How to Create Your Own Pinterest Account

Pinterest has grown dramatically in popularity over the past few years, but it can still be confusing to newcomers. It’s very important to understand how to create your own Pinterest account because otherwise, you won’t be able to build a following, pin images and repin others’ pins, and more. Use this guide to learn how to create your own Pinterest account so you can start taking advantage of all the site has to offer.

• Are you ready for Pinterest?

Before you dive in, it’s worth asking yourself a few questions. Are you ready for a commitment? Pinterest is full of images—you can pin as many as your heart desires—but you have to be patient while they load, and now and then, they won’t load at all. If all that stuck loading doesn't sound like your idea of fun, you might want to steer clear of Pin Central for now. Do you want an audience?: While there are plenty of people on Pinterest who don't care if their pins get repinned or not, most users on the site do care about how much attention their pins get. Are you one of them?

• Sign Up To An Account

First, you’ll need to get an account on Pinterest. You can sign up using your Facebook or Google+ profile or you can choose to remain completely anonymous. If you go with a pseudonym, however, your contacts will only be able to follow your boards – they won’t be able to find out who you are and what other accounts you use on various social networks. Once you’ve chosen a username and password, enter in some basic information including your email address and location. By default, all of these details are public unless otherwise noted in your settings.

• Set up your Profile

When you create a Pinterest account, it's important to fill out your profile completely. On each item you pin, you can add a description of what inspired it or why you pinned it. By filling out your profile completely and adding relevant information to every pin, others who follow you can see that your work is based on experience rather than random photos of puppies or kittens that float around social media sites. You'll also want to include links back to your personal website and other social media profiles where people can find more information about you and what inspires your work. This way, people aren't left guessing about who's behind all those pretty pins; they'll be able to click through for more information—and hopefully contact info—that could lead to new business opportunities down the road.

• Add Boards

After you've signed up for a free account on Pinterest, it's time to start adding boards. These are virtual pinboards that let you collect images and content from around the web that interest you. The great thing about Pinterest is it creates its own category, says Scott Belsky, author of Making Ideas Happen. It's becoming a place where people are collecting things together in digital portfolios. For example, one board might contain your recipes; another might hold images of what your ideal home looks like. To add boards: 1) Open your account 2) Click on Add 3) Choose boards you want (see below) 4) Click Save

• Follow People Who Inspire You

A big part of what makes Pinterest so appealing is that it’s a place for inspiration. By following those whose interests align with yours, you can keep on top of your personal style, love of craft and DIY projects, travel plans, and more. Even if you don’t end up buying anything from one of these pins, you might get inspired by something you see—for example, a movie that looks interesting or a new gadget that someone’s raving about—and end up going out and purchasing it yourself! In fact, people who follow more brands tend to spend more money on purchases.

• Get Pinning!

Pinterest is quickly becoming one of the social media’s biggest stars. This visual bookmarking site was acquired by none other than Yahoo in 2012 for $1.8 billion, and it continues to grow in popularity with users, brands, and businesses alike. As a user, you can create free boards around topics that interest you or save items from any website. But if you’re looking for a little more freedom with your pinning pursuits—such as managing multiple boards and writing comments on pins—you might want to consider creating your own Pinterest account. Here’s how