Whether you like social media or not, it is here to stay. Like anything else it can be a source for good or bad depending upon how it is used. One thing is certain however, social media will continue to evolve and take on new and different forms over the coming years.
Regardless of the format you choose social media at its core exists to bring people closer together and by engaging in it, you can open doors and have access to people you never thought possible.
Social media does present a unique challenge to the user in that there really are no rules for how to use it correctly. This often leads to what I consider being incorrect uses as people seek to find their way. Take Facebook for example.
I’ll be honest, I’m not a big Facebook fan. Visit my page and you’ll find nothing posted except a picture. Why? Because too many people have started using Facebook as a self-help tool.
Do you doubt this? Have you or someone you know ever posted about a recent break-up with a significant other? Have you ever seen someone post that they are currently organizing their dresser drawers because they have a messy spouse?
Ever see an argument begin via posts? Facebook is not a replacement for what should be a healthy session with psychotherapists, yet people use it in this manner.
Then there’s Pinterest. Pinterest is relatively new in absolute years but not in internet years, having launched in 2010. Pinterest acts an online bulletin board that allows users to “pin” pictures of interest to various “boards” on their personal page.
It is very hard to misuse this form of social media. Can it be done? Sure, but not to the degree that Facebook can be misused.
I have been using Pinterest for a few months now and I have to say that I really enjoy using it. Unlike Facebook where you need to read words, Pinterest is visual. It’s pages and pages of pictures with very few words.
Pinterest does allow you to describe your pin but you are limited to 500 characters, spaces included. This forces the “pinner” to be somewhat concise when describing their picture So instead of telling me you are organizing your dresser drawers in a rambling diatribe that is really aimed at your spouse, post a picture of your dresser and if I find it interesting I just might click on it.
Here are my top three reasons why you should check out Pinterest.
1.) It’s Visual – Duh, this is kind of a no-brainer but it works very well for me. I am a visual person. I learn best by “seeing”. pictures have a way of capturing your attention that words can never equal. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words, right?
That’s not to say that words can’t capture one attention but the extent that words do capture one’s attention are highly dependent upon the authors skill level or the reader's level of interest. A picture, on the other hand, is a picture. You capture my interest or you don’t. Want me to learn about your messy spouse?
Pin a great picture of your dresser drawers on a board. If I like it, I’ll click it. If not, consider getting a more interesting dresser.
2.) Memory – I used to keep a written list of things I wanted to remember later. Unfortunately more often than not I would forget where I put my list. I still write things down but since discovering Pinterest, I find I’m doing that less and less.
Christmas or birthday gift ideas, for example, are now captured via the Pinterest app on my phone and immediately categorized on a board for easy recall later. I no longer need to keep a George Costanza sized wallet full of paper lists about things I want to remember.
Snap a picture, post it on a board and move on. Worried about someone seeing your Christmas or birthday gift board? No problem. Pinterest just released secret boards that only you can see.
3.) Ideas – This is my favorite part of Pinterest. There are some very creative people in the world that prior to Pinterest were previously “hidden”. Pinterest enables you to see the creative minds of others.
A search through the DIY or Home Decor boards will quickly reveal many creative ideas. A word of caution, though, be careful what you share with your spouse especially if you are the least bit handy. I have found several home improvement ideas that have been promptly put on put on the “honey do” list. Others are in the process right now.
While I have offered my top three reasons to use Pinterest from a personal perspective, Pinterest can also be used to help business owners expand their reach. I am experimenting with this now and it will be a subject for a future post. Until then my questions for you are:
Do you use Pinterest? If so, what has your experience been like?
