What is Pinterest, why should you care, and who should you follow?
 

 

 
What is Pinterest?
 
Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard that lets you organize and share your favourite images, products, videos, etc. Essentially, one digital space to house all of the images that you collect.

Pinterest is now the third most popular social media site, after facebook and twitter.

A pin is an image added to Pinterest. A pin can be added from a website, or you can upload images from your computer. Each pin added using the Pin It button links back to the site it came from. A board is a set of pins. You can add as many pins to a board as you want. Pinterest lets you to browse Pinboards created by other talented people.
 
Why should you be on Pinterest?
 
While browsing Pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests, it is also a perfect way to showcase your art!
 
Getting started on Pinterest is quick and easy. Once you’ve set up your account, it is simple to drive traffic back to your art. 
 
We absolutely love Pinterest, and see this site as a huge marketing and brand opportunity for arts organizations and artists. It is also 100% free!
 
Understanding a Pinboard:
 

This is an example of our public art Pinboard on Pinterest.
 
 
At the top of every Pinboard is the title of the board, and description that is assigned by the user. This title can be edited anytime.
 

In the top right corner of every Pinboard, you can view how many followers are following your particular board, along with the number of pins that you have on that board.
 

Here is an example of one of our Pins. This shows who uploaded the image, the text associated with the image, and the number of times this Pin has been Repined. To see a larger version of the image, or to click through to the corresponding link, you just have to click on the image.
 
How to make your Pins effective:
 
If you’re an artist:
Pinterest is a great way to share your online art portfolio. Place your art in front of a targeted audience of fellow artists, galleries, art lovers, and prospective clients. You can upload images directly, or you can pin your portfolio from your website. This way the images will link back to their original source. Make sure to not only Pin yourself, but also share you inspirations as well.  Much like other social media, the best 'Pinners' avoid being pure self-promoters. Start thinking of yourself as a “taste-maker.”

When you add the ‘$’ in your pin description, it will automatically add the price on the top corner of the image. If you do feel comfortable sharing the cost of your art publically, this is a great way to do it.

Link your pinterest account to your facebook, and twitter, and hit all three social media sites at once!

 
If you’re an arts organization:
This is a great place to showcase images of events, staff, and even the space that you’re working in. It will help your audience feel more connected to you as a company. Also, staying on top of social media trends show that you, as an organization have an ability to adapt to trends and the changes in the marketplace.
 
Top Pinners / Boards to Follow for all Art & Design lovers:
 

Ultimate guide for everything visual art in Canada, theartmarket.ca  
211 Pins
Art, artists, art news, arts organizations, public art, design, architecture, and more.
 

Curated Marketplace, Cargoh
3,445 Pins
Handmade items, craft ideas, art, home décor, fashion, photography, and more.

curator and jealous enthuasist, the jealous curator
323 pins
items for the home, daily gems, random lovely things, and spaces for hanging art.
 

Seattle Designer, Chad Syme  
7,657 Pins
Design, fashion, photography, graphic design, art, and more.

20 x 200
1,301 Pins
guest pinners, art for all colours, and types of people!
 

Designer and blogger, Joy Cho
4,787 Pins
Graphic design, vintage, art, beauty, architecture, style, and more.

Artsy forager
4,743 Pins
art, fashion, design, travel, and more.
 

Two design students and bloggers, Premier reg’art
3,054 Pins
Photos, design, décor, and more.
 
The best of Pinterest Photographers
787 Pins
Board Description: “This board is part of the project "Photographers on Pinterest - The Definitive List". Find the list at http://farbspiel-photo.com/connect/pinterest-photographers and join! This will increase your visibility and you will be allowed to pin your best photo to this board. The purpose of the board is to create a visual catalogue of the photographers. If you have received notification e-mail about this board, you are now on the list. Please feel free to pin your best photo onto the board.”
 
Art, Illustration
By: Max
1,855 Pins
Drawings, and paintings to show colour, line, and textures.
 
Illustration
By: Nick Karn
328 Pins
Modern Graphic art, pop culture, technology, fashion, etc.
 

 

 
 
For an invitation, tweet to us @theartmarket_ca and we can send you one!