How to Use Pinterest to Make Passive Income in 2025

Sharon Clarke

You’ve saved 47 pins on “side hustle ideas.”
You’ve Googled how to make passive income from home.
And you’ve wondered — sometimes late at night —
“Can I actually make money using Pinterest?”

You’re not lazy. You’re not lost. You’re just overloaded with advice that never gets to the point.

Let’s fix that.

In 2025, Pinterest isn’t just where people plan outfits and dream vacations — it’s a search engine with serious money potential. It sends free traffic to your digital products, affiliate links, blog posts, Etsy shop — even if you have no followers.

The truth? You don’t need to be a designer. You don’t need a niche. You don’t need to show your face.

You just need the right path — and that’s what you’re getting here.

This post breaks down 11 proven ways to make money on Pinterest, all beginner-friendly, and all working right now.

1. Promote Affiliate Links Using Niche Pins

You don’t have a product. You don’t have a blog.
But you’ve got good taste — and Pinterest loves that.

If you’ve ever pinned a cute planner, a cozy home office setup, or “must-have tools for productivity”… congratulations. You’ve already done 80% of affiliate marketing without realizing it.

Now let’s get you paid for it.

What it is:

Affiliate marketing on Pinterest means sharing products (like Amazon finds, Etsy tools, or digital courses) and earning a commission every time someone clicks your link and buys — even days later.

You create helpful Pins like:

  • “5 tools I use for my home office setup”
  • “Top-rated planners on Etsy (and where to get them cheap)”

And link them to affiliate products you genuinely recommend.

Why it works:

Pinterest users are in buying mode. They're searching for things like “self-care gifts” or “digital planners for students.” When your Pin answers that need and links to a trusted product, it converts.

Pinterest allows direct affiliate links, meaning you don’t even need a blog (although it helps with SEO and trust — more on that in Idea #2).

Beginner tips:

  • Use platforms like Amazon Associates, Etsy Affiliate Program, or Creative Fabrica
  • Focus on one niche per board (e.g., minimalist decor, study tools, gift ideas for moms)
  • Always disclose using “affiliate link” in the Pin description

Bonus: Use Canva to design beautiful vertical Pins with call-to-actions like “Shop Now” or “Find Out Why.”How to monetize it passively:

  • Batch-create 10–15 Pins for one affiliate product
  • Schedule them using Tailwind or Pinterest’s native scheduler
  • Watch your traffic and commissions stack — even months later

If you’re brand new, start with this guide from Pinterest itself on how to create a free business account so you can track clicks and performance like a pro.

2. Drive Traffic to a Blog That Earns Ad Revenue

You don’t need to go viral.
You just need the right person to click your Pin, land on your blog, and read your post.
Do that a few thousand times a month? You’re earning on autopilot.

If you’ve ever wondered how those faceless Pinterest accounts make money, this is it.

What it is:

You create a Pinterest-optimized blog — even on a free or low-cost platform — and publish content around keywords people actually search for on Pinterest.

Topics like:

  • “Best side hustles for teens”
  • “Passive income ideas for moms”
  • “How to make $1K/month with digital products”

Each time someone lands on your blog, you earn money through ad networks like Google AdSense or Mediavine. The more traffic you get, the more you earn — no product required.

Why it works:

Pinterest traffic is evergreen.
Unlike Instagram or TikTok where your content disappears in 24 hours, a good Pin can drive traffic for months or even years — especially if it ranks for a keyword.

This is perfect if you want to write once and get paid forever.

Beginner tips:

  • Start a free blog using WordPress, Wix, or Shopify’s blog feature
  • Use Pinterest Trends to find keywords with high interest
  • Match each blog post to 3–5 unique Pins
  • Use Canva for blog graphics and social sharing images

💡 Pro Tip: If you want a guide with beginner-friendly blog ideas, check out our post on profitable passive income ideas for beginners

How to monetize it passively:

  • Join an ad network like Google AdSense (beginner-friendly) or Ezoic/Mediavine (for higher traffic)
  • Use affiliate links inside your blog content as a bonus income stream
  • Optimize your blog posts for both Pinterest SEO and Google SEO for dual traffic

3. Sell Digital Products (Without Showing Your Face)

You’ve seen the Pins.

“Editable budget tracker — just $3”
“Digital planner for moms — instant download”
“Self-care journal — printable PDF”

Guess what? Half of those sellers don’t even show their name — let alone their face.

If you’re an introvert or just don’t want to be the brand, this is one of the easiest faceless ways to make money on Pinterest.

What it is

You create simple digital products — like printables, checklists, Notion templates, or planners — and sell them on platforms like Etsy, Gumroad, Payhip, or Creative Market.

Then you promote those products using Pinterest Pins that target keywords like:

  • daily planner printable
  • budget tracker template
  • self-care journal for women

Pinterest users click the Pin, land on your shop, and make a purchase. Delivery is instant and fully automated.

Why it works

Pinterest users search with intent. If your product solves a small but real problem, they buy.

And since digital products are automated and unlimited, you can keep earning passively long after uploading once. You also don’t need to be a designer. Most creators use free tools like Canva and simple templates.

Beginner tips

  • Solve specific problems (e.g., monthly budget for students, gratitude journal for moms)
  • Use Pinterest Trends to find what’s rising in searches
  • Design in Canva or modify existing templates to make them unique
  • Batch-schedule 5–10 Pins per product to test what performs

If you’re unsure what to sell, read the guide on high profitable digital product ideas for busy moms.

How to monetize it passively

  • List your product on Etsy or Gumroad
  • Set up auto-delivery so you don’t have to fulfill anything
  • Create keyword-optimized Pins and let Pinterest send traffic for months

This strategy also works perfectly with the Faceless Pinterest Starter Kit if you’re building a private, low-effort income stream.

4. Start a Faceless Pinterest Account for Clients or Yourself

Creating a Pinterest account that doesn’t show your name, face, or personal details is a strategy more creators are using to generate traffic and income without personal branding.

You can either grow a niche account for yourself or manage one for someone else. Both options allow you to stay off-camera while still leveraging Pinterest’s search-based visibility model.

What it is

A faceless Pinterest account is focused entirely on content. The value lies in the Pins — not the personality behind them.
Two primary approaches work well:

  • Grow your own account in a specific niche (e.g., digital planners, home organization, gift ideas)
  • Offer Pinterest account setup and monthly management to clients like bloggers, Etsy sellers, or info-product creators

In both cases, your role is centered around keyword research, Pin design (using tools like Canva), content scheduling, and trend tracking.

Why it works

Pinterest prioritizes relevance and consistency — not popularity or personality.
That makes it ideal for faceless strategies, especially if you want to build something quietly over time.

Many creators and small businesses are already outsourcing Pinterest because it’s time-consuming to manage consistently. If you can deliver results (traffic, impressions, outbound clicks), you become a valuable partner.

Beginner tips

  • Focus on one niche with consistent search volume
  • Use Pinterest Trends and keyword research to guide content planning
  • Start with 10–15 optimized Pins per week and track performance
  • Build a small portfolio using your own test account before offering services

Faceless accounts also have resale value — once they’re built up with followers and traffic history, you can flip them just like websites or newsletters.

How to monetize it

  • Offer monthly Pinterest management packages to small businesses or digital creators
  • Sell pre-built, themed accounts with existing content and follower base
  • Use your own account to promote affiliate products or digital downloads over time

This model scales well, especially when paired with automation tools and a focused content strategy. It’s an efficient way to stay off-camera while still building a traffic asset.

5. Monetize with Printables on Etsy or Gumroad

Printables continue to be one of the most reliable digital products for beginners. They’re easy to create, low-risk, and fit naturally with Pinterest’s visual and search-based ecosystem.

The entire process — from product creation to delivery — can be automated. That makes printables especially appealing for anyone looking to build a passive income stream with minimal maintenance.

What it is

Printables are downloadable documents that customers can print or use digitally.
They include things like:

  • Budget trackers
  • Chore charts
  • Journals
  • Invitations
  • Planners
  • Checklists

You create the file using design tools like Canva, upload it to platforms like Etsy, Gumroad, or Payhip, and promote it using Pinterest Pins that target problem-solving keywords.

Example: A Pin titled “Weekly Meal Planner Printable for Busy Moms” links directly to a $3 download — no shipping, no inventory, and no manual delivery required.

Why it works

Pinterest users frequently search for solutions in printable form. Whether it’s organizing their week, planning a party, or budgeting monthly expenses, they want attractive, ready-to-use templates.

Since Pinterest content has long shelf life, a single high-performing Pin can generate traffic and sales for months without needing to be updated.

This makes printables an ideal low-maintenance digital product — especially when bundled or stacked by theme.

Beginner tips

  • Choose a narrow niche (for example, classroom printables, fitness trackers, or holiday-themed bundles)
  • Use Pinterest Trends to identify what users are currently searching for
  • Optimize each product listing with keywords like “instant download” and “print at home”
  • Offer bundle deals (e.g., 5 printables for $7 instead of 1 for $2) to increase order value
  • Test different Pin designs and formats to see which visuals convert best

For inspiration, refer to the guide on high profitable digital product ideas for busy moms — it highlights top-performing categories on Pinterest.

How to monetize it

  • List your printable on Gumroad, Etsy, or Payhip
  • Create 5–10 keyword-optimized Pins per product
  • Link those Pins directly to your product listing
  • Add seasonal or evergreen bundles to increase product shelf life
  • Consider launching a small library of products around one theme for repeat buyers

Once set up, printables can bring in consistent sales with little upkeep. It's a scalable entry point into digital products — particularly for creators building faceless income streams.

6. Use Pinterest to Grow a Low-Maintenance Shopify Store

You’ve seen the success stories: someone starts a tiny store, posts a few products, and somehow, the orders just keep rolling in.

But behind most of those stories is a traffic source people underestimate — Pinterest.

You don’t need to be a marketing expert or have dozens of products. You just need a focused store, a strong niche, and a few keyword-optimized Pins working in the background while you handle everything else in life.

What it is

This strategy involves creating a simple Shopify store with a handful of targeted products — like digital downloads, niche merchandise, or dropshipped items. Instead of relying on Instagram influencers or Facebook ads, you drive free, long-term traffic from Pinterest.

Each Pin acts like a silent salesperson. Someone searches, your product appears, and you earn — sometimes months after the Pin was created.

Why it works

Pinterest is built for discovery. Users are planners. They're not doom-scrolling — they’re looking for ideas, solutions, and products to help them simplify life or express their style.

If your store focuses on a specific theme — like home organization, gift ideas, or digital planning — it naturally fits into search terms people use every day. Combine that with a few helpful blog posts on your Shopify site, and you start building momentum from both Pinterest and Google.

Beginner tips

  • Focus on 3–5 high-quality products in one niche
  • Create value-packed product descriptions that match Pinterest search terms
  • Use Shopify’s built-in blog to target keywords and build authority
  • Repurpose product images into multiple Pin styles (lists, tips, problem-solution)

This method also pairs well with the blog post on profitable passive income ideas for beginners — especially if you're combining printables or low-maintenance products with blog content.

How to monetize it passively

  • Upload your products and set up your store once
  • Schedule Pins pointing to product pages and related blog posts
  • Let Pinterest generate consistent, buyer-intent traffic over time
  • Add upsells or bundles to increase order value without extra work

If you're aiming to build quietly in the background and stay off camera, this strategy fits perfectly into a faceless business model.

7. Sell Pinterest Pin Templates on Fiverr, Upwork, or Creative Market

                                                    @Fivver.com

Scroll through marketplaces like Fiverr or Creative Market, and you’ll notice something interesting:
Pinterest Pin design is in demand — and not just for influencers.

Etsy sellers, bloggers, coaches, and even local businesses need scroll-stopping Pins. Most of them have no time or design skills… but they’re happy to pay someone who does.

That’s where you come in.

What it is

Instead of designing individual Pins for clients every time, you create editable Pinterest template bundles that customers can tweak and reuse for their own products, blogs, or affiliate links.

You sell these on platforms like:

  • Fiverr or Upwork (as a service or digital delivery)
  • Creative Market or Design Bundles (as a licensed product)
  • Canva (if you're a contributor in their Creator program)

You can also offer done-for-you packs like:

  • 10 minimalist Pin templates for product sellers
  • 20 Canva templates for bloggers
  • 100 seasonal Pin designs (Valentine’s Day, Back-to-School, etc.)

Once created, these templates can be sold repeatedly without extra work.

Why it works

Pinterest is visual. Bad design kills good content.

Most creators don’t know how to design effective Pins — or they just don’t want to. Your templates save them time, boost their clicks, and help their content get discovered.

With Pinterest's algorithm favoring fresh Pins, people constantly need new designs even for old content.

Beginner tips

  • Use Canva to create editable .pdf or .zip bundles
  • Focus on niches that are Pinterest-heavy (like food, DIY, fashion, and digital planners)
  • Make your templates easy to edit — use free fonts, clear layouts, and smart spacing
  • Offer preview images that match search terms like “Pinterest template for Etsy” or “viral Canva Pin design”
  • List them on Fiverr or Creative Market with SEO-friendly titles and tags

You can also upsell services like custom branding or video Pin versions to grow revenue per order.

How to monetize it passively

  • Create one bundle and sell it repeatedly on marketplaces
  • Use Pinterest to drive traffic to your own shop or gig
  • Add new styles seasonally or based on Pinterest Trends
  • Build a library of faceless digital assets that bring in consistent downloads

This idea stacks well with your other income streams — especially if you're already using Canva and Pinterest to promote your own blog or products.

8. Grow a Pinterest-Focused UGC or VA Side Hustle

You’ve probably heard of UGC creators and virtual assistants. But what you might not know is that Pinterest has carved out its own corner in both of these markets — and it’s quietly booming.

If you’re already spending time on Pinterest, you’re halfway qualified. Now it’s about turning that time into a service someone will pay you for.

What it is

Pinterest-focused UGC (User-Generated Content) or VA (Virtual Assistant) work is when you help creators, bloggers, coaches, or small shops grow their Pinterest presence. You might:

  • Create and schedule Pins for their blogs or products
  • Research Pinterest keywords and trends
  • Design seasonal Pin bundles in Canva
  • Audit and optimize their Pinterest boards
  • Write click-worthy Pin titles and descriptions
  • Create UGC-style Pins with soft calls-to-action (no face required)

You can start as a virtual Pinterest helper and level up to offering monthly retainers or even team-based services.

Why it works

Pinterest is a long-game platform — meaning the tasks are repetitive and ongoing.
Most busy creators either don’t have time or don’t understand how Pinterest works, but they know it drives traffic. That’s why they’re willing to outsource this part completely.

And unlike general VA work, Pinterest services feel more creative and less admin-heavy. You’re building something visual, searchable, and strategic — all from behind the scenes.

Beginner tips

  • Learn how Pinterest SEO works (title, description, board, and Pin-level optimization)
  • Use Canva to design on-brand Pins and Tailwind or Pinterest scheduler to automate them
  • Offer services on Fiverr, Upwork, or reach out to small business owners directly
  • Show off your own Pinterest profile or a sample client board as proof of skill
  • Start with one-off gigs (like 20 Pin designs) and then pitch monthly packages

You can also combine this with your own blog or product links to double-dip — growing both your own traffic and your client base at the same time.

How to monetize it passively

  • Charge monthly retainers for Pinterest scheduling and account growth
  • Sell done-for-you UGC-style template packs
  • Offer audit and strategy reports as one-time services
  • Build a small client base of 2–3 businesses and batch their monthly content in one go

If you’ve already mastered creating faceless Pinterest accounts or digital products, this is one of the easiest side hustles to add on top — without spreading yourself too thin.

9. Offer Pinterest Management Services to Digital Brands

Not everyone wants to grow their own Pinterest account — they just want the results.
That’s where full Pinterest management comes in.

If you understand the basics of Pinterest SEO, know how to create on-brand Pins, and can follow trends, this turns into a high-ticket service. One that’s in demand with e-commerce brands, coaches, bloggers, and even digital product sellers.

What it is

Pinterest management means you take full ownership of a brand’s Pinterest strategy. You handle:

  • Keyword research
  • Board creation and optimization
  • Weekly Pin design and scheduling
  • Pin title and description writing
  • Analytics tracking and reporting

Most clients just want to know that their traffic is going up. You focus on delivering that while they focus on running their shop, blog, or course.

Why it works

Pinterest traffic compounds over time — and most businesses don’t have the skill or patience to build that momentum themselves.

They’re happy to hire someone who can do it for them. And because the platform is evergreen, your work in Month 1 continues to deliver results in Month 6.

Brands in niches like digital planners, wellness, coaching, or DIY are especially Pinterest-friendly — and they’re often looking for a long-term content partner.

Beginner tips

  • Build a simple Pinterest portfolio showing client work or your own results
  • Offer a 30-day trial package to get your first testimonial
  • Specialize in one niche first (like Etsy stores, bloggers, or digital creators)
  • Use Canva Pro for branded designs and Tailwind for scheduling
  • Track analytics and highlight growth in impressions, saves, and outbound clicks

You can also use templates and batch-creation systems to save time, especially if you’re managing multiple clients at once.

How to monetize it passively

  • Offer monthly retainers ($300–$1000+) for full Pinterest account management
  • Upsell digital products like Pin templates, growth checklists, or strategy guides
  • Create a service bundle that includes account setup, monthly growth, and analytics reporting
  • Eventually turn your service system into a digital course or agency model

This is the next logical step if you’ve already had success with your own Pinterest traffic or client results. You’re not just designing Pins — you’re delivering a full traffic system.

10. Monetize a Faceless Pinterest Channel with PLR Content

Creating new content from scratch takes time.
But what if you could start with something pre-made — tweak it a little — and still build a faceless income stream?

That’s exactly what PLR content lets you do.

What it is

PLR stands for “Private Label Rights.” These are digital products — like eBooks, checklists, templates, or Pinterest Pins — that you can buy, rebrand, and resell as your own.

You build a faceless Pinterest account focused on one niche (like self-improvement, productivity, or wellness) and create Pins that link to the PLR product. When someone clicks through and buys — or opts in to a lead magnet — you earn.

You don’t have to write, design, or create the original product. You just focus on packaging and traffic.

Why it works

Pinterest users are always looking for solutions they can download instantly — like guides, planners, or cheat sheets. If your Pins lead to a PLR product that solves a specific problem (like “How to plan your week without burnout”), people will click and convert.

And since PLR gives you full resale rights, you can sell the same product across multiple Pins and platforms without redoing the work.

Beginner tips

  • Choose one strong niche and stick with it (productivity, health, online business, etc.)
  • Buy high-quality PLR content from reputable sources (avoid outdated, generic stuff)
  • Rebrand it in Canva — change the colors, fonts, cover image, and title
  • Upload it to Gumroad or Payhip for easy digital delivery
  • Create 5–10 Pinterest Pins for each product and focus on solving one clear problem

You can also bundle related PLR items together for higher perceived value — especially if you’re building a store around a specific theme.

How to monetize it passively

  • Upload the rebranded PLR product once to your digital storefront
  • Create evergreen Pins that drive traffic directly to the product
  • Use Pinterest search trends to align your Pin titles with real user intent
  • Reinvest earnings into more PLR licenses to expand your offer library

This method is perfect for creators who want to build fast, stay behind the scenes, and scale with minimal effort.

Conclusion

Pinterest in 2025 isn’t just a visual platform — it’s a business engine.

You’ve now seen 10 proven ways people are using Pinterest to build income streams quietly, often without an audience or even a public profile. Whether you’re selling digital products, growing faceless accounts, or offering Pinterest services, the opportunity is real — and surprisingly accessible.

The key is to start with one idea, test what works, and stay consistent. Pinterest rewards systems — not hustle. And once your content begins to rank, it can generate clicks, leads, and sales long after you’ve moved on to other tasks.

You don’t need to have it all figured out to get started.
But you do need to get started.

If you want a simple way to take action, the Faceless Marketing Collection gives you the exact steps to set up your first monetized account without showing your face.

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