By Brigette Flood
There’s a new social sharing platform on the block. It’s called Pinterest. It’s the latest shiny new object on the internets, getting a lot of users and buzz. What is it and why is it so popular?
Pinterest is a virtual pinboard, a place to organize and share online images you find interesting or inspiring. Basically, it helps you curate videos, photos, graphics, visually engaging content and things you fancy in one place. You can follow other people’s collections and see what the tastemakers find intriguing, too.
Pinterest is easy to use, easy to categorize, easy to give credit for the origin of a photo, idea, design, graphic, quote, outfit, etc. You name it, people are pinning it. There are wedding boards, food boards, home décor boards (make one for each room of your house), fashion boards, sci-fi boards, typography boards, Movember boards and there was even a SOPA protest. Multiple people can contribute to the content on a board, so you can collaborate with friends and colleagues on a project.
To get started, you either have to be invited or you can sign up at pinterest.com, (note: there’s usually a waiting period before you’re officially in). The limited sign up gives it a certain cache and likely helps Pinterest control system overload. Once you get started, you can search the Everything section to find other users and search categories you like. There’s a Best of Pinterest section that’s definitely worth checking out when you’re wondering what it all means and why everyone thinks it so neat (pinterest.com/pinterest/best-of-pinterest). Use the @mention in your descriptions to directly communicate with other users, just like on Twitter, Facebook and other social media networks.
So what’s all the fuss? Try it and see. According to Experian Hitwise, in December 2011, the invitation-only site had 40 times the number of total visits it had in June 2011. It’s quickly moving into the top 10 websites in their social networkin. Not surprisingly, Pinterest is popular with women between the ages of 25 and 44, a desired demographic for advertisers. Women comprise 59 percent of its readership, but that might change once the invitation-only barrier is removed.
If you like poster art, street art, knitting and social media, you might find me Pinteresting. You’ll find me here: pinterest.com/brigflood. Also on Twitter: @brigflood and at makingsenseofsocial.com.
