You do not need to be a blogger to benefit from Pinterest. This introduction to Pinterest is intended for anyone who is interested in organizing their internet finds in an easy to find format.
Have you ever discovered something on the internet and then couldn’t find it a week later when you needed it? Have you ever bookmarked a post and then a month later spent an hour looking through your bookmarks to find that link? Pinterest is a virtual pinboard. It is an incredible tool to help you organize all of the great discoveries you make on the internet.
You create boards based on your interests and then “pin” the posts to the appropriate board:
So how do you get started? You have to be invited. It sounds a little snooty, but the invite system keeps the spammers out. If you need an invite let me know in the comment section and I will send you one.
Once you receive an invite you need to register through your facebook or twitter account. I know some people might not feel comfortable with this. I used my Twitter account, because everything that is on there is already available to the public. My twitter profile doesn’t contain personal information like my birthday or anniversary. However, even if you use Facebook to set up your account, your personal information will not be displayed on Pinterest. (You also have the option of hiding your profile from Search engines when you set up your profile).
You will be asked to choose a username. I suggest using a username that your friends and followers already recognize. I use the same username for Pinterest, Twitter and StumbleUpon. If you have a different username for each platform, it will make it harder for people to immediately recognize you.
Fill out your profile and add your photo. If you don’t want to use your personal photo, then use an avatar or photo from your blog that people will immediately connect with you.
Follow people. You can search your twitter and facebook accounts for friends to follow. You can also invite friends to join.
Add Boards. Pinterest allows you to select interests and will provide you with some premade boards. I recommend that you delete all of the Pinterest pre-created boards if you have selected them and then add your own. Because having a board dedicated to food is not useful if you are truly a foodie, instead you will want to create several boards based on your interests. i.e. To Die for Desserts, Slow Cooker Recipes, Bread Recipes, Appetizers, etc. Create board names that will make it easy for both you and your followers to find your pinned links.
To add a board, click on the Add button in the top right corner, scroll down and click on “Create a Board”. Choose a board name, choose a category, and click “Just Me” beside who can add a pin, then click “Create Board”. You can rearrange your boards by clicking on “Rearrange Boards” directly below you name. Now you are ready to pin!
How to Add a Pin:
To add a pin, click on the “Add” button in the top right corner, scroll down and click on “Add a Pin”.
Paste the URL that you want to pin, click “Find Image” to select the photo you want to connect to that link.
Select the board you want to pin it to (you also have the option of creating a new board).
Write a brief description.
Decide if you want to share it on Facebook and/or Twitter.
Click the red “Pin It” button.
Or, you can add the “Pin It” button to your bookmark tool bar with these simple directions and then click it to add a button to your boards.
How to RePin an Item:
Click on the red “Pinterest” at the top center part of your screen and you will see the pins of those who you follow. If you see something you want to pin to your wall, click on the “repin” button at the top left of the photo. Then choose which of your boards to pin it to, and click the red ”Pin It” button.
You also have the option of liking a pin by clicking the “Like” button at the top right of the photo. And you can add a comment to a pin, whether or not you repin it to your wall, by clicking the “Comment” button at the top center of the photo.
How to delete a pin: If you accidentally pin something to the wrong board, repin it to the correct board. Then go to the board with the incorrect pin, click edit, and delete the pin.
Still have questions? I’m sure there is much I forgot to cover, you can visit the Pinterest Help Page, or ask your questions in the comment section.
Next Saturday, I will share how bloggers can benefit from using Pinterest.
I think this is a very well written tute for Pinterest. I don’t know how many times I am asked what it is or how it works. I may need to do a feature on you and link to some of your best posts. There are so many though lol.
Hi! Will you please send me an invitation to Pinterest? I appreciate it very much!
I just sent you an invite.
Hi, please send an invite to me as well! Thank you.
Invite sent. Have fun Pinning!
Thank you so much for posting this. I have been a member of Pinterest for awhile and haven’t really used it much. Your little tute will help me get with it.
Hi! I’m really interested on pinterest. Please can you send me an invitation?
I just sent you one. Happy Pinning!
I have been using Pintrest to grab recipes I want to try in the future, it’s a great place to hold stuff like that.
Please send me an invitation too. This is probably better that using Bookmarks and Stumble.Good tutorial too.
I sent one off to you. I hope you enjoy Pinterest.
I would love an invite! Thank you!
Alea,
pinterest is my new favorite time suck! Goodbye Facebook – hello pinterest!!! Great tutorial!
I would like to check out pinterest. Could you please invite me?
I’ve looked at pinterest, but hadn’t had the time to join… I’m glad I found out how to from this post. I’d love an invite. Thanks for the info (I’ve actually been meaning to comment for a week but have had a crazy busy last few days.)
I just sent off an invite. I think you will enjoy Pinterest!
Thanks! I’m going to have to wait until tomorrow to explore it, but I just joined!
If you can still send out invitation. I would love one.
Thanks for the tutorial.
It isn’t too late. I just sent one out. Happy pinning!
Hi, I have a friend on pinterest that is trying to figure out how to invite me and she hasn’t found how to do it. Can you help us out? Thanks!
I sent you an invite. To send an invite: Click the triangle beside your name, scroll down to “Invite Friends”, enter your friends email address, write a message, then click the red button that says “Send Invites”.
Thanks so much!
Love your site. Would you send me an Pinterest invite? Been waiting for awhile from them….I can’t wait any longer
Hi!
Will you please send me an invite? I love Pinterest and wish that I could save the things I like.
Will you please send me an invite
I sent one off. Happy pinning!
Would you please send me an invite? I would love to get started!
I just sent an invite off. I hope you enjoy Pinterest.
Hey, I too am curious about Pinterest…may I ask you for an invite as well?
Thank you! This was super duper helpful!!
Hello,
Does anyone have any extra invites to Pintrest,I have been waiting a really long time, would really like to get started! My email is leviscott2009@live.com
Thanks!
Consider yourself invited!
Hi,
Would it be possible for me to get an invite to Pinterest? So far I love it but can’t get an invite.
Thanks either way!
P.S. I just found your blog and I’m enjoying looking through all of your yummy recipes! I’m definetly going to have to give some a try!
Absolutely. Happy Pinning!
Please send me an invite to Pinterest, thanks!
Can you send me an invite to pinterest??
Thanks so much
Done. I hope you enjoy pinning!
Hi, could I get a Pinterest invite too please? Looks very interesting. Thanks!
Hi Alea,
Would love to get an invite to join Pinterest, thanks in advance for the article and your time, take care!
Sergio
I look forward to hearing about your experiences with Pinterest!
Very interested in an invite
Thank you for sharing, i will check here more often .
Please send me an invite to Pinterest. Thank you.