Why I Love Pinterest (And Why You Should, too!)

A few weeks ago, I joined Pinterest.  I know it’s been around for a while, and lots of savvy folks are already pinning away.

If you don’t know what it is, Pinterest “… lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes”.

It’s a visual paradise of pretty things, helpful tips, DIY projects, funny quotes and recipes, recipes and more recipes.

Maybe it’s because I’m a Virgo, and Virgos typically like to have choices, explore and bring very specific things into their lives.  But I am really loving Pinterest, not only for my personal fancies, but also for blogging.  Here’s why:

1. Inspiration

At times, things can become complacent in your own little world with your daily routines.  In the world of Pinterest, just clicking through the pictures and links stimulates your mind and makes you think, “Yeah, I want to make/do that!”  There’s nothing like a visual collage of pretty things to get your own gears turning and inspiring you to create.

2. Connecting

I would guess there are millions of users on Pinterest.  That’s a whole lot of people to share with, and to see what they find interesting or worth sharing.  You can follow people with similar interests, and even people you already know through Facebook or Twitter.

3. The Viral Quality

Pins (and therefore, links) are shared on Pinterest through people “re-pinning” a post.  As you can imagine, great pins spread like wildfire!

For bloggers, this is a great place to share your own creations.  Pinterest advises that you not use it purely as a tool for self-promotion, but you can post your own creations and blog photos as long as you are engaging with the community in other ways.  For example, I have one board for A Big Mouthful, but I have many other boards such as others’ recipes I want to cook, products I want to buy or receive as gifts, and home design inspiration.

My top visited post on A Big Mouthful is from my Lemon Orzo Salad with Asparagus and Tomatoes that somebody pinned a while back.  It is now my top source of visits to this site.  I am thankful for all of the new visitors it has brought me that might not otherwise find my site.  Talk about viral!

4. Organization

I’m sure you’ve heard of creating inspiration boards and hanging them in your home or office.  That is lovely if you have the time and the gumption to do so.  Pinterest is a great tool for organizing all of your inspiration for decorating your house, or for what to make for dinner the next couple days.  All you have to do is create the categories, and then pin away!

For example, I keep all of the things I want to make as gifts or for home projects here.  With one click, I can recall everything I made a note of to make.

5. Dreaming

Of course I can’t buy every gorgeous dress, look like a supermodel, travel to Paris, Greece and Italy this year or own every cute dog I see.  But I can want to.  And I can think about it.  And I can look at lovely photos of it.  No harm in that.

I mean, if this doesn’t make you want to travel to Bora Bora someday, then you might want to get your head evaluated.  Lovely.

So get pinning!  Right now it’s invite only.  So if you want an invite, leave me a comment and I’ll send you one!