An Inst-HIT!

 

When I first got the Instagram app, I was disheartened by the fact now many of my peers did not use it. Though as of lately, I’m constantly receiving notifications of friends getting Instagram. Plus, every time I check Face Book or Twitter, I see numerous posts/tweets relating to and/or using Instagram. Even when it comes to my friends, they are constantly checking Instagram more than Face Book. Instagram enables you to alter the photos you take with your phone by adding filtered layers that imitate the look of low-end film cameras.

Some say the reason Instagram has become a hit is because one can edit the photos; however, I think that is just a little bit of the answer. Let’s face it’s hard to communicate in words; sometimes, photos make the task easier. Plus, there’s no more having to worry when you're overstepping the Twitter character limitations or need to struggle with self-consciousness as you attempt to express yourself fully on Facebook, where everyone and your distant aunt are on your friends list. Another reason Instagram has become a hit as Instagram images tend toward abstraction, and are more powerful to viewers because they have to work harder to interpret the images. And, as they do so, viewers escape to whatever feelings, memories, and experiences the images evoke.

 

Pinterest

Sick of printing out interesting web stuff like recipes or how to-s? Wouldn't you like to your own personal online bulletin board? Well look no further, Pinterest is here to save the day!

Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.

Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.

            Even companies are starting to use Pinterest. Using Pinterest for social media marketing can be a great way to reap more traffic.  In fact, in January 2012 more people visited websites from Pinterest the combined traffic from LinkedIn, Google Plus, Reddit, and Youtube!  Pinning our products serves as a visual for consumers, especially since the company can link your boards to your site.  A word of caution to companies, do not pin your offers. Pinterest is an opportunity to be creative and bold with your products.  Memes and humor are also virally pinned, so if you are great with creating these, start posting them on your blog or somewhere that others will pin them.  Pictured here is a chart found on Pinterest, with numerous interesting ‘marketable’ facts.