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Hello, and happy Monday Tuesday,

This week, I want to talk about a powerful technique that can transform how you organize your ideas: content mapping!

Well, I use it for content mapping. It's actually a popular user experience technique called card sorting.

Quick Summary:

• Task: Create a content map to organize your ideas visually
• Free Tools: Miro and Lucid spark white boarding visual collaboration software
• Paid Offers: Organize Your Digital Files Course ($47) or Organize Your Digital Files eBook ($21)

Unlike physical objects in your kitchen or on your desk, ideas can't be seen or touched, making them notoriously difficult to organize. Content maps solve this problem by making your ideas tangible and visible, which dramatically improves how you work with them.

Task: Quick-Start Content Mapping Exercise

Here's a simple exercise to create your first content map:

1. Set a timer for 5 minutes (it seems short but you'll be surprised how much you generate)
2. Write down all content ideas that come to mind - what content do you currently create?
3. Once your ideas are captured, start grouping related items into categories
4. Identify natural hierarchies - these will become your folders and sub-folders

The beauty of this card sorting approach is how it reveals natural organizational structures in your content that might not be obvious otherwise.

This mapping technique isn't just for content! You can apply it to:

• Product roadmaps
• Service offerings
• Course outlines
• Customer journey mapping
• Content pillars
• Project planning
• Website architecture

Free Content Mapping Tools: Miro and Lucid

To help you get started immediately, I'm sharing two excellent free resources:

• ​Miro (https://miro.com/)
• ​Lucid (https://lucid.app/) (Lucid Spark is the whiteboard, Lucid Chart makes diagrams)

Both offer free plans with nearly identical functionality and, if you decide to upgrade later, similar pricing for premium features. They work on both web and mobile app, giving you flexibility to map wherever inspiration strikes.

Here's an example of my content map. Although I used a mind map format, you could also use digital sticky notes to brainstorm ideas and then start sorting and grouping them together.

If you prefer a tactile approach like I often do, physical post-it notes or index cards work wonderfully too! You get the best of both worlds by starting physical and transferring to digital later.

Here's a sample of an early, early outline of my course from a few years ago.

There's also just good ol' plain pen and paper, though I usually doodle things in my digital notebook. Here's some thoughts I had just last month about how to map out my product ladder.

Paid Offer: Ready for a Complete Organization System?

If you're ready to take your content organization to the next level, I offer two resources:

• ​Digital Organization Course: A comprehensive system for getting your digital life in order ($47 - price increasing this summer) https://technicallyeclectic.thrivecart.com/digital-organization-course/​
• ​Organize Your Digital Files eBook: A focused guide to file management ($21) https://technicallyeclectic.thrivecart.com/organize-your-digital-files-ebook/​

Not sure where to start? The e-book includes a coupon for the course (valued at the e-book price), so you won't pay twice for the e-book if you decide to upgrade later!

NOTE: Recently, I had an epiphany about my process: creating your content map BEFORE doing a content inventory produces better results. This approach keeps you positive and focused on your ideal structure without being influenced by or overwhelmed by existing files.

My products are being updated to reflect this improved sequence, and with lifetime access, you'll automatically receive all updates when they're ready!

To summarize again:

• Task: Create a content map to organize your ideas visually
• Free Tools: Miro and Lucid spark white boarding visual collaboration software
• Paid Offers: Digital Organization Course ($47) or Digital Files eBook ($21)

What content mapping project will you tackle first? Reply and let me know!

Allie, Technically Eclectic Digital organizer, technical writer, and mom of three boys

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