What Is Pinterest? How Can I Make The Most Use Out Of It?

In technology / By nateberry7930 / 11 October 2011 / 28 comments

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Ok guys – Pinterest is my new favorite website. And I mean it. It’s everything I ever wanted out of Twitter and Facebook… but on a much larger scale. Perhaps you don’t think you have time to sign up for a new account – you don’t really HAVE to! Pinterest doesn’t make you sign up to take advantage of the wonders it holds.

I have to break it down. Hopefully at the end of this post, you will be a Pinterest convert.

Let’s start at the beginning: What is going on when I click on Pinterest’s home page?

Pinterest is basically a website for people to “pin” their interests on a virtual board. When you click on Pinterest.com, you are taken to a view of ALL pins that the staff thinks are worthy to view. I thought at first that the main page will literally show every pin from every user. However, as I started to actually use the site, I noticed this is not the case.

I actually love the home page because it gives me access to people I don’t actually know. There’s a really great chance that I am going to come across something fabulous and fresh every time I go there… which is often!

What can I do on Pinterest?

You can observe or you can participate: Maybe you just like looking at pretty pictures. Perhaps you are in need of some inspiration? Pinterest can even help you with your dinner plans! It is everything to everyone!!

Let me explain. I am a sucker for fashion. When I first got my account, I started a “Fashion and Beauty” board and started to “pin” pictures I liked from other websites that relate to this topic. I am OBSESSED with marking my favorite looks, accessories, and outfits. It’s a great way for me to store everything I need and reference it later. Color combos. Different ways to wear a scarf. Amazing knee high boots. Pinterest allows me to keep it all in one place. Magic I tell you. Magic.

Here’s the best part – or one of the best parts. Let’s say I’m on the homepage of Pinterest, and I come across a picture I like. I can A) “Like” the picture. This basically means I’m giving a nod to the person who pinned it. My name gets attached to the bottom of the page showing that I liked the image. But NOTHING gets placed on my actually boards for future reference. I tend to “like” a lot of images because Pinterest is very much a community. It’s a virtual high five… if high fives were still cool.

If you REALLY LOVE what you are seeing, you could B) “Repin” the picture to one of your boards.

You can have a billion boards. I started out with maybe 5 or so, but now I’m spanning out to include everything I adore – trees, beaches, cute puppies – you name it!

If you repin a picture, it is forever logged on one of your boards and all your friends will see that pic. It’s an amazing way to express your likes and interests with your friends and followers.

Feel like leaving a comment? Then C is your choice. You can respond to a pinner and let them know your thoughts on their image. Again – community feel. Truth be told, I rarely comment…

What are some examples of Pinterest boards?

Glad you asked!

Places you want to visit
Recipe ideas
Cocktail mixtures
Color themed
Nail Polish ideas
Holiday crafts
After school projects for your kids
Home Decoration – Inspiration
Love
Wedding
Stationery
Nature – trees, birds, landscapes, beaches – whatever floats your boat. Hey you could even have a board about boats!
ETC

It’s limitless. I started a GEEK board and have everything from Harry Potter inspired toys to MAC jokes. It’s SO MUCH FUN!

But how can I start to find people I want to follow on Pinterest?

Pinterest allows you to link up your Facebook and Twitter accounts. SO, I automatically had 400+ people to follow and I just followed them ALL. Why not?? I want to be inspired – and the more the merrier.

Here’s another fun way to find people to follow on Pinterest. You see on the bottom right of the above image. Beneath the picture of the outfit there is a name Pascaline. You can see that she repinned an image that was originally put on Pinterest by Brenda. If you click on Brenda, you can take a look at her boards and see if she is someone you want to connect with. I LOVE to do this because it gets me to people I would have NEVER connected with otherwise.

Have I sold you on Pinterest yet?

It’s FREE to join. It’s free to look at. You don’t have to have an account and actually pin things – but it’s definitely AWESOME if you do.

Let’s say I want to make tacos tonight for dinner. I could do a typical search on Google. ORRRRRRR I could head on over to Pinterest and check out what recipes that community placed online.

Why is this the better solution??? Because then you will find a new website from someone who isn’t necessarily backed by a huge corporation but is talented in the kitchen nevertheless. I LOVE finding recipe blogs with great pictures. Pinterest is basically an awesome tool to navigate through it all.