Great blog ideas come to me at the strangest times. Most often they come to me when I am NOT near a computer. I learned the hard way that I will NOT remember that great ideas 4 hours later (or the next morning).
Finding an Answer
Finally, I ponied up the 88 cents and bought a composition notebook. I carried this notebook (and it’s predecessors) around with me everywhere. Since it is not spiral bound, the pages stayed in nicely. Since it has a rigid cover, my handwriting didn’t look like chicken-scratch.
I have used these notebooks for almost 2 years, now, and I love it. I have boatloads of random (and semi-brilliant-if-I-may-say-so-myself) blog posts that should last me a near lifetime. (And I am planning on living long enough to embarrass my great-grandchildren, so there.)
Finding Other Answers
However, I know that my notebook idea is sooo 1.0, so here are other options:
- Jott.com – This site allows you to call in and leave a message. They translate it to text and email it to you, along with the audio recording. You can even “jott” to other people.
If you were really cool, you could set up your email to auto-file messages from Jott.com to a file marked “Blog Ideas” … I’m not even THAT cool. - Voice Mail – Call and leave yourself a Voice Mail with all your genius ideas.
How do YOU store your Great Blog ideas?
Jamie Geiger
August 13, 2008 at 4:42 pm
I actually just bought a comp notebook myself for the same reason-but I only paid $.50- back to school sale :). I have seen, recently, the jott application- but I think I will stick to the Web 1.0 for my thoughts.
Lisa Heindel
August 13, 2008 at 4:53 pm
I am on my second spiral notebook, but it seems to get filled with other notes as well as blog ideas. I’m trying to keep them all in one place, but sometimes an idea strikes when you least expect it. so there are also post-it notes, backs of envelopes….
Mariana Wagner
August 13, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Jamie – Rub it in…
Lisa – Post it notes work well. I just make sure that I stick them in my notebook so that they don’t get confused with the grocery lists … I also reserve the back pages of my books for other random notes, so that those notes do not get lost amongst ideas.
Lisa Sanderson
August 13, 2008 at 5:02 pm
How interesting that I have been looking for an MIA notebook for the past week and then you go write this post. I suppose that’s my cue to replace it. Can’t help but wonder what happened to the other one though.
Anyway, I agree that this is the best way to capture ideas…there is no temptation to make it look pretty or to obsessively edit and correct…it is pure thought.
Drew Meyers
August 13, 2008 at 5:07 pm
I just store blog ideas as “drafts” in wordpress, or e-mail the idea to myself so I check it later.
Holly White
August 13, 2008 at 5:08 pm
There’s a nifty little voice recorder on my crackberry. Not nearly as “cool” as jott, but it seems to be quicker for taking notes. I LOVE jott for responding to emails on the blackberry though. Anything to keep my hands on the wheel!
Mariana Wagner
August 13, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Lisa – As soon as you replace it, you will find it. 😉
Drew – I also have a billion ideas in draft mode, which seems ot be the second step for me, after scribbling them in a notebook.
Mariana Wagner
August 13, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Holly – I guess there is a voice recorder on my phone as well, but the problem with technology like that is: No matter how cool it is, if I am not going to use it consistently, it’s not worth it. At least I use my notebooks consistently.
Holli Boyd
August 13, 2008 at 5:24 pm
I also make tons of drafts – and never remember to get back to them – but I have a shoebox sized plastic box with secure lid (cause it will spill without!) I have been storing all my pieces of paper, handouts, brochures etc. that I eventually want to use. I also use the back of envelope, scrap paper, post-it method – so the box is perfect to keep it all in. Love your comp notebooks MW – they are gorgeous! Could become journalistic as well 🙂
Broker Bryant
August 13, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Hello there Mariana,
I have yet to have a great blog idea but I am hoping to one day. BUT…..for my very average blog ideas I do use Jot quite often. I also have a mind like a steel trap so just file them away into the dark recesses of my warped brain until I need them. And when all else fails I use plagiarism and copying and pasting from others.
Mariana Wagner
August 13, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Holli – A “Tupperware” box is a great idea! I have a file for different brochures and handouts that I would use in a post, but a box with a lid is a much better idea.
Mariana Wagner
August 13, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Broker Bryant – (LMAO…)
“I also have a mind like a steel trap so just file them away into the dark recesses of my warped brain until I need them.”
Vicki Moore
August 13, 2008 at 6:08 pm
I have piles. 🙁 https://agentgenius.com/?p=1749
Steve Belt
August 13, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Another 2.0 idea is evernote.com. You can capture pictures, audio recordings, web pages, etc., and they even have an iPhone app.
Jennifer in Louisville
August 13, 2008 at 7:20 pm
A comp notebook (and post-it notes when its not available) is what I’ve been using for over a year now. Its allowed me to remember some really great things that I wanted to cover that I otherwise may have forgotten.
Rocky
August 13, 2008 at 7:32 pm
I love Jott, the only problem is that each time I call in, it converts my text to somthing that a drunken monkey would type out!
Mariana Wagner
August 13, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Vicki – Oh! Your PILES … I nearly forgot.
Steve – You know, I have heard of evernote.com but have not used it. I think my RE coach uses it though.
Jennifer – No kidding! I can’t imagine how many ideas that i would have lost w/o my notebook.
Rocky – Well, Jott never makes errors – never, never, never. Maybe you should ask yourself why you keep acting like a drunken monkey. 😉
Jennifer Rathbun
August 13, 2008 at 8:29 pm
I have a word document titled “Blog Ideas.” I add them there. And delete them as I write them.
I also have several lists of to-do with me at any given time (I’m trying to keep them on my computer as much as possible, but…). Anyway, when I’m out and about, I use those till I transfer to the computer.
It’s finding enough time to apply all the blog ideas that I read about that is really hard. I think I’ll have to try 1 day of reading and writing and the next day for application.
Mark Eckenrode
August 13, 2008 at 10:29 pm
sweet… glad to hear so many folks using comp notebooks, too. i thought i might have been the odd-ball out in this digital age. ever try moleskines? if you like the kinisthetic experience of writing on paper then you need to try of these pocket sized notebooks.
Mike Taylor
August 14, 2008 at 5:13 am
Sounds like you all are way more organized than I am. I usually write them on a post it note or whatever paper I have in front of me. Problem is I usually forget it is on there and throw it away.
Brian Miller
August 14, 2008 at 7:15 am
you guys amaze me….an organized way to keep blog ideas? geez, i’ve got a spiral notebook that I carry with me a lot. Problem is it is almost always in the car when a great idea hits me. I love Jott, but i’m not cool enough to even use it effectively….
seriously, though – thanks for the various tips. you’ve inspired me to “do it right” or at least “do it better”
Jeremy Hart
August 14, 2008 at 7:28 am
Mike, you and I have the exact same system. I would have commented earlier, but I forgot where I put the Post It note reminder.
Chuck G
August 14, 2008 at 7:44 am
If you want to go a little more high tech route, several companies make a little solid state voice recorder. It uses flash memory, so it’s small and light (about the size of those cool little USB thumb drives.) It only has a few buttons — record, rewind, and play… It’s great to keep in the car, or in your briefcase when you get those fleeting great thoughts on what to blog on…. or just a way to remind yourself of something when you’re in a place where the cell phone or notebook won’t work.
Mack in Atlanta
August 14, 2008 at 7:44 am
I have used the voice mail approach for several years now. It allows me to get to a computer to write the piece and then publish it when appropriate.
Nickie Rothwell
August 14, 2008 at 9:38 am
I often think of ideas while driving too and I used voicemail for years, but now my system wants me to go thru too many hoops to leave myself a voicemail that it doesn’t make sense anymore. I’ve been thinking about jott for a while now, guess it’s time to do it.
Other than that, yes, I love the old reliable pen and notebook-or the day’s to do list 🙂 . It’s always handy when you need it.
Jim Duncan
August 14, 2008 at 10:34 am
Just a quick vote in favor of Jott. I have Alltel and their “circle of friends” and added Jott as one of my twenty “free” numbers. I don’t use it for sending emails or reminders to anyone other than myself, but it’s a mighty cool and efficient service. Don’t tell the Jott folks, but I’d even be willing to pay a little bit every month for the service.
ines
August 14, 2008 at 9:19 pm
I keep a Sharpie handy and write the ideas on Rick’s back 😉
…..seriously, I write them in my handy dandy iphone in a little notepad application and can even e-mail those to myself. I use the same notepad to write all the relevant info on each of our listings by address (dates of a/c, roof, square footage, additions, features….etc) – but that is absolutely irrelevant to this post, isn’t it?
Paula Henry
August 14, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Notebooks – who knew we would continue to use them long after school – ideas, names, notes, mileage – you name it. I always have my best ideas just about the time I am falling asleep. I think I will remember in the a.m., but I don’t. Maybe Jot would be good for this. It would be easier to carry my cell phone to bed, than try to write in the dark.
Mariana Wagner
August 14, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Jennifer – Sometimes I think I am in constant blog-mode. My whole life is a potential blog post.
Mark – Moleskines look way cool…
Mike – That is not a very good system, now. Is it?
Brian – I am not “cool enough” either. Derek uses it all the time though – but not to blog.
Jeremy – LOL!
Mariana Wagner
August 14, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Chuck – That sounds cool. DO you have a link?
Mack – I think that would be a great option for a lot for people.
Nickie – I can’t even figure out how to CHECK My VM’s anymore thus the reason I request folks to text me. lol!
Jim – I bet Jott would like to know that they are “in your circle” …
Mariana Wagner
August 14, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Ines – You need a reply all to yourself.
LMAO!
Mariana Wagner
August 14, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Paula – I love it: “Maybe Jot would be good for this. It would be easier to carry my cell phone to bed, than try to write in the dark.”
Ricardo Bueno
August 16, 2008 at 2:50 am
When I have that “aha” moment and I’m not near a computer (usually when I’m falling asleep) I repeat it to myself over and over. But as much as I repeat it, I forget the next morning! It never sticks and you gotta hate that ya know!?
So I don’t care how 1.0 it is, I have a note-books I carry around and I write everything down in it. I don’t use jott, but I do use the voice-recorder on my phone on occasion…
Matthew Rathbun
August 16, 2008 at 8:46 am
I am too lazy to read all the other comments, but I am with you! I’ve got a “wallet” size composite book. I write the topic and three little bullet points. This week I’ve drawn a complete blank on several blogs…. just looking at an empty screen. I go back to my book and can’t remember what the heck I was thinking. So, I’ve decided to start using my Jott account to dictate at least a paragraph. Thanks for the next idea!