Using Mind Maps to Generate Social Media Ideas

February 26, 2014 by Christine

Have a case of Facebook or Twitter block? Like writer’s block, social media block strikes from time to time. You simply run out of ideas or feel uninspired. Fortunately, you can overcome this problem by using mind maps as a brainstorming tool.

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What Are Mind Maps?

Mind maps are visual tools used to graphically express your ideas. They can be as simple as a sheet of blank paper or as complex as a piece of software. Mind maps are used for a variety of purposes including:

• Brainstorming
• Problem solving
• Decision making
• Note taking
• Planning
• Studying
• Breaking down and categorizing down complex information
• Process development

Using Mind Maps to Generate Ideas

Brainstorming ideas for your social media posts using a mind map is a creative process. As such, don’t edit yourself – anything goes! Remember that just because you write it down, it doesn’t mean that you have to use that idea. In fact, some of your craziest ideas may spawn even better, more practical ideas.

If you already have mind map software, feel free to use it. If not, a blank sheet of paper will do. Start by writing “social media ideas” in the center of the sheet and circle it. That’s the center of your hub. Your ideas will be represented as spokes. You can have as many or as few spokes as you would like. Start making spokes. For example, you could write down several broad categories that you usually post about such as: news items, time management tips, bargain hunting, great deals, or book reviews. Try to get at least five spokes going.

Once you have your spokes, consider each of those categories as its own hub with its own spokes. Write down related ideas. For example, for the news item spoke, you may want to write about specific types of news item such as: celebrity news, industry news, industry reports, or Google news. The same is true of your time management tips spoke; for example, you could list: books, software/apps, timers, strategies, pitfalls, and organization products.

Your sub-spokes may even turn into their own hubs. As you start mind mapping, you will start thinking about related items. Go for it. Don’t worry about creating a balanced mind map. If you are inspired to dig deeper into a given category because the ideas are flowing, that’s great! That means you are over your social media block. You now have a wealth of ideas to post about on your blog, Facebook page, Twitter account, and other social media sites.

Mind maps are not necessarily pretty, but they are a great way to get the creative juices flowing. Whether you use software or a blank sheet of paper is up to you. Either way, once you start putting your ideas down, more ideas are likely to follow.

How do you brainstorm social media posts? Tell us in the comments below.

Thomas von Ahn – Chief Elephant Slayer – Viral Solutions LLC

Watch out elephants! This slayer of business challenges comes with 30 years of record breaking sales, marketing, operations, training and leadership experience . He has worked face-to-face with 100’s of small business owners as well as large firms. His love of creating, communicating, developing and executing results for clients shines with each project, publication and training event. His entrepreneurial spirit, passion, industry experience, education, problem-solving prowess, charismatic personality and been-there-done that attitude leads his client focused approach.

Filed Under: Social Media