5 Great Ways to Use Pinterest

by Jason Keath

January 26, 2012

Originally published at Social Web Daily

What do sculptors, jet setters, philosophers, foodies, and collectors have in common?

They can all make great use of Pinterest, the pinboard-channeling new social network. With a stream-lined interface, and plenty of opportunity to engage with and get inspiration from other Pinterest users, there are an endless number of creative ways to use the new site.

Here are five of our favorites:

1. Collector’s Showcase

Hobbyists and special-interest enthusiasts can put Pinterest to good use by uploading pictures from your personal collection, or collecting images from around the web. Whether you collect salt and pepper shakers, stamps, or just love the look of cupcakes, you can proudly display your special interests and hobbies using Pinterest.

2. Sage Scrapbook

If only we had a pen for every time someone said something insightful. Thankfully, Pinterest allows you to keep all those sage words of advice in one place. Great for philosophers, writers, or anyone who loves meditating on a thought-provoking quote, Pinterest is an ideal platform for storing inspiring quotes and categorizing them for an effortless pick-me-up anytime.

3. Digital Cookbook

Now we’re not sure about you, but our cookbooks are dog-eared, stained with pasta sauce and threatening to give at the seams. We’ve got recipes tucked away on notecards hiding among its pages only to disappear right when we need them (of course!). Finally, Pinterest lets us store all those recipes—and future dishes we find around the web—all in one easy-to-maneuver place. It’s a great spot to store grocery store lists, and entertaining tips as well.

4. Artist’s Muse

Don’t wait for the muse to strike—be proactive and fashion a Pinterest board to channel creativity. Pin your favorite art pieces, colors, lyrics, and photos to create a digital inspiration board. It might be exactly what you need to get that paintbrush moving.

5. Travel Itinerary

Let Pinterest help you plan your next trip. Whether you want to go to Bali, San Diego, or the Arctic, Pinterest can help you keep all of your travel dreams in one spot. Think of it as a beautiful digital bucket list of all the places you hope to one day go. You can pin articles about great restaurants, sights, and killer hotels. Plus, you can take pictures of your jaunts and pin ‘em up post trip.

How do you use Pinterest? Let us know in the comments below!