How To Use Affiliate Links on Pinterest

Last week I talked about 7 Ways To Drive Pinterest Traffic, and one of the ways (#6) was to Pin products using affiliate links.

Did you know that you can use Pinterest to generate revenue?

And now that Pinterest has lifted the ban on using affiliate links, you’re free to add as many pins with affiliate links to your Pinterest boards as you want! The key is to add those pins strategically – so that you make money AND don’t annoy or lose followers.

Today, I’m going to share with you how to prepare and use affiliate links in your Pinterest marketing efforts.

How To Use Affiliate Links on Pinterest

Step 1: Prepare and Optimize your Pinterest Boards to Showcase Products.

-Make sure your boards share a branded look that matches your business AND tells people what’s you’re about at a quick glance.

-I also recommend that you use a clear description at the top of your Pinterest profile, why leave it up to interpretation!

-Give each of your boards a title that relates to something your business and/or brand offers. Keep these at the top and your more personal boards at the bottom – if you’re like me and only have one Pinterest account.

-Use keywords in your board titles and Pinterest descriptions so you can show up in Pinterest searches.

For example, Your Marketing BFF is a marketing, branding, modern design blog + shop. When you visit my Pinterest, you can see my clean, modern design style with a timeless, classic flair. I’ve also named each one of my boards exactly what they are (I’m a straight shooter – if you can’t tell, haha) and my signature dot, dot, dot.

As you can see, my Pinterest is similar to the look and feel of my website and brand… and so should yours!

Step 2: Populate each board with pins that you know your target audience will like.

For example, I LOVE Monika Hibbs home and style. Here’s her Pinterest board appropriately titled MH HOME containing nothing but images of her home. And of course, Monika’s light, bright and airy brand style is represented.

Beyond supporting a branded look and feel, you’re setting up a Pinterest profile that is ready to pin your own products or products that you’re an affiliate for… that match you and your brand.

Step 3: Add Affiliate Product Pins to your Boards.

Choose a product you want to share and decide which board you’re going to pin it to.

For example if you have an affiliate link for pillows, you can pin it to your board that contains home and/or decorating ideas.

After you pin the product to your board, click the EDIT button on your pin. Now you can replace the original link in the website area with your affiliate link and click SAVE.

Repeat this step each time you want to add an affiliate link to your pins!

Step 4 is optional…

Step 4: Promote Pins on Pinterest (that you have affiliate links on). This will guarantee you that more ‘eyes’ will have the opportunity to see it. Good luck!

Final notes on how to use affiliate links on Pinterest:

-Remain from being salesy and that your primary job is to help readers/customers find products. Focus on products that you like, buy and use.
-Amazon affiliate links are not currently allowed on Pinterest. Check to see if your affiliate programs do allow affiliate links on Pinterest.
-I do know REWARDSTYLE is allowed and works!
-Shortening affiliate links with Bitly will interfere with tracking, so it’s always best to use the full URL.

As you learned last week, this is the busiest time of year to drive additional Pinterest traffic and sales. Happy marketing + selling friends!

 

Cover image via ZDesignAtHome, with a little bit of graphic design help (the added Christmas wreath) by yours truly.  P.S. The contemporary barn doors to my office, should be installed prior to Christmas! eek