The word “creator” has become a buzzword across social media. Everyone wants to be one—and the good news is, you can. No matter your age, background, or niche, anyone can create content on Pinterest.
But there’s a difference between being a casual creator who shares free content and becoming a Pinterest creator who gets paid. The exciting part? Pinterest is one of the few platforms actively investing in its creators.
As someone who earns directly from Pinterest, I’m going to walk you through what it means to be a Pinterest creator, how to set yourself up for success, and multiple ways you can monetize your pins.
What Does It Mean to Be a Pinterest Creator?
Pinterest defines creators as:
“People who create original content to build a community and inspire others with their ideas.”
That means if you’re sharing tutorials, product demos, home décor tips, recipes, or any other original content—congratulations, you’re already a creator.
However, getting paid requires more strategy. You’ll need the right type of account, consistent content, and an understanding of the monetization programs Pinterest offers.
Step 1: Open a Pinterest Business Account
You can start on Pinterest with either a personal or business account, but here’s the key difference:
- Personal account: Best for casual users. You can create boards, pin content, and share static or idea pins—but monetization options are limited.
- Business account: Unlocks analytics, access to creator tools, and eligibility for monetization programs.
If your goal is to earn money from Pinterest, you’ll need a business account. It’s free to set up, and you can convert a personal account into a business account anytime.
Step 2: Agree to the Creator Code
Pinterest promotes itself as a positive, inclusive platform. To maintain that environment, all creators must agree to the Pinterest Creator Code, which is essentially a pledge to lead with kindness and create responsibly.
This step is mandatory if you want to participate in any of Pinterest’s monetization opportunities.
Step 3: Create Inspiring Content
The fastest way to grow and get paid on Pinterest is to produce content that people love to save, share, and engage with. Pinterest favors fresh, visually appealing, and helpful pins.
Types of content you can create include:
- Standard Pins: Vertical images (2:3 ratio recommended) that feature eye-catching graphics or photos.
- Video Pins: Short, engaging videos that capture attention quickly.
- Idea Pins: Multi-page pins that combine images, videos, and text to tell a story or provide step-by-step instructions.
Tutorials, how-to guides, lifestyle tips, and product showcases tend to perform especially well.
Step 4: Monetize Your Pinterest Content
Once you’re consistently creating pins, it’s time to monetize. Here are the most popular ways Pinterest creators get paid:
1. Pinterest Creator Fund
The Pinterest Creator Fund provides grants of up to $25,000, including cash, ad credits, and equipment stipends. It’s designed to support underrepresented creators. To qualify, you need a business account and a history of creating Idea Pins.
2. Pinterest Creator Rewards
This invite-only program pays creators monthly bonuses for publishing engaging Idea Pins. To be eligible, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a Pinterest business account
- Follow the Creator Code
I was invited to join recently, and so far I’ve earned over $2,000 directly from Pinterest.
3. Affiliate Marketing on Pinterest
You can pin affiliate links directly on Pinterest or drive traffic to blog posts containing affiliate links. Every time someone purchases through your link, you earn a commission. Popular affiliate programs include Amazon Associates, ShareASale, and Impact.
4. Sponsored Content
As your Pinterest audience grows, brands may pay you to feature their products in your pins. These partnerships can be highly profitable, especially in niches like fashion, beauty, home décor, and wellness.
5. Selling Your Own Products
Many creators use Pinterest to sell digital downloads, online courses, or physical products through platforms like Shopify or Etsy. Since Pinterest users often visit the platform with shopping intent, it’s an ideal place to drive sales.
Step 5: Use Pinterest Creator Tools
Pinterest provides a suite of free tools to help you optimize and grow:
- Creator Hub: Access analytics, get updates, and find monetization opportunities.
- Pinterest Trends: Discover what people are currently searching for to create timely, relevant content.
- Audience Insights: Learn what your specific audience engages with most.
By leveraging these tools, you’ll better understand your analytics and know which strategies are actually working.
Learn From Top Pinterest Creators
Pinterest also runs a series called “Creators Crushing It”, where successful creators share how they’ve grown their audience and monetized their pins. Studying these case studies can give you valuable insights into what works best.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a paid Pinterest creator is absolutely possible, but it requires the right foundation:
- Start with a business account
- Commit to the Creator Code
- Consistently create inspiring content
- Explore multiple monetization strategies
- Use Pinterest’s free creator tools to optimize
Whether your goal is to earn extra income or turn Pinterest into a full-time business, the opportunities are there. With consistency and creativity, you can transform your pins into a steady income stream.