Mind mapping

15 years ago

Hi Sean,

Coincidentally enough, I was just creating a mind map with a free to try software called EdrawMax which I personally find to be brilliant for my needs.

You can try it out free here Thank you for downloading Edraw Max from Download.com

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

=> Click Here Now to Get Step-by-Step Automated Profits Coaching 100% Guaranteed!
Product Creation Ideas
Increase Your Website Traffic

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[348527].message }}

angela99 15 years ago

I use mind maps every day, primarily to track my sites, articles and rankings.

There are many free mind map tools.

Here's one I like -- Main Page - FreeMind - free mind mapping software

Cheers

Angela
- Thanks
- 1 reply
Signature

Everyone's a writer today. Get personal guidance from Angela.
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[348532].message }}
- CloudHand 15 years ago
  
  I also use mindmaps daily for my offline as well as online work. A mindmap is simply a visual representation of thoughts and ideas. Common usage is in brainstorming, planning, and tracking activities.
  
  Check out Mind map - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for a more formal and thorough definition.
  
  FreeMind has already been mentioned. Another interesting free software is called Visual Understanding Enviroment: Visual Understanding Environment
  
  One of the better paid software is Mindjet's MindManager
  Mindjet: Brainstorming, Free Form Thinking, and Visual Aid Mind Mapping Software Program
  
  [ 1 ] Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[348559].message }}

Maria Gudelis

15 years ago

Hi Sean, I use it for defining an entire project - from front end to back end, and all the details in between - it helps me get organized and brainstorm on all fronts (e.g. back end products, pricing, marketing channels, etc.).

to me - it is bit like 'process mapping' except it allows more creativity, and a bit easier to use!

I find it useful for collaboration with other partners of mine that live in other cities so 'virtual brainstorming' can be done.

I also use the "old-fashioned" way - whiteboarding

Software - I use a free version, freemind - you can google 'free mind mapping softare"

Thanks

Signature

Brand NEW: How To Dominate Facebook SEO - LIVE Coaching - Closes SOON! Get In Now Click Here

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[348531].message }}

Buildingfutures

15 years ago

Thanks for the replies guys!

I'm going to try using one and see if it helps me at all.

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Simple Mission Statement "Under the Radar and Over the Top!"
Sean's Guide To The Forum
Thoughts of a 22 Year Old Marketer

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[348606].message }}

Martin Luxton 15 years ago

Mindomo is another free one and compendium was recommended by a few Warriors recently

Compendium Institute - About Compendium

Martin
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[348750].message }}

DaveDunn

15 years ago

Thumbs up for FreeMind here!

It can also be encrypted so useful for storing passwords.

Thanks

Signature

Building A WordPress Membership Site?
43 Seconds Is All It Takes
===>Click Here<===

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[348779].message }}

Daniel Deegan

15 years ago

A really good book to learn how to use Mind Mapping that won't bore you to death is a book called Idea Mapping, Here is a link to it on Amazon -

Amazon.com: Idea Mapping: How to Access Your...
For software I use Mindjet's mind manager, but I'm taking a look at Personal Brain Pro since I've heard it has some nifty features...

Thanks

Signature

****************************************
Spy & Track Winning Facebook Ads
Spy & Track Winning Google Content Network Ads
Spy & Track Winning Bing & Google PPC Search Ads
â„¢ACP - Click Here For Details
****************************************

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[348902].message }}

JackTheLad

15 years ago

Another vote for Freemind here - Can't beat open source!

For an online alternative which supposedly allows printing and export of jpegs (I think)
I hear bubbl.us - free web application for brainstorming online is pretty cool. I haven't used it personally, but it may come in handy.

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[348923].message }}

Eric Lorence 15 years ago

A lot of Tony Robbins' techniques involve mind mapping to some extent.

His book "Awaken the Giant Within" has many great "Real Life" examples and applications.
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[348995].message }}

Neil Morgan

15 years ago

I just downloaded FreeMind and it looks pretty cool, very useful and easy to use.

This seems like one of these no-brainer things - because it's so simple yet so useful.

For seasoned mind-mappers, what would be your top 3 tips for getting the best out of a mind mapping tool such as this? Or is it is really just as easy as it looks?

Cheers,

Neil

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Easy email marketing automation without moving your lists.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[349055].message }}

angela99

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Neil Morgan

I just downloaded FreeMind and it looks pretty cool, very useful and easy to use.

This seems like one of these no-brainer things - because it's so simple yet so useful.

For seasoned mind-mappers, what would be your top 3 tips for getting the best out of a mind mapping tool such as this? Or is it is really just as easy as it looks?

Cheers,

Neil

I love mind mapping; I use it every day for everything -- tracking sites, blogs, keywords, SE rankings, studying (yes, I have lots of maps). I also use them for writing long projects -- books and video scripts.

In copywriting, if I don't know anything about the product (concrete rebar and electrical conduit spring to mind), I use mind maps to LEARN enough about the product so I don't write rubbish. I just add everything (single words) to a mind map, which gives me a conceptual overview, so that I can understand the product, as well as the audience for the product.

My best tips:

* Use mind maps for everything -- I'm a verbal person, but I remember information best when I get a visual overview. Mind maps help your memory;

* Don't try to make your maps works of art unless you're stuck. :-) If you're stuck on a project, looking at the map, and dragging in a couple of images or a graph can help -- it seems to kick start your right brain;

* Keep your mind maps;

* As soon as you get an idea (or someone hires you to do a project) create a mind map, it helps you to remember details. Many times a mind map has saved me when I glanced over it and realized I'd left out something important;

* If you give presentations, memorize a mind map before you start, this means you can speak without notes -- very impressive :-).

More than three tips, but I do love mind maps. Can you tell? :-)

Cheers

Angela

Thanks

Signature

Everyone's a writer today. Get personal guidance from Angela.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[349879].message }}

John Henderson

15 years ago

I'm afraid that I'm not a fan of FreeMind -- it hijacks keys for program control that it should leave alone. Many's the time that I wanted to delete text to the right of the cursor, hit the "delete" key to do so, but found that FreeMind removed the entire branch/topic that I was editing...

I like MindJet MindManager, but it's expensive for what it does. However, there's an online mindmap app at Online Mind Mapping - MindMeister that looks suspiciously like MindManager...

Oh, Neil; mind mapping's just as easy as it looks. Put the broad, sweeping theme in the middle then break it down into smaller and smaller chunks as you move to the edge of the screen/paper...

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[349075].message }}

stackman

15 years ago

Just so happens I was exploring mind mapping programs today, and settled on XMind (xmind.net). It's free but there's a subscription version too. One of the originals that I used years ago, Mindjet, is great but has become way too pricey for my needs.

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[349183].message }}

Jobsande

15 years ago

Nothing against mindmapping software -- but I prefer doing it the old fashioned way, paper and pen/pencil. I've also used colored pencils and markers before to do little drawings for main topics. Not only is this lots of fun, but it helps me really focus on the idea. I read that Leonardo Da Vinci used mind maps to come up with some of his many brilliant ideas. Best of luck.

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[349297].message }}

JasonKing

15 years ago

Try these programs:

1. MindManager
2. FreeMind

Hope it helps.

-JasonKing

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[350237].message }}

Debbie Allen

15 years ago

I also use mind mapping daily --- it's great when doing research on a new topic or making plans for any new or existing project.

And definitely save your mind maps - they will jog your memory months from now.

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Make Money Writing
Top Quality PLR - Low Prices
A Different Approach To Internet Marketing
The Things Women Want

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[350360].message }}

NicheCompanion 15 years ago

FreeMind is a great program many guru's use it.
- Thanks
- 1 reply
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[350623].message }}
- Francis Miller 15 years ago
  
  Hi Sean,
  
  I think mind mapping is phenomenal. I use it for organising and running my projects, developing products and writing content. And I really don't know how I would function if I couldn't use it.
  
  It's incredibly easy to learn and, because mind mapping software is so flexible, you can't really go wrong.
  
  You can use a pen and paper - and I know some people prefer it. However, if you're working on a project that's changing all the time and particularly when you are moving topics around rather than just adding them, it's much easier to use a software program.
  
  I've got a WSO on mind mapping at the moment so do have a look at that if you haven't seen it yet -
  
  http://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-...new-skill.html
  
  Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[351450].message }}

monty_nichols

15 years ago

I find it helpful to map things out on pen and paper before using software. Something about that process helps me to think clearer.

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[351594].message }}

Debbie Songster

15 years ago

I use freemind and its ok especially since I can import the files into my membership site for others to see and use.

If you are looking to have some fun and really be able to share your mind maps and let others contribute check out bubbl.us - free web application for brainstorming online

I use this with my coaching students. You can create your mind map and invite others to contribute or just read it.

With my coaching students we work on them together and eventually turn it into their business plan or work schedule.

Obviously you can use it for a ton of stuff but it is great to use mind maps to plan out your web sites, business goals, project tasks, instructions for tasks, etc.

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Getting back in the grove after taking a year off following a family tragedy.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[351595].message }}

Steve Steinitz 15 years ago

Hi,

I wasn't aware of the free version but I agree with Stackman's positive assessment of XMind.

Among other things, I believe its the only mind mapper that has a true drill-down feature, i.e. you can drill down into a huge mind map to just focus on a small portion -- then pop back up to the big picture. Other products lead you to believe that they can do that but as far as I know only XMind fulfills the promise.

Also, its cross-platform and so runs on the Mac (although its Ecliipse-java foundation makes it a little memory-hungry and it misses the mark slightly on look and feel).

One caveat. I have created monstrously sprawling mindmapped plans for a dozen businesses (using XMind) but have failed to take much action on them. They are so big that I hesitate to open them.

Steve
- Thanks
- 1 reply
Signature
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[352795].message }}
- Francis Miller 15 years ago
  
  Hi Steve,
  
  MindManager also has the ability to focus on a particular topic and sibling topics - you just press F3 to isolate the area you want and then F3 again to get back to the big picture.
  
  I agree that it's an invaluable feature when you're working on mega maps.
  
  MM also has a Pan and Zoom feature so you can get to where you want on a big map very quickly.
  
  Francis
  
  Thanks
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[352843].message }}

madison_avenue

15 years ago

I use Personal Brain, it is excellent.There is a free version too.

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[352891].message }}

Shafiq Kamal 15 years ago

What about Tony Buzan? I heard he is an expert in this field.
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[352933].message }}

Hendry Lee

15 years ago

I use mindjet mindmanager, but it's not free. Freemind is a good alternative and as the name implies, it is free.

Bubbl.us, as others recommended here, is web-based mind mapping software. If you want an eye-candy, it may seem a bit boring though. No offend there, I care less about how it looks like anyway.

As Angela said, "Don't try to make your maps works of art unless you're stuck."

So true, I learned that the hard way and wasted a lot of time because of it.

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[352904].message }}

absolutelee

15 years ago

I like FreeMind, too! You can also use another high-tech set of tools...pencil and paper! Either way, I use mind-mapping when I'm in a rut and I feel like I need to break free. If I "dump" everything in my head into a mind map, it seems to clear things up.

Thanks

Signature

Snag My YouTube Ads Case Study...FREE!

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[352924].message }}

Mind mapping

Trending Topics

A healthy fascination for Hollywood...

How did you turn it all around?

Any thoughts on golf's latest phenom...Scottie Scheffler??

best high quality crypto traffic.

What's the Best IM-Related Skill to Learn Today That Can Help in the Future?