How To Keep Your Blog Organized With Evernote

If you’ve been blogging for any length of time, you’ve experienced firsthand how easy it to get overwhelmed by blogging and all that it involves. Keeping organized is key. That’s where tools like Evernote or OneNote can really help out. What is Evernote? Well, Sharon from Mom of 6 is here to tell you!

At Mom of 6 I blog about all things related to Mom-organization… how to set up your family calendar, how to create manageable routines for your kids to get out of the house in the morning, how to pack for a road trip, etc. So it should be no surprise that I would approach blogging with the same uber-organized mindset!

I firmly believe that “everything has a place and everything should be in its place”- so you know… you can actually find it again when you need it. This is a great mantra to employ whether you running a blog or a household- or (as most of us do) both. So today I am going to introduce you to one of the greatest organizational tools EVER… Evernote!

When you get started in the blogging world, you come across tons of fabulous ideas… it might be a post on SITSGirls on how to create a fabulous Facebook landing page, or an idea of how to increase your twitter followers that you found in an e-book, or maybe even some notes that you’ve made on great ideas for future posts. The question is- where do you keep this growing pile of notes and ideas?

As bookmarks in your web browser?

Printed and filed in a notebook?

Pinned on a Pinterest board?

While all of these are valid possibilities- none allow you the capability of holding all of your ideas- whether they come from a website, a photo, typed up notes, or even a .pdf file- in one place. But Evernote does just that- and it can sync all of your information across every web-enabled device that you have- your smart phone, your tablet, as well as your computer- so you have access to your notes no matter where you are working.

And did I mention… Evernote is FREE? (My frugal side just loves that!)

How To Use Evernote

Let me show you a little peek at my Evernote Blogger’s Notebook- where I keep all of my ideas and articles on things that I would like to do with my blog:

How To Use Evernote

Organize Your Notebook Into Folders

On the left side of my Evernote window I have a main folder called “Blogging Notes” and within that folder I have lots of sub-folders that I use to organize categories of my blogging life- such as “Blog Changes I Want to Make”, “Facebook”, and “Stats”. In this picture I am peeking into my Facebook folder, looking as the 12 different notes that I’ve stored here.

So how did these notes get into my Evernote notebooks? Most of the time I am clipping and pasting the note right from an article that I have found on the web:

How To Use Evernote

I simply highlight the portion of the article that I wish to save for future reference, select Edit/Copy from my browser window, and then click on the Evernote icon on my desktop (elephant shaped), select Paste to Evernote… and voila- the new note has been created.

How To Use Evernote

Making Changes To Your Notes

Once the note is living in Evernote, I can edit and change the title, I can add tags to the note to make it easier to find later, and I can change the notebook where this note is filed. The clipped note also contains the original web link for future reference- just in case I would ever like to go back to the original article.

Creating New Notes

Of course, you can just create a note by clicking on the little elephant icon, selecting New Note, and then just start letting the thoughts flow:

How to Use Evernote

Creating Tasks or To Do Lists

One of my favorite features when typing a new note is adding a little task box next to listed items, so you can check them off as you complete them! And notes saved in Evernote are “searchable” by keywords, tags, or even words inside of the note, which is really helpful when you can’t remember where you filed your 2010 Holiday Card list! (And you sure can’t do that with a piece of paper misfiled in your house somewhere!) You can print a note, email it, or even post it to Twitter or Facebook should that be your heart’s desire.

Beyond Your Blog!

Beyond just using Evernote as an organizational tool for my “Blogger’s Notebook”, I also use it to clip recipes that I find on cooking blogs, craft ideas that I think would be fun to do with my kids, and lists of books that I would like to read (someday, when I’m 97 and actually find some “free time”!). Give Evernote a try, I think you’ll love it too!

(I am in no way being compensated by the fine folks at Evernote… I am just an adoring fan!)

More On Being A Better Blogger

About the Author

My name is Sharon and I am the busy Mom of six children ages 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, and 5. People often ask me “How do you do it?” I tell them that my key to success lies in planning ahead, with a whole lot of creativity and organization thrown in! Momof6 is the place where I share all of my tips and techniques to inspire you to tackle your own busy life!

blog: www.momof6.com
facebook: SharonMomof6
twitter: @sharonmomof6

Want To Write For Us?

Are you interested in guest posting for The SIT Girls? Then let us know! Our super easy process is described in this post. We’d love to drive more page views to what you have to say.

About Gigi Ross

Gigi is a writer and marketing consultant. She wants to help you make your blog rock and learn how to make money doing it. Gigi runs her own social media company and is the girl behind KludgyMom and Have Wine, Will Drink. Tweet her at @KludgyMom

Comments

  1. Louise Ducote
    Twitter: louiseducote
    says:

    Thanks for this explanation; I had put Evernote on my iPhone but didn’t really get how to use it. . .so I haven’t been using it. Will try again and maybe free up a little brain space! Love your blog, btw. Have a great day!
    Louise Ducote recently posted..My Girl

  2. I love Evernote, it’s always open on my machin, the best thing about it is that it’s FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
    It works really well for me and I organise my entire life with it.
    Jade @ No Longer 25 recently posted..Memories of Orkney X {Scotland}

  3. Oh, I am SO excited about this! Thanks for sharing, I just downloaded it and can’t wait to give it a try!
    Kate F. recently posted..Things I’d Like to Remember

  4. This really sounds like a wonderful tool!
    JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..Pause Life for a Moment- Mama Wants This

  5. Anna
    Twitter: LifeandKidsBlog
    says:

    What a great tip! I bookmarked this page so that I could come back to it later – which really proves that I need to use Evernote! Thanks!!
    Anna recently posted..You Know You’re a Blogger When…

  6. Leeanne says:

    This looks like an easy (& awesome) way to keep track of our brains, I know since I started my blog livefromleeannesmind.com back in October I have.had so many influe.ces & ideas that.seem great & then slip away somewhere never to be heard from again lol. I cant wait till I get home.& can start using this! Thanks for the.wonderful tip!

  7. Ginny Marie
    Twitter: lemondroppie
    says:

    Evernote would be so much better than the little pile of papers I keep on my desk!
    Ginny Marie recently posted..Let Them (not) Eat Cake

  8. Marie Cole
    Twitter: decondemand
    says:

    Ohhh I like, I like, I like. :)
    Marie Cole recently posted..Paris Time

  9. Young Yoga Masters
    Twitter: kidsyogateacher
    says:

    Thanks for this post. My husband has been recommending Evernote but never explained it this way. It’s time to give it a try.
    Young Yoga Masters recently posted..Blog Party: Free Healthy Halloween Yoga Treats

  10. Stephanie's Mommy Brain
    Twitter: stephmommybrain
    says:

    This is awesome!! I love lists and am constantly writing notes for items I find online. This will make all my notes way more organized! My favorite part is that it keeps the original link so you know where the idea came from.
    Stephanie’s Mommy Brain recently posted..A Visit with Pilgrims at Plimoth Plantation

  11. Sharon, this looks FASCINATING! I’m off to take my kid with the very spotted face to the dermatologist, but I wish I had EVERNOTE NOW, so I could make a note to investigate this when I get home!

    I did the next best thing: I bookmarked this post, and I will read it again when I get home.

    Thanks again!
    Bleach It Away, Baby | Susan in the Boonies recently posted..Hey, Y’all, I Got Nominated, Again

  12. Sili
    Twitter: MyMamihood
    says:

    I ADORE EverNote! I used it as a Project Manager and this is how I maintain my blogs, my blog ideas, my guest posts, the contacts I’ve made, etc. It is great for just about anything you do! Great post!
    Sili recently posted..Would You Hire You?

  13. Denise
    Twitter: acctodenise
    says:

    I have Evernote but wasn’t really taking advantage of its functionality. Thanks so much for the tips!
    Denise recently posted..Gluten Free Update

  14. Barbara Beyer-Albright
    Twitter: theemptynestmom
    says:

    Sharon – this is fantastic! I’ve heard of Evernote but have never seen it so visually and user-friendly displayed and explained as your post here. I’m sure it will trump my 3-ring notebook with papers slipped here and there, other piles of notes clipped and set on that shelf, and more than a couple spiral notepads and calendars. I stopped by your blog while I was here too – loaded with helpful information – what a find for a Tuesday morning! Thanks so much.

    The Empty Nest Mom
    Barbara Beyer-Albright recently posted..Pumpkin Pie Cream Cheese Recipe

  15. I have an account but had no idea you could do all that!
    Karen@WaistingTime recently posted..Skinny Wife; Happy Life

  16. I can’t wait to try it!! Sounds fabulous!
    Tugboat recently posted..Yep. I am "one of those"

  17. You are my new hero! I will be saving trees as I print and file … this is perfect! Thank you ~ I’m all smiles.

  18. This stresses me out!

  19. I love Evernote – helps me so much with blog posts that I write — and now I’m storing my #NaNoWriMo novel on it so that I can access it from anywhere and whenever I feel like writing.

    I like that you showed me more about it – thanks! :)
    Julie @DutchBeingMe recently posted..#Mamavation: How Diabetes has affected me…

  20. Great tips! I love Evernote but I had no idea of all of its uses. I have it on my IPhone but only use it to jot down blog ideas as they come to me. Sometimes I’m sleeping and am too lazy to get up and get a pen so I either type it in Evernote or use a voice recording for future reference. I’ll definitely be checking out the other uses above.
    Chic Working Mom recently posted..Does More Makeup Mean a Promotion?

  21. Love, love Evernote! I have blogged about it several times as well, without compensation. Just a great tool!
    Successful Woman’s Resource Center recently posted..10 easy meals for busy nights

  22. More Than A Mom
    Twitter: elizabeth_agd
    says:

    This looks like it could work great but I KNOW I would just focus on playing around with it and not writing! LOL
    More Than A Mom recently posted..Take-It-For-Free Tuesday – FREE E-Scrap Designer Pack #1

  23. Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos
    Twitter: cookinstilettos
    says:

    Wow – finally a how to use evernote efficiently that I can relate to. I have it on the devices, just never use it :( Think I’m going to have to give it a shot. Thanks!
    Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos recently posted..Shopping In Stilettos: Fab Monday — The Big 4–0 Edition

  24. What a great tool!
    Becky recently posted..Fall Planting

  25. this is fascinating, I have never heard of evernote – but would love to jump in – as always with something new, sometimes it can feel a little intimidating trying to get started with something like this, but I really love organization and would love to give it a shot!
    mangiabella recently posted..Tabbouleh & A Time To Rest…

  26. I thought EverNote was just a smart phone app – I need to take a 2nd look. Thanks!!!
    Through the Lens of Kimberly Gauthier, Photography Blog recently posted..Best Canon Lenses for Wedding Photography

  27. dawn
    Twitter: petproductrevue
    says:

    Great info! I began using Evernote a few months ago and love it. I especially like that I can use it offline which is great when I am somewhere I can’t access Wifi.
    dawn recently posted..A Senior Pet might be the Perfect Pet for You

  28. Just started using Evernote. The best thing ever! lol

    Pam
    Pamela list recently posted..Sing A Song to Get Things Done

  29. Tracy @ The UnCoordinated Mommy
    Twitter: uncoordmommy
    says:

    I used to be super organized in my pre-baby career life, but have struggled with it ever since quitting my job. Hence the blog name. This is pretty awesome!! Hopefully it can solve a lot of my problems.
    Tracy @ The UnCoordinated Mommy recently posted..Day 1: Pottytraining Has A Steep Learning Curve

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  1. [...] yesterday I saw an article on The SITS Girls website about using Evernote for blogging. I was so intrigued that I downloaded Evernote and started playing around with it. Um…all I [...]

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