Wednesday 19th June

The Pulse

Pinning our hopes

Written by
Paul Hassing

Businesses, Featured, The Web

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16
Feb

Life at the pointy end.

Hearing a rising howl about Pinterest, my first thought was, ‘Not another bloody social media fad!’

My second thought was, ‘I ignored Twitter for months, only to find it’s one of the most useful things ever.’

Then, when someone claimed Pinterest generates more leads than Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn COMBINED, I had to take a look.

What is it?

Pinterest is an electronic version of the scrapbook you may have kept as a kid.

‘Pinning’ (scrapbooking) is actually quite calming and … fun.

Each ‘board’ (page) starts with nine empty boxes – which may account for its Sudoku-like appeal.

Any time you see something online you like, you ‘pin’ it.

My first few boards are here.

This one is already making me work even harder to reach my goals.

Sharp focus

With more than 10,000,000 users already, Pinterest is going nuts.

Pinners are mainly young women with time and money to burn: just the market many businesses would love to crack.

Pinterest is awash with food, fashion, famous people and furry things, but there’s much more to it, including:

While I researched this post, @lindyasimus even tweeted that she’d heard about Whitney Houston’s death via Pinterest! (News sources sure are changing.)

What’s the point?!

As business owners, we can’t lie around all day eating chocolates and pinning ourselves stupid.

So I’ve been thinking of commercial applications.

If I cross-promote my clients’ products, they prosper. This gives them more to spend on copy writing, while making me look interested and supportive.

So, I’ve pinned Helen’s video, Flip’s muesli, Judy’s horses and Mike’s book.

I’ll be fascinated to see if these pins generate any action.

I’ve also read that brides-to-be are now using Pinterest in lieu of lugging piles of magazines.

Savvy suppliers could clean up here.

While I’ve pinned some of my stuff, I’ve tried not to overdo it, as Pinterest doesn’t dig blatant self promotion.

Stab in the dark

My biggest surprise so far on Pinterest is the thrill I get when someone else ‘repins’ my content.

This horsie pic I put up has been repinned three times: proof that others like something I do.

This means I must have some … taste?

A rare personal validation (which may also guide more visitors to my website).

End game

I’m hoping you know more about Pinterest than I.

If so, I’d love you to share your learnings.

And if you’re yet to pull the pin, feel free to fire some

penetrating questions.

PS: Penelope Trunk mentions Pinterest here.

Paul Hassing | Founder & Senior Writer – The Feisty Empire

clients, Internet, online, pinterest, social media, social networking, technology, web, website

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What others are saying

Author

Paul Hassing

February 16, 2012 at 9:51 am

This is the best how-to guide I’ve spotted so far:

http://thesocialmediaguide.com/social_media/pinterest_guide

Takes you from go to whoa, if you’re interested. Many thanks to @kirsty_wilson for the Twitter heads up. I found Pinterest highly intuitive, so you may not need it. See how you go.

Reply
- Author
  
  Bridie Jenner
  
  February 16, 2012 at 11:40 am
  
  Thanks for this guide, I’ll be reading it cover to cover.
  
  I like Pinterest and I’m learning some ways to can combine it with my business – and no, not just images of typewriters and keyboards!
  
  Reply
  - Author
    
    Paul Hassing
    
    February 16, 2012 at 2:04 pm
    
    You’re very welcome, Bridie. As yours is a service-oriented business, I’ll be particularly interested to see how (if?!) you manage to bend Pinterest to your will. So please let us know how you get on.
Author

Lindy Asimus

February 16, 2012 at 9:55 am

I gave a talk this week at the Hunter Region BEC and Pinterest came up. What’s Pinterest? Well, it is really like window shopping (for ideas too) on crack! Yes I am surprised I really like it too but more as a souped-up bookmarking application with a bit of social thrown in.

Actually I posted to my Social Business board an interesting infographic yesterday showing comparison between US and UK users. Amazingly there are more men in the UK using Pinterest than there are female users. And they earn more.

Great fun.

Reply
- Author
  
  Paul Hassing
  
  February 16, 2012 at 9:59 am
  
  Thank you for joining us, Lindy. I love hearing what you’ve been up to.
  
  There sure are some amazing stats flying around. Even more interesting will be the uses people find for Pinterest. Just as I’m sure the Twitter founders didn’t imagine their creation would become a tool for regime change, no-one can tell what will come of this latest device. It should be a fascinating ride.
  
  Best regards, P.
  
  Reply
Author

Greg Lee

February 16, 2012 at 10:05 am

Interesting post, I don’t know too much about Pinterest but I have come across it when researching potential staff members. It’s always interesting seeing where people pop up in an online search and how private or extroverted they are with their information – it can tell you a lot. Although it could be really good or really bad depending on what a person pins and it does lend itself to bending the truth. Cynical I know, but some of the more dishonestly savvy people know most potential employers are likely to do a quick trawl online to see what they can find, which may in fact encourage the unscrupulous to paint [or pin] a not so accurate picture of their personality. Like many of the social media platforms, they’re a great guide, they provide some good information and a different insight into certain things, but a grain of salt needs to be added if you don’t know the person or may be even if you do. Now you’ve got me thinking more about the ‘honest’ uses of Pinterest

Reply
- Author
  
  Paul Hassing
  
  February 16, 2012 at 2:13 pm
  
  Welcome, Greg. You sure have flagged a novel use of Pinterest. I guess a person’s boards are like a visual resume. You can tell in an instant what they’re into (or, at least, claiming to be fond of).
  
  Thank you for adding this unique facet to our debate.
  
  Reply
Author

Susan Oakes

February 16, 2012 at 10:36 am

Hi Paul

I haven’t used Pinterest but wrote an article about it a few weeks ago. It is certainly getting the interest from many. Recently there have been a few articles about the issue re copyright, especially from a photographer’s perspective. If I have this right in their terms anything you pin hands over the copyright to the company behind Pinterest and they can sell it. This has got a number of photographers upset. I guess time will tell to see where it all leads.

Don’t know if you have heard Paul about another site call gentlemint which is male version of Pinterest. Have fun pinning Paul.

Reply
- Author
  
  Paul Hassing
  
  February 16, 2012 at 10:44 am
  
  Hi Sue. I can’t find your jolly article. Could you please give us the link?
  
  I take the odd photo and would be MOST upset if I lost control of it. Then again, the mere act of putting something online is enough to make you fair game.
  
  There’s so much fine print round these days, you either have to do nothing or trust the universe. Both, of course, can be very dicey. I’ll check out gentlemint for sure. Many thanks for your views on this!
  
  Reply
  - Author
    
    Paul Hassing
    
    February 16, 2012 at 10:53 am
    
    Sorry: Susan! (Typing too fast …)
  - Author
    
    Paul Hassing
    
    February 16, 2012 at 11:11 am
    
    Oh dear! I just checked gentlemint. I feel like someone spiked my drink and gave me a macho bypass. Think I’ll stick to my inner goddess for now!
Author

Malcolm Owens

February 16, 2012 at 10:42 am

OK, it’s a social media Tsunami.

I’ve been sucked up the face, over the falls and bloodied on the coral of on-line social mayhem.

So I’m updating my blog every few days, posting on facebook several times a day, tweeting about the’ yummy coffee’ I just had at Southbank and waiting breathlessly to find out what Justin Timberlake had for lunch.

I hope I have time before Justin to upload my latest promo video to YouTube, tweet about it, load stills on Photo bucket and Flickr and see what’s ‘zup at Tumbl’r.

Ashton’s meeting friends in LA and secure in the knowledge that he’s OK (what a relief, will Demi get back with Bruce and what WAS she wearing at that party?) I dived into MySpace but hit the bottom; someone seriously drained that pool and now feel like an ant on a hot day under a Squidoo lens.

I’m soooo blocking Sharon because she said I looked fat on Facebook and I’m so, like, updating my status because I haven’t had enough hits from E harmony. Perhaps ‘Psychopath’ isn’t the greatest status category and my Avatar is sooo past its use by date.

Better than pins in the eyes I guess.

Reply
- Author
  
  Paul Hassing
  
  February 16, 2012 at 10:47 am
  
  That is a VERY funny comment, Malcolm. You’re really hitting your straps these days.
  
  Now, could you please swap your L.A. tween party hat for that of CEO of a $60m luxury consumer durables firm?
  
  Or will your take on Pinterest remain unchanged no matter what you wear?!
  
  Reply
- Author
  
  Judy
  
  February 17, 2012 at 6:04 pm
  
  Love this comment Malcom; soooo spot on!
  
  Reply
  - Author
    
    Paul Hassing
    
    February 17, 2012 at 6:24 pm
    
    He does have the odd flash of brilliance, doesn’t he Jude?
- Author
  
  Stephen Hamilton
  
  February 20, 2012 at 1:34 pm
  
  Nothing like a dose of healthy cynicism!
  
  Reply
  - Author
    
    Paul Hassing
    
    February 21, 2012 at 8:57 am
    
    Looks like Malcolm isn’t alone:
    
    http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/pinterest-facebook-for-nice-people-20120216-1tbss.html
    
    This comprehensive article has a para that should interest affiliate marketers:
    
    ‘The company doesn’t say it’s still figuring out ways to make money from this thing, but clever bloggers have already discovered one way. You know how Amazon.com offers an “affiliate program”? That’s where you get a referral fee, a small percentage of any purchase, whenever somebody follows a link from your own website to Amazon’s and then buys something. Lots of online stores offer similar programs. Well, when one of your Pinterest photos links to a product for sale online, Pinterest quietly modifies the link to insert its own affiliate code, so that Pinterest gets the referral fee. The revelation did raise some eyebrows, but you can change the link back, if you want.)’
Author

Micky Stuivenberg

February 16, 2012 at 10:57 am

Hi Paul,

Great to see you’ve found some use for it. I checked out Pinterest a few months ago and decided it wasn’t for me. I still haven’t found one good reason to use it. So I don’t.

Pinterest is a very visual medium. I have never been into fashion, design, scrapbooking or collecting anything, and every time I look at a Pinterest board, I get the feeling it’s all about “oooh look at my pretty pictures”. Can’t help it, but it just leaves me cold.

I can’t see how my business would benefit from it either. I do words. What’s there to pin about that? However, I CAN see some potential good uses for some of my clients, where good photography should be able to draw people in. So who knows, I may end up using it after all.

Disclaimer: these are my feelings towards Pinterest today. I may well come around if I see good uses for it at some point.

Reply
- Author
  
  Paul Hassing
  
  February 16, 2012 at 11:01 am
  
  Good show, Micky; it’s great when we get a broad spectrum of opinions.
  
  Were I not a blogger, I probably wouldn’t have bothered with it either. Maybe we scribes are content with the written word …
  
  If you do change your mind, please let us know. Many thanks for sharing.
  
  Reply
Author

Adam Finlay

February 16, 2012 at 11:00 am

I have a pin board in the shed. Does that count for anything these days?

Reply
- Author
  
  Paul Hassing
  
  February 16, 2012 at 11:04 am
  
  Of course it does, Adam! Might you go so far as to describe what’s on it?
  
  Reply
Author

Malcolm Owens

February 16, 2012 at 11:05 am

Only if there’s $50 notes pinned to it Adam. Or a pair of funky 80′s rave pants. Other than that I’d be sticking it on Ebay.

Reply
Author

James Evangelidis Principal Consultant

February 16, 2012 at 1:18 pm

Good post Paul. Although I’m a social media user I sometimes get tired of the 1001 tools/sites on offer and get confused easily. That being said your Pinterest article certainly has got my attention. I’ll have to look into it. Keep up the good work PH! All my best, James.

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- Author
  
  Paul Hassing
  
  February 16, 2012 at 2:02 pm
  
  Thank you kindly, James. I appreciate your point. If I don’t get some sort of ROI from Pinterest, I’ll probably give ditch it. But you never know till you have a go!
  
  Reply
Author

Bambi

February 16, 2012 at 2:50 pm

I am loving Pinterest – as much as my crush on Tweetdeck (Note…Tweetdeck, not Twitter). And yes – it can be difficult to find something highly visual if you are a copywriter….BUT there are thousands of pins that are just of text (quotes, jokes, how-tos, recipes).

And it is not that the content is only visual. The content is actually the pic, the text, the knowledge and inspiration at the other end of the link – and the pin is like a beautiful sticky note that says ‘Hey – check this out, and file it for when you might need it”.

Like most social media – it isn’t just about you. It isn’t about broadcasting or posting classifieds. It is about sharing information, inspiration, interests to join and to build communities.

By the way, I saw a pair of pants on Pinterest. I clicked through to a US store and bought them. When in the US late last year I went to the store and bought more. I also spotted on Pinterest a pic of some under-stair bookshelves – we were doing some work on the house at the time. I showed the pic to my builder – and I now have my version of those bookshelves. Recently I spotted a recipe for individual cheesecakes. You guessed it – 3 times now I have spent $10 on butternut snaps, cream cheese, riccotta cheese to make a batch. I saw a wonderful ‘banging wall’ (an external fence set up with old pots and pans so that kids can go berserk). Showed it to my neighbour….and guess what is coming…? Multiple this by 10million users and just Imagine the economic benefit.

(Mind you – I think I will scream if another Pinner refers to a new nail polish or a way to use the plastic ties from bread bags as genuis!).

I have been using it to get feedback to artwork. And I plan to use it to show examples of what I believe is great and not so great marketing (all part of positioning expertise).

And the best thing about Pinterest? It aint the ugly clunky Facebook.

Reply
- Author
  
  Paul Hassing
  
  February 16, 2012 at 3:50 pm
  
  What a beautiful comment, Bambi! So elegant, yet so packed with fabulous information and insight. People like you make my job a joy. Thank you for being so generous with your time!
  
  Reply
Author

Linda ~ Journey Jottings

February 16, 2012 at 3:21 pm

I’m on Pinterest as being in travel and including lots of photos in my blogs its a great way to spread the word visually -

But I also like the idea of using it to gather up and group info on topics, such as ideas where to next go on holiday, ideas for future blog posts – being a visual person I think I find these boards easier to ‘see’ than say Evernote.

Reply
- Author
  
  Paul Hassing
  
  February 16, 2012 at 3:52 pm
  
  Hiya, Linda. Can’t say I’m surprised, given your fabulous photographic skills! I’m not much of a traveller, but I can see how composing dream destinations could really get you going. Just those few pics I assembeld on my Dream Home board really fired me up. With best regards and many thanks, P.
  
  Reply
Author

Leah Klugt

February 16, 2012 at 3:56 pm

Enter the self-confessed Pinterest junkie – ME! (shameless plug: http://pinterest.com/lklugt)

I adore the bliss of virtual pinning. It’s energising, calming and inspiring all at once.

I even have a board for the hubby so he knows what to get me for Christmas!

It takes sharing online to another level – sharing something deeper than surface “life” (aka Facebook).

It’s more about a basic need to find things in common with other human beings! Aren’t we funny little things.

If you have a design, lifestyle or home decor product targeting the under 40′s female market – Pinterest is your guy

Reply
- Author
  
  Paul Hassing
  
  February 16, 2012 at 4:03 pm
  
  Golly, Leah; you are rather into it, aren’t you?! Your boards are like magical snapshots of your mind. The xmas gift board is a beaut idea. I’m very pleased to see your 2012 new year promo pack featured too. And isn’t yarn bombing and absolute cack?!
  
  Your enthusiasm is wonderful, the perfect foil to some of our other takes. I’m delighted to have garnered such a broad spectrum of views. Many thanks!
  
  Reply
  - Author
    
    Leah Klugt
    
    February 16, 2012 at 4:13 pm
    
    No worries Paul!
    
    Seems I was destined to be an easy convert – it’s basically made for designers!
    
    Next time I visit the southern states we will definitely have to do some yarn bombing!
    
    Enjoy
Author

Kate James

February 16, 2012 at 4:34 pm

Thanks for the discussion Paul…I have only just joined too and whilst it’s yet another reason to be sitting at a screen, it’s my favourite so far. I love it and find it completely relaxing. It’s not helping me write my interview questions for tomorrow’s interviews though! Better get back to it.

Reply
- Author
  
  Paul Hassing
  
  February 16, 2012 at 4:40 pm
  
  You’re very welcome, Kate. Thanks for your perspective.
  
  I devised a list of 23 murderous interview questions during my HR decade. Probably not quite in sync with the feel-good vibe you foster, but guaranteed to separate the sheep from the combine harvester. Drop me an email if you’d like me to send them to you (gratis).
  
  Reply
Author

Kate James

February 16, 2012 at 5:14 pm

You are enormously generous Paul. Thank you kindly. Now I can go back and play on Pinterest

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- Author
  
  Paul Hassing
  
  February 16, 2012 at 5:16 pm
  
  Yay! An increase in net fun.
  
  Reply
Author

Phil Owens

February 17, 2012 at 8:55 am

Pintrest…

I am aware of it, I have an ‘account’…but to be honest I have done nothing with it. I am certainly not the ‘techie maven’ or early adopter, but will probably get there (not kicking and screaming, but not racing either..) in my own time.

From my business perspective, what I do is create sustained personal change – either in the clinic, or transforming executives (and businesses) into inspirational, high performing leaders. Does this sound like a job for Pintrest?

It may be less difficult than you could imagine to represent the aspects of my work visually – setting a ‘tonal theme’ with what I post. It is not direct selling of products or services (as in the pants example above), but I can sell the deeper aspect of my character to my clients by how I choose to represent my vision of me.

Interstingly, 40% of the population have a preference for processing visually – so they will LOVE images over text. Often, there is a strong V-K connection: that is, what they see massively impacts what they feel. Therefore framing the business not through its goods, but through the emotional tones I would like to convey, could be a powerful tool. Presenting WHO you are, and WHY you do it, over what you sell.

And the glory of your post, Paul, was I didn’t think about any of this until I was drawn into this groovy conversation! After having ‘parked’ pintrest, I may just crack the seal and experiment with my musings….

Thanks for the inspiration!!

Reply
- Author
  
  Paul Hassing
  
  February 17, 2012 at 12:38 pm
  
  Thanks for another ripper outing, Phil. I agree it may be very tricky to represent your services visually. What I would love, though, are ‘before and after’ boards for your hypnotherapy clients. I reckon it’d be fascinating to get them to represent their mood with photos prior to and after your youbeaut treatment. If you do have a play, let us know how you go.
  
  Reply
Author

Sue Meehan

February 17, 2012 at 9:22 am

I’m late again to the conversation but as always, it’s an engaging one. The below link is an interesting case study looking at the use of social media (in various forms) for a car campaign. Although it’s not pintrest, they have included a visual element.

The team at Ford are not Robinson Crusoe here. It’s a really simple idea. But sometimes that’s all it needs to be …

http://tiny.cc/qcvbj

Reply
- Author
  
  Paul Hassing
  
  February 17, 2012 at 12:47 pm
  
  Dang, Suey; that sure was worth the wait! What a fascinating case study. I OWN a Fiesta and didn’t know some of that stuff! Tell me, does your agency do campaigns like this in Australia? Best regards, P.
  
  Reply
Author

Bambi

February 17, 2012 at 3:02 pm

Paul – I hope you don’t mind me jumping back in. I thought the different views of Pinterest were interesting enough that it would be good to do a little survey and see what some of the ‘normal’ behaviours on Pinterest are….Is it driving revenue, how long are people on it, etc.

So – with help from the ever faithful Survey Monkey – here is an online survey that I would love the Pinterest users who visit the MYOBPulse to take – it may take as much as 5 mins (probably less), there are 20 questions, and it is totally anonymous:

http://www.thewoo.com.au/pinterest

Best bit is that if you take the survey, on its completion you can see how the results are tracking.

Reply
- Author
  
  Paul Hassing
  
  February 17, 2012 at 3:05 pm
  
  Bambi, you can jump in and stay there till our spa freezes over! Off to do that survey NOW.
  
  Reply
  - Author
    
    Paul Hassing
    
    February 17, 2012 at 3:21 pm
    
    Done! Didn’t hurt a bit.
Author

Judy

February 17, 2012 at 6:56 pm

Wow Paul,
Once again your finger on the pulse (pun intendended) provoked an exciting social media debate.

I wanted to ‘like’ several comments (maybe MYOB could add this feature) on this post.

A picture is worth a thousand words and you don’t have to friend someone to see their photos; this is, to quote Malcom an epic social media Tsunami.

Thank you Paul I will give Pinterest a try.I ‘sooo’ want to get my favourite horse photos on a pinboard for all to see.

Also thanks for pinning horse photo taken at Samaria Creek. It was close to four years ago; time for another visit and more photo opportunities.

Cheers,
Judy

Thank you for

Reply
- Author
  
  Paul Hassing
  
  February 17, 2012 at 7:55 pm
  
  Well, you just rounded off my week beautifully, Jude. I’m sure MYOB will note your suggestion and do their best.
  
  I was spewing Pinterest wouldn’t let me pin Facebook photos, as there was a recent one from you that was literally the cutest foal I have EVER seen.
  
  If you put it on your blog as well, I’ll be able to pin it – and more.
  
  I greatly look forward to seeing you again when the leaves turn gold and the snakes go ni-ni’s. Fondest regards, P.
  
  Reply
Author

Phil Owens

February 17, 2012 at 9:48 pm

HI Paul,

I have dipped a toe in sooner than I expected. http://pinterest.com/resourcedleader/

Lets see what emerges, as I build a ‘tonal wall’ for the businesses.

Reply
- Author
  
  Paul Hassing
  
  February 17, 2012 at 10:20 pm
  
  Good for you, Phil! Fortune favours the brave.
  
  Reply
Author

Paul Hassing

February 20, 2012 at 1:31 pm

Ye gods! I thought I’d made a fair fist of this topic.

Then I read THIS tour de force by Louise @BespokenlyYou

http://bespokeportraiture.wordpress.com/2012/02/16/im-still-addicted-to-pinterest-best-tips/

I’m humbled, but very grateful for the fresh take. Many thanks, Louise!

Reply
Author

Louise

February 20, 2012 at 1:41 pm

All’s fair in love and Pinterest Paul!! Leah and I are Pinterest besties and end up liking a LOT of the same stuff. I’d say we’re equally as addicted and I find the visual and simple to use element of Pinterest appeals to my creative brain. There is a great quot on there that pretty much every unmarried woman has in her profile whuch says, “I hope my real wedding is as nice as my Pinterest one!” – and this demonstrates how women are using it as a virtual good ideas book for their lives. Along with decorating a house they don’t yet own, a wardrobe they can’t yet afford and children they have yet to conceive. Only a fool marketing to this demographic would ignore the potential of Pinterest!

Reply
- Author
  
  Paul Hassing
  
  February 21, 2012 at 11:52 am
  
  The more I learn about this, the less I realise I know. That’s why this forum is so vital to ensuring we do each topic justice. Thanks so much for your extended insight, Louise; I really appreciate it.
  
  Reply
- Author
  
  Paul Hassing
  
  February 21, 2012 at 12:02 pm
  
  The more I learn about this, the less I realise I know. That’s why this reader forum is so vital to ensuring we do each topic justice. Thanks so much for your extended insight, Louise; I really appreciate it.
  
  Reply
Author

Stephen Hamilton

February 20, 2012 at 1:41 pm

Pinterest looks cool. I’ve played on it a bit over the last 6 months or so, but I don’t personally have much of a use for it. Having said that, some of my customers are really enthusiastic about it.

I think the problem in all this discussion over tools/services/platforms like Pinterest is that it often seems to boil down to “Is it the next BIG thing?”

That misses the point completely. The internet is about distributing authority, and connecting people who share a similar interest. Even if they are small groups. Especially if they are small groups.

The question shouldn’t be about if this is the next big thing, but rather if it is going to be hugely compelling for my market/community/clan/tribe. I reckon it is better to think in tens, not millions, of people.

Reply
- Author
  
  Paul Hassing
  
  February 20, 2012 at 1:47 pm
  
  Trust you to plumb fresh depths, Stephen. You come up with such wonderfully thoughtful comments. I like your style. I might have to pin it. Hold still, Mate … this may sting a bit!
  
  Reply
Author

Paul Hassing

February 20, 2012 at 1:49 pm

Done! http://pinterest.com/pin/44895327505246951/ You were very brave.

Reply
- Author
  
  Stephen Hamilton
  
  February 20, 2012 at 1:57 pm
  
  Yes, we rather like our little rocket ship. Glad you do too. Thanks.
  
  Reply
Author

Paul Hassing

February 20, 2012 at 5:00 pm

Here’s a post from Bridie @BridiesTyping

http://www.bridiestypingservices.com/pinterest-why-its-about-more-that-just-pretty-pictures/

It includes a workaround to let you pin Facebook pics. Many thanks, Bridie!

Reply
- Author
  
  Paul Hassing
  
  February 20, 2012 at 5:13 pm
  
  Dang! Just can’t get it to work. I’m trying to pin this piccie:
  
  http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=283427045001363&set=a.283427028334698.80315.100000022097633&type=1&theater
  
  Can anyone see where I’m going wrong?
  
  Reply
- Author
  
  Bridie Jenner
  
  February 21, 2012 at 12:33 am
  
  Thanks for sharing Paul
  
  Not sure why your pin didn’t work, did you follow each step?
  
  Reply
  - Author
    
    Paul Hassing
    
    February 21, 2012 at 7:37 am
    
    I tried, Bridie, but coudn’t get ‘save image location’ to appear. I had a crack at every other permutation but was thwarted.
  - Author
    
    Paul Hassing
    
    February 21, 2012 at 12:53 pm
    
    Ah, you did it Bridie! I don’t know how, but I’m glad you finally pulled it off. Many thanks for your help!
    
    http://pinterest.com/pin/44895327505252873/
Author

Tash

February 21, 2012 at 9:56 am

I’ll be very interested to see if you get a good ROI Paul.

I have only been to pin interest a couple of times by following a tweet. I can see lots of potential for it if you sell something with a visual aspect (holiday planning, helping people achieve dreams/goals,design, fashion, food, etc) and love the idea of being creative with it.

However I see little use for a writer. I could put screenshots of client websites/booklets/etc I guess, and I could put up images of quotes or other text. Yet is that anymore than a bit of fun for me – is anyone seriously going to visit my site or blog and hire my writing services because I put a nice quote on pin interest? Are people needing writing help going to be in a site like that when in business mode? I just don’t have the time to learn a new program without believing it has some potential to help my bottom line.

As Paul said, I didn’t jump onto Twitter either and it has turned into something good so I am not writing Pininterest off completely but I need to see a potential ROI before I go there.

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- Author
  
  Paul Hassing
  
  February 21, 2012 at 10:03 am
  
  I’ll let you know for sure, Tash. I’ve had a few small traffic blips so far, but nothing to write home about.
  
  I totally hear you on the relevance front. I’ll be surprised if Pinterest benefits me directly. I think it might be a longer term, less direct, karmic caper. We’ll see.
  
  Many thanks for your considered comment.
  
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Paul Hassing

February 21, 2012 at 1:50 pm

Just spotted a post by our Sonia @CTAspley

http://ctaspley.technology-solved.com.au/blog/2012/02/21/whats-so-interesting-about-pinterest/

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Paul Hassing

February 21, 2012 at 6:05 pm

A Twitter comment from @Westpointford

‘early days so hard to quantify with any depth, but can say @Pinterest is such a fab place + proving to be highly addictive!’

Many thanks for letting me quote you, team. Please let us know if you get any joy.

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Paul Hassing

February 22, 2012 at 6:42 am

An interesting corollary?

http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/culture-stirs-the-art-of-47-million-souls-hooked-on-a-hobby-20120221-1tlrs.html

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Paul Hassing

February 27, 2012 at 9:55 am

A great link just in from @PenelopeTrunk

http://caitlinmccabe.com/2012/02/our-pinterest-top-4-who’s-got-it-right/

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Paul Hassing Founder & Senior Writer - The Feisty Empire

April 27, 2012 at 9:40 am

A fine outing from our Irma – replete with ace cartoon!

http://mysocialintelligence.com/blog/pinterest-not-just-a-pretty-face/

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Paul Hassing Founder & Senior Writer - The Feisty Empire

May 31, 2012 at 11:08 am

Egad! Irma’s going off! Check out this fab analysis!

http://mysocialintelligence.com/blog/men-are-from-g-and-women-are-from-pinterest-true-or-false/

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Paul Hassing Founder & Senior Writer - The Feisty Empire

June 13, 2012 at 10:20 am

Another great update, with a surprising tradie twist!

http://www.smh.com.au/small-business/smallbiz-tech/come-in-pinners-get-on-board-20120613-208up.html

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