Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid in Pinterest Affiliate Marketing

Pinterest Pin with text: Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid in Pinterest Affiliate Marketing by Jen Vazquez Media

Affiliate marketing on Pinterest is a goldmine of opportunities for service providers, but only if you play your cards right. While it’s easy to get started, there are common mistakes that can sabotage your efforts before you see results. Let’s dive into the top 10 mistakes to avoid and actionable tips to help you succeed in Pinterest affiliate marketing.

1. Skipping Pinterest’s Rules

The Mistake: Jumping in without reviewing Pinterest’s policies on affiliate links can lead to account suspension.

The Fix: Read Pinterest’s Affiliate Guidelines to understand what’s allowed. Always disclose affiliate links in your pin descriptions with phrases like “This pin contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.” Transparency builds trust and keeps you compliant.

2. Using Low-Quality Images

The Mistake: Posting blurry or poorly designed pins that don’t catch anyone’s attention.

The Fix: Invest time in creating high-quality, vertical pins with eye-catching visuals and readable text. Use free tools like Canva to design professional-looking pins that stand out in the feed.

3. Ignoring Keyword Research

The Mistake: Not optimizing your pin descriptions, titles, or boards for search.

The Fix: Treat Pinterest like a search engine. Research keywords using Pinterest’s search bar, and incorporate them naturally into your pin titles, descriptions, and board names. This helps your content get discovered by the right audience.

4. Overloading Pins with Affiliate Links

The Mistake: Flooding Pinterest with affiliate links can look spammy and turn off your audience.

The Fix: Balance your affiliate pins with helpful, non-affiliate content. Share tips, ideas, or solutions that naturally lead to your affiliate links. Aim for a mix of value-driven and promotional content.

5. Not Creating Multiple Pin Designs

The Mistake: Relying on a single pin design for each affiliate link limits your reach.

The Fix: Create 3-5 pin variations for each affiliate product using different designs, headlines, and imagery. This keeps your content fresh and increases the chances of your pins being seen by different users.

Join the Pinterest Trends Challenge

Ready to take your Pinterest strategy to the next level? The Pinterest Trends Challenge is designed to help you discover and leverage the hottest trends on Pinterest to drive traffic and generate leads. Over the course of this challenge, you’ll learn how to identify seasonal and evergreen trends, create optimized content, and strategically pin to stay ahead of the competition. Whether you’re new to Pinterest or looking to refine your strategy, this challenge will give you the tools and insights you need to turn Pinterest into your lead-generating powerhouse. Don’t miss out—join today and start transforming your Pinterest game!

6. Neglecting Analytics

The Mistake: Failing to check which pins and strategies are working means you’re flying blind.

The Fix: Regularly review Pinterest Analytics to see which pins are driving the most traffic and clicks. Double down on what works and tweak what doesn’t to optimize your strategy.

7. Not Having a Clear Niche

The Mistake: Pinning about everything and anything confuses your audience and dilutes your impact.

The Fix: Focus on a specific niche that aligns with your expertise and interests. Niching down helps you attract a more targeted audience who are more likely to trust your recommendations.

8. Forgetting to Add Call-to-Actions (CTAs)

The Mistake: Not guiding your audience on what to do next results in fewer clicks on your affiliate links.

The Fix: Add clear CTAs like “Click to learn more” or “Shop now” in your pin designs and descriptions. A little nudge goes a long way in encouraging engagement.

9. Ignoring Seasonal Trends

The Mistake: Posting irrelevant content during peak seasonal searches can hurt your visibility.

The Fix: Plan your content calendar around seasonal trends and holidays. For example, if you’re promoting fitness gear, create pins for “New Year’s fitness goals” in December.

10. Not Building Trust with Your Audience

The Mistake: Coming across as overly salesy or pushing services that don’t align with your audience’s needs.

The Fix: Only promote services or products you genuinely believe in and that align with your niche. Share personal experiences or reviews to build credibility and trust with your audience.

Final Thoughts

Affiliate marketing on Pinterest can be a game-changer for your business if done right. Avoid these common pitfalls, and focus on creating value-packed content that resonates with your audience.

Ready to up your Pinterest game? Check out my Pinterest Challenge to learn how to create a strategic and successful Pinterest plan that drives results. Let’s turn those pins into profits!

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

Pinterest pin with text: Avoid These 10 Affiliate Marketing Mistakes on Pinterest Jen Vazquez Media
Pinterest Pin Text: Common Pinterest Mistakes That Kill Affiliate Marketing Success by Jen Vazquez Media
Pinterest Pin Text: Pinterest Affiliate Marketing Do’s and Don’ts_ The Top 10 Mistakes Jen Vazquez Media
Pinterest pin text: The Biggest Pinterest Affiliate Marketing Mistakes to Avoid by Jen Vazquez Media
Pinterest Pin text: Top 10 Pinterest Mistakes That Hurt Your Affiliate Marketing Efforts by Jen Vazquez Media

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Social Sessions

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Pinterest Trends Weekly: Fashion Forward

a collage of pictures like 80's style, whimsical, 90's and goth with words: Pinterest Trends Weekly_ Fashion Forward by Jen Vazquez Media

Pinterest Trends Weekly: Fashion Forward

What are people searching for on Pinterest?  Well, I’m back with this week’s Pinterest trends, and what’s trending is Fashion Forward.  Sometimes, being trend-forward means looking to the past. This week, people on Pinterest are searching for fresh fall styles across eras and aesthetics

Key trends

Growing Trends: Seasonal Shift

As autumn settles in, Pinterest users are getting cozy with fall recipes, outfits, and moody aesthetics. Here’s a look at what people are searching for compared to the previous three weeks:

  • 140% increase in emergency preparedness (no surprise with everything going on in the world).
  • 2x increase in searches for fall soups and stews.
  • 155% increase in how to wear ankle boots.
  • 150% increase in rainy day meals.
  • 40% increase in oversized leather jacket outfits.

If you could see the graph for emergency preparedness, it’s like a rollercoaster heading straight uphill—people are really taking action on this one.

Category Trend: Vintage Goth

Pinterest users are bringing the witchy vibes this season, blending elements from the Victorian era to the grunge-filled 90s. Here’s what’s trending across different categories:

Home Category:

  • 4x increase in dark moody bedroom searches.
  • 2x increase in vintage-inspired nursery decor.
  • 45% increase in Victorian gothic decor.
  • 45% increase in antique kitchen decor.

Fashion Category:

  • 80% increase in 90s goth outfits.
  • 65% increase in romantic goth outfits.
  • 40% increase in Corp goth work outfits.
  • 25% increase in whimsical fashion.

Beauty Category:

  • 2x increase in dark fall nails.
  • 35% increase in 90s grunge hair.
  • 35% increase in vintage hairstyles.
  • 25% increase in whimsicoth makeup.

Pinterest Predicts Trend: Eclectic Grandpa

One of Pinterest’s predicted trends for 2024, “Eclectic Grandpa,” is happening now! Searches for vintage and retro looks are popping off, from weddings to home decor:

  • 75% increase in vintage electric wedding searches.
  • 65% increase in grandma core bedroom decor.
  • 60% increase in retro outfits.
  • 80% increase in custom-fitted hats.
  • 50% increase in retrofuturism fashion.

Curious to know what these look like? Just pop these terms into Pinterest, and you’ll see a flood of images for inspiration.

Audience Trends: Throwback Threads

Gen Z and Millennials are digging into fashion history for their next outfits, and here’s what’s trending for each group:

Gen Z:

  • 2x increase in 80s outfit inspo.
  • 2x increase in soft grunge outfits.
  • 40% increase in 70s fashion.
  • 40% increase in 70s goth.

Millennials:

  • 6x increase in romantic outfit searches.
  • 4x increase in edgy office outfit searches.
  • 3x increase in vintage maximalism.
  • 3x increase in 90s fall outfits.
darkened image with the words Dark academia decor by Pinterest

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

a laptops with a white women's hands on the keyboard at a white table with the words: Discover the rising popularity of 90s goth outfits, with an 80% increase in searches on Pinterest. From dark fall nails to vintage-inspired hairstyles, explore the latest gothic fashion and beauty trends. Get inspired by Pinterest’s growing seasonal aesthetic and elevate your fall wardrobe with these throwback looks. Perfect for those seeking moody, nostalgic style for the cooler months ahead. By Jen Vazquez Media
laptop open sitting on a table with white table cloth. Also there is a white bowl with sugar donut holes and a white mug with hot tea in it.  The words: Vintage Electric Weddings_ A Pinterest Trend
Pinterest Pin with an image of an apple macbook pro sitting on a grey table with a white mug and hot tea inside.<br />
 Also the words: Gothic Glam Home Decor_ Trending on Pinterest by Jen Vazquez Media
Fall fashion is all about cozy vibes and throwback threads. With searches for ankle boots up 155% and oversized leather jacket outfits up 40%, Pinterest users are embracing autumn trends. Explore this week’s trending styles, from romantic outfits to 80s fashion inspo. Whether you’re a Millennial or Gen Z, these Pinterest fashion trends will inspire your next look for the season by Jen Vazquez media
Pinterest Pin with an image of a black women looking at a laptop on a table dringing a big blue mug.  Also the words: How to Leverage Pinterest Trends in Your Business

Here is more information that may be helpful!

Social Sessions

Social Sessions

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Pinterest Trends Weekly: Vibe Check

Pinterest Trends Weekly_ Vibe Check by Jen Vazquez Media

Pinterest Trends Weekly: Vibe Check

Hey there! I’m back with this week’s Pinterest trends, and it’s all about blending bold styles and innovative ideas to truly make the season your own. This week’s theme? Vibe check. Let’s get this party started!

Top Trends

People on Pinterest are totally diving into some amazing and super creative ideas this week. Just check out these mind-blowing stats:

Where Do These Trends Come From?

Pinterest is all about looking ahead. With over 522 million users using Pinterest to discover the next big ideas, we can leverage these insights to predict what’s on the horizon. Each week, Pinterest Predicts Weekly highlights actionable search trends from users across various categories, regions, and demographics.

You can explore these insights further at trends.pinterest.com, where you’ll find everything you need to craft a marketing plan around trending searches and connect with high-value audiences.

How To Use Pinterest Trends

Before we dive into this week’s trends, if you’ve been wondering how you can use these trends in your marketing, check out my How to Use Pinterest Trends Masterclass from a few weeks ago! We dug deep into where to find Pinterest trends, strategize, and use them in your business.

Sign up below for FREE and start smashing your Pinterest goals.

Growing Trend: Magic Moments

Festive micro-events are all the rage this fall. Just look at these growing search terms over the last three weeks compared to the previous three weeks:

  • Fall Sleepover Ideas: Up by 160%
  • Fall Appetizers for Party: Increased five times
  • Face Paint Ideas for Football Games: Doubled
  • Gold Theme Birthday Party: Up by 105%
  • Bonfire Party Ideas: Up by 40%

Fresh & Fun: Category Trends

People on Pinterest are Spicing Up Their Fall Routine

In the Hobbies category:

  • Equestrian: Four times more searches
  • Coil Pottery: Four times more searches
  • Cool New Gadgets: Increased 2.5 times
  • Coloring Pages for Grown-Ups: Increased 2.5 times
  • Cookbooks: Up by 50%

In the Food category:

  • Football Sunday Food: Nine times more searches
  • Baking Bread: Six times more searches
  • Caramel Apple Sangria: Tripled
  • Red Velvet Cinnamon Rolls: Tripled
  • Persimmon Recipes: Up by 100%

In the Beauty category:

  • Moscow Mule Nails: 21 times more searches
  • Beetlejuice Makeup: 10 times more searches
  • Chocolate Glazed Nails: Five times more searches
  • Edgy Pixie Hairstyles: Up by 160%
  • Oil Spill Hair: Up by 155%

Audience Spotlight: Gen Z Zest

Gen Z is riding a wave of creative and bold aesthetics, making unique statements everywhere. Growing searches by Gen Z over the last three weeks compared to the previous three weeks include:

  • Chocolate Copper Hair: Four times more searches
  • Dopamine Decor: Doubled
  • Unique Hair Color: Up by 50%
  • Creative Birthday Cakes: Up by 35%
  • Campfire Aesthetic: Up by 25%

Pinterest Predicts: Hot Meals and Melty Metallics

Melty metallics are making their way into the mainstream as people trade in their trusty neutrals for something a bit more hardcore. Over the last three weeks compared to the previous three weeks, there’s been:

  • Copper Chrome Nails: Tripled
  • Scrap Metal Art: Up by 130%
  • Silver Heels: Up by 60%
  • Silver Nails: Up by 50%
  • Silver Boots Outfit: Up by 45%
  • Silver Makeup: Up by 45%
Pinterest Board "Fall Breads To Bake Now" by Jen Vazquez Media

Featured Board: Recipes to Loaf

From classic pumpkin to creative twists, find a variety of seasonal loaves to enjoy any time of the day. Check out the Pinterest board here. 

Have an amazing day!

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

 Pinterest Marketing Trends_ Beauty and Fashion Insights by Jen Vazquez Media
Pinterest Marketing Trends_ Using Food Trends to Drive Engagement by Jen Vazquez Media
Pinterest Marketing Trends_ How to Ride Niche Trends for Business Growth by Jen Vazquez Media
Gen Z's Pinterest Trends_ Boost Your Visibility with Trending Hair Topics by Jen Vazquez Media
Pinterest Marketing Trend_ How to Leverage Seasonal Content for Service Providers by Jen Vazquez Media

Here is more information that may be helpful!

Social Sessions

Social Sessions

Elevate Your Online Presence with Social Sessions by Jen Vazquez Photography! Is Your Social Media Feeling Stale? Are you tired of using the same images repeatedly on your social media? Does your profile lack excitement and fail to capture your audience's attention?...