How Writers Can Use Pinterest - AuthorCynthiaHerron.com

A few weeks ago, you may remember I joined Pinterest.

My opinion?

I love it.

As with anything new there’s a bit of a learning curve, but for the most part, Pinterest is fairly easy to navigate and get the hang of.

Although I’m late to the Pinterest party, I’m glad I waited to join.

As I said in my recent newsletter, while platform is important, we (writers) should grow our craft first before jumping on too many social media bandwagons.

I only choose those things that appeal to me as a writer, and I don’t adopt every new social media network that comes along.

All too often, that leads to undue stress and time-suckitis.

And for those who do it all?

Here’s my question—

When do they have time to actually write?

Moving on.

The thing I like about Pinterest is it feels less like networking and more like fun.

But that’s the kicker.

Because it’s ohh so attractive with lots of pretty, shiny pictures, recipes, quotes, ideas, and topics galore, it’s easy to get drawn into all the delightful eye candy.

My best tip so far?

Set a timer!

And be diligent about it.

Willpower isn’t enough. Before you realize it minutes tick by, and hours later, your lunch is cold.

Since there are thousands of categories to admire and drool over, it’s helpful to have some goals in mind before logging on to your Pinterest account.

If you’re not a writer and you’re just there to hang out, have fun and pin, no worries!

The world of Pinterest is your oyster. 🙂

Now—how can WRITERS use Pinterest?

Here’s what I’ve learned.

Since Pinterest is “less social” than other mediums, it’s relatively easy to go quickly and pin away.

Initially, the lure of the bunny trail is strong. There may be the tendency to go off in a dozen different directions that have nothing to do with what we really hope to accomplish.

Of course, we writers can have fun, too, and we should—but if our goal is to make Pinterest work for us, we have to choose where we’re going to invest our time. Which categories merit another look and how can that newfound knowledge benefit us?

For instance:

Writers can use Pinterest to create story boards as writing prompts. In other words, we can create fictional “worlds” that stimulate our imaginations. Through our pins, our stories unfold just like movie clips might. We can visualize scenes and characters and transfer those ideas to our WIPs (works-in-progress). Some of my boards include Heartfelt, Homespun Fiction, Heartfelt, Homespun Love, and Heartfelt, Homespun Romance. I also have a Small Town Life board that gives a sense of setting for the stories I write.

Writers can use Pinterest to further establish brand. Not all our boards have to be story-related or writing-oriented, of course, but as we pin things we love, we subtly reflect what we’re about, too. For example—my favorite color is red. Well, I have Red Inspiration and My Clothes Closet boards that have a lot of—what else? Red. (Which happens to be my branding color. As you may have noticed on my website, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, red is predominant—in the banners and elsewhere.) I also have several Pinterest (vintage) funsie boards that reflect my love for that era, as well as my favorite color.

Writers can use Pinterest to grow our craft. Tips, tidbits, marketing info, and genre news are in plentiful supply within the Pinterest community. We can create helpful boards and reference them as needed.

Writers can use Pinterest to point others toward our blogs, books, and writing. When we upload our own pins (with our work), we subtly remind folks who we are and what it is we write. Without overselling, we plant seeds of interest and connect with future readers.

Writers can use Pinterest to connect with like-minded friends and also make new ones. Like with any social media venue, we’re free to interact to some degree, “like,” and share great content, quotes, and encouragement (Pins) with others.

If you’re on Pinterest, let me know.

I’d like to hear what you love about the medium and how you use it.

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