Internet Marketing

 

Twitter Resources

 

Alex Goodall (developer of this site)

 

 

k-Maps are "mind maps" used as a means of sharing knowledge and information with others. (Mind maps have many other uses besides this.)  If you have information or knowledge you wish to share (or sell), a k-Map is probably the most effective and convenient way to make it available.

 

k-Maps can show "big-picture" views and detailed views; they can include hyperlinked cross-references; they can embed hyperlinks to the web or to folders and files held locally or on a file server; they can provide step-by-step guidance; they can capture and document processes; they can embed graphics and videos... and much more besides.

Here are some possible forms of k-Maps:

• Bookmark organizer.
  
  A simple idea - but a k-Map makes this simple idea into a much more valuable resource than a basic pdf or web page. Don't you think? Take a look at this Twitter Resources example if you haven't already.
   
• Domain map.  
  
  This takes some subject area - such as Personal Development, or House Plants or  Rock Climbing or Financial Trading or ... and shows the overall structure and sub-structure of that subject area. Each sub-area can include information and links to resources to whatever level of details is required. This is not a step-by-step learning resource, but a structured reference document with definitions, overview explanations, and pointers to more details.
   
• Content organizer and navigator.  
  
  The idea here is to use the k-Map as a way to access files and folders on your had drive or a file server. In this case, it needs to be associated with a defined folder structure. Such a k-Map may have a similar structure to a domain map, but it's purpose is less as a reference, and more as an index to your own content. It's easier to show this idea via an example than by explanation. See the Internet Marketing Index Mind Map.
   
• Personal profile.
  
  With a k-Map you can make it easy for someone to find out what they want to know about you, without them having to scroll through pages of information that they don't need to know - but which other people would be delighted to read about.
  
  You can include images, videos, a CV - any level of detail about any aspect of yourself that you need - without worrying about information overload. See my profile for an example.
   
• Business process documentation.
  
  If you run a business, you accumulate huge amounts of knowledge and experience without even realizing it. You do this by the simple act of running your business! Whenever you act, you learn at the same time. Sometimes it's fine for that learning and knowledge to stay in your head - but often you will benefit hugely by recording it: and a k-Map is the best way to do this.
  
  But why bother?
  
  Firstly, because you'll find it much quicker to complete a complex task if you don't have to think it through each time: think once, record once, follow (your own instructions) many (times).
  
  Secondly, because once it's recorded, you will also be able to capture improvements and refinements to your process as you learn them - so you'll be truly learning from experience.
  
  And finally, recording your processes is the only way you'll be able effectively to grow your business by bringing in extra resource, such as outsourcers, and giving them the documented processes to follow.
  
  Your business processes are actually a major business asset: much too valuable to stay in your head!
  
  Examples could include: Customer support process; Product refund process; Lead follow-up process; Create monthly management accounts; Register a new domain and create a hosting account. (Note these are different from any generic "how-to"s (see below) because they refer to how your business specifically does things, including all necessary record keeping and alignment with your business policies.)
   
• A "how to" guidance tool.
  
  Learning how to do something is not a linear process, so presenting material linearly - as in a pdf or as web pages - has limited value. With a k-Map, you can still lead your students down a preferred learning path, but you can also provide alternative paths, and the students can easily skip around the map structure to re-read topics, to get clarification, for quick reference later on. And you can help them do this with rich cross-referencing. All this is on top of the features for embedding links to documents, templates, websites, images, videos etc.
  
  Examples could include: How to be a master networker; How to optimize you site for traffic; How to get out of debt; How to set up a home network; How to organize a wedding; How to build a Squidoo Lens; How to create a business plan ... there are almost infinite possibilities here, of course!
   
• A methodology delivery tool.
  
  Methodologies are more formal than basic how-to guides. In fact, a methodology could make reference to various how-tos.
  
  The problem with all methodologies (and most how-to guides as well, actually) is that different people need different levels of information, depending on their experience. A k-Map makes it much easier to cater for these different audiences. And the ability to include rich cross-referencing and embedded links to supporting documents (templates, forms, examples etc.) further improves the value of this approach.
  
  Typical examples could be project management methods, or a methodology for creating online communities.
   

 

You can easily create basic  k-Maps using tools such Mind Manager from Mindjet, and the Mindomo tool/service for online maps. These are the tools I personally use.

Creating an appropriate structure for any specific  k-Map is not always straightforward. Even if you know the subject matter inside out, most domains can be structured in many different ways, and designing the most appropriate way for a given purposes, can entail considerable knowledge analysis skills.

If you need support in this area, please get in touch. I don't offer k-Map creation as a general service, but I may be available for ad hoc assignments from time to time, depending on workloads. (See The Knowledge Analyst). Note also that the IM Index Mind Map includes proprietary software that I had specially written to perform certain project-related functions: if this might be useful, let me know.

Either send me a message on Twitter, or raise a ticket at my support desk.