If you’re a writer and you’re using Pinterest to create your fantasy wardrobe or to pin recipes, you’re doing it wrong (unless it’s Amelia Bedelia’s famous lemon meringue pie). Traditional and ecommerce businesses use Pinterest to support their enterprises, and with its unique platform and customizable features, writers can make excellent use of this social network too. Pinterest lets writers create their own virtual file cabinet and store a myriad of online research and actionable writing ideas along with sections for specific clients or subject matter. As a free online resource, Pinterest is a phenomenal tool for content writers.
What Is Pinterest?
Pinterest is a popular social network that’s based on image sharing. You can create pin boards (up to 200) to reflect their interests, and boards can be organized and titled in accordance with your preferences. A typical Pinterest account might showcase boards for recipes, home décor or things for children. You can then “pin” images to each board from all over the internet or upload your own images. When you click twice on any image, Pinterest leads you back to wherever that pin originated. So, if you’re pinning a recipe for Victoria sponge cake (with sweet cherry topping), you simply click on its image to return right to the source.
Professional Usage
While throngs of people browse Pinterest and use the site to support their hobby or personal interests, many professionals are discovering how it can enhance their professional interests. For example, many graphic artists use Pinterest to organize images for specific web projects. Similarly, writers can use Pinterest to store important research for their projects too. Rather than clog up your browser’s bookmarks, you can use Pinterest to literally pin thousands of links to research.
Pinning Sources
Once you set up your Pinterest account, you can decide how to organize your professional boards. If you have long-term clients, you might include a board for each so if you come across an article or bit of helpful research on the web, you can quickly pin it to that board. You can also create boards that reflect the topics you write about such as marketing, business, or health. If you primarily write on business topics, you can break down this subject into specific areas as they apply
to your work such as office culture, regulations or best practices. As you research online material for your work, you can pin sources directly to your well-organized boards to revisit them as often as you like.
Pinning Ideas
When you use Pinterest to store your ideas, you’ll never suffer writer’s block again. Be sure to create a board that reflects future projects or topics you want to cover. As you research for any given article or blog post, you’re going to come across pieces that might trigger ideas for future pieces. Be sure to pin these to your idea board along with a quick note summarizing your idea. In no time, you’re likely to have a huge file of topics with research to back them up.
If you’re worried about Pinterest’s public platform, remember that you can make your boards private. So, if you want to keep your research for a client or your own writing ideas under wraps, you can set specific boards to private so only you can see them. If you haven’t used Pinterest to store your research, you should definitely consider this effective resource that will save you time and enhance your work.
