Welcome back everyone for another deep dive.
Today we are going to be tackling Pinterest affiliate marketing.
And to be honest, I'm a little bit skeptical about how easy some people make it sound.
We're looking at Sara Finance's YouTube tutorial,
where she breaks down how she supposedly earns $4,943 a week through Pinterest.
Now, that sounds absolutely amazing, but is it realistic for the rest of us?
Well, that's the million dollar question, isn't it?
Sara's tutorial is super detailed, but I think we can definitely add some context
and maybe a little bit of critical analysis.
Exactly. I'm ready to kind of get into the nuts and bolts of this.
Sara starts off by talking about niche selection.
She's all about the money and motivation niche.
Can you quickly explain what exactly IS affiliate marketing for anyone new to this?
Sure thing. Just imagine recommending a product that you love to a friend,
and then getting a little bonus if they buy it because of your recommendation.
That's essentially what affiliate marketing is.
You're partnering with a company, promoting their products or services,
and earning a commission on any sales you drive through your unique affiliate link.
Okay, so back to niches.
Why would money and motivation be a good fit for Pinterest specifically?
Well, it's a smart niche. I'll give her that.
Pinterest is all about aspiration.
People are going there looking for ideas to improve their lives.
And often that includes finances and personal growth,
so she's really tapping into a preexisting desire.
That makes a lot of sense, but she says any niche can work, right?
Right?
Is that really true?
Or some just kind of better suited for this kind of marketing?
Well, any niche could work, but I think some definitely have advantages,
you know, if you think about it.
If you're promoting luxury travel on Pinterest,
you're targeting a much smaller audience than someone who's
promoting budget-friendly travel tips.
Ah, so it's not just about what people are interested in,
but also how many people are interested
and how likely they are to actually buy something.
Precisely.
And that's where some serious niche research comes in.
You can't just pick something you like.
You really need to see if there's an audience that is hungry for that content.
And if there are good affiliate products to promote within that niche.
So how do you actually figure that out?
Are there tools or resources that you recommend for researching niche profitability?
Absolutely.
There are keyword research tools specifically for Pinterest
that can show you search volume, trending topics,
and even the level of competition, you can also use Pinterest's own analytics
to see what's performing well in your niche.
And don't underestimate the power of just browsing Pinterest itself.
You know, pay attention to the types of pins that are getting repinned and commented on.
OK, so we've got our niche narrowed down.
What's next in Sarah's strategy?
Next she dyes into affiliate programs, specifically Honey, Raccoon, and Fiverr.
Why those three in particular?
I think these are very strategic choices for a few reasons.
First, they're all well established and reputable,
which is so important for building trust with your audience.
Second, they offer products and services that are relevant to the money and motivation niche.
Honey and Raccoon are all about saving money, which ties in perfectly with personal finance.
And then you have Fiverr, which provides a wide range of freelance services,
which can be very valuable for entrepreneurs and side hustlers.
I see. So it's about aligning the affiliate programs with your niche and target audience.
Exactly.
But here's where it gets even more interesting.
Let's look beyond just the relevance and consider the commission structures of these programs.
Honey and Raccoon typically offer a percentage of the sale amount.
While Fiverr offers a flat fee per sign up, each structure has its pros and cons depending on your goals
and the average order value in your niche.
I never even thought about that.
I always assumed the higher the percentage, the better.
Not necessarily.
Let's say you're promoting a high ticket coaching program with a 5% commission.
That might actually earn you more per sale than promoting a $5 ebook with a 50% commission.
That's a really good point.
So it's about looking at the big picture.
Commission structure, average sale price and conversion rates all kind of play a role.
Exactly.
And that's something that Sarah's video doesn't really address.
She does mention a few other affiliate networks briefly.
PartnerStack, ClickBank, and Impact.com.
Right. But she kind of glosses over those pretty quickly.
I think it's worth noting that those networks can offer a wider variety of products and services.
But they can also be more competitive and have stricter requirements for joining.
So it's almost like a tiered system.
Start with the easier, more accessible programs.
Then as you gain experience and build an audience, you can kind of explore those more specialized networks.
That's a smart approach.
You don't want to get overwhelmed trying to juggle a dozen different programs when you're just starting out.
OK. So we've got our niche and our affiliate programs.
What's next in Sarah's master plan?
This is where she introduces something called the Shopify Linktree strategy.
Can we back up for a second for those who might not know?
What exactly is a Linktree and why would you need one?
Great question.
And the simplest terms, a Linktree is like a digital menu for your social media.
Since most platforms only allow you to have one clickable link in your bio,
Linktree allows you to create a landing page with multiple links.
So you can direct your followers to various websites, products, or resources.
OK. That makes sense.
So what's so special about Sarah's Shopify Linktree strategy?
Most people use third-party Linktree services, which are fine for basic functionality,
but they often come with limitations.
Sarah's approach is a bit different.
She uses Shopify, the e-commerce platform, to create her own custom Linktree.
Wait, Shopify, isn't that for selling products?
Yes, but here's the brilliant part.
Shopify offers a $1 per month starter plan that's perfect for this.
Sarah uses this plan to create a single website that essentially functions as her Linktree.
But here's the key difference.
She has complete control over the design, branding, and functionality.
No more generic templates or limited customization options.
So she's essentially creating a mini website that acts as her Linktree,
but with way more flexibility and control.
Exactly.
She can customize the look and feel to match her brand perfectly,
add her own logo and colors, and even integrate analytics to track which links are getting the most clicks.
That's genius.
I never would have thought to use Shopify that way.
I'm starting to see why she's having so much success.
Okay, let's talk about how she's actually getting people to click on those affiliate links.
What's her content strategy?
Well, Sarah uses a two-pronged approach.
Idea Pins, which are basically videos and static image pins.
And she's all about creating a lot of content.
We're talking two to three Idea Pins per day.
Whoa, that's a lot.
Before we get into whether that's even realistic for most people,
can you explain what's so special about Idea Pins?
I get that they're videos.
But how are they different from, say, just posting a video on YouTube?
Good point.
Idea Pins are designed specifically for Pinterest's format and audience.
They're meant to be visually engaging and inspiring,
with step-by-step instructions or tutorials.
Think of them like mini TV shows that fit right into Pinterest's scrolling feed.
Okay, so they're optimized for how people actually use Pinterest.
Right.
What about the content itself?
What kind of videos is Sarah making?
She actually repurposes a lot of her TikTok content for Idea Pins,
which is a clever way to maximize her reach.
That's interesting.
So she's taking your TikToks and turning them into Pinterest Idea Pins.
But are there any downsides to that?
I mean, TikTok and Pinterest feel like pretty different platforms to me.
Yeah, you're right to be cautious.
It's not just about copy, pasting content.
You have to think about how to adapt it.
TikTok is all about short, snappy, attention-grabbing videos.
While Pinterest is more about aspirational, visually-driven content.
So she's probably having to edit her TikToks to make them more Pinterest-friendly,
maybe adding text overlays, changing the music,
and focusing on visuals that work well in Pinterest.
Exactly.
And it might not even be about repurposing entire TikToks.
She could be taking snippets or ideas from her TikToks
and creating entirely new Idea Pins specifically for Pinterest.
Okay, that makes sense.
But let's be real, two to three Idea Pins per day.
Is that even sustainable for someone with a life?
That is the big question.
It really depends on your resources.
And how much time you can realistically dedicate to content creation.
For some people, that might be achievable,
but for others, it could lead to burnout.
Yeah, I can definitely see that.
It's like anything else.
You have to find a balance that works for you.
Okay, so we've got Idea Pins.
What about Static Image Pins?
Those seem pretty straightforward, right?
Just a nice image and some text.
Hmm, not so fast.
Creating Effective Static Pins is a bit of an art form.
Remember, Pinterest is a visual platform,
so your pins need to stand out in a sea of scrolling sums.
Okay, so what makes a good Pinterest image pin?
First and foremost, high-quality images.
Think bright, vibrant colors, eye-catching compositions,
and a clear focus on the product or service that you're promoting.
So no blurry iPhone photos or cluttered backgrounds?
Definitely not.
And don't forget about the text.
Your pin title needs to be clear, concise, and keyword rich,
so people can easily find it when they're searching on Pinterest.
And then your pin description should be engaging and informative,
enticing people to click through to your website.
So there's actually a lot more to it than I realized.
It's not just about slapping a pretty picture on Pinterest.
Exactly, and that's why Sarah uses Canva to create her pins.
It's a very user-friendly design tool
that makes it easy to create professional-looking graphics.
Canva's great. I use it for all sorts of things.
So Sarah's got her niche, her affiliate programs,
her Shopify link tree, and she's creating a ton of content,
both Idea Pins and Static Pins.
What else is there?
Well, she also offers a paid course on Pinterest affiliate marketing.
Of course. It seems like everyone has a course these days,
but honestly, how do you know if a course is worth the money?
That's a great question.
I think it's important to be discerning when it comes to paid courses.
Look for evidence of results.
Does a course creator have a proven track record of success?
With the strategy they're teaching,
are there testimonials from students who have seen positive results?
Those are all good things to consider.
I've definitely seen some courses that seem too good to be true
with promises of overnight riches.
Absolutely. And remember, no course can guarantee success.
It ultimately comes down to your own effort, consistency,
and willingness to learn and adapt.
So we've gone through Sarah's entire strategy,
and it's clear that she's putting in a lot of work.
But one thing that kind of struck me throughout her video
is her emphasis on speed and quantity,
lots of content, fast growth.
Is there a downside to that approach?
That's a really important point.
While rapid growth can be exciting,
I think it's crucial to consider the potential downsides.
Focusing solely on speed can compromise quality.
If you're churning out content just to hit a quota,
you might not be creating the most engaging
or valuable content for your audience.
Wouldn't that hurt you in the long run?
I mean, if people aren't connecting with your content,
they're not going to click on your affiliate links.
Precisely. And then there's the issue of burnout.
If you're constantly pushing yourself to create and promote,
you could end up feeling overwhelmed and exhausted,
which could ultimately lead you to abandon
your affiliate marketing efforts altogether.
So it's not just about how fast you can grow,
but also about how sustainable that growth is.
Exactly. And that's why I think it's important
to consider a more strategic approach.
What if, instead of focusing solely on speed,
we prioritize quality and build genuine relationships
with our audience?
That sounds a lot more appealing, honestly.
But wouldn't that mean slower growth?
It might, initially.
But what if that slower growth is more sustainable
and ultimately leads to a more loyal and engaged audience?
It's a really interesting point.
I'm starting to think that maybe slow and steady wins the race,
at least when it comes to building
a successful affiliate marketing business.
I think that's a great takeaway from all of this.
It's not always about being the fastest or the loudest.
Sometimes it's about being the most genuine
and the most helpful.
Yeah, and focusing on building something truly valuable,
that resonates with your audience.
Exactly.
Well, I think this is a great place
to kind of pause for a moment.
We've unpacked a lot about Sarah's strategy,
and I think we've raised some really important questions
about the pace and sustainability of growth
and affiliate marketing when we come back.
I want to dive deeper into this idea
of building a genuine community
and explore some strategies for creating content
that truly connects with your audience.
That's good.
Welcome back to our deep dive into Pinterest affiliate
marketing.
Before the break, we were talking about the potential downsides
of focusing solely on speed and quantity
over quality and authenticity.
And I think this ties in really well
with this idea of building a genuine community, which
is something that I kind of want to explore further.
I mean, it's easy to get caught up in the numbers game.
Yeah.
You know how many followers you have,
how many clicks you're getting.
But at the end of the day, affiliate marketing
is about building relationships.
It's about connecting with people
who trust your recommendations.
Absolutely.
And I think that's where a lot of people go wrong.
They treat their audience like a bunch of numbers
instead of real human beings with their own needs and desires.
It's like they're just trying to make a quick buck
instead of building something sustainable and meaningful.
Exactly.
And that's not a recipe for long-term success.
But how do you actually build a genuine community
around your content?
Well, it starts with creating content that is truly valuable
and engaging, content that solves problems,
answers questions, and inspires your audience.
So it's not just about promoting products.
It's about providing real value.
Right.
Think about it this way.
Would you rather follow someone who's constantly
trying to sell you something or someone who shares
helpful tips, insightful advice, and genuinely cares
about your success?
I think the answer is pretty obvious.
It is.
And that's why it's so important to focus
on building relationships, not just transactions.
And I think that ties in with choosing a niche
that you're actually passionate about.
If you're not excited about the products or services
you're promoting, it's going to show in your content.
Definitely.
Passion is contagious.
And when you're genuinely enthusiastic about something,
it shines through.
So it's not just about finding a profitable niche.
It's about finding a niche that you actually care about.
Exactly.
And that's where I think a lot of people struggle.
They get so caught up in chasing trends
or trying to replicate what's working for someone else
that they lose sight of their own unique passions and interests.
And that's a recipe for burnout.
If you're not enjoying what you're doing,
it's going to be very difficult to sustain it
over the long term.
So how do you find that sweet spot
between profitability and passion?
It takes some soul searching and some experimentation.
But I think it's worth it.
Because when you find that perfect niche,
it doesn't feel like work.
It feels like a natural extension of who you are.
And that's when the magic happens.
Because when you're genuinely passionate about something,
you're more likely to create high quality content.
You're more likely to engage with your audience.
And you're more likely to build a loyal following.
Exactly.
And that's the key to long term success and affiliate marketing.
OK.
So we've talked about the importance of building
a genuine community and finding a niche
that you're passionate about.
But what are some practical tips for creating content that
actually connects with your audience?
Well, I think one of the most important things
is to be authentic and relatable.
People can spot a fake from a mile away.
So don't try to be someone you're not.
So no more pretending to be a millionaire guru.
Exactly.
Just be yourself.
Share your own experiences.
And let your personality shine through.
And I think it's also important to be helpful and informative.
Absolutely.
People are coming to Pinterest looking for solutions.
So make sure your content provides real value.
Answer their questions.
Solve their problems.
And give them actionable steps they can take.
And don't be afraid to get personal.
Right.
People connect with stories.
So share your own experiences, your struggles,
and your triumphs.
And don't forget to engage with your audience.
Absolutely.
Respond to comments, answer questions,
and make people feel heard.
So it's not just about creating content.
It's about creating a conversation.
It's about building relationships
and fostering a sense of community.
I think this is a great place to pause for part two
of our deep dive.
We've covered a lot of ground already.
From the importance of building a genuine community
to the power of being authentic and relatable.
When we come back, I want to dive deeper
into some specific strategies for creating content that
converts.
So stay tuned.
Welcome back to our deep dive into Pinterest affiliate
marketing.
Before the break, we were talking about the importance
of creating content that actually connects with your audience.
And I want to dive a little deeper into that.
Yeah.
What are some specific strategies for creating content
that not only engages people, but also converts them
into customers?
Well, I think one of the most effective strategies
is to focus on creating content that
solves a specific problem.
People come to Pinterest looking for answers and solutions.
So if you can provide them with that,
they're more likely to trust you and buy from you.
OK, so how do you actually do that?
Well, it starts with understanding your target audience.
What are their pain points?
What are they struggling with?
Once you know that, you can create content that directly
addresses those issues.
So it's all about being really targeted with your content.
Exactly.
You can be an example.
Sure.
Let's say you're in the fitness niche,
and you know that your target audience is
struggling with weight loss.
You could create a series of idea
pins that provide healthy meal prep tips or workout
routines that are specifically designed for weight loss.
OK, so you're providing them with valuable information.
That helps them solve their problem.
Exactly.
And along the way, you can subtly promote affiliate products
that are relevant to their needs.
So for example, you could recommend a meal planning out
or a fitness tracker.
Right.
But the key is to do it in a way that
feels natural and helpful.
You don't want to come across as pushy or salesy.
Because that's going to turn people off.
Exactly.
What are some other strategies for creating content that
converts?
Well, another effective strategy is
to use strong calls to action.
Tell people exactly what you want them to do,
whether it's clicking on your affiliate link,
visiting your website, or signing up for your email list.
So don't be afraid to be direct.
Right.
People need to be told what to do,
otherwise they'll just scroll on by.
And make sure your calls to action are clear and concise.
Absolutely.
Use strong verbs and make it easy for people to take action.
What about visuals?
Visuals are crucial on Pinterest.
Remember, it's a visual platform.
So your pins need to be eye-catching and engaging.
OK, so what makes a good Pinterest visual?
Well, high quality images are essential.
Use bright colors, bold fonts, and compelling imagery.
That draws people in.
And don't forget about video.
Right.
Video is becoming increasingly popular on Pinterest.
So if you can incorporate video into your content strategy,
you'll be ahead of the game.
So we've talked about focusing on problem solving content,
using strong calls to action, and creating visually appealing
pins.
Is there anything else that you think
is important for creating content that converts?
I think it's important to track your results
and see what's working and what's not.
So pay attention to your analytics.
Exactly.
See which pins are getting the most clicks,
which affiliate products are converting the best,
and use that information to refine your strategy.
So it's a constant process of testing and tweaking.
It is.
And that's the beauty of digital marketing.
You can always track your progress
and make adjustments along the way.
Well, I think we've covered a lot of ground today,
from niche selection and affiliate programs
to content creation and community building.
We've even debunked some common myths
about the speed of growth in affiliate marketing.
We have.
Any final thoughts for our listeners?
Just remember, Pinterest affiliate marketing
is a marathon, not a sprint.
So focus on building something sustainable and authentic.
And don't get discouraged if you don't see results overnight.
It takes time and effort to build a successful business.
But with the right strategies and a little bit of patience,
you can achieve your goals.
Thanks for joining us on this deep dive
into Pinterest affiliate marketing.
We hope you found it valuable and insightful.
We did too.
Until next time, keep pinning.
Happy pinning.