How to Create a System On Notion that Improves Your Content Creation Process
Previously, I shared that I used Notion as my second brain. A part of the functions of my "second brain" is to create content for this blog. I have been using this template for over a year now, and it does help in my creation process.
I am using a Kanban board in Notion. Today, I will share with you how I used it for my blog. You can learn how to create a similar board in this post.
Notion is an all-in-one workspace that provides calendars, reminders, to-do lists, pages, etc. You can create systems using the various components for your knowledge system, note taking or even project management. It's like lego; you can customise the workspace specifically to suit your needs.
Notion is available on Apple, Android and Web. You can easily access your database via other devices too.
A Kanban Board
Template
We shall create a Kanban board then a template.
First, create a new page and select the "board" option to input the Kanban board.
On the Kanban board, you can rename the title of the file. I created 3 columns - Not Started, In progress and Completed. I will key in all my ideas under the Not Started segments. Each tile represents an idea. If I am writing on one of the ideas, I will shift it to the In Progress column. All completed articles would be file under the Completed segments.
Next, we will create a template.
As mention earlier, each tile represents an idea. Click on the tile that you want to work on, and it will open up as a new page. You can proceed to create a template.
Click on create a template, and it will prompt you to input the text.
For example, you write about Book Reviews. You would most likely have a generic skeleton for such articles. You can create a template on Notion. When you need to use the template, you can click the "Book Review" template, and the guide will appear.
Now that you have created the system, you can write down all your ideas, regardless of whether you will use them in the future. It can be an area for you to brainstorm. It can serve as a log too. You can drag the most feasible idea to your "to-do" column so that you can work on it. You can also arrange the articles in term of priority. Once you completed a piece of work, you can shift it over to the complete segment. You can upload all the articles to your blog monthly. After that, you can file them as archives.
I gave you an example of how to use the template. Of course, you can tweak it to your working style. You may want to have more columns like "work in progress" or "not so good ideas".
Ultimately, I am trying to say that there is no right way to use this system. Add in the columns that you need. Create all the necessary templates that suit your creative process too! That's the beauty of Notion. You can use the system and tweak it to your style.
Notion serves as a database for all your ideas and articles. You can easier refer to them as and when you need, because Notion is easier accessible via desktops, tablets and mobile devices.
After using Notion for more than a year, I find it easy to kickstart the writing process since I started to use templates. With the guide, it is easier to write out the content. I do not need to refresh my memory and think about what I need to write all the time.
With the Kanban board view, you can track your progress visually. You can easily see the list of items under the "to-do" list. Once you completed it, you can shift it over to the completed list. You would feel a sense of achievement when you see that you are piling up in the completed section.
The system is like an all in one platform. You can have an overview of all the ideas and progress as well. It's easy to use too. You can drag and drop any of the idea/work into any columns. The system will remember the templates that you created too. There is no need to copy and paste from one document to another. The workflow is relatively smooth.
You can tweak and modify the system, and that includes both the board and templates. You can freely build on the current format.
The best part you do not need to know any code to create any of the systems. It is a fuss-free process.
This template is fantastic for
Content Creators
People who like to create a to-do list. It is easier for you to visualise all the work that you have completed too.
If you are looking to create a system for your creative process, why not give this Notion page a try? Not only it may help to improve your creative process, but it may improve your productivity too. I hope this article helps!
- Esther
I welcome suggestions and collaboration. Feel free to drop me a note at hello.estherp@gmail.com.