You Don’t Use Evernote? : I keep running into people that don’t use Evernote. Not because they use other productivity apps, but because they’re still handwriting EVERYTHING.
Okay, maybe not “handwriting” everything. But they’re bouncing from post it notes to email messages to excel sheets to who knows what.
Don’t get me wrong, I know it’s difficult to get started on an organizational system based on technology when it keeps moving and becoming obsolete at lightning speed.
But, you simply can’t resist any longer! What you’re doing is spending more time managing your business than actually getting any work done. It’s time to start streamlining and making your business more efficient. It’s going to save you a ton of money and time.
Although I’m a big fan of Evernote and everything it can do, I think there are other systems out there that can work equally well for service based businesses, like Microsoft’s OneNote.
When choosing, do a little research and see which one you want to invest the time in learning.
But, PICK SOMETHING!
Since Evernote is my app of choice/quasi- personal assistant, I’ll mention some of the things I like about it.
Filing and Organizing Become a Cinch
In my line of work, I’m on the computer sometimes up to 16 hours a day. I research the internet, social media and visit hundreds of web pages. Instead of having to jot notes down on a piece of paper that I will likely lose, I can just utilize the Evernote Web Clipper.
Anytime I want to make note of a web page that I’d like to revisit, I click the clipper icon in the top right hand corner of my toolbar and it’s done. The whole web page can be clipped, images and all. It’s really a beautiful thing! Plus, I can make notes about WHY I clipped it and how I can use it later. I can also put tags on items, so things stay really organized.
Save Money and Time on Effective Communication
The amazing thing about Evernote is that you can access it from both your computer and your mobile device. Evernote is pretty much ALWAYS accessible for you to keep notes. Let’s say, Your Boss, a Marketing Rep and you (a Salesperson) are all working on a project to generate leads. You’re approaching the process of gathering information and you’re individually expected to make and keep notes; so (hopefully) in your next meeting you can waste a few of hours trying to figure out your next step.
What if, at the end of the day you all have an opportunity to see what notes and recommendations everyone on your team has come up with?
You’d have an opportunity to assess things outside of the meeting room, process the information on your own, create plans, ideas and presentations BEFORE the meeting.
How much more effective could your meetings be? How much time could you save? How much money could you save on data entry, when all you have to do is pick up your phone, speak your notes into a microphone and be done?
Evernote is a great way to keep all the members of your team on the same page. But, I use it for everything. I clip recipes and how-to pages, keep notes about my fitness and training, share home & business ideas with my husband and so much more.
I’ll admit that I actually had to start USING the app by making organized notes and clipping web pages before I truly saw the value in it.
But once you begin to feel the security of knowing the information is right where you left it, organized & easily accessible, you just don’t want to stop using Evernote.