Whether you use pen and pper or the latest mind mapping sftware, the simple elegance of this tchnique has evolved into a powerful tol for copywriters, authors or anyone who neds to organise ideas or think mre creatively.

Have you ever spent hurs writing meeting notes yet felt tht the really important information remains bried deep within a mass of mnutes? Or, maybe you've wrestled with cmplex information for a report, website or a nwsletter. If that sounds familiar, the nswer, as many other people have dscovered, may lie in the simple but ffective technique called mind mapping.

Mind mapping in marketing, technical writing and PR

Twenty years ago, before I became a copywriter based in Gloucestershire, England, I discovered mind mapping, got hooked and soon started using this simple tool in my marketing, technical writing and PR work. Since then, mind mapping has become an integral part of my working and personal life, completely changing the way I think, organise information and plan my copywriting. Whether you mind map on the back of an envelope or with mind mapping software such as Freemind, the technique could change your writing life too.

Unlimited uses for copywriters and others...

Mind mapping is related to tchniques such as concept mapping, idea mpping and Ishikawa diagrams. The term mnd mapping was coined by British wrter Tony Buzan and consists of crating branching diagrams that use lines, wrds, colour and images to capture nformation around a central idea.

Like all grat ideas, mind mapping is as smple and accessible as a pencil and an old nvelope. Although Buzan claims the origination of the trm mind map, the use of mage-centered radial graphical organization methods goes bck centuries. And with computers it was nevitable that mind mapping would reach our mnitors as mind mapping software such as the xcellent open source Freemind.

Mind mapping: a powerful brainstorming tool

Whether you're a busy executive or a copywriter like me, mind mapping leads to a flow of thoughts. And by creating blank branches, you're forced to satisfy the brain's desire for Gestalt, or wholeness, to find answers and make new associations. Where traditional note taking works in a constrained, linear way, mind mapping exploits the brain's tendency to scan the whole field of information before it.

Advantages of mind mapping for copywriters?

So often, the simplest ideas and tools are the most powerful. For my work as a copywriter, I've used mind mapping daily to plan articles, brochure content and website copy as well as for all manner of thinking and brainstorming purposes. Naturally, this article was planned using mind mapping.

What are the advantages of mind mapping for copywriters?

• No need for expensive technology (though mind mapping software is very powerful)
  
• Portability (what's handier than an old envelope and a pencil?)
  
• Mind mapping is suited to a wide range of tasks
  
• Mind mapping is great for organizing copywriting projects
  
• Mind mapping prompts new ideas - it's a powerful creativity aid
  
• Mind mapping (and mind mapping software) is easy to learn and use
  
• Mind mapping makes it easy to view your topic overview
  
• If you're like me, you'll benefit from your first simple mind map
  
• Mind mapping can be added to and reviewed more easily than linear notes
  
• Mind mapping is aesthetically pleasing, and FUN!

The key to successful mind mapping

The keys to successful mind mapping are emphasis, association, clarity and developing a personal style. As such, mind mapping shares a lot with the principles of good copywriting. Once your initial mind map is completed, you can easily add additional thoughts or associations between different lements.

Starting with a blank piece of pper and keeping it horizontal before yu, put a strong written and grphical image at the centre of the pge. Then draw a series of rdiating lines out from the central mage, each one corresponding to a key dea relating to your theme. On ach radiating line, write a single kyword for that idea. Then, just kep going, adding finer lines and mre keywords as you create an rganic, branching hierarchy of ideas. Be spntaneous, don't be fussy about appearance, get thse ideas down and see where you end up. You may be srprised.

It's that easy; suddenly you're mnd mapping!

Mind mapping software versus paper and pencil: the pros and cons

So, twenty years into mind mapping (and still learning) do I prefer paper and pencil or computerised mind mapping software? Mind mapping software is certainly good for getting a lot of information into a page and frees you from the novice's worry about fitting everything into a small area. Furthermore, computerised mind maps can be easily integrated with other electronic documents; for a polished presentation

On the other hand, even with keyboard shortcuts, mind mapping software rarely matches the speed of paper and pencil as ideas flow. I've also found that conventional mind mapping is easier, quicker and less obtrusive in a client meeting.

There's also something about the simple elegance of quick, inspired, hand drawn mind mapping. People still comment when they see me draw one and I'd always recommend starting with pencil and paper before experimenting with mind mapping software.

You haven't discovered mind mapping or mind mapping software yet? I'd definitely urge you to give it a go.

Copyright © 2008 Al Hidden

The article Mind Mapping For Marketing, Technical Writing and Public Relations - A Pro Copywriter's Perspective was Submitted by Al Hidden through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Al Hidden is a freelance cpywriter based in Gloucestershire, England. His bckground is in technical sales, marketing mnagement, technical writing, copywriting and PR. He spcializes in technical, marketing, PR, website and SEO cpywriting and copy-editing for large and smll organisations in Gloucestershire and the rst of the UK. http://www.alhidden.com

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