By: Rebecca Rubin

How businesses can leverage the new social bookmarking phenomenon for digital success

Jumping from 40,000 to over 3.2 million users in the last year, niche social bookmarking website, Pinterest.com, is growing fast.  Nicknamed a “Visual Twitter”, the invite-only website allows users collect and categorize images from around the web onto labeled “pin boards” and is on a mission “to connect everyone in the world through the ‘things’ they find interesting.”  As the platform continues to expand (it was just named a Top 10 social networking website by Experian Hitwise), businesses are taking notice.  Here’s a step by step guide for implementing Pinterest into your existing marketing campaign to grow your online presence:

Step 1:

Request an invite either right on the website or get a friend or colleague to invite you.  It is also possible to request an invite on Facebook, Twitter or other social networking platform.  Once you’ve been invited, sign in using an existing Facebook or Twitter account to easily connect with friends/followers from those platforms.

The New Website Promotes Hope for Henry’s Efforts to Provide Comfort, Care and Recovery for Children with Serious Illnesses. 

Washington, D.C., (November, 2011) - Childhood wellness non-profit, the Hope for Henry Foundation, recently launched a new website, http://www.hopeforhenry.org/.  The goal of the website redesign was to help Hope for Henry better achieve its mission to improve the lives of children with cancer and other serious illnesses.  Built in the award-winning Drupal content management system and crafted by DC-area web design firm, Blue Water Media, the website’s engaging design, strong call-to-actions and intuitive navigation work together to promote the Hope for Henry message in the digital space.

Recognition Has Been Given to Blue Water Media for Excellence in Government Web Design, Restaurant Web Design, Consumer Products and Services Web Design and Education Web Design.

Washington, DC (November, 2011) – The winners of The 2011 Davey Awards have just been announced by the International Academy of the Visual Arts.  Washington DC web design firm, Blue Water Media, has been selected from nearly 4,000 entries from across the US and around the world for their work on The Department of Health and Human Services website, The Scholarship Workshop website, the Please Propose website, the Congressional Seafood website and the Vinifera Wine Bar and Bistro website.  “We are honored to be recognized by the esteemed Davey awards bureau, which has a history of selecting the creative work from the best small firms across the globe,” says Blue Water Media Director of Web Design, Jennifer Koscielniak.

The Cutting Edge, Informative and Aesthetically Appealing Website Helps AWI Serve as a Stronger Advocate for Animal Protection.

Washington, DC (October 21, 2011) – DC-based animal protection nonprofit organization, the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), just launched a new website, www.awionline.org.  Designed by DC web design firm, Blue Water Media, and built in the award-winning Drupal content management system, the website features compelling layout and design, e-commerce functionality, and a customized donation module.  Blue Water Media’s creation will help AWI more effectively carry out its mission to reduce animal suffering caused by people.

A dynamic slideshow filled with vivid images of animals greets users on the homepage and sets a compassionate tone to the site.  Clearly organized content and intuitive navigation allows users to find the information they are looking for easily and efficiently.  Prominent calls-to-action like “Act Now,” “Sign Up for eAlerts,” “Support AWI” and social media icons encourage users to take desired actions and engage meaningfully with the website.

With Improved Web Design and Functionality, The African American Women’s Cancer Awareness Association Can Better Raise Support and Awareness Surrounding the Global Fight Against Cancer.

Washington, DC (October, 2011) — Cancer awareness non-profit, The African Women’s Cancer Awareness Association, just launched a new website, http://www.awcaa.org/.  Created by DC area web design firm, Blue Water Media, the new site boasts a visual redesign, news and events calendar, media gallery and the award-winning Drupal content management system.  Blue Water Media’s enhancements will help the AWCAA achieve their mission to eliminate disparities in awareness, prevention and treatment of cancer for Africans on a global scale.

The dynamic image slideshow on the Homepage featuring photos of cancer survivors with their families alongside the tagline, “Breaking the Barriers of Silence” gives the site an air of strength and perseverance.  The pink, purple and white color scheme coupled with the media gallery full of photos of smiling faces endows the site with a distinctly warm and inviting feel.  Prominently placed call to actions such as “Donate Today”, “Shop AWCAA”, “Sign Up for Our Newsletter” and links to social media portals encourages user engagement with The AWCAA website.