B&B or travel groups and follow people from those groups. Discover other categories you could pin your ad to and do the same thing. This is your digital word of mouth advertising.

Don’t Go Crazy! – I know you want to make as much money as possible, but don’t start creating an pinning 20 products a day. You will want to drive followers to your pins and to your blog. If they see you as just a marketing avenue they wont follow you. Ultimately getting traffic is what you want to be successful using affiliate marketing on Pinterest.

Summing It All Up

I hope this was somewhat helpful and informative for you. Keep checking back as my blog grows and hopefully you’ll enjoy what you read and find some useful information. Thanks for your time and have a great day!