The best and worst times (and days) to update Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and more

From Social Marketing Writing:

5 ways to use Pinterest to make your content better

Mallory Jean Tenore at Poynter says reporters and editors are using Pinterest to:

1. Highlight feature content by connecting it to topical Pinterest boards.
2. Resurface old but quality content to give it a new life.
3. Respond to news events by posting in-house and crowd-sourced content.
4. Showcase images from local attractions and events.
5. Reach new audiences by creating a visual index of their content.

For detailed examples, read her post.

4 big trends to watch in social media -- from Richard Edelman

 Janet Tyler at Airfoil Public Relations blogs about a recent Harvard Leadership Program:

I confess, however, that the highlight of the event for me was the opportunity to hear from public relations icon Richard Edelman. In many ways, he is what Niall Horan from the boy band One Direction is to my teenage daughter—a rock star of our industry so-to-speak. In his remarks, Edelman pointed out four “big trends” he is observing in social media:

1. Keep an eye on three impending social giants: BuzzFeed, Pinterest and Tumblr. We need to watch them as closely as we do Facebook and Twitter.
2. Search and social now are more integrated than ever. If you’re doing well in one, you’re likely doing well in the other.
3. Amplification trumps circulation. Appearing in an influential online publication is one thing, but becoming the subject of online communities who begin discussing you represents a whole new level of success. When we can measure this amplification of initial content, we’ll be doing well.
4. Visuals matter more than ever. Think infographics, video, slides and any other way to tell our story beyond words.

Video: How to use Pinterest even if you lack visually appealing products

From Mark Ragan:

Can brands use Pinterest without visually appealing products? Of course, says the team ePrize. Make lawnmowers? Post photos of gorgeous lawns. Ask yourself: What inspires your products? Your designers? Pin those images.

• Watch the video.