Updated 1/15/19. Looking to go somewhere? Use Pinterest to plan your travel. You’ll find information about everything from packing lists to places you never heard of. It’s easy, fun, and inspiring!
You’ve certainly heard of Pinterest, but maybe thought it was for collecting decorating ideas or finding new recipes. Lots of pretty photos, too. I avoided the website for too long, thinking it was for wedding planners and hobby crafters. Boy, was I wrong!
What is Pinterest, anyway?
Only eight years old, Pinterest is the way to save your ideas in one place. It hesitates to call itself “social media,” because its 200 million users are there for themselves, not to jump on the latest hot trend. CEO Ben Silbermann says it where you go to “get ideas for your real life.” I like that description.
When we use Facebook, we post a status update in order to get comments and start a conversation. With Instagram and Twitter, we’re looking for likes and followers. But with Pinterest, we’re creating categories that are important to us–unique catalogs we’ll build and return to. We choose what’s right for us…and that feels authentic.
How do I start?
Not using Pinterest yet? It couldn’t be easier. Go to Pinterest.com and sign up with your email address and a password. You’ll be asked a couple of questions, such as your age and gender. That’s it! Now you can search for ideas and create boards for anything that interests you.
Not surprisingly, 81% of users are female, but 40% of new signups are male. Over half of users are under 40, but you can expect that age to shift upward in the future. The average number of pins is 158. The average time spent on a Pinterest visit is about 14 minutes.
So, how do you use Pinterest to plan your travel?
This is the cool part. Unlike other platforms, you don’t have to follow individuals. Instead, you follow ideas. Suppose you want to take a Great American Road Trip. Easy-peasy! Just type it in…and start your own collection of ideas.
Say you’re thinking about going to Ireland someday. You can start a board and call it “Ireland Ideas” and begin to save the pins that appeal to you. They’ll stay right there until you’re ready to get serious about your trip.
Or maybe you want to learn about travel photography: which cameras are best, how to shoot night photos, or tips for street photography. It’s all there. Create a board and save those ideas. You’ll find there are topics you hadn’t even considered–that’s exciting, too!
You name it, it’s on Pinterest. Travel safety? Jet lag? Spending time in airports? Tiny towns in Germany? Two days in Cleveland? Best shoes for European cities? Christmas Markets around the world? It’s all there…there are over 75 billion ideas waiting for you.
TravelSmart Woman does the work for you!
I’m ahead of you here…TravelSmart Woman has created over 170 boards with 18,000 pins to help you use Pinterest to plan your travel. I’ve been making boards for U.S. cities, countries, travel tips, and special topics such as photography, safety, and apps. Every week, I add more–as well as add to existing boards.
Don’t see what you want? Let me know! I’ll bump your request to the top of the list!
Once you start to use Pinterest to plan your travel, you’ll be hooked. Sure, go ahead and make a board for Thanksgiving recipes and ways to organize your garage. That’s the beauty of it–it’s YOUR collection!
More travel planning ideas:
TravelSmart Woman Resources Page
Travel Plan Graphic: It’s Easier Than You Think!
Travel Tips from Experts: Learn from the Pros!
Government Travel Programs: Easy & Helpful
Travel Checklist: Before You Go…Print It!
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