Make Your Next Pinterest Project A Success

Make Your Next Pinterest Project A Success
Make Your Next Pinterest Project A Success

When it comes to Pinterest there are many pins and projects to choose from. How do you choose a DIY project or craft from Pinterest that will be a successful project when it’s completed? Here are ten things to consider:

1. How does it look in the original picture?
If someone has previously made a project, and their project doesn’t look good in the finished photo, chances are you’ll have similar results.

2. Does the pin lead to a direct source?
Look for pins with direct links and correct sources. Sometimes pins aren’t pinned correctly from their original source. If a pin leads to Google images or has a broken link, you won’t be able to find the detailed tutorial with the important directions, materials list, or measurements, as well as tips and tricks relating to the project.

3. Does the pin have enough detailed directions?
I often avoid doing projects that have the shortened version of the directions in the pin’s description and doesn’t have detailed directions when you click through. This is especially true for recipes. Some pins have been pinned and repined hundreds or even thousands of times. If the recipe is included in the pin’s description, there’s no way of knowing if that recipe has been changed or how accurate it is.

4. How complicated is the project?
Keep it simple! Most often, I choose easy to do projects. If a recipe has a long list of ingredients and more than five steps, I don’t do it.

5. How much will you have to spend on materials and supplies?
Look for projects that don’t need a big investment in money and materials. I’ve made things that weren’t successful. Burned crock pot dinners and failed crafts have gone in the trash. I don’t spend a lot of money for materials so I don’t feel too bad when things don’t work out as planned. Also, look for projects that you already have some or most of the materials on hand. I’m not likely to do a project if I have to go to the store to buy a long list of supplies.

6. Don’t follow trends.
Make what you want and what you are interested in.  Projects with burlap, chevron stripes, and glitter have all been popular trends on Pinterest and I haven’t made a single project with any of them.  I make what appeals to me and my interests, not necessarily what everyone else is making and pinning.

7. Is it permanent?
Do a test first. Pinterest has many make-it-yourself cleaning recipes and unconventional ways to clean items. Do a test first to see if your new cleaning recipe or method works the way it’s supposed to. For projects that involve staining or painting an item, do a test first to see how it works. Test in a small area or on a scrap piece of the material you’re working with. If it doesn’t work out, you haven’t ruined the whole thing.

8. How long does the project take?
I'm not good about following through and finishing long projects.  With the exception of only a few projects, almost all of the pins I’ve chosen to do from Pinterest have been completed quickly in a day or less.

9. Know your skills, strengths, and weaknesses.
I can't sew.  It's a simple as that.  I know that if I tried a sewing project, even a simple one for beginners, I probably wouldn't be happy with the results.  Choose projects that play to your strengths.

10. Do your research.
Sometimes there is more than one pin for a project. Pin different variations of the same project and read the directions for each one. This can provide more information and a better understanding of how to successfully complete a particular project. Sometimes you can even combine ideas for a project from more than one pin.

Most of all, be flexible and try not to be a perfectionist.  If something doesn’t work, it’s ok to change it.  If your project doesn’t look exactly like the picture, it’s ok - that’s your personality shining through!  If a project doesn’t go according to plan, think about what went wrong and learn from it. You just might be able to use what you’ve learned in your next project.  
Make Your Next Pinterest Project A Success

Comments

  1. Great Tips!! I have been flustering with Pinterest and this was a HUGE help!! Thank you for posting!!
    -Kat
    www.confessionsoftheperfectmom.com

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  2. Thanks for the great tips. I need to spend a little more time learning Pinterest so that it will benefit me more.
    I am Pinning. Thanks for linking up at the Bloggers Brags Weekly Pinterest Party!

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  3. These are really great tips!

    Again, thanks for joining the Link Up this week!

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  4. Some really great suggestions, thanks! I have been very frustrated by Pinterest lately and how lazy some folks are with their pins - at a minimum, I always check that a link works before re-pinning and have come across a lot of duds. (Seen on Do Tell Tuesday.)

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  5. I'm hoping to spend some time this summer recreating some projects and this is great advice!

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  6. Very good advice. I haven't been clear on where to do the description. Is it done in the properties on the photo in your post? I've seen some where the recipe actually shows up on the pin and I am clueless on how to do it. If you've written a post about it, may I have the link? I am signing up to be notified when you add your answer so I can follow through on this. "Inquiring minds want to know" LOL!

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    1. The description I mentioned in this post is the pin description (the white box below the pin when you repin something) The pins that have the recipe on them are called "rich pins" and I haven't spent a lot of time working with them. If I figure out how to do them, I'll certainly let you know!

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  7. These are excellent tips. The most frustrating thing about Pinterest is when I find a craft or recipe I want to make and the link doesn't lead to the source! Thanks for sharing this with Hump Day Happenings.

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    1. I agree. With simple crafts, you might be able to look at the picture and figure out how to make something, but not so much with recipes.

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  8. These are great tips! I've learned the hard way some Pinterest projects, and especially recipes, don't always work out the way you want. There are so right about keeping it simple. Thanks for sharing on Hump Day Happenings!

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    1. I've been pretty lucky with recipes on Pinterest. Most of them have turned out really well and only a very few were duds.

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  9. I agree with your #4. I do the same with most recipes. Great tips.

    Raki

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  10. Great tips, I especially like 5,6,& 7. But you forgot number 11 - quickly destroy all evidence if it's a complete disaster, especially before your kids come home from school and see it (or that's potentially years of teasing!)

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  11. Great tips for Pinterest! Re #4 I'm very careful with which online recipes I cook now. I have even tried recipes from major TV companies website with ingredients in the list and then they are not used in the instructions and only found that out half way through cooking.

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  12. So many pins, so little time. I love the inspiration pinterest provides. It's nice to have a project filter. Thank you for your suggestions!

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  13. I'm not crafty at all, but I do feel that these are some really awesome tips worth sharing. I love Pinterest and find many great resources on there.

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  14. Great suggestions!! Thanks for linking up at Take it on Tuesday!
    ~ Betsy @ Romance on a dime

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  15. Those are great tips. I have to say I really hate getting all excited about a pin only to find the link doesn’t work or take me where I wanted to go.

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