What is Pinterest?
Pinterest is a social network for sharing images. People can upload, organize, share, and show off any image that is interesting or inspiring (although "interesting" and "inspiring" is unique to each individual.). An uploaded image is called a "Pin." Users customize themed boards to place their images on (or, more accurately in Pinterest terminology, "place pins" on customized "boards.")
Sound like Flickr with a new face? Not at all. What makes Pinterest different is that you can tag any image you find on the web and add it to your board.
To add images you need to install a "Pin It" button. Pins (images) are added to boards, which are simply a group of images. You can also "repin" images. If you find an image you like on Pinterest you can add it to your own board by repinning. The first person to add a pin will always get credit with a source link back to the original board it was first place on. For example, if I add a pin, and someone repins it, the pin appears on my board and the other person's board with a link back to my board giving me credit.
Copyright Laws Apply
Most people separate topics for the pins. For example, food, cats, cars, skiing, etc. You should also use care and not upload images you do not own or have the rights to -- Pinterest may not police copyrights, but copyright laws still apply. A good rule of thumb is to never upload anything to the web for public viewing that you do not have the right to. (See, Getty Images Settlement Demand Letter to learn how you can get into trouble for using images you don't own.)
How To Join Pinterest
For now, you cannot just simply join Pinterest. To become a member, you have to be invited. There is an option on the home page that allows you to get in line and wait for an invite. Because so many people are Tweeting and using Facebook to talk about Pinterest, you might try locating someone talking about Pinterest and personally asking them for an invite.
To let your website or blog visitors know you are using Pinterest, you can add a Pinterest logo with a link, a "Pin It" or "Follow" button for your website, or download an app for your iPhone. You can also get a bookmark tool (for Firefox) to pin images from the web. Free Pinterest Tools
Should I use Pinterest to Promote My Business?
Yes, start now, slowly, with the anticipation that Pinterest could become a major player someday for businesses as well as personal users. It is important that, for now, you use discretion. Pinterest is currently serving a more social, human interest, "brag about me" need than the business community. But that could change in the future, because Pinterest is an extremely "hot" fast-growing platform that is remarkable well-funded (the company has $27 million in venture funds). For now it is simply being treated as an addictive, up and coming player in the realm of social networking, but no one would invest $27 million in a vanity site without the goal of it producing income someday.
Drew Hawkins, social engagement manager with Digital Innovation Group, offers some tips for businesses:
- Find common interests between your own audience and the other audiences on Pinterest, and then reach out with the parts of your brand tied to lifestyle.
- Avoid being too "brand-centric." Posting nothing but pictures of your products won't work, you must give viewers an experience of value apart from your product or services.
- He adds, "If people see your brand there, they know you're selling something. You don't have to tell them."
To get the most out of Pinterest, have a goal in mind. Don't just post random pictures, or create a catalog of your products. People get ideas for everything from home decorating to hairstyles to recipes from Pinterest. In a world where you have 5 seconds to engage a website visitor with text to convince them to read further, Pinterest allows you to capture someones' eye immediately.
