As a blogger I see that it is very important to organize my blogging ideas in a proper way. What does proper mean to me?
- I don’t lose any idea.
- All ideas are easily accessible.
- I can easily add, extend, edit or remove anything concerning my ideas.
- Gathered ideas should help in writing a post.
Sometimes bloggers stuck for ideas what to write about. Another time, they get strong impulse and tons of ideas appear instantly. It is important to capture them all. Therefore, I like to be able to capture ideas in almost every possible situation (as it is always possible to get a new, great idea just from nowhere). But don’t worry if you would find yourself in situation unable to capture your idea. In case of really good idea, you will remember it or it will come to your head once again in near future.
If this is an idea for a new post and I’m on-line, I add it on my list of posts ideas on my Netvibes page. When I’m away from computer, I can put it temporary in my cell phone or write it down on a piece of paper. Later I always move everything to my on-line list of post ideas. I want to have them all in one place and read them often.
Why? This way I keep in mind all my current ideas for incoming posts. Having that in head it helps me to catch many interesting information I can encounter while reading newspaper, talking with friends, surfing internet, reading my RSS or even watching TV. I’m just more sensitive for useful pieces of information that can enrich my further posts.
That usually brings more ideas for other posts and another bunch of more specific ideas concerning posts I want to write.
For ideas I want to cover within a single post I also use a list, which is separate for that one post or, instead of list, I create a document in Google Docs. I put there things that I want to include in my post, arguments, conclusions, etc. I also add there links to other sources that touch topic of that certain post and can be inspiring.
When my notes and ideas concerning one single post cover the topic in the way that satisfies me, it is time to prepare a short draft. Now, it is a very easy task. Introduction, correct order of main ideas, arguments and points, finally come conclusion and ending. I don’t know how about you, but it works, at least for me.
To summarize and make it simple:
- I always capture my ideas (on-line, cell phone, paper).
- I keep all my general ideas for posts on one on-line list (Netvibes).
- I put all more specific ideas I want to cover within a single post into separate list or document representing that post. (Netvibes, Google Docs).
- Based on gathered ideas, now it is easy to prepare a draft and then write a post.
I must admin that gathering ideas is very enjoyable activity. As a bonus, it is always easier to write a post, when the first step is already done. Having everything prepared, now I can simply sit down and write.
What works for you? How do you organize your ideas?
