How to Use Pinterest- Politely!

Ah Pinterest! It’s easily one of the fastest-growing websites out there- due to outshine Facebook before long! Bloggers have really tapped into the potential of pulling in more traffic to their sites using Pinterest, and I’m one of them. I mentioned in this post that Pinterest is actually my Numero Uno traffic driver on a steady basis!

So now that most of us are on Pinterest (it’s no longer an invite-only hub), I’d love to share a few tips about how to use Pinterest politely, and helping those who provide the content.

1.) Give credit where credit is due

Yes, I know that “I found it on Pinterest” is probably the most commonly-used phrase by women in the free world right now, but Pinterest is nothing but a place to collect recipes, craft ideas, outfit inspirations, etc, from other sources. Nothing is actually on Pinterest! Each and everything that you re-pin was put together by some ordinary ole person (like myself) who likely spent hours getting their photos and blog posts just right.

For other bloggers– if you use a recipe you found “on Pinterest” and post it on your site, be sure to link back to the original recipe (or craft, etc.). It’s the nice thing to do! Don’t ever quote a blogger verbatim or use a full-size photograph without permission. Most of them will be happy to give you permission!

2.) Always, always pin from the original source.

Go check out this post of mine– I’ll wait right here! I used recipes from several of my favorite bloggers (with their permission) to create a breakfast foods roundup. If you want to “pin”, for example, the recipe for Pecan Pie Muffins, you should go straight to the source, which is Mom’s Confession. If you wanted to pin my post itself, that’s fine too, just be sure to title it as the Roundup in the description, not one of the specific recipes. Make sense?

3.) When re-pinning, always check to be sure the pin goes to the correct website.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve pinned something, then gone back to it and realized it actually linked to some online pharmacy (or worse!) rather than the delicious brownie recipe I was hoping for. And this means that the online pharmacy illegally used someone else’s picture, and is essentially spamming Pinterest. So before pinning, be sure the pin leads to where you actually want it to go.

4.) Be sure the blog from which you want to pin doesn’t have a “no pin” policy.

Although I don’t understand why a blogger wouldn’t want their information pinned, (like I said, it’s great traffic!) some of them don’t and will plainly state this on their site. Be respectful of them and don’t use their content if they ask that you not. You can always bookmark the page instead of pinning it. (Bookmarking = the old Pinterest, right? ha!)

And lastly, Pinterest = love! If you love a blog post, pin it! (if it’s a pin-friendly site, of course!) Bloggers want traffic, and Pinterest brings traffic. So if you were inspired by a post, encouraged by a post, or really want to make that yummy recipe, give love to your favorite bloggers by pinning away! It’s a great way to thank them for all of the free ideas they’re giving you! Oh, and you can follow me on Pinterest here. 🙂

If you liked this post, you may consider checking out “How I Finally Started Making Money Blogging- and you Can, Too!” Part 1, and Part 2.