Pinterest 101 The basics for getting started on Pinterest

Helen Matthes Library, 2013

The What & Why of Pinterest

1. What?

• An online tool used to organize and share images

• Third most popular social networking site in the world

2. Why?

• To help organize images found on the Internet and your computer

• E.g. Create boards with ideas for your kitchen remodel, help plan your next vacation or organize recipes to try

• The most popular boards are 1) DIY/Crafts, 2) Recipes, 3) Quotes

• Use Pinterest as a search engine, e.g. desserts, crafts, activities for kids, etc.

Pinterest Dictionary • Account name – Name that appears on your Pinterest page; how

people will search for you • Board – Think of them like file folders into which pins are organized • Followers – People who are following you • Following – People you are following • Like – Acknowledging you like someone else’s pin, but not actually

pinning it to one of your boards • Pin – An image taken from the web or your computer and pinned to

a board on Pinterest • Pin It Button - Lets you easily grab an image from a website and add

it to one of your pin boards • Pinterest – Virtual pin board used to share and organize images

found on the web or your own personal images from your computer • Repin – To take an image someone else has pinned and pin to your

board • Secret boards – Boards you have created that other people cannot

see, e.g. surprise party ideas • Username – Name used to create your Pinterest URL

Create an Account 1. Go to www.pinterest.com

2. Join Pinterest by a. Using either your existing Facebook or Twitter accounts

• Benefit being Pinterest can access your FB/Twitter friends and allow you to choose to start following them

• Negative being your pins show up in your FB newsfeed. This can be changed under “Your Name”, “Settings”, “Social Networks”

b. Or using your email and a password

3. Choose interests/boards to follow a. Pinterest wants to get you started by asking you to follow five

boards a. On the left choose an interest then on the right pick at least one

board that looks interesting. Do that until five boards are chosen.

b. Click “Next”

4. You’re In!

Boards

• Boards are like file folders in that they help you to organize your individual pins.

• Create boards according to your likes, for instance, DIY, Recipes, Décor, Travel, Fitness, Kids Stuff, Inspiration, etc.

• Under “Your Name” click “Boards”. Give your board a title, select a relevant category, choose whether or not you want it to be secret (meaning only you can see it) and click “Create”.

• Alternatively, boards can be created while repinning. On a Pin click “Repin” and in the boards section scroll to the bottom to “Create New Board”, type the name of your new board and click “Create”.

• To move a pin from one board to another, on the Pin click “Edit” and on the drop-down Board menu highlight the board and click “Save Pin”.

How to Pin

1. From the Pinterest feed

2. From your computer

3. From the World Wide Web

1. From the Pinterest Feed

1. When you are signed into your Pinterest account:

• Hover in top/left corner of pin, click “Repin”

• Choose a board or create a new board

• Write a comment – if you don’t want to write a comment hit the space bar

• If you want the pin to appear in your Facebook or Twitter feeds, then tick the box, otherwise leave it blank

• Click “Pin It”

2. From Your Computer

1. You can create an original pin by using an image (picture) that you have stored on your computer

• At the top right of your Pinterest page click “Add+” and “Upload a Pin”

• Browse to find the picture you want to pin

• Select a board and make a comment

• Pin it!

3. From the World Wide Web 1. Pin It Button

• The Pin It button is a button that appears in your favorites bar of your search engine. While surfing the web, when you encounter an image you like, you can click the Pin It button to quickly and easily save the image to one of your boards.

• In Pinterest, click “About” and choose “Pin It Button” • Follow the instructions in the blue box • While surfing, once you’ve clicked the Pin It button, all of the images on

that page will appear. Simply click on the image that you want to pin, choose a board and make a comment. It’s as easy as that.

2. Copy/Paste Web Address

• If you encounter an image while surfing the net and don’t have the Pin It button

• Copy the web address and then go to Pinterest and click “Add+” then “Add a Pin”. Paste the address and click “Find Images”. Under the picture you can click the arrow to scroll through the images. Once you’ve found the image you want to pin, select the board, write a 500 character or less description and click “Pin It”.

Find a Pinner

• If you are looking for a specific person on Pinterest:

• Type their name in the Pinterest search bar (top left)

• Three options will appear underneath the search bar: Pins, Boards, Pinners. Click “Pinners” to find the person.

• To find email or Facebook friends on Pinterest:

• Click “Your Name” in top right

• In the drop-down menu click “Find Friends”

• In the left-hand column click the type of media and follow the instructions

Personalize Your Account

1. Picture

a. In Pinterest, at top right click “Your Name” and “Settings”

b. Scroll down to “Image” and upload an image from your computer

2. Description

a. Under “Your Name” (top right) type a little description about yourself and click “Save Description”

3. Other Contacts

a. Underneath your description there are icons where you can add your personal Facebook, Twitter, Internet and location details

Miscellaneous 1. Read the Terms of Service – “About”, “Terms of Service”

2. “Like” vs. “Repin” – When you “like” a pin it does not save to any of your boards (likes can only be found under “Your Name” in top right). “Repin” allows you to save to a specific board and make a comment.

3. Click through – Click on the pin to get to the source. You want to do this to find tutorials, recipes, etc.

4. Mention a pin – Inform a Pinterest friend of a pin by typing @Their Name (e.g. @Jane Doe) in the pin’s comment section. Names of your friends will load, click on their picture and the user will be notified via email.

5. Secret Boards – Boards that only you can see can be created by going to “Your Name”, “Boards”, scroll to bottom and select “Secret Board”.

6. Price tag - If you use the dollar sign ($) in a pin’s comment, a price tag banner will appear across your pin

Happy Pinning!