There is a lot of excitement surrounding Pinterest these days and Google+ is garnering interest. Most of us already have a presence on the 'big three' Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn so should we be cultivating these two new social media outlets as well?

Pinterest is all about the visual which makes it tougher for businesses that offer services and intangible goods to stand out. While industries such as travel, food, pet, promotional products and health care can all do some great visual marketing, one has to give a lot of thought on how to be creative when it comes to using Pinterest for companies based on B2B, consulting, coaching or financial assistance. Pinterest does have an impressive following which makes the fact that you can link back to your company website and twitter page very appealing. You are also able comment on others pages which opens networking opportunities.

If you use Pinterest I recommend you read Kirsten Kowalski's post Why I tearfully deleted my Pinterest inspirational board before you start pinning photographs that are not your own or you haven't purchased through a website such as iStock.

Google+ requires you to set up a personal page before doing a business one. Once your pages are set up (which is a bit of a process for the business one) you can follow your page's fans back and add them to one of four default circles or create new circles. First though develop a marketing strategy outlining what you want from Google+ as this will enable you to streamline your circles. You can also link back to your website with a Google+ icon.

There is no doubt that both will substantially improve your website ranking. And both if carefully thought through will increase a company's social media reach. I am still not certain that they warrant the extra work in what is already a full day for most entrepreneurs. Is the rate of return worth the hours of set up and daily maintaining?

Pinterest is being touted as 'fun' and people are floundering somewhat with what the purpose of Google+ is. When a business asks my opinion the reply varies. If they have an IT or social media person on staff go for it. If they have FaceBook, Twitter, LinkedIn as well as something like foursquare when there is a physical location and all are running efficiently then it can do no harm.

If the above scenarios don't apply to you consider this; do you have the time for two more pieces in your marketing puzzle because that is all they are just more pieces to fit in. Not matter how much fun or intriguing they may be, it is unrealistic to think the end result will be an instant direct sale or hiring. For most entrepreneurs and small companies I recommend giving Google+, Pinterest and the next new thing that is on the drawing board time to develop and improve then decide what combination of social media platforms are best for your business.

Two of our feature writers share their thoughts; Christine Bode's How to have the perfect Pinterest profile and Are you willing to bet against Google? by Mary Charleson

The crux of reading these days is not about deciding on print over digital or even why Canadian book prices continue to be higher than US, it is about finding the time. As kids we read when we were supposed to be sleeping, at the library on Saturday afternoon or outside in the backyard.

Now I too tired for more than a few pages at bedtime and I haven't visited a library in years. Piles of books, newspapers and magazines call my name from the coffee table, my desk and beside the bed because subconsciously I beleive that when I buy reading material the time to actually read it will just materialize.

I was just asked to review two books; The Long March Home by Zoë S. Roy and How to Coach a Woman - a practitioner's manual by Lynette Allen & Meg Reid which means I can put reading into my schedule guilt free. Plus I made a short contribution to the How to Coach a Woman on page 35.

Whether you are starting to plan your garden or just planting pots for the deck create a reading/relaxing/day dreaming corner, then take your calendar and mark off some afternoons for yourself during July and August I promise it will be worth it.

We read to know we are not alone – CS Lewis