Mind Mapping For Bloggers

Mind mapping for bloggers – it seems very few people I meet use this amazing technique, and even fewer bloggers! Click here to learn how mind mapping can help you work through emotions, problems, create additional content, identify monetization opportunities, and so much more! P.S. Even if you’re not a blogger, you might be one of the 65% of people who NEED to use this!

How to Start Mind Mapping for Blogging

So, what is it? Mind mapping is a way to brainstorm, manage complex information, and even to get thoughts organized in order to determine a course of action. Bloggers can use mind mapping to brainstorm, yes, but more importantly can use it to purposefully plan content to use over and over, in a myriad of ways.

This or That: Are You a Visual Learner?

First, a little {painless} test – which delivery gets your brain going?

This: Sixty-percent of people are visual learners. Ninety percent of what is transmitted to the brain is visual.  Fifty percent of the brain is engaged in processing visual information.

or this:

Mind Mapping for Blogging

Will reading the text or seeing the visual help you remember the statistics? Which of these images sends your brain into processing the impact of this information? For 65% of the people on the planet, it’s the image.

I’ve used mind mapping for years: when leading brainstorming sessions with teams, outlining complex projects, getting to the root of a pain point or a goal with my clients, in my personal life, and quite a bit for blogging. Where does mind mapping have the most impact? Hint: it’s not just for visual learners…

How To Use Mind Mapping for Blogging

How to Start Mind Mapping: Supplies You Need

So now you’re eager to learn, right? Yes! If you’re new to mind mapping, you can read more about it here, but I’m going to explain the beginner’s basics so you gain immediate benefits. I urge you to explore it further, but for this quick exercise, you will need:

  1. a piece of copy paper (turn it and place it in landscape mode),
  2. colored pens, pencils (or in a pinch, your child’s crayons), and
  3. your brain.

[Tweet “Click here to how mind mapping can help you GROW your blog!”]

Watch this video to see how quick and easy it is to get started mind mapping!

Please note: I will edit this down, shaving off the front and end. You can forward to the 3 minute mark to see the mind mapping we did live on Periscope.

How to Start Mind Mapping: An Image in the Center

Always start with an image in the center of a blank page – there is science behind it but I’m not going to detail that here. If you’re not sure what to use or how to get started, here are a few ideas:

Twitter Logo

Use a logo. Maybe you want to work with a brand, explore a new employer or job, or even if you’re starting something new, a logo will work. For example, I’ve done a mind map for Periscope (the live-streaming social media app) and I put their logo smack in the center of the page (image below).

Blue People Logo

Use a picture. It could be a picture of something you saw that made you think, something that inspired you, or (this one isn’t for the faint-hearted) something that made you angry or sad. Mood mapping, more than mind mapping, can help you to discover why you’re mad at your spouse, frustrated with a friend, or even to find triggers for mood changes.

Umbrella icon

Use a piece of clip art you find online. You don’t need to feel uncomfortable with drawing something and this isn’t about your artistic skill.

You can get fancy and artsy, or keep it simple.  I’ve done mind maps on napkins at restaurants with clients – the physical product is not the goal.

How to Start Mind Mapping: How to Use a Mind Map

For those of you who didn’t watch the video (yeah, I know you didn’t) or for those Type ‘A’s like me, the first question you can ask yourself is, “Now, what can I use this for?” What action would I take from this simple, mind map I made in just a few minutes?

  • This map could prompt me into exploring blog posts, original platform-specific social media posts (Periscope ideas, Instagram and Facebook original content), exclusive subscriber content – the list goes on and on.
  • I could take action by writing a few pieces that I plan to submit to freelance sites, syndicated publications, or online magazines.
  • With a small amount of preparation, I could make a video (and monetize it) about how to take your family to the apple orchard and have a great family photo session.

Conversely, no action at all needs to come out of a mind map. It is beneficial just to do it so that your brain has the release of getting it all out of your head and down somewhere. Me, I always tend to take action. Speaking of action, can you pin this to Pinterest for us so others can learn this valuable technique?

Mind Mapping for Bloggers

If you’re interested in more tips for bloggers, check our our very popular post about our favorite editorial calendar!

Bloggers Best TOOLS Editorial Calendar

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6 Comments

  1. This is just what I needed today… my brain has felt like a ping pong ball all day! Just bouncing between ideas and not knowing where to focus! Thanks for linking up with us this week at Welcome Home Wednesdays! Can’t wait to see you link up with us again tomorrow… the party goes live at 7am CST!

  2. I’ve heard of mind mapping before and I think we did a version of it for planning in ECD but this is a lot more fluid.

    Very cool indeed how it can help with blogging.

    Thanks for sharing.
    xoxo

    1. This was so informative and helpful! I’m delighted you chose to share it at the #SHINEbloghop.

      Wishing you a lovely weekend!
      xoxo

  3. I saw you scope this other day and I wondered why I had never done it before! I am kind of a person who thrives on randomness, but I think sometimes I could definitely use a little more focus in my life and blogging.

  4. Thanks for posting this! So helpful! I’m always worried I’m going to run out of post ideas. Love your blog and all your tips!!!!

    1. You’re on fire, Lindsay – I don’t ever see that happening!

      While the brainstorming aspects of mind mapping are powerful, I really think the benefit to bloggers is when we can find alternative ways to market, monetize, and cross promote the content we’re creating. Making the content work for us – and not ALWAYS the other way around – is where I’m getting back a ton of time.

      Thanks for stopping by – and thank you so much for those iPhone tips!!!