Tips for a "Good" Pin

This is going to be short and sweet, but before I delve into it too much, I am definitely not trying to sound like I know everything or that I am doing it all right (that couldn't be further from the truth!). I do not deign to think that I am a Pinterest expert by any means. I have, however, learned from experience, and from looking on Pinterest. A lot. Seriously... it's a problem.

Here are just a few tips for a "Good Pin" (and why I think that). Really... take it with a grain of salt and if you have better or different suggestions, by all means - share!

1. Include a good description I don't know how many times I've found the best idea on Pinterest and then I click on the picture, and it says something like "cake" (well, duh... that's why I clicked on it!) It's beyond frustrating. Now... some pins are obvious... like this one

Grapes... Goldfish... Clothespin. Viola!

But if it's not the "Captain Obvious" of Pins, make sure there are instructions, either on the website you pinned it from or in your own description. I really like the ones where the directions or the recipe is in the picture, like this one...

Easy to follow instructions

 2. Speaking of Descriptions Here's another problem I have (which... I might be the only one who has this problem because I'm a huge airhead), but I always find something so awesome and then when I Pin it, I don't read the existing description (hasty!). Make sure you change it, if needed, and use words that will help you remember what it is. Because, after all... that's the whole of the point of Pinterest (well... actually it's only half the point... read on). It'd be a really big shame if you pinned something like this...

...and the person you Pinned it from just said... "Yum!". It's happened. To some people. Do your fellow Pinners and your followers a favor and put a good description in. It saves people time... the other half, of the whole point of Pinterest. This is getting weird...

3. Pin from the Website/Blog This also relates to #1, and I know this might seem obvious, but I can't tell you how many times I have found a great idea on Pinterest, and then I click on the picture (for instructions on how to do said awesome idea) and it is just the picture. Then I have to try to go to the web address, find where on the blog or website this amazing idea was originally posted, and then, sometimes, I find the instructions. Save your followers and yourself some headaches! Make sure your Pin isn't linking to just the picture, but to the meaty part! It's the meaty part you want!

4. Videos Don't forget the power of the video! While Pinterest was probably originally intended to keep pictures for later use, the website supports videos too! That's right... you can Pin a video, and even play it right on Pinterest. This is so helpful for those "video tutorials", like this one on how to fold a t-shirt in less than 2 seconds. Seriously... watch it. It will save you all that time you spent on Pinterest!

5. If you like it, Pin it It doesn't cost anything, aside from a little time (a lot of time in my case). But it really isn't that much... unless you get sucked in, like I do... every day. But it is so frustrating to find a great idea, think "I'll save this later", and then not be able to find it again. I've done this before and sometimes I do re-find the great idea, but many times I don't. Learn from my mistakes!

6. Pins with Printables Pin them! Pin lots of them! If you have kids, these are great! They can make a crafty, thoughtful person out of any Pinnner! All you need is a printer and some paper in most cases, and they do the work for you! What's not to like? I did this one last year for both daughters' teachers.

My kids' teachers loved this - and I barely had to do a thing!

7. Pin it more than once If you like it, and it fits in several of your Boards, Pin it more than once. There's not really any reason not to, and that way both you and your followers can find your great ideas in many different places. I think I have this Pin on three different boards. Because... why not?

8. Hashtags Use them! The purpose of a hashtag (it's a pound sign!) is to make it simple for others to search for something that has a common topic. I try to "hashtag" a lot of my Pins and this is why... If someone is looking for a freezer meal, for example, and I have put a Pin of this quiche in my "Good Eats - Breakfast" folder and I hashtag it with #freezer, when they search "freezer" in Pinterest, my quiche Pin can pop up because of the hashtag. Nifty, right?

8. Make sure you're Pinning to the right board Wait... no one does that... right?!? Well, some people do. It happens. When you're getting into the Pinning groove and getting lost in the world of Pinterest, it's easy to overlook which board you're Pinning to. It's worth a double check. It would just be weird if this Pin were on, for example, a "Recipes" or "Food" or "Good Eats" board. People would start to talk...

Food for Fido... not for you!  

So there you have it. My inexpert opinions on what makes a good pin. Again, take it or leave it. It's just one Pinterest enthusiast's thoughts. And I am a Pinterest addict. Do they have Pinterest Anonymous? Anyway... hope it helps save you and others time.

Happy Pinning!