Contributed by Info Guru Jennifer Andrews

Social media has grown tremendously in the last decade alone with the advent of popular sites such as Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter.

Pinterest is an online pinning board that lets users pin all the interesting, fun, beautiful and creative things they find on the web. Facebook is a billion dollar social networking website that was created in 2004 and lets users connect with friends, family and even strangers all over the world. Twitter is another social networking site that enables users to send and read tweets which are short text posts and pictures to followers. With the increasing popularity of these networking sites, it can be easy to get overwhelmed in trying to learn and navigate the basics as well as increase your social status.

Check out the following top ten Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and general social media tips below to get started today.

10. Pin it

Pinterest enables its users to use a “Pin it” bookmark tool that makes it quicker and easier to pin things you see and like. Simply install the Pin it bookmark to your bookmark bar by going to Pinterest. This tool can also easily be added to blogs and websites so that readers can hit the pin it button if they like a post, picture, recipe or quote they see.

9. Make connections

Social networking sites Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter can connect with each other through pins, status updates and tweets. Increase your connectivity by adding your Pinterest account name and URL to your Facebook profile and linking your twitter account with Facebook so your tweets show up on the site. Go mobile by downloading the apps to your phone and tablet, too.

8. Re-pin it

Ask your friends, family and Pinterest followers to re-pin the things you post to their own Pinterest accounts and Facebook pages. This will get your own pins, including pictures, recipes, tips, quotes and ideas out to a larger audience and increase your own following numbers.

7. Update changes

Most social networking sites will undergo changes as the years go on in order to keep up with technology and trends. Facebook in particular has changed its home page allowing users to stay with the traditional page for a while longer before everyone is switched to a new format, or to switch right now to the more modern timeline. Select the style that fits your personality and preferences.

6. Keep it short

One of the top Pinterest-Facebook-Twitter tips is easy to remember: keep it short! Twitter makes this easier to do since it allows text-posts of less than or equal to 140 characters. Most people don’t want to read a long, verbatim post, so simplify what you are trying to say.

5. Keep it simple

The increase in social networking sites has given millions of people worldwide the ability to say and write exactly what they are doing or thinking at any moment in time. While this can be a great thing, it can also be overkill. Before you write something, ask yourself: does this really need to be said? Avoid constantly updating accounts with day to day recounts such as “waiting for the paint to dry”, “eating shredded wheat for breakfast” or “sitting in traffic on the way home.”

4. Link love

An efficient way to maximize your followers on network sites is to show some love for other pinners, tweeters and bloggers. Try tweeting about another person’s blog post or website and provide the URL so readers can follow. Chances are that you will receive the same kindness in return and another tweeter will tweet about your own site or account.

3. Consistency

Friends, readers and social followers will appreciate new material and information from you consistently particularly if you have a pinning and Facebook site for a business or blog. Keep it fresh by writing daily or every second day and/or simply tweet an update if you have to take a day or two away.

2. Follow others

Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter all allow you to follow other pinners, Facebook friends and tweeters. This in turn will increase your own readership and can help you develop new connections or make new friends.

1. When in doubt

It’s imperative to remember that plagiarizing or taking other people’s words, thoughts and pictures is not nice – or legal. Play fair and give credit where credit is due if you are re-tweeting or sharing something from another friend, pinner or follower.