You may have heard of mind maps. They sound kinda fancy schmancy and a little mysterious.
Truth be told, they’re really not all that fancy- I mean essentially mind maps are just circles and lines.
But mind maps are powerful tools for writing blog posts. Let me show you how.
What’s a Mind Map?
First let me give you the “official” Wikipedia definition:
A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items linked to and arranged around a central key word or idea. Mind maps are used to generate, visualize, structure, and classify ideas, and as an aid to studying and organizing information, solving problems, making decisions, and writing.
And now, my definition in terms of blogging:
A mind map is a diagram used to organize your thoughts before you write a post.
Don’t confuse mind maps with the outlines you used to do in school. An outline is linear and more rigid like this:
I. Main topic
a. sub topic 1
b. sub topic 2
c. sub topic 3
I don’t know about you but my mind jumps around a little more than that.
Creating a mind map is like doing a “brain dump.” You have an idea for a post. And then one of two things happens- you either have so many things to say that you can hardly think straight OR you have the idea for a post but have no idea which direction to take.
With a mind map, you dump all those thoughts flying around in your head, both the big ideas and the little ones. Mind maps let you bounce around from topic to topic, jotting down ideas as they come to you.
They’re kinda like schizophrenic homework for preparing you to write your blog post.
Do mind maps work for all types of post topics?
I’d say a mind map will help you for most, but not all, of your posts. I use mind maps for about 75% of my posts. For every Momcomm Monday I definitely create a mind map. For the Joy in the Ordinary post I wrote the other week, I created a mind map. I also created a mind map for my post 7 Non-Insane Tips to Capture Family Movies.
Three different types of posts. All written by first doing a mind map to collect my thoughts, clarify my ideas and brainstorm what I’d write about.
Product reviews, an opinion piece, how tos, stories from a family event… with all of them you could benefit by mind mapping it first.
How do you create a mind map?
The simplest way to show you is to first let you see the mind map I drew for this post (I did it using my Wacom pen tablet so excuse the crappy handwriting):
Is started drawing branches off the MIND MAP circle with all the ideas that I had about this post. Some ideas needed more details so then I drew branches off that. They aren’t detailed; just simple notes that lay out what I want to say for this post.
Now for doing your own… In the center of a piece of paper, draw a circle. Then write your topic in the circle.
This is the part where the pistons start firing. Draw a branch coming from the circle and write down . Let it be spontaneous. Don’t censor yourself. You may not end up using everything you write down but that’s okay. At this point, you’re just jotting down whatever comes to you.
If you’re stuck, think about your topic in the context of the 5W’s and H: Who? What? When? What? Where? and How?
If you want an extra spark of creativity, try doing your mind map somewhere else other than a piece of paper. You can get a dry erase marker and write on a window or a mirror. At one of the companies I used to work for, we used to write on the windows with dry erase markers. It always “felt” more creative and funny enough, I think it helped us brainstorm.
Once you feel like you’ve completed your mind map, take a break. Go grab a drink or pull the kids off your leg. Then come back and take a look. You may see that you have everything you need to start writing right away. Or you may start numbering the main topics so you know how to order your thoughts. Either way, you should be well on your way to writing a great post.
Just a note. Next Monday is Labor Day so there’ll be no Momcomm Monday. I’ll be doing enough laboring from driving four hours with two kids in the car.
I love mind maps! I use them so often, they really work in a similar way to my brain. I use them for posts and for monthly planning.
I have to start using mind maps more often! I often have enough time to sit down and write half a post at a time…my thoughts are lost and I wind up revising my post a million times. Great tip!
I think I may need to incorporate this technique when I know I want to write but have no idea which if the 100 things in my head I want to write about.
Go for it! In this case, it may be cool to start five different maps with the topics you want to write about. Then bounce around from map to map… if you see one topic you’re having more ideas for than the others, then work with that one and turn it into a post.
I just kind of thought of that but I’m like you, I have tons of post ideas… maybe I’ll try this myself!
I do something like this but it looks more like an outline..I am addicted to bullet points and a bit too OCD for a map 🙂 But I agree it is very helpful to jot down thoughts ahead of time!
I love myself some bullets too! When I’m writing a post like this, I find I have more ideas for one section versus another. With MMs, I can bounce around and flesh them out a bit at a time. Then I’ll sometimes do an outline, but usually this is enough.
Good to have options!
I have heard of mind maps before, but I have never created one myself. Thanks for all of the helpful information. With all that I have learned, I will try to create one within this week to see if it helps with sorting out my thoughts before attempting to blog on a topic.
-Jessica
Good luck and let me know how it goes! Here’s another good article about mind mapping: http://www.publicationcoach.com/free-articles/mindmapping_vs_TMI.php
I love that she says “mind maps are to empty your brain, not organize it.” BRILLIANT!
It kind of looks like the family / eco-system maps we did in Social Work school. 🙂 I tend to write straight through, but I can definitely see the value of something like this when you have specific points to cover and want to ensure you don’t miss any. Great tips!
Another good one! 😉
I didn’t really like mind maps that much until I started writing books – now I puffy heart love them! Very helpful tool for writing. I rec Mind Meister for an online version – it prints out really nice and I love taht I can move things without making the paper a mess.
Oh cool! I’ve used MindJet for work but haven’t heard of this one. Thanks!
I really need to give this a try! I’ve got a lot of ideas rolling around but need to find a way (beyond jotting a title down on the editorial calendar) to put some more ideas to good use!
I mind map for my blog posts. I LOVE it! I keep a notebook by my laptop at all times. That way if I think of a subject, I jot it down, and then start mapping out. Helps my thought process, and it also helps me remember my point of view for the post.
Great topic!
Oh yes, I have notebooks everywhere and jot things down all the time. Hooray for mind maps!
Wow, that’s a great explanation! I’ve seen a few articles on mind maps, but it always looked too disorganized and jumbled, for me. I wonder if men are more “outline-brained”? 🙂
I think this could help me, though. Right now, if I get stuck my writing just stops, until I can think of the next point – very linear and, I’m sure, very inefficient.
Glad you liked the article! Linear isn’t bad, but like you I find I stop whereas if I’m MMing, I’ll bounce around to topics/points that I have more to say about and slowly build up my ideas. If I don’t MM, I tend to lose the ideas forever (I still blame baby brain).
I have another article you may like:
http://www.publicationcoach.com/free-articles/mindmapping_vs_TMI.php
What she says may help- “mind maps are to empty your brain, not organize it.” So, maybe try a mind map first and THEN move to an outline to organize it all. I wonder if that would work.
This is brilliant — a good reminder to be deliberate and focused in post writing. It’s easy to just sit down at the keyboard and let it flow, but the end result is usually less than stellar. I’m going to start mapping again. Thanks for bringing me back to the basics!
No problem! I sometimes sit down and let it flow but I think the best posts are ones that flow but behind-the-scenes they were deliberate. Thanks for visiting my blog!
Maybe I need to try this idea! I feel like I’m scattered and all of the place with my writing – this would definitely help me out!
I’ve been hearing a bit about mind mapping but didn’t really give it much thought but I think this would be very helpful for me to help collect the million of thoughts and directions I have for just one single post.
Definitely give it a shot.
Here’s another good article about mind mapping: http://www.publicationcoach.com/free-articles/mindmapping_vs_TMI.php
I love that she says “mind maps are to empty your brain, not organize it.” So true!
It’s so funny that I used to teach these…and yet don’t use them in my blog writing. Hmmmm, maybe something for me to change!
Thanks for stopping by! Yep, give it a shot. It’s definitely helped me, especially with these Momcomm Monday posts!
It’s funny, ever since 31DBBB I have used mind mapping to come up with ideas for blog topics, but not for the actual post itself. Makes sense!
Well, I must sound like a broken record…but, “Great Post”. I have always used the out line format, this looks like alot of fun, and hap-hazard!! I honestly can not say that I have heard of Mind-mapping prior to today!! Have a great holiday weekend!!
Fantastic post!! I just started mind mapping last month and it’s helped SO much.
On another note, this is my first time to your blog (am now addicted) and was so excited to see that you’re also in NC!! I loooove all of your camping stuff and outdoor links. You’ve inspired me to plan an outing for labor day weekend 🙂 Thanks!!
I’ll be back for more!
Linds
Thanks for the sweet words, girl! Can’t wait to hear about your Labor Day plans! I wish we were doing something outdoorsy for the weekend. But we’re going to visit family so I can’t complain!
I have heard of these but never really knew what they were or how to put them into practice. After I read this post I tried it out for my most recent blog post. I think it made a big difference! I found my focus quickly and it kept me from wandering or going off on tangents (a big problem for me).
I am loving this series! Thanks for sharing!
Love your mind map. The kids do something similar in school called a thought tree or something like that?! Anyway, its great to be organized, esp when blogging, so thanks for writing up a great article on how to actually do that!
What a great way to get all those ideas down on paper! Mind Mapping is a new concept to me, and your post was an excellent 101 on the topic! Sounds like a Mind Map is an excellent way to organized my thoughts and ideas for a post. Wish I could apply this simple technique to all the tangible clutter in real-life, i.e. Mind Map of my bedroom closet 😉
That’s a really interesting idea… me I am waaay to lazy/unplanned though!
I sit down and just start typing; somehow it all comes together.
Would be very interesting to use this to plan a book though – which is my next project, so thanks for the tips!
Followed your link (and you) from BF “Leave your link” discussion
xx
I love mind maps! I use MindNode for Mac so I can read what I wrote afterward and I can drag things around if I want to rearrange them by topic.
Just catching up on the Momcomm Mondays (kind of relieved you didn’t have on this week – I’m that much less behind!).
I like the idea of a mind map. I do a form of this and your post encouraged me to be more deliberate about it!
If you’d like to Mind Map on your computer (PC or Mac) there’s a great program that allows you to download and run (with no end date) a personal version (as opposed to the professional version designed for businesses). It’s called PersonalBrain. Just google it and download it. There’s great tutorials and online webinars to get you started. Enjoy….
Michael
Here’s another good article about mind mapping:MLB
i cant feel that you truly arent popular because you certainly contain the existing.