Maryville Pawprint Maryville Pawprint, Maryville University's Student Newspaper
What is Pinterest?
Pinterest is now the third most popular social networking site after Facebook and Twitter. It is a free online, public bulletin board. People can make profiles, pin and repin pictures and videos on different boards, and view other people’s pins. There are few words, just rows of organized, evenly centered pictures. It is visually-appealing, easy to use and immensely popular.
Pinterest is the third most popular social networking site.
Why is it so pinteresting?
Every day Pinterest increases in unfailing popularity. Why? Because people love to look at pictures. Pictures can tell stories more than words. In an instant, people can see a picture, learn a story, create an opinion, and learn something. There is a simplicity in Pinterest that has created its success. The minimalist, to-the-point style matches our society’s demand for information at incredible speed. People can scan hundreds of images in minutes, and their favorites will stand out. Pinterest, like Facebook and Twitter, is information sharing except in the sole form of visual communication.
Why should you use it?
If you love looking at pretty pictures, chances are you’ll love Pinterest. Another form of digital wizardry, Pinterest is a social networking and information sharing website, just with the façade of an attractive collage.
Similar to Facebook and Twitter, people can ‘like’ your pins and they can also ‘repin’ your pins. This means that someone can post your image on their board, so all of their followers can see it. You can see what your friends are pinning and repinning. It is all about having fun (and wasting time) for both men and women.
“I love Pinterest!” says Emily Smith, a sophomore. “You will definitely waste time, but it is a lot of fun.”
What will you find on Pinterest?
Individuals use Pinterest but so do companies, businesses and organizations. Most pins will be from people’s blogs or online shopping. Department stores such as Target or retail stores such as H&M have boards because people love to look at clothes, accessories and miscellaneous things. Here are some examples of fun boards you might find as you browse through Pinterest.
You will see a lot of pictures of nature posted by Nature and Wildlife Conservations. What are more beautiful than pictures of nature? It is springtime, so people love to look at flowers blooming, trees budding and a complete submerge into green. Many Nature Conservations create specific boards, such as ‘DIY Projects’ and ‘Sustainability Tips’ that can be fun to repin.
Animal shelters have started using Pinterest. People love nothing more than pictures of puppies. It is common to see a puppy—no, a sleeping puppy—on Pinterest, and it is guaranteed multiple repins. There will be specific boards, such as ‘Adoptable Pets,’ ‘Little Critters,” and “Photos from our Followers” that create a storyboard for different animals.
Fair Trade stores and small businesses love to use Pinterest. These stores will post pictures of arts and crafts or particular products that are for sale. On Pinterest, you can also see the price of an item, so businesses that upload products, and you’ll find all the information you need. This is a great way to find small brands you’ll love and support good causes.
Pinterest is one of the newer social media sites, and everyone should take advantage soon. There are so many ways to create interesting boards, post fun pictures, find followers and enjoy the small things in life. So, stop reading and go make a Pinterest now.
