How I came to know and love Pinterest
Two months ago, I didn’t know what Pinterest was and the concept didn’t make sense to me. One of my close friends, digital rockstar and fellow blogger Wendy from Suburban Misfit, sent me an invite. They are still invite only right now. And they are making a splash on the social media scene. According to a Wall Street Journal article, they currently have 11 Million users and are growing fast. If you need a beginners guide, Mashable has a good one. Oh, and for wordpress.com bloggers, there is a really easy explanation of how to add it to your blog. But seriously, just get an invite from one of your friends and play around. The addiction will take on a life of its own.
Wedding planning, fashion and interior design are some of the hot verticals right now, which leads me to contemplate how it will play out in the world of travel.
Where to begin: Travel bloggers, travel magazines and the like
There isn’t a lot of lists out there like there are for fashion. A helpful blog post on the topic from Budget Travel got me on my journey. I’m quite certain my list will change, evolve, and expand over time. But I’ve got to start somewhere. So without further ado:
- Chris Gray Faust: Besides lots of pretty pictures, all her boards feel personal. Her “Quotes to live by” board has me inspired in life, not just travel.
- Johnny Jet: High on the gorgeous photo quotient, his boards are well organized. I’m repinning, so that is a good sign.
- Travel Channel: Glossy, glossy, glossy with a lot of pins. I’m loving the eye candy, and I’m curious to see what they’ll do. They are asking their followers what they want to see. Answers were wide ranging, but I am happy they are asking the question.
- Budget Travel: With only 3 boards, they are clearly doing some curating, and I think that is smart. One of those boards is on “Reader’s Best Travel Photos,” and I think that method of engagement has lot of potential.
So where will it go? Interesting intersections of travel with weddings, fashion, and photography
So I talked earlier about some of the popular categories on Pinterest: fashion, weddings etc. I’m interested in the cocktail.
- Travel + Weddings = Honeymoon: I’m sure this is happening already, but I would have to imagine it will increase. And the ability to target market if the data about those aspirations were available…
- Travel + Fashion= Happiness: Ok, I have to go on a brief tangent. I travel a lot, and I don’t look good in many of those photos. No perfect accessory, variable weather, the comfort factor, hair won’t cooperate if humidity is present. I’m sending a wish into cyberspace that some board or blend of National Geo + Real Simple+ Nina Garcia (names indicative only) will help me to “Travel Cute.” Sigh. And not go broke. Sigh, Sigh. And be comfy-ish.
- Travel + Photography= Someday Moments: Some view Pinterest as too aspirational (clothes I can’t afford, space I don’t have), but I think of it as inspiration for reality. I recently repinned a crazy beautiful photo of the aurora borealis, something I’ve always wanted to see, and will someday. The photo reminds me to stay focused on creating my own memory, my own moment. I hope that you will do the same.
So…who do you follow on Pinterest for Travel? What interesting intersections do you see?
Header Photo: Volcano and sunrise as viewed from hot air balloon in Cappadocia, Turkey October 2009 © W2S Hilary
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Your thoughts welcome and appreciated