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"Update: This post was updated October 2013 to reflect current statistics and tools.\nYou've probably heard a lot about Pinterest over the last couple of years. Not only did the company complete $200 million in venture funding, but the site's popularity has exploded from 1.2 million users in August 2011 to over 70 million by mid-2013.  \nSee also: Top 20 Fashion Accounts to Follow on Pinterest\nBut like any new social site, there's always the question, \u201CHow does it work?\u201D Have no fear, soon-to-be-Pinterest fan, we'll show you the ropes.\n1. What is Pinterest?\nPinterest is a place to organize and share online images you find interesting or inspiring. Once uploaded or shared on Pinterest, these images become known as Pins, which the user can place on customized, themed Boards. You can create Boards for any topic imaginable, from cats to classic cars to cats driving classic cars. The possibilities are endless. \t\n2. What is Pinterest for?\n\nImage: Pinterest\nWhile there\u2019s nothing wrong with just pinning pictures of cool stuff all day, Pinterest can be a really valuable tool for people with a specific purpose in mind. For example, many brides-to-be have replaced bulky three-ring binder wedding planners with the simplicity and portability of a Pinterest account. Some people create a Board for each room in the house and then pin decorating ideas for that space. Artists use it to organize inspiring images for their work. Cooks keep online recipe boxes. College students might create shopping lists of things they need to buy for school. DIY-ers can bookmark tutorials for those rainy day projects. \nAnd Boards can have multiple contributors, so collaborating with co-workers on a project is easy with everyone's ideas and inspiration in one place.           \n3. How do I Pin stuff?\n\nImage: Pinterest\nStart on the Pinterest site itself. Each Pin in your feed features its own \"Pin it\" button; select it to Repin that image to one of your own Boards. (Or Like that Pin as a keepsake, without it appearing among any Boards.)\nPinning new images is easy with the official Pin It Button, a simple drag-and-drop browser extension. When you come across an image you like, just click the button and select the corresponding picture. Assign the pin to a Board, add accompanying text and you're done. \nOr head to the Pinterest homepage and click the \"+\" sign to add images or video of your own, or via URL.\nFinally, via Pinterest's mobile app, you can Pin and Repin the same way you would via desktop, minus the browser extension. \n4. What's the social angle?\n\nImage: Pinterest\nPinning's more fun when you do it together. To find other Pinners, access the dropdown menu on the upper-left side of the navigation bar and filter Boards by category. When you see a good Pin, leave a comment, Like it, or Repin to one of your own Boards. If you find a Board especially interesting, follow its updates, or head to the Pinner\u2019s profile and follow all of her Boards. Like Twitter, it's an open network, so follows don't require permission, and you don't have to follow anyone back. \nYou can tweet or share Pins on Facebook to help expand your network across all three services. Or simply copy the embed code to include the pin on your blog or website.\nCheck out the Popular category to see what pins are trending at the moment. It's a great way to find new content and Pinners who share your interests.  \nYour birthday's coming up and you really like that necklace on Etsy, right? Hint, hint by sharing a Pin with another Pinner: Use an @mention in the description, just like you do on other social sites. He'll get an email that he's been mentioned.\n5. Anything else I should know?\nMost Pins are photos, but you can pin videos, too. Hit the Videos button at the top of the page to see everything from movie trailers to sewing tutorials to the latest viral videos.  \nIf you\u2019re looking to buy a gift for someone, check out the Gifts menu for ideas; many have prices associated. With dollar values ranging from $1 to $500+, you can find something to fit any budget. And because Pins usually link back to the source website, buying something you like is easy.  \nPinterest might seem like a natural place to promote your small business, but do so with caution. It's frowned upon to spam your Boards with nothing but your own products or projects. That doesn't mean it's outright banned, but you need to contribute more to the community if you want to stay in its good graces. Use this opportunity to build your brand by linking and connecting to people who share the same style, or by pinning images that inspire your company's work. You can use Pinterest for self-promotion, just do so creatively.\nWhat other tips do you have for Pinterest users? How do you use Pinterest? Share your ideas in the comments below.\nImage: Flickr, Lachlan Donald\n\n\nPinterest HQ Tour\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Surprising Exterior\nThis is the front of the Pinterest office in downtown Palo Alto. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBranding\nThis is the first thing you see upon entering Pinterest's HQ -- now that's more like it!\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAn Open Loft\nWalking in the front door, you'll see this hall with quirky artwork and fan mail on the wall. Desks are on the left and straight ahead are stairs up to a small loft office area. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKeeping an Eye on the Stats\nOriginally, the back wall was orange, but they painted it red. Two screens display Pinterest analytics and the homepage, respectively. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA Team Environment\nTwo Pinterest employees discuss their work.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nArt Is Welcome\nThe brother of an employee drew this dino sketch on the wall of the main office. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA Horse Is a Horse, Of Course\nSeveral Pinterest employees told us that this is their favorite piece of wall art in the office. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSnack Time\nThe back room is stocked with junk food and various snacks. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReception\nIf you visit Pinterest in Palo Alto, they may ask you to have a seat in this cozy little area at the front of the open-concept office. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nStaying Hydrated\nOffice manager Leslie told me the staff loves Dr. Pepper. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNerf Darts\nCan you see the Nerf dart in these blinds? Those brightly-colored darts are everywhere in the office. Pinterest-ers used to have Nerf guns, but decided that just throwing the darts was easier. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFoosball Break\nI asked these guys if they have any meetings today. \"This is a meeting,\" one of them replied.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFan Mail\nFan mail is posted on a wall near the front door. The letters range in tone from touching to quirky. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nConference Room\nThis is one of the secluded offices where smaller meetings are held. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Bullpen\nPinterest employees work in the open-space loft office in Palo Alto. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHard At Work\nA Pinterest employee works on the website at the office in Palo Alto, Calif. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPinterest Decor\nA creative fan sent Pinterest these pretty ornaments.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFun Stuff Everywhere\nEverywhere you turn in the office, there's something cool to look at --- just like Pinterest. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nView From the Top\nThe upstairs open-air loft office looks down on the bull pen area. Right now, no one sits upstairs, but the company is rapidly growing and will have to look for a new office soon. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2011/12/26/pinterest-beginners-guide/>