October 22, 2020
Important tips and tricks to choose mind mapping software in 2020
Mind mapping software is one of the most vital tools for businesses to have in their arsenal in 2020 and beyond. Though this popular creative thinking technique is often famed for its ability to aid brainstorming, it can also be used to plan meetings more effectively (or take meeting notes), as well as structure presentations, reports, and other work. However, it’s vital to remember that not all digital mind map makers are created equal, and some offer additional features to boost your productivity. So, what should you consider when choosing the best mind mapping tool for your team?
If you already use mind mapping in your day-to-day life, then you know the great benefits it can bring in terms of boosting creativity, organization, and memory. However, if you don’t, then mind mapping is a highly versatile technique that can help you improve your work by enabling you to generate more innovative ideas when kicking off extensive projects, or planning the content and structure of articles, reports, presentations, creative marketing materials, and more.
So, why does mind mapping work? It’s simple, really. The human brain loves visuals – and mind maps, with their different shapes, colors and imagery, fit the brief perfectly. When it comes to brainstorming, the interconnecting branches of a mind map will encourage your brain to make associations between ideas and concepts, so you can get your creative juices flowing – whether you’re planning a meeting, project or anything else.
Why use an online mind map maker?
Though mind maps are traditionally drawn on a whiteboard or with pen and paper, an online mind mapping tool can make the process of creating a mind map both quicker and easier, allowing you to get started instantly and make edits whenever you need to. If you’re working in a team or simply want to receive feedback on your work, you can also easily share a digital mind map with others and let them add their own contributions.
Ready to get your team mind mapping online? Here are some questions you should be asking yourself when choosing mind mapping software in 2020 and beyond…
Can you customize your mind maps?
One of the reasons that mind mapping is loved and used by 250 million people worldwide is that it’s a highly versatile technique that has many uses. Although every mind map should follow the same basic structure (with your central theme or topic in the middle of the map and additional ideas radiating outwards on interconnecting branches), a mind map can look precisely how you want it to look. In fact, when creating your mind map, you should choose colors and imagery that are going to inspire your creative thinking or trigger your memory.
When it comes to choosing mind mapping software that everyone on your team will love using, make sure that it offers plenty of flexibility for them to customize their maps to suit whatever task they’re working on, from the placement and style of your branches, to the size and color of your text. The ability to add images (both from your desktop or a built-in image library) is also a great plus. However, if you want to get your ideas down fast, try to opt for software that lets you choose from a more flexible mapping style or one with a pre-determined layout (such as Ayoa’s speed mapping style) which will automatically adjust as you add new branches. This ensures your mind map always looks neat, tidy and professional.
Can you easily share your mind maps with others?
We all know those famous sayings ‘two heads are better than one’ and ‘teamwork makes the dream work’. This is certainly true when planning and brainstorming ideas for projects (one of the most beneficial uses of mind mapping) as you can expand on the great ideas of others in your team and even use them as jumping-off points for your own. For this reason, you need a mind mapping tool that makes the process of sharing your maps with multiple people as simple as possible.
If you work with a large team or multiple clients, then some things to look out for are any limits on the amount of people you can share your maps with. Also consider whether you are easily able to control their permission settings and decide whether certain users can simply view your map, edit your ideas or add their own branches. Some mind mapping tools (such as Ayoa) offer you the full flexibility to customize user permissions, and you can share your mind maps with as many people as you want – even if you have our free basic plan. The ability to print or export your mind maps to your desktop is also available on Ayoa, which may be another feature you want.
Does the software offer other features?
With more and more employees now working remotely (and the coronavirus pandemic only accelerating this already growing trend), you need to ensure that your team is provided with tools that can help them to work together seamlessly, whether they’re working from their homes or from the same office. Cloud-based mind mapping software is a great place to start as it enables you to plan work and brainstorm ideas on a shared mind map that can be accessed on your device from any location. However, while some tools are limited to mind mapping, many now go a step further by incorporating other helpful features to help you manage your work and deadlines and collaborate with others (such as Ayoa) – so you can be more productive.
Want a complete work management solution to help your team work remotely? Opt for mind mapping software that also includes features such as task or project management capabilities, instant messaging and video calling. By combining task management and mind mapping, you can keep everything relating to a project or specific piece of work in one place – helping you to stay organized, allow you to brainstorm, and put your ideas into action without having to switch apps. Ayoa also offers presenting features, so you can present your work while you hold a video meeting – again, all in the same app.
Ready to start mind mapping online but are still unsure of what is the best software for you and your team? Ayoa is an all-in-one digital whiteboard that combines flexible mind mapping capabilities with task management, instant messaging, and video calls to help you stay connected with your team when you work remotely. Find out more about our plans or try Ayoa for free today!
Louise Cunnah
Louise Cunnah has always had a passion for the written word, leading to her studying English, Media and Journalism at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Since graduating in 2014, she has held a number of different roles in marketing, both agency-side and in-house for brands like Ayoa. She loves taking on a challenge and has written content on a diverse range of subjects over the years, including horticulture, business management, telecommunications, health and safety, productivity, neurodiversity, and personal finance (to name but a few!).