Writing content for presentations is no game. In order to craft the perfect message for our clients, the writers at Ethos3 must put on a digital suit of armor that includes the tools they need to storyboard, edit, and refine their work. Here are a few of our favorite digital (and real) tools for tackling content, and why we think you should adopt some of them for your next first draft:
We’ve found that Evernote is one of the easiest places to store scribbles, outlines, ideas, and everything in between. The reason is because it’s simple to catalog and browse through each new note you’ve created without having to open file folders or preview documents; it’s all accessible and speedy. This is a great tool for early stages of note taking, and can function as a writer’s “moodboard” for random ideas during the writing process.
No writer’s desk would be complete without a pile of (recycled) scribble paper and pens. The rule of thumb is simple: online or offline, you should always have some way to write down an idea as it occurs. If you’re a little more organized than this, consider carrying around a small notebook or folder. The key word is “immediacy;” sometimes ideas can come and go faster than the rain in Nashville.
Frankly, it’s the handiest digital checklist invented (so far). Have a list of title ideas? Maybe a framework for your table of contents? Need a way to keep track of your main points? Wunderlist is a fantastic way to ensure your content covers everything. It also has a handy feature that lets you see the things you’ve already accomplished on the list. You’ll never lose a checklist to a coffee spill or terrible handwriting again.
If you need to do any collaborating on a project, Google Drive is our favorite free service that lets people view, comment, and participate in writing together. This is great for when you need to send your outline/content to an editor without the hassle of back-and-forth email attachments that go on for miles.
Without coffee, there is no writing. In fact, there is no life. No late afternoon/early morning/midnight writing session would be complete without this secret weapon. In fact, all of the best content work that has come from the Ethos3 office has been fueled by it. We simply cannot recommend a massive cup o’ joe more highly.
Writing tools don’t have to be expensive, but they are important. Too often writers believe that the first draft needs to look like the final draft, and that there aren’t clever ways to organize their ideas other than trying to cram them all into memory. Strengthen your process by trying out one of the tools we mentioned here; it may help you approach your content in a brand new way.
Question: What are some of your favorite writing tools?
