How Pinteresting! Pinterest for Writers.

Writers write. But in this day and age, writers sometimes feel they're sucked into a black hole of social media. It seems every time you turn around there's another site that promises to be the solution to all your marketing dilemmas.

I've toyed around with the idea of Pinterest, but I haven't yet taken the plunge. I'm worried that I'll be sucked into another time waster. So when agent Rachelle Gardner wrote a couple posts about the benefits of Pinterest for writers, I paid attention. 

I did a little searching around the web, and I'm coming around to the idea that Pinterest could be a useful addition to my social media arsenal. I figured I'd share what I found, since I may not be the only one pondering "pinning".

Rachelle Gardner wrote two posts about Pinterest:
13 Things Writers Should Know: this includes some compelling reasons for considering Pinterest
Ten Tips for Authors Using Pinterest: a list of ways to use the site, and a link to frequently-asked questions about Pinterest

If you're looking for a nitty-gritty explanation of how to use Pinterest, consider downloading the free ebook How to Use Pinterest for Business from Hubspot. Though it's not just for writers, it has a lot of information on how to grow followers and why Pinterest makes sense for business.

And a few more posts to help you think it through:
Allena Tapia lists ten creative ways to use Pinterest (and describes the site really well, too)

Susan Johnston highlights four authors and how they use Pinterest to its best advantage.

Christina Farley has collected a list of Pinterest boards that relate to publishing (like agents and the books they represent).

I really like the idea of using Pinterest to research inspirational photos for my novels. Since I already collect images for characters, costumes, and setting, I imagine one day my readers might like to see the photos that brought the novel to life.

What about you? How do you use (or envision using) bulletin boards like Pinterest?

11 comments:

  1. Debbie, I've been avoiding Pinterest because most of my friends spend mucho time on that site, and I'd rather avoid being sucked in! However, since this may be a useful site for writers, I'll give it a gander. :-)

    As always, your posts are timely and interesting! Have a great week...

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  2. I've been avoiding it like the plague, to be honest. I really don't need another thing to worry about right now...

    Though I might come around to the idea. I'll have a look at the articles (thanks again for providing them) and give it some thought.

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  3. Janette and Sonia: I've avoided it, too. Still haven't signed up, mostly because I'm not sure I have the discipline to keep it to a few minutes a day. Though the idea of using it to collect visuals is tempting.

    ~Debbie

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  4. Debbie,

    I just heard from Pinterest a couple of weeks ago and I've been afraid to stop by!! Ha ha.

    Thanks for the info. I "may" visit if I gather enough courage ;-)

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  5. I feel the same way, Lorena. I'm working up the courage myself. Maybe it'll be a reward for finishing my manuscript.

    ~Debbie

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  6. Debbie...were you reading my mind? I was just introduced to Pinterest on Sunday, and wondered now it could be of use for a writer. Your links will answer the question! I think it would be a good way to collect visuals for a story we are writing, or, use it for story starters. Thanks again for the timely post!

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  7. I think many of us are just discovering the site. I'm still on the fence, but the image collection idea is luring me!

    ~Debbie

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  8. Thank you for the shout out. You have collected some great links that I hadn't seen. Nice!

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  9. I really loved the collections you put together. I hadn't thought of using boards that way!

    ~Debbie

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  10. I just started getting more active, but I am finding it more useful (for now) for my visual works, not writing. I'm also finding interesting images that lend themselves to my school work (ideas), so that's cool, too! But we know I have addiction issues with sites, so I'm treading carefully. :)

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  11. Angela, you'll have to keep me posted on how your self-control goes. I'm not sure I'm there yet!

    ~Debbie

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