You can use affiliate links on Pinterest again! Learn how it works, how to disclose, and how to get started using your affiliate links on Pinterest.
How to Use Affiliate Links on Pinterest originally appeared in ND Consulting by our very own IBA Vice-President Sarah Nenni-Daher. Thanks for sharing with us!
Back in February 2015, a collective curse word filtered through Pinterest when power users were told, “You may no longer use affiliate links on Pinterest.” Cue the sad trombone, friends.
That all changed in May 2016, however, when the big, red P said, “Psyche! They’re back – make money with us again!”
Pinterest now has promoted posts. I’ll bet you one shiny penny THAT’s one of the big reasons affiliate links are back. Coupled with their ability to detect (and have users report) spammy pins and accounts – that last bit is exactly the reason Pinterest said they had a change of heart.
How Do Affiliate Links on Pinterest Work?
In a nutshell, affiliate links on Pinterest work just like any other pin…
- Something is pinned (with a disclosure stating it IS an affiliate link).
- Pins are seen and recommended (cue the sexy algorithm that is Smart Feed).
- Money can be made by amazing affiliate money-making blogger!
- What Pinterest hopes you’ll do: promote your affiliate pins.
[bctt tweet=”#Bloggers: click here to learn how to use affiliate links on Pinterest with @RufflesandRain!” username=”IBAbloggers”]
How Do I Disclose Affiliate Links on Pinterest?
The product (digital or physical) doesn’t matter. If it’s not yours and you could earn anything from a sale (or click), you must disclose it’s an affiliate link. If you want to follow the rules of the FTC and Pinterest: you must disclose if you want to use affiliate links on Pinterest.
It doesn’t matter if it’s Amazon, Share-A-Sale, Linkshare, Gumroad, SendOwl, or that really awesome inbound marketing program. You must disclose if it’s not your product and you’ll get anything from it! Read on a bit lower for a tip on link-shortening and URL redirects…
How to Use Affiliate Links on Pinterest
Step 1: Go. Slow. (Repeat)
Identify what your pinning audience (analytics + your surveys) are interested in buying — and a lot of people ARE interest in buying off Pinterest!
Lightly pepper your feed and boards with a few, select items. Be extra diligent about this because you have the potential to be perceived as spammy when someone checks out your entire board or profile.
If you can seamlessly incorporate affiliate products and services throughout your existing boards, that is ideal! Don’t let that limit you, however. Make a “Books I Love for Interior Design” board and get to poppin’ in some affiliate links. Slowly.
Just remember: what will your audience want to see? Tons of products or a continuation of how you’ve been using Pinterest for years?
Another thing to keep in mind: don’t place affiliate link pins onto group boards unless you have express permission from the board owner(s). Asking before doing is just good manners, y’all.
Step 2: Take Your Own Photos Or Select a Photo
If you have a Doctorate in Awesome Shutter Skills, use those talents. Nothing screams, “PROMOTED!” like a product shot lifted off Amazon.
You’ll upload your photo, pop in your affiliate link as the URL and move on to number 3.
If you’re using a photo provided by the affiliate partner, pin the link to your board and make sure you go back immediately and change the URL to your affiliate link.
A note about URLs: Pinterest will be filtering these pins just like they do all others, so a word of caution using a link shortening service… I say don’t. You’re disclosing the relationship anyway, so don’t risk your pin being read as spam because of a redirect.
Step 3: Write Compelling Copy
Remember tip number 1, “Go. Slow. (Repeat)?” Do that here. Even though it’s a brief description, really try to draw the viewer in.
Ask yourself:
- What would make YOU click on it?
- What problem or pain would someone face by NOT having this in their lives?
- Can you make it funny or moving?
Be sure to use keywords people will search for (both within Pinterest and Google).
It might have had its own section above, but I’m saying it again here in the copy section: disclose. “Affiliate” or “Affiliate Link” will work, but not “aff” or “aff link.” I’m sure we’ll see much more about this in the coming months and really, you wouldn’t want to risk an FTC investigation or an account shut-down from Pinterest.
Step 4: Promote
If you see it take off, give the promoted pins feature a whirl. It’s relatively quick to get approved, so you can capitalize on any momentum. If you happen to become a featured Pinner – use this feature to bolster the benefit from the increased popularity!
[bctt tweet=”Click here to learn how to make MONEY on #Pinterest using affiliate links with @RufflesandRain!” username=”IBAbloggers”]
Bonus: Make it Easy for Your Affiliates
If you’re a blogger or marketer who offers products or services through an affiliate program, create a board and allow them to repin from it (just remind them to change their links). It’s all about making it easy for your affiliates to do the work FOR you!
Just like you control the ‘creatives’ or ads for your products through your affiliate program, you can do so on Pinterest as well. It might be a good idea to update your terms of use and policies pages for your affiliate program if you’re going to do this.
Summary
This quick-start guide on how to use affiliate links on Pinterest will get you started. I’m sure in the coming months, we’ll see much more about terms and techniques once we’ve all had awhile to test out some of our affiliate strategies.
Don’t forget to ‘pin’ this to your favorite blogging board! You will want to check out all these great tips again.
Check out these other great posts to earn more while blogging: