Understanding Pinterest: The Basics for Users, Companies and Small Businesses
(revised 02.28.14)
Sign Up
To create a Pinterest account, go to www.pinterest.com and sign up through Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or Email. If you are a business sign up under “Are you a business?” and follow the directions. Tip: Sign up with one of your social media accounts and invite your “Fans” and “Followers” to “Follow” you on Pinterest.
Create a username for Pinterest. Tip: Use the same username as your Twitter or Facebook account so users can find you easier.
Verify Pinterest account through email.
Pinterest Set Up
Homepage
Once logged in, you are directed to your homepage. To view recent activity (repins, new followers notifications, friends recent activity, ect…) click on the message bubble icon next to the username in the right hand corner. Click on the icon next to the search box in the left hand corner to find Pinterest categories.
On the upper right side, you will find “+” (use this when you uploading a pin or creating a board). You will also find your Pinterest username and account settings (speech bubble icon).
The rest of the page shows pins that might interest you.
View/Edit Your Account – view/edit your account, pins, boards, likes and settings
View your account by clicking or mousing over your username icon, use dropbox to invite friends, find friends, view/edit your boards, pins, likes, settings and logout of account
Pinterest Terminology
Pins: photos or videos added on Pinterest
Boards: pin categories
Likes: you “like” a pin but you do not “repin” it on your boards
Add +: add pins from websites, upload pins and create boards
Upload Pins from Your Computer:
To upload photos, click on the + on the top right then choose the Upload a Pin. Click the browse button and find the desired photo on your computer. Once photo has been uploaded, choose which board you want the image to be pinned to, add a detailed description about the photo and add a URL. Click Pin It.
Add Pins from Other Websites:
To add pins from the internet, click on the + on the top right then choose Add from a website. Add the website URL in the search and click Find Images. Use the arrows to find the correct image you want pinned then choose which board you want the image to be pinned to, add a detailed description about the photo then click Pin It.
Create a Board
To create a new board, click on the + on the top right then choose Create Board. Choose board name, board category, add to map and other options. Click Create Board.
Edit Your Boards and Pins
To edit your board: click on the company icon dropbox, choose Your Profile & Pins then click edit under the board you wish to edit. Edit title, description, who can pin?, category then click Save Settings. To delete the board, click on Delete Board.
To edit your pins: click on the company icon dropbox, choose Your Profile & Pins then find the pin by board or pin, click on the photo that you would like to edit and click the “pencil icon” in upper right hand corner of pin to edit. Edit description, link, board and save. To delete a photo, click on “pencil icon” and select Delete Pin and save.
Optimizing Pinterest for SEO
Since things posted on Pinterest are indexed by search engines it’s a good idea to apply some SEO to your pins and boards. Make sure you use keywords in your pins and for the names of your boards. Always add a url to every pin, especially the ones from your website.
For more tips or information on Pinterest SEO, contact tSunela at 314-721-8813.