My email inbox is a happening place. Lately, I’ve been getting one type of message in particular: So and so is following you on Pinterest. Pinterest has been around for months now, but this surge of new followers tells me it’s catching on. The general population is making the transition from, “Huh? What is that… that… Pint…oh how do you say it?” to “Okay, I’m going to try it,” to “Oh wow, I’m officially addicted.”
I first heard about Pinterest this past summer, on the night I wore the cheetah suit. My friends were going on and on about how ah-mazing Pinterest is, and I was one step away from rolling my eyes in between sips of my I’m-too-pregnant-for-happy-hour non-alcoholic spritzer. I recall having a similar attitude about Facebook four years ago. I don’t get it. Oh, I don’t have time for that.
But I finally broke down and requested an invite. And now, I’m beginning to understand.
According to the FAQ page, “Pinterest is a virtual pinboard. Pinterest allows you to organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. You can browse pinboards created by other people to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.”
Pinterest is still in the beta version so it’s invitation-only. Sounds exclusive, but I bet you could find someone willing to send you an invite before I finish typing this sentence.
I like Pinterest because it’s visually appealing. When I go to my Pinterest page, I see rows and rows of pretty pictures. It’s like the best. magazine. ever. I’ve gotten hairstyle, recipe and fashion ideas from Pinterest. It’s peppered with inspirational and motivational quotes. And it’s polite. Pinterest etiquette rules include: Be nice. Credit your sources. Avoid self-promotion. The site explains, “Pinterest is designed to curate and share things you love. If there is a photo or project you’re proud of, pin away! However, try not to use Pinterest purely as a tool for self-promotion.”
And Pinterest is so pretty. Did I say that already? Disclaimer: My personal Pinterest page is sad. As in, there’s nothing on it. But I’m getting there.
I wrote this post in order to get sucked in. I’m ready to move from “This is so neat” to a full-on “Pinterest, you complete me” kind of attachment.
So tell me all the things you love about Pinterest. Is it purely for pleasure? What are the benefits? Can you justify the insane amount of time you spend on the site?
Still wondering what it’s all about? Ask questions. I’m sure some Pinterest pros out there will be happy to answer.
And please, enable my border-line addiction. You can follow me on Pinterest at pinterest.com/angiemizzell.
I enjoy seeing them as posts in Twitter or FB, but, have to draw the line for now. No extra time. I’ll request an invite just to get signed up.
Yeah, yeah. That’s what I said…
But I have wondered if it’s more appealing to women. Wondering if Pinterest has a target demo?
I love Pinterest for many of the same reasons. It’s beautiful eye candy and can be very helpful for keeping ideas in one place. I don’t always visit everyday, but it is a great mood lifter! I used Pinterest to help us select the paint color and design concept(s) for my little art room. Now that I’m crocheting again, the lovely designs have kept me inspired. Last, I know a lot of moms who use it to pin craft and cooking ideas to save for later. I’m over there as http://pinterest.com/lauracatherineo/ but am sure we’re already following each other.
I checked. We are! I saw your dream destination board… Pinterest can be awesome for those into the whole “vision board” thing!
Uh, yeah, where’s my invite? My daughter is planning her wedding and is on there…so, you may ask, “Why, pray tell, are you coming to me for an invite?” Radio silence…
Consider yourself officially invited!
My Mom jumped on Facebook before I did. I just joined Pinterest this weekend, as one of many rabbit holes I ran down not knowing where it would lead me. I guess now I know. I followed you.
Followed you back. I’m fond of rabbit holes.
I too am a newbie to Pinterest and already hooked. My page is woefully barren but once I figure out exactly how to pin things, it will improve (hopefully). Angie, you’re right – it’s like your own personal magazine. I love it!!! I enjoy looking at wedding ideas (though I’m happily married with no plans to have another wedding) and homes I can NEVER AFFORD. The craft ideas are often beyond my limited artistic ability but may one day inspire me to once again pick up the needle or the yarn. A friend’s mother in law has created a page for each of her daughters and daughters-in-law so that when she sees things they might like, she will remember it. It’s as addictive as FB.
Like Laura said, it’s a great way to organize ideas. And you inspired me to start a “ridiculously overpriced but I can dream, can’t I?” real estate board.
This is a very timely post. A friend of mine was just explaining it to me the other day. I admit I was in the “who has time for that?” camp, just like Facebook. Then again, I tried Twitter and liked it, so maybe I’ll give Pinterest a shot.
What did it for me was when a friend explained that the pins can take you a specific website. So if you see a food dish you might like, click and there you are at the recipe. I learned how to curl my finally grown-out hair with a curling iron via Pinterest, too.
I have never even heard of this service, so thanks for pointing it out. I put in my request. Hopefully I’ll be able to join you on there soon.
I just sent you an invite. Would love a guy’s perspective on this…
I’m now in. Thanks, Angie! I’ve got some exploring to do, but it looks pretty cool so far.
I LOVE pinterest! I pin fun crafts to do with the kids, recipes, decorating and organizing ideas among other things. It’s sooo addicting!
I enjoyed checking out a bunch of your pins this morning!
My “Help! I’m Married to an Architect” board on Pinterest is actually followed by scores of REAL architects. And, every time I pin some cabin idea there, my architect husband tells me “Oh, I have a better idea for that.” OF COURSE YOU DO. SO DRAW IT.
I may be the first instance of a Pinterest addiction causing marital problems.
Oh, and Pinterest does have a handy blog code for a ‘follow me’ button if you want one. I have one on my sidebar now.
Cool, thanks for letting me know. Marital problems or MTM’s million dollar idea… it could go either way!
Dear Angie. I would love an invite as well.
I am going to show it to Katy and see if she is interested. Katy loves to do scrapbooks so I can see how this would tie in with that. 
Invites sent!
Love this (catching up on my blog reading!) and that I found you on Pinterest earlier in the week. I thought the same thing you did when I signed up (what will I do with this, when will I find time, I like inspiration boards on my wall, etc.). And then I got sucked into it COMPLETELY. Really, I have 30 something boards and over 1,000 pins. Sure, it’s fun to use it like window shopping or for recipes or DIY tips. But here’s the coolest thing I do with it: I keep a board to inspire me with blog ideas. Yes, you can “pin” blogs. You can pin posts from other blogs. You can pin cool things other bloggers do that you want to do with your blog. You can pin photos or videos that make you want to write a blog post. I just started doing this recently, but it got me writing again after a dry spell.
p.s. Pin a damn thing already!
Actually, I think you should pin pics of Cate-to-be’s room. It’s lovely and people will be inspired by your creativity. And the boys’ rooms too. So that’s two boards: kids design and blogspiration! I love it when people I know start pinning….