#pintersest

new social networks tend to freak out professionals like myself; but only because our colleagues think that we must sign up for an account - sight unseen.

but Pinterest is different and it's recent growth is unparalleled beacause of two key reasons - visual storytelling and women.  still don't believe it? just take a look at some of these impressive stats:

18M unique visitors in March 2012

10 million monthly unique users - faster than any standalone site ever

American users of the social network spend an average of one hour and 17 minutes on the site

and the biggest demographic for Pinterest: women ages 25 to 34

how did Pinterest manage to do what no other social network could?

We now live in a world where information is potentially unlimited. Information is cheap, but meaning is expensive. Where is the meaning? Only human beings can tell you where it is. We’re extracting meaning from our minds and our own lives. - inventor and futurist George Dyson

Pinterest is successful, particularly among women, because the images it chronicles tell a story and history tells us that women are natural storytellers [see Scheherazade].  also of note, a recent study by the Women's Philanthropy Institute at the University of Indiana concludes that women are 40% more likely to donate (to a charitable cause) than men.

so how can nonprofits leverage Pinterest and it's captive audience? two words: meaningful metrics.

if your organization's metrics include meaningful outcome measurements,  visual storytelling can become an effective way of reaching a key constituency - women.

let's take the American Red Cross for example -- known for their social media prowess.  they've managed to take their Pinterest page and turn into a visual story supporting their goals of emergency preparedness and blood donation with 'pinnable' infographics.

Amnesty International uses their board to highlight their littlest activists and inspiring people. and there are many more nonprofits using meaningful metrics to make a difference on Pinterest.

true, every nonprofit isn't cut out to take Pinterest by storm, but those who have a solid communications plans can use Pinterest as a visual storytelling tool dedicated to a key audience.