Wait, what's a Pinterest?

New social networks are certainly buzz-worthy and Pinterest is no exception. The new image sharing site has caught the eyes of young female consumers, a demographic that is highly sought after. But is it just buzz-worthy because it's new, or can it actually provide some benefits for brands? The short answer -- it depends. 

First things first, Pinterest is a little different from other social networks, especially for brands. It's not a broadcast mechanism, like Twitter or Facebook; rather it's a place to promote lifestyle and personality. Pinterest encourages brands to think outside the box and pin images that capture the lifestyle of your brand. 

So, if you're looking to target a younger female demographic, then take the plunge and create a company profile. Pinterest has a uniquely high engagement rate, says Mashable, reporting 3.3 million users, totaling to more than 421 million pageviews. 

Need some examples? Check out these brands and see how they're pinning.

• Nordstrom
• Gap
• Travel Channel

What do you think about Pinterest? Is it something you'll add to your digital marketing tool kit? Share your thoughts with us!