Hello. I’m Lora Stock, lover of all things social and digitally amazing! As the newest member of Team Zing, my job is to report on the latest in social tools, tips, and technologies. So, pull up a chair and join the conversation.
Need time away from the all-day, every-day Twitter chatter, LOL cat videos, and excessive Farmville requests? I did, too, until I discovered Pinterest. Pinterest, like hipster darling Instagram, is focused on visual sharing. The company describes itself as a virtual pinboard “that allows you to organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web.” Or as I like to call it, a personal museum of what ifs – a place to store decorating ideas, DIY projects, recipes, products I love, and things I never knew I needed. And it replaces pesky what-does-that-link-to bookmarks, desktop clutter, and magazine clippings with an easily sorted, searched, and shared format. Amazing, right?
GETTING STARTED
Request an invite. You can request an invite on Pinterest.com which will put you on a waiting list…wah-wah (sad trombone). Or if you’re impatient and ready to pin, like I was, ask a friend for an invite.
Sign in. Use an existing Facebook or Twitter account to expedite the process. No Facebook or Twitter account? No problem. Set up an account the old fashioned way with an email address and password.
Be a follower. Let Pinterest access your Twitter, Facebook, Yahoo, or Gmail account to connect with people you already know. Or select topics that interest you and Pinterest will provide recommendations.
Explore the boards. Look for pins worth saving, comment, like it, repin, follow the board, or visit the Pinner’s profile and follow their account (click Follow All). Interact as much or as little as you like, the choice is yours.
Embrace the Pin It button. This simple, drag-n-drop browser extension makes it possible to pin with the greatest of ease. Find an image you like, click the Pin It Button (from your toolbar), and select the corresponding picture. Next, assign the pin to a board and add your text.
Oh, the possibilities
Follow us. Quicken Loans has embraced Pinterest as THE place to share items that take you from house to home, including Zing posts, decor inspiration, things to make, places to visit, amazing stuff, and even companies we love.
Build your dream home. Have dream home clippings stashed in a binder under your bed? No, that’s just me? Eliminate the clutter by dedicating a Pinterest board for each room in the house.
Watch and learn. Ready for action? Click the Videos button at the top of the page to see everything from movie trailers to plumbing tutorials and DIY projects.
A gift you’ll love. Pinterest is the perfect place to make a wish list to share with friends, family, and that special someone that always seems to buy the wrong thing (special someone, are you listening?). Invite them to do the same.
Beyond the mommy blogger. Contrary to what you may have heard or Googled, Pinterest is not a girls-only social playground. In fact, my brother, Josh, recently joined the Pinterest flock, creating boards with decidedly manly names like Geek Bomb, Awesometasticness, and Om Nom Nom. How’s that for Awesometasticness?
Share pins. Missing your Facebook and Twitter friends? Tweet or share pins on Facebook to expand your network.
Great to look at, easy to use, highly addictive, and yet oddly calming? This Social Geek is dishing out a four-Pickles rating. The elusive five-Pickles rating is just within reach…if only Pinterest could solve their lingering backend issues with Google Chrome.
What is a Pickles, rating you ask? Stay tuned for the story of Pickles the Pony in an upcoming Social Geek blog post.
Phew! I think that wraps up this week’s topic. Don’t forget to follow Quicken Loans and Lora Stock (shameless plug) for great tips on your home, personal finance, family, design, and more. Happy Pinning!!
WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK
