What is Pinterest?
“Pinterest is a social catalogue service. Think of it as a virtual pinboard — a place where you can post collections of things you love, and “follow” collections created by people with great taste.”
We think that our creative community will really enjoy Pinterest (clearly you have already demonstrated your great taste by joining Folksy.com!). How it works is incredibly simple. You need to attach a little button to your bookmark bar, it’s just a case of dragging it, no technical knowhow needed. You can then browse the internet (or Folksy) and as you find great items or images you click ‘pin it’ on your tool bar and add it to one of your boards.
Pinterest boards can work like a wishlist, or a style/mood board, or a collection of similar themed items a little like we do every week with our Folksy Friday’s. Other Pinterest users can follow these boards, or follow you and click to ‘like’ items on your board, or even ‘re-pin’ images to their own boards.
As you can see from the image above I’ve been busy pinning Valentines Day Items for some upcoming gift guides (not all of the above will definitely be featured). Already some of these items have been ‘repinned’ by other members to their own collections. Every image contains a link back to the webpage it was sourced from so it’s easy to see how pinning items could lead to increased exposure for Folksy and it’s many shops.
I got in touch with Ben Silbermann, a co-founder of this US based website to ask for a few tips and to find out more about their policy on posting your own images. He made it clear that they wouldn’t want people just to repost all of their shop items but he did add that they are more than happy for members to post a few they are especially proud of.
Ben gave us an example of how one of our shopkeepers could use the site -
“For example, if someone creates their own T-Shirts, we’d love to have them curate a board of exceptional T-Shirt designs and include a few of their own that they are proud of.”
Ben’s tips for good ‘pinning etiquette’
1. Try to pin from the original source
2. Write thoughtful descriptions
3. Add a price if the item is buyable so it is easy to find!
4. Be respectful and nice!
I hope you’re interested because Ben also sent us a special vip invite link for Folksy members to join without waiting to be invited (thank you!). So if you are a member of Folksy and you want to join up and become a part of this growing community. Click Here Now!
This invite has now expired, you can request an invite directly from Pinterest by visiting their site.
20 Responses to Pinterest – you’re invited!
Well done for getting this done-reminds me I need to get my boards set up
Great idea for a Pinterest board – might have to start a “Things I want on Folksy” one myself!
It’s a brilliant site – so easy to use and strangely satisfying as well. Also a good way of spending a coffee break under the pretext of “research” :^)
I’ve been on for a couple of months now and really love it, great way of finding inspiration. Have added quite a few folksy items on my boards if anyone wants a look pinterest.com/sixesansevens/
FAB! I’ve been waiting for an invite, no need now yeah!
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I think this is a great idea. I love making treasuries on etsy and this looks like it would be a great place to make treasuries of folksy items. (among other uses as well!) Definitely will be joining up. Thanks!
Love it! But…. uhh oh another distraction! I think I will have to set myself strict limits or I could be there for days! lol
“How it works is incredibly simple. You need to attach a little button to your bookmark bar, it’s just a case of dragging it, no technical knowhow needed.”
hmmm…and now I feel REALLLLLLLY dim, because that would be the point I failed at! What bookmark bar??!!
If you look in ‘View’ at the top of the browser window, usually next to ‘Edit’ and ‘History’ you should get a drop down that contains ‘toolbars’ and as you look in toolbars you should have one that says ‘bookmarks’ some people remove it because they don’t like to have too many toolbars cluttering their screen. Let us know if you need any further help :)
Thanks for all the other comments, sorry to have shared this major distraction with you!
Hi Hilary, I was all set to get going with my pin boards this evening but I can’t find the “bookmarks” toolbar either. My hubby’s getting all angry with me now because I’m telling him it must be there! Have followed your instructions to the letter but no “bookmark” shows up just “favourites”, “command” and “status” bars. I’ve tried dragging the symbol to all of these without any luck. Help! Elaine
In Internet explorer the toolbar is called favourites! Hope that helps :)
Thanks Hilary, but the stubborn PC won’t let me place the symbol anywhere on my favourites. My ageing old computer does though so I’m using that one. Elaine
amazing! this looks great – I love wiling away time looking at handmade and vintage things, don’t think I’ll be leaving the house for a while! :)
Someone please invite me to pinterest website!!!! WAAAAAAA
salarina@cinci.rr.com
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Someone invite me to pinterest! I’ve been waiting for an invite forever!
melissa.manuel86@gmail.com
Thanks!!
Hi Melissa – the link is in the post!
x Hilary
Hi. I love love Pinterest. But I’ve been waiting ages for an invite but still haven’t received one yet. If you could drop me one, I’d be eternally grateful. Thanks so much. -Ems
Can someone please send me an invite to pintrest. I am building a house and it would be sooo very helpful. Thanks