A good blog idea usually comes to mind while I'm in the car listening to a podcast, on my bike, in a meeting, etc. The problem I always have is that I think I will remember the idea once back in front of my computer but truth be told not only do I forget the idea I had but I usually forget I even had an idea!
Here are 3 tools I have started to use to better capture ideas for blog posts on the fly:
WordPress for iOS – This free app for both the iPhone and iPad is great for capturing ideas. I use this a lot when sitting in meetings, at an event, or simply somewhere I do not have my computer. The app itself is built to allow you full posting capabilities to your WordPress run site, which I have tried a few times. How I use this app is to capture ideas. Once I have an idea for a post I open the app and enter the title I have in mind for a post and maybe a sentence in the body for context. I then save it as a draft and it is in WordPress waiting on me next time I log in. I do this quite a bit so I end up with a number of drafts that I can flesh out over time.
- Evernote – I use the desktop Evernote application* on a daily basis for all sorts of note taking, idea capture, and resource aggregation. The Evernote mobile application is great for capturing quick notes on the fly. I will use this app when I am in the car or if a picture is important. From the new note screen I can choose to create a note around an audio clip or picture. I then save it into a Evernote folder I have called “Blog Ideas.” Then due to the fact I am always using Evernote the idea is waiting for me next time I sit down at my computer.
- Dragon Dictation – I pulled this idea from a friend and excellent content creator Howard J. Luks, M.D. Many are familiar with this app as a way to capture audio notes. To take the work flow a step further Dr. Luks uses the app on his commute to dictate that day's blog post. Once done he can simply email it to himself and when he arrives at the office the new post is sitting in his inbox and all he has to do is proof it and post it. I will say dictation takes a bit of time to get use to but for those looking for extra time in the day this is a great way to maximize your time in the car.
Question: What are ways you make sure those good ideas that pop into your head though out the day get captured?
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Great idea for a post, Reed. I’m going to start doing SOMETHING to keep track of my blog post ideas. I come up with some decent topics at the absolute worst times. Out with friends, just before I fall asleep, etc.
I really should make use of the dictate function more, not sure why I’ve never thought of that.
Cheers
Jason Boies
Radian6 Community
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[…] for iOS (Free) – I mentioned this app in a previous post, 3 Tools to Help You Capture Blog Ideas on the Fly, as my primary tool to capture blog ideas. I seem to always have the best ideas at times when I […]
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Creating a draft in WordPress is by far my most common way. Sometimes I also will tweet something which I can later turn into a blog post. Plus, the responses to the tweet can make the blog post even better.
Tweeting is a great suggestion. I like the idea of almost testing subjects by tweeting! Thanks for the thoughts.