How to Use Pinterest
Sign Up
Like most social media site, Pinterest runs primarily through your internet browser, but also has an app for your mobile device. However, Pinterest is especially powerful while browsing on your computer.
To sign up, go to the Pinterest site. You can either create a unique profile, or link your account to your Facebook or Twitter account. After you’ve signed up, create your profile, then check your e-mail notification settings. By default, you’ll be notified any time anything happens, but many people will change their settings so they get less emails.
Install the Pin It Button
Pinterest works by pinning images from websites while you browse. While some websites have this functionality now built into their site, many do not, and you’ll need to add it. This is done by installing an extension into your browser, accessed in the “Goodies” section of your Pinterest account.
Create a Board
Pinterest is based on the idea of a digital bulletin board, hence the reason you “pin” things. Just like in real life, you can pin photos without any board, but having the board makes it much easier to organize them. These function like categories, and photos pinned to that board will all be found in the same area.
In your Pinterest account, click the “Add +” button to create a new board. Give it any title you like, but descriptive titles tend to work the best, such as “Great Shoes” or “Cities I’d Like to Visit.”
Pin Photos
When on a site, pin photos that have the built-in Pin button, or by using the Pin button in your browser. Once you do, a window will pop up with the available images. Select the image, write a description, then choose the board where it should be pinned. It’s generally a good idea to write a description that reminds you why you pinned it.
You can also upload photos to your account. Once they’re uploaded, you pin them to boards just like you would if you got them from another website. This is common with businesses, or people who want to share vacation photos.
To Save for Later & To Save for Sharing
The whole idea behind Pinterest is to keep you from having to run all over the web trying to find that one photo you saw once. When images are pinned, you can easily access them. For example, if you’re planning to remodel your kitchen, a board of kitchen ideas can be helpful. Or if you want to share a bunch of photos for vacation plans, a board makes it easy.
Like other social media networks, Pinterest has a feed of boards you follow. This can be used to build your own boards, or simply to like and comment on boards other people create. The great things about Pinterest is that you can be as social as you wish. It’s just as easy to follow hundreds of boards as it is to follow none and only focus on your own.