During the planning process of your online business, getting your ideas down on paper (or in this case, the computer screen) can be invaluable. With strategies and steps running through your head, you’re stress level will plummet when you can actually see things clearly in front of you.
The best tool for visualizing your plan is a mind map. There is a tons of mind mapping software out there. Some are pricey, some are free. It doesn’t matter which route you take. Just be sure to actually create some mind maps. In the long run, you’ll thank me for giving you this little assignment.
Browser-based mind maps are most useful because you can access them from any computer by logging into your online account. Most of these even let you share your mind map or browse the mind maps of others, which is great for group collaboration.
Use mind mapping to visualize your work, organize tasks, track progress and just about anything else. Chances are you could use some help in this area.
Let’s get into some examples of what is a mind map. Basically, your mind map is your own, so it should be whatever is useful to you. Let’s say you have a website all about happiness. Want to make sure you cover all your bases? Make a map.
Click the mind map below for a full-size view…
If you were blogging about happiness, you could use the sub-categories (such as feelings, education and climate) as categories on your blog. You could even use tally marks to track how many posts you have had on each category and sub-category to make sure your blog becomes all-inclusive.
Creating a map like this takes just minutes. Spend a little more time, and you can create an extremely detailed map like the one below…
This one is so elaborate, I couldn’t even fit the entire map on my monitor. Sacrifice a little time up front to save you a ton in the long-run.
These maps were created using MindMeister, a mind mapping software that costs a couple dollars a month after a month-long free trial. Other good mind mapping software includes bubbl.us and MindJet.
Check out the mindmapping blog for a detailed comparison of different mind mapping programs.
Tags: mindmapping, mind map, software, organization, starting a blog
Like the blog? Buy the book.
