I’m super excited to be guest posting over on Pinterest’s blog today to kick off their Pin it Forward UK campaign. It’s admirable to see a huge platform put weight behind a project to make their site feel relevant to more localised audiences and not just have a one-size-fits-all approach. In fact, to me, this exercise makes sense because even though Pinterest is an open and social space, it’s probably one of the most personal platforms and is often highly influenced by where you live.
It’s been exciting to see how Pinterest has grown and evolved over the past three years; the passion of those who work behind the scenes (click here to watch this keynote by co-founder, Ben Silbermann, I guarantee you’ll find it an inspiring watch) is always evident and has no doubt helped propel the platform to drive more traffic than Google+, YouTube and LinkedIn combined (source). So why, you may ask, the need for Pin it Forward UK? At an event in London recently co-founder Evan Sharp spoke of how Pinterest never really ‘launched’. Rather, he and Ben just switched it on one day and watched the platform grow organically. There was no fanfare or strategy or plan, just two guys with an idea they believed in. And what an excellent idea is was (and still is). While the site has always been available worldwide, it has grown astronomically and now the team are keen to make Pinterest feel more natural, welcoming and interesting to local audiences – the main aim behind Pin it Forward UK.
For me the main benefit of Pinterest is how it has the ability to inspire across boundaries and boarders. This is a visual platform that can inspire you no matter what language you speak. In fact, I love to browse my Pinterest feed at different times of the day and see the difference in the content from the pinners I’m following. When I get my first Pinterest hit of the day, I’m transported into a world of opposite seasons as I scroll through the pins from Australian pinners; my feed first thing is full of cosy autumnal soups and winter fashion. By mid-morning, the UK pins start to feed into the mix and I see dream-like pins of exotic isles as we collectively crave the warmer days that our temperate spring climate is teasing us with. By the afternoon, I’m scrolling through the latest designs from a major US design trade show and looking for inspiration of what to cook for dinner that evening. From my Foodie Fantastic board I know that a cracking meal recipe is only a click away – sorted! Then, while dinner’s cooking, I can plan places to visit on an upcoming holiday through my Bright Places board, choose a craft project for the weekend, find a new sofa and pull together an outfit for the wedding I’m attending next week.
In a world of online noise and ever-updating information, Pinterest gives you a place to reflect; it’s a personable yet social space to catalogue your ideas, inspirations, dreams, real life projects, resources. Why not join in the fun? Head over to my guest post on the Pinterest blog to be introduced to ten fantastic pinners who are starting Pin it Forward today, including Abigail Ahern.
// Photography by Will Taylor
13 Comments
Love, love, love your post!
And the gif!! That’s my favourite 😉
How exciting that you’re kicking the campaign off! I’m quite new to it so it’s interesting to read more about it. I really liked our food board!!
Fun post, Will! I use Pinterest to make mood board for my e-consulting clients but sometimes get distracted by all the prettiness!
It’s so addictive; I start pinning and get lost in boards for hours!!
Great post! Pinterest is amazing 🙂
Love your post, Will! Beautiful graphics (of course!)
Great post to kick off Pin It Forward UK. I’m off to check out some of your boards 😀
Love the gif, Will!
I’m in a graphic mode at the moment and I’m loving yours 🙂 Sadly I didn’t make it to the Pinterest event so I’m heading straight over to watch the keynote talk and will check out your post on their blog too of course!
What a great post! I’m going to go ahead and echo everyone’s comments about the GIF (it’s really great, a super nice touch!).
Exciting news, and love that you are kicking off the campaign. Making me wish I was in the UK.
Glad to see you on board, I wasn’t suprised to see your face up on the blog really. Very inspiring mate.
I’m on the gravy train today.
Loved reading the article here and on Pinterest. It is one of my fave places to pin up all the beautiful crafting and other things I find when surfing the net. I love ur stamped piece and as a scrapbooker I find using baby wipes works well to get rid of the excess ink on the stamps prior to stamping them. Also we are taught toe take the ink to the stamp not the stamp to the ink as it gives you more control. Thought I’d give a hint as you give us so many wonderful ideas xxx