When we find something interesting we like to share on the web, there are number of options for deciding how we can share it. We can use twitter tweet button to share it, like it on Facebook, plus it on Google+, email it to friends or submit it to Reddit.

Pinterest is another great new Social Networking site that allows you to share your favorite stuff in a very unique way, i.e. “pinning” it on your very own online pinboard. If you haven't heard about this new social networking, then let me explain more deeply about Pinterest.

What Is Pinterest?

Pinterest is one of the fast growing an online photo sharing website that enables users to create, share and manage online image collections found over the web by “pinning” them online. It allows you to create virtual pinboards to categorize uploaded images. The images you uploaded to your pinboard are called as "pins" and Pinterest allows other people to follow your pinboard to get pin updates and "repin" them, plus you can explore pinboards created by other people. Exploring other people pinboards is a best way to discover new things and get inspiration from them. People creating pinboards to decorate their homes and plan their weddings.

Pinterest found its place in top 10 largest social networking list and it has more than 11.7 million unique users. It has been named as the best new comer of 2011 by technology giant, TechCrunch.

How Pinterst Works?

As I said above that Pinterest is a comparatively new social networking site. It is described as a virtual pin board that functions like a free online scrap book. This photo sharing website allows users to create, share and manage collections of diverse images. These images can be located on the Web or can be your own creations. The social aspect of Pinterest hinges on the fact that you can follow people, their pins and boards and share across a wide range of interests. These pin boards can include different media such as videos, images, text and monetary gifts. You can keep updating your pin boards with the relevant links, images and text. You can also re-pin anything you like on your board by hovering over the image. The links attached will help you to trace the origin of that image or content.

How I Get Started with Pinterest?

To get started with Pinterest, you have to create an account with the site. Without an account you only have the liberty to browse through the activity of the users. You cannot participate in any of it activity. There are two ways to create an account. You can either receive an invitation from your friend who is a already member of the site or you can request an invite to join Pinterest by visiting Pinterest.com and press “Request an Invite” where you will be taken to a form where you can enter your name and email address. Within a day or two you can receive an invitation to join. The registration process requires that you integrate the Pinterest account with your Facebook or Twitter account. Users who log in via Facebook should use the “Timeline” format. The sites homepage displays a “Pin Feed” to view the activity among boards.

What is Boards? How I can Create Boards in Pinterest?

Once you setup up your Pinterest account, it is important to know What is a Board?. A board is a set of pins and can be created on any topic such as Products, Technology, Holidays or any of your own favourite topic. You can add as many pins to a board as you want. Creating a boards is simple, just follow below instructions.

1. Login into your http://pinterest.com account.
2. Click on Add+ tab, then select Create a Board.
3. Enter your Board Name.
4. Select your Board Category.
5. Next authorize who can pin at your boards. Blog owners can select “Only Me” and if, you are promiting community may choose “Me + Contributors”.

Adding Pins

In order to add a pins to your Pinterest account you will need to first look for images related to what you want to pin using the URL of the site and select an image to then pin and you are ready to go after adding a comment about the image you’ve decided to pin and the board you want to Pin it on. Let's follow below instruction on how to create pins in boards.

1. Login into your http://pinterest.com account.
2. Click on Add+ tab, then select Add a Pin.
3. Enter URL of the site that you want to pin.
4. Click on Find Images tab.
5. Select the Category from the drop-down or create New Board
6. Give a breif description of the URL in the box which can grab the attnesion of users.
7. Click on Pin it button to add the pin.

Uploading Pins

Uploading a pin to Pinterest is just simple as adding pins to boards. The upload options gives you to upload any image, video or documents that you want to pin it. Follow below steps for uploading pins.

1. Login into your http://pinterest.com account.
2. Click on Add+ tab, then select Upload a Pin.
3. Choose a file that you want to upload.
4. Select the Category from the drop-down or create New Board
5. Give a brief description of the URL in the box which can grab the attention of users.
6. Click on Pin it button to add the pin.

Editing Pins

Edit option allows you to edit your pins at any time. If you have added a pin to wrong board, for example in my case I have wrongly pinned "Blogger Beginners Guide" on "Linux Guide". Then I simply change the category to "Blogger Guide". Let's do it how?

1. Login into your http://pinterest.com account.
2. Click on your Boards that you to like edit pins category.
3. Next, click on Edit option to edit the pins category.
4. Select your desired Board from the drop-down to edit.
5. Then, click on Save Pin button to save.

Rearranging the Boards

This is especially very important that you re-arrange your boards regularly if you have a number of boards and you want to show most recent ones on the top of your board, then follow below instructions to rearrange your boards on Pinterest.

1. Login into your http://pinterest.com account.
2. Hover over your name, top right-hand corner and choose Boards.
3. All your boards are now displayed and.
4. Beside edit profile there is a film-strip, hover over it and it says 'Rearrange boards'.
5. Click on it and it turns into a tick mark.
6. You can now hover over your boards and simply drag and drop them in whichever order you want.
7. Once satisfied Click on the tick mark to save arrangement.
8. You're done.

What Boards Should I Create?

This part is all about creating and editing a boards. I have created a separated boards for each separate categories for my blog, and they are Blogger Guide, Linux Guide, Blogger Widgets and Android. These boards are your categories, now whenever I write new post on Blogger I pin it on Blogger Guide board and whenever I write on Android and pin it on Android board. This is the structure I follow for my blog, else you can create your own. Let's have a look at my boards.

Interacting with Pinterest Users

When it comes to interacting with other Pinterest users, here are some of the things you need to do:

1. Follow: Click the “Follow” button on any user’s profile to start following their pinboards. Or you can choose to follow specific pinboards, rather than selecting all of a user’s pinboards. When you sign-up with Facebook or Twitter, Pinterest will automatically find all your users on Pinterest in your network and will automatically follow their accounts for you.

1. Like: When you click on any user's board, you should see a Like button. Click on button to “like” it. A list of all your likes will show up on your Pinterest profile.

1. Repin: If you discovered something you really like on someone else’s board, you can stick it on your own board too by pressing the “repin” button on any post.

Linking Accounts

Pinterest links your Facebook and twitter accounts. I think is one of great benefit, because may of us have already well established fan pages for our blog and we do not need to add or share everything at three separate places. Pinterest works with the updated timeline layout and here’s how it shows my Pinterest activity on my Facebook timeline.

Pinterest - Pin It Button for Blogs

Pinterest Pin It Button is similar to Facebook Like or Twitter Tweet button, as it allows users to easily share (pinning) your content without leaving your blog. I think this is another best way to drive more traffic to your blog. To place this button on your blog for easy sharing, follow my article below.

1. Add Pinterest Pin It Button To Blog

Pinterest - Follow Button for Blogs

Pinterest follow button is similar to Twitter Follow button, as it allows your users to easily follow you in Pinterest. This follow button is very useful for growing your followers. Clicking on follow button would lead your users to your Pinterest Profile page, where all your boards would be displayed. From thereon they can follow all your boards or individual depending on their choices. Now lets follow below article to add the Pinterest Follow Button to blogs.

1. Add Pinterest Follow Button To Blog

Add Pinterest To Your Facebook Page

If you would like to share or syndicate all your Pinterest activity on your Facebook Page to increase your pinterest audience. Then read this below article to integrate your pinterest profile with your facebook page.

1. Add Pinterest To Your Facebook Page

Pinterest App For Android & iPhone

To download Pinterest app for your smartphones visit the below link.

1. Download Pinterest App

That's it! finally I am ending here this topic, and I would really like know your feelings on this Pinterest Guide in comments.