Where ART thou? .... on Pinterest!

 “Absorb what is useful, reject what is useless, add what is specifically your own.”
~Bruce Lee

Enter the magical world of  Pinterest -- What is it?

"Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.

 Our goal is to connect everyone in the world through the 'things' they find interesting. We think that a favorite book, toy, or recipe can reveal a common link between two people. With millions of new pins added every week, Pinterest is connecting people all over the world based on shared tastes and interests.” www.pinterest.com

However humble and simple that sounds, one cannot avoid the millions of followers who think it is a big enough deal to sign up within mere months after launching.  Most credible marketers are paying attention now:

 “Pinterest stands out in crowded social media field” An article from USAToday  stated “Some people in Silicon Valley believe Silbermann — who played cello for the Des Moines youth symphony; whose parents, Jane Wang and Neil Silbermann, are opthalmologists with a family practice in Urbandale; and who competed on the debate team at Roosevelt High School— may have founded the next giant social media website.  The soft-spoken 29-year-old believes Pinterest fills a need on the Internet for people to express themselves. You don't have to be witty, or a good photographer, or a good writer to use Pinterest, he says, you just have to pin your  interests to an online pinboard.”

Don’t be misled into believing it is only for crafters (that would probably nix serious professional social media marketers).  Delve further and deeper, you will see so much more!  Even the heartiest of Social Media Divas and Dons are scrambling to climb aboard.  Not even Klout or Empire Avenue, have  caught up … that is how fresh and unique Pinterest is.  Like many social media networks before it, Pinterest would never have predicted, I’m guessing, the ample opportunity in so many other ways.

 “Pinterest merges art with poetry or humour, reaching others that share similar interests to
 capture a unique Social Media audience”                                                                  ~optioneerJM

How can Pinterest help your online brand?

Almost everyone, from Grandmas posting their favourite recipes to gardeners to brand experts -- ALL have a Pinterest board!  Take note artists and photographers: this is THE place to show off beautiful images.  Next to G+,  perhaps even more than your site, Pinterest presents a strong venue to showcase talent.  Has anyone uploaded videos of themselves sharing techniques, or perhaps a photo essay with background music on YouTube?  These videos can also be shared on Pinterest to expand audience.

As a huge advocate of Pinterest, I can’t stop myself from being an evangelist of how it can catapult brands that may not fit into the several other molds.  I see  a HUGE opportunity for photographers, artistic and creative types to share their talent or website.  Here are my personal insights and tips:

ü  As you upload or add new images they land on the Pinterest Main Page

ü  Establish a Pinterest board even if you don’t have a website
ü  Include your website on photos or art to increase web traffic.
ü  Posting  photos or art  increases web traffic to your site
ü  Embed website or profile links on images follow you 
ü  Don't be surprised when brands follow you or your board, with hopes that you will return the favour!
ü  There is no catch, it is quite simple:  People gravitate towards those they share interests with.

ü  You can follow a person’s entire Pinterest board or customize following by singular or multiple boards 
ü  Organize boards:  The better they're organized, the better the chances  of it being shared or followed



 Image by Rodney Pike

ü  Add your own comment or caption:  It increases the chance to be shared

ü  Don’t worry about what appeals to others
ü  You can have 25 Followers, yet one of your boards could have 150 Followers
ü  Give descriptive names replace  “Decorating” with “Savvy Spaces”

ü  Posting  photos or art  increases web traffic to your site

ü  You  receive credit instead of it being random or missed entirely

ü  Share the talent, but only take the credit when it’s your own 

ü   You may allow a select few or entire group to upload on specific boards

ü  Tribute whatever you pull from Facebook or G+ and by whom

ü  Use as a repository for all your images, quotes, blogs, emails, web sites 

ü  DO share your favourite images or jokes  on G+ or Facebook.

ü  Share "Pinteresting" sayings or jokes by selecting the “Tweet” check box
ü  Don't forget to include your own Blog posts

ü  Create multiple boards  -- Travel, Jewellery, Dreams, People – what interests you

ü  Those that share similar interests will be able to discover you

ü  Share Blogs that you read ( maybe they will  return the favour) 

Whatever reason you find yourself at the doorstep of Pinterest, be forewarned -- it is addictive.Please share your comments or stories on how this fledgling social media site has made a difference with you.                                                                                                                 

"Imagination is more important than knowledge."    ~Albert Einstein