Tips for Using a Mind Map to Create a Blog Schedule

Tips for Using a Mind Map to Create a Blog Schedule
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What is a Mind Map?

Let’s cover that question first, since there are so many people who may have heard of the term but do not know what it is, much less how it can

help them. A mind map looks like a hybrid of a spider web and tree branches. The center contains the central topic.

Branches spread out from that topic, each with a word or two that will help you remember what you wanted to discuss about your central topic. See the screenshot for an example of an article that I had written. Mindmaps can be simple like this one or very complex and full of images that will help you remember. They are used for a number of tasks, such as writing articles, project management, website building, and more. For the purpose of this article, I am going to show you how to use mind maps to create a blog schedule.

How to Create a Blog Schedule with a Mind Map

The first step is creating a central topic. Since I’ve just discovered cloud computing and am intrigued by the topic, I’m going to use this as an example. Open your mind map program on your computer, or get out a piece of paper and a pencil.

Central topic of mind map.

Write down the central idea of your topic. Then draw a shape around it, like the screenshot above.

Make it a shape that will help you associate it with your topic. For me, cloud computing signifies ideas in green computing. My task, at this point, is to schedule when I want to post certain kinds of topics that will draw reader interest. You can also set days and times of when you want your posts to go online.

I am going use a broader method by using the month method. The first question on my mind is how often I want to post on my blog. Do I want to post everyday? Two to five times per week? Once per week? Make this decision now and stick to it, once you start to get reader response.

I think I will go five times per week because that is what I’m used to doing on my other blogs. So, we’ll draw the mind map to reflect this time schedule.

Screen shot 2010-11-01 at 10.34.20 AM

Since there are usually four weeks in a month, I drew four branches. If the Week One name sounds boring, feel free to change the name to whatever will help you remember and whatever will excite you about your project.

Screen shot 2010-11-01 at 10.41.03 AM

This next screenshot shows some expansion in the first arm. You can use generic terms like I did or write out your article’s title. Or, you can do away with the title and just put the topic. Do whatever you need to help you with your schedule. You may decide to include the dates and publishing times, especially if your blog requires up to the moment coverage, like the tech and celebrity blogs.

Conclusion

Now you know how to use a mind map to create a blog schedule. If you do not have a mind mapping application, you can download several free ones online. Alternately, you can draw them the traditional way. Use whatever method will help you draw them quickly and with the most creative freedom.