What is Pinterest? It’s a fun website that’s great for visual people. As described by Pinterest, it serves as a “virtual pinboard.” Pinterest lets you organize and share all the lovely things you come across online. You can also explore pinboards made by others to find new ideas and get inspired by those who have similar interests.

People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and share their favorite recipes.” It is the ultimate to-do list of fun!

1. Social network

Another opportunity to make friends! You can find friends from Twitter, Facebook, Yahoo or Gmail contacts. You can also invite people to Pinterest using their email account.

2. Create a profile

As with other social media platforms, it is best to use your real name and a photo consistent with your other accounts so people recognize you.

3. Follow others

The benefit of following people on Pinterest is that you can see all their boards and pins. And when they follow you, they can view and share your items on Pinterest.

Quote from the Wall Street Journal regarding Pinterest: ”It hadn’t occurred to me that such an online service also would be a window into me for my husband who sees me every day.” The hot chocolate gift idea can be found here and popped up in my Pinterest thanks to my cousin, Tina.

4. Idea boards

Information on Pinterest is saved and organized on boards. You have the flexibility to name the boards and can pin as many items as you would like on each board. This board is my “Places I Want to Go Board.”

5. Pin things

What is a “pin?” This is an image added to Pinterest — it can be uploaded from your computer or a website. Best pinning practices: pin from the original source, pin from permalinks, give credit to the the source. It is also helpful to give your new pin a great desciption. This joy saying can be found here.

The easiest way to pin things is using the ”pin it” button to your bookmarks bar. There is a handy video link here with instruction if you need them. Using the Pin It Button, you can pin anything from the interwebs and save it on a board for future reference.

6. Explore

You can find funny things, recipes, craft ideas — it is an infinite list of fabulousness!

7. Create the ultimate wish list!

Add the weblinks to your pins in the description and Santa’s job just got a whole lot easier. For a non-shopping spouse, this willbe a gift in itself. Click on the photo on the side to see my Santa Baby list enlarged.

8. Share ideas

Find something cool that your best friend Suzy might like, you can use the “@ mention” with their name and it will pop up for them next time they are on Pinterest. You can also email the pin to someone. Very convenient!

9. See what your friends like

I love to see the things that my friends pin and love. It is a nice window into heart of the people you love. My daughter loves math & dancing hence the “beautiful dance moves” using Trigonometry.

10. Share with your network on Twitter, Facebook, Google and StumbleUpon

You can use the fantastic things that you find to share on your other social media networks. People love quotes, photos and cute stuff — share!

11. Redecorate

A practical application for Pinterest is to make a style board for a room redecoration. You can save colors, craft ideas, furniture you like — you name it! Bring your smart phone to the store with you too — it could not be easier or more fun. I love this photo wall idea!

12. Be inspired!

This is the perfect place to get your inspiration and share yours with others. You can load the Pinterest app on your iPad and iPhone as well as adding the “Pin It” button to your toolbar. While writing this post, I learned that you can click on some items, leading to the online store to purchase through Etsy and other sites. Oh my stars!

Here is Pinterest’s Pin Etiquette link. Check out Pinterest and tell me what you think. Already there? What do you like to do and see. Share with me!!!

Featured image courtesy of Pinkpoppy licensed via Creative Commons.

Originally posted as a guest post here for 12 Most.