Week 5: Social Media Site

My choice: Pinterest.com

I choose pinterest because I have a lot of friends that use it and I was curious what all the hype was about.   Pinterest describes itself as a virtual pinboard.  People can post images and articles to themed board that they have created. 

One of the most interesting things about pinterest is that you have to be invited to join the site. You can request an invite from the site, but that can take a long time or you can get an invitation from someone who is already a user.  You would think this would turn people off to the site but exclusivity almost makes it more exciting and it helps to get the word out to people.

Since I started pinning I already have multiple boards for fashion, food, places I want to visit, drink, diy projects and more.

For what I have seen so far you just browse through images and you can repin them to a board you created, so you can have your own collection of themed pictures.  You can also follow other pinners who pin stuff that match your interests.  When you log into the website the first pins you will see are the pinners that you follow.  It makes it faster to see things that match your interests or taste.

During my research I found an article that kind of startled me concerning copyright laws regarding pinterest.

http://articles.businessinsider.com/2012-02-28/tech/31106641_1_repinning-copyright-entire-image

Shontell, Alyson. "A Lawyer Who Is Also A Photographer Just Deleted All Her pinterest Boards Out Of Fear." Business Insider. 28 Feb. 2012. Web. 27 Apr. 2012. <http://articles.businessinsider.com/2012-02-28/tech/31106641_1_repinning-copyright-entire-image>.

This makes me think twice about using pinterest, but I have become such a fan.  I'm not ready to delete yet.  I have already tried some awesome recipes I found using pinterest.

Another article I read about pinterest was about ways you could boost your business.  I never thought of the possible business uses of pinterest, but when you think about it what a perfect way to get your products out there.  As a consumer I have seen things on pinterest and I wish I could buy whatever it I saw.  You would already have a built in customer base and along as people were repinning your products. The article below gives tips to jump start your business with pinterest.

http://www.inc.com/john-brandon/9-tips-boost-your-business-pinterest.html

Brandon, John. "9 Tips: Boost Your Business With Pinterest." Inc.com. 20 Dec. 2011. Web. 27 Apr. 2012. <http://www.inc.com/john-brandon/9-tips-boost-your-business-pinterest.html>.