Using a Mind Map to Brainstorm Article Ideas
One Keyword Can Lead to a Series of Inter-Related Articles
Sep 11, 2009 Jessica Kolifrath
Mind mapping is a useful and fun way to take notes or brainstorm new ideas. This makes mind mapping perfect for writers coming up with new ideas for articles. Where a traditional brainstorming method might produce a list of topics, a mind map can show a possible series of articles or connections for interlinking that otherwise wouldn't be obvious.
What is Mind Mapping?
According to 12Manage, "mind mapping is a ... technique of visually arranging ideas and their interconnections". A mind map usually starts with one keyword or topic, and from that central idea many related ideas or details branch out. However, unlike a simple list, a mind map can show the connections between branches, which can outline possible article series to interlink.
Making a mind map is a simple task. They can be hand drawn, or made using one of the many mind mapping programs available today. Start with a central keyword - such as Article Ideas. This keyword is the beginning of the mind map, and is placed in the center of the mind map with a circle drawn around it. Everything in the map will be a detail or idea related to this keyword. In this case, all branches will be article ideas or categories for these ideas.
One method of branching is to start out with two to three branches on the broad topics you are planning to write on. For this article, the topics will be Technology, Gardening, and Pets. Then, from each of these branches, smaller categories can be outline. For Pets a write might add Dogs, Cats, and Birds. Categories can be very specific - a writer may add an article idea, like Dog Illnesses, only to change it into a category when the writer realizes that idea can be many articles.
Turn One Big Topic into Many Related Articles
This is the main benefit of using a mind map for brainstorm article ideas. It lets you quickly put down any topics you're planning on writing on, and lets you refine them into article series. While many writers realize their article could be a series as they are writing, writers that use the mind mapping method can see that much earlier in the process.
This also saves time when doing research and for choosing keywords. Angela England, in an article on creating an article series, explains that the best way to speed up article writing is to write a series of articles from one period of research. A writer who can write 5 or more articles after an hour of research on a topic will be much further ahead than a writer who only writes one.
Mind maps also keep things organized. For articles that are submitted to sites that have a categorization system, such as Suite101, the category branches in the mind map let the writer keep track of how many ideas they have for specific areas of the site.
Mind Mapping Software Can Save Time and Keep Things Organized
Writers that enjoy using the mind mapping method to brainstorm articles may want to try a mind mapping program. These programs can make mapping easier, neater, and lower the risk of losing a scrap of paper with article ideas on it. There are quite a few open source mind mapping programs available for free download, such as FreeMind, Thinkgraph, or Semantik.
Mind Mapping Can Help Create New Article Ideas
New and unusual article ideas can come out of a mind mapping session. The visual method of the map can show connections across topics that might otherwise not be noticed, or show gaps in information that the writer can easily fill in with another article. Related and interlinked articles are the best way to write for online content, as they keep readers on one writer's work. They also save research time, which can be the longest part of writing an article.
You may also be interested in Using Open Source FreeMind for Mind Mapping.
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Mind Mapping is Great for Writers
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