Pin Talk - Pinterest Tips and Updates for Creators
Episode: S1E1 - How We Make Money From Pinterest
Release Date: October 17, 2024
Hosts: Tony Hill and Carly Campbell

Introduction

In the inaugural episode of Pin Talk, Pinterest experts Tony Hill and Carly Campbell delve deep into the various ways content creators and bloggers can monetize their presence on Pinterest. The episode, released on October 17, 2024, serves as a comprehensive guide for both newcomers and seasoned users aiming to maximize their Pinterest strategies for income generation.

Host Backgrounds and Podcast Genesis

Tony Hill and Carly Campbell open the episode by discussing the purpose behind launching Pin Talk. Tony introduces himself at [00:02] saying, "Welcome to Pin Talk, the go-to podcast for all things Pinterest for bloggers and content creators." Carly responds by highlighting her long-standing passion for Pinterest, stating at [00:38], "Pinterest has been one of my favorite topics of conversation for the past eight years."

The duo emphasizes their combined expertise and the growing demand for insightful Pinterest strategies. Tony shares his motivation, “[...] there are people out there with lots of questions about Pinterest,” highlighting the podcast's aim to answer these queries through engaging conversations.

Carly's Journey with Pinterest

Carly provides an in-depth look into her evolution on Pinterest. She recounts starting a Pinterest Mastermind group in early 2020, initially launched as a pin template subscription. Carly explains at [02:35], "I was making pins and pinning them and having a lot of success," which led her to pivot towards building a community-focused platform. This shift was driven by her experience of her pins being copied and her realization that collaboration could foster collective success.

She further elaborates at [04:03], “It is a great place to connect with other Pinterest-focused creators who really know what they're doing,” underscoring the value of paid communities for higher-quality discussions and information sharing.

Tony's Introduction to Pinterest

Tony shares his personal introduction to Pinterest, which began in 2007 during wedding preparations. At [09:49], he narrates, “My first interaction with it was because of my wife. We were getting married and, like, doing, coming up with, like, wedding ideas.” This initial use was more personal, aiding in selecting gifts by leveraging shared boards.

However, Tony’s entrepreneurial journey with Pinterest took a significant turn when he noticed unexpected traffic from Pinterest to his website, a visual niche site not initially optimized for the platform. At [13:07], he observes, “I just realized there was nothing redeemable about the website that I had created for the first five months,” which led him to focus on leveraging Pinterest for traffic generation.

Pinterest Strategies and Adaptations

Both hosts discuss evolving Pinterest strategies in response to platform changes. Carly mentions at [15:15] her unique approach of creating a separate board for every blog post, which contrasts with the trend of reducing the number of boards after Pinterest altered its algorithms. Tony adds at [16:34], “I kind of stumbled into that, and there have been quite a few people who have implemented that and have done well with it,” highlighting the effectiveness of his method in driving traffic.

Tony also shares his innovation of modifying the "Save" button visibility on blog images to boost Pinterest traffic, stating at [17:00], “I created a custom script that will always show that button.” This adjustment significantly increased user engagement and traffic flow between Google and Pinterest.

Monetization Methods on Pinterest

The core of the episode revolves around monetization strategies. Tony explains his primary income source through website ads, elaborating at [26:06], “I make money through ads at the end of the day. [...] ads is like the low hanging fruit.” He discusses leveraging ad networks like Google AdSense and Mediavine to generate revenue from site traffic driven by Pinterest.

Carly outlines her multifaceted approach to monetization, which includes affiliate links and digital products. At [28:36], she states, “Money is one of my very favorite ways to make money because it doesn't require a lot of effort outside of just traffic generation.” Carly emphasizes the passive income potential from well-placed affiliate links and profitable digital products, such as printable PDFs, which can significantly boost earnings per blog post.

Challenges and Platform Changes

The duo addresses the challenges posed by platform updates, particularly Google’s algorithm changes impacting traffic sources. Tony reflects on the impact of Google updates at [12:11], noting a decline in Google-driven traffic and the subsequent reliance on Pinterest to maintain site visits.

Carly discusses the sustainability of large follower bases on Pinterest, mentioning at [22:28], “Well, we see a lot of old established accounts with a million followers that get 50,000 impressions a month,” attributing declining engagement to shifts in follower interests and niche relevance.

Unique Monetization Insights

Tony and Carly explore unconventional monetization methods. Tony shares a case study of an Etsy store owner who successfully sold ad-free recipe PDFs on Pinterest, generating substantial sales despite the low price point. At [46:13], Carly recounts, “I saw multiple conversations this week... people who've had their Pinterest accounts banned when they put affiliate links directly on Pinterest.”

They caution against unreliable income claims from direct affiliate link pinning, emphasizing the importance of authentic and transparent monetization practices to avoid account penalties.

Success Stories and Revenue Potential

Carly cites various income levels achievable through Pinterest, mentioning that many creators earn between $5,000 to $10,000 monthly, with some even surpassing these figures. At [48:48], she states, “I know plenty of people who make five to $10,000 a month,” highlighting the platform's lucrative potential when strategies are effectively implemented.

Tony corroborates this, sharing his experience of generating over a million page views monthly from Pinterest, translating into a significant income stream. They discuss the scalability of Pinterest-driven revenue, depending on traffic volume and monetization techniques applied.

Future Viability of Pinterest for Creators

Concluding the episode, Tony and Carly affirm Pinterest's continued viability as a robust platform for income generation. Tony asserts at [51:30], “Yeah, right. Touche. For sure. Yeah, I totally think so,” reinforcing their commitment to leveraging Pinterest despite the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Carly emphasizes adaptability, noting, “As long as we're willing to adapt, there has always been a future,” suggesting that creators who stay informed and flexible will continue to find success on Pinterest.

Key Takeaways and Insights

• Adaptive Strategies: Success on Pinterest requires continuous adaptation to platform changes, including algorithm updates and shifting user behaviors.

• Diversified Monetization: Utilizing a mix of ad revenue, affiliate marketing, and digital products can maximize income streams.

• Community Engagement: Participating in or creating paid communities can enhance knowledge sharing and strategy development among Pinterest creators.

• Content Innovation: Introducing unique ideas and repackaging content with original terminology can help pins stand out amidst competition.

• Team Collaboration: Delegating tasks such as pin creation and blog post management to virtual assistants can streamline processes and increase output without sacrificing quality.

Conclusion

The first episode of Pin Talk sets a strong foundation for listeners seeking to harness Pinterest’s full potential for monetization. Through the shared experiences and expert insights of Tony Hill and Carly Campbell, the episode provides actionable strategies, highlights common challenges, and underscores the importance of adaptability in the dynamic world of Pinterest marketing. As the podcast series progresses, audiences can anticipate deeper dives into niche-specific tactics, advanced monetization techniques, and evolving platform trends to stay ahead in the competitive landscape.

Find More Episodes and Resources: For additional insights, strategies, and updates, visit the Pin Talk Podcast website and subscribe to Tony and Carly’s newsletters at tonyhill.co for exclusive content and tips.