How do you manage your ToDo list for all of the pages?

Jewel · #1 (**permalink**) 04-11-2008, 03:27 PM

I am not sure where to put this??? Here...Content? Miscellaneous?

Anyway...as I create my pages and put them up I constantly think of things I need to come back and do to them. It seems to be an ever growing list and a page never seems to be complete!

I also get ideas for new pages...and things I want to add to them.

The way I am organizing them right now....I have the SBI site blueprint in Excel for the tiers. I am using it and it is working, but I feel there could be a better way..and I would like to have something in front of my. On one of the forums, I think SBI, somebody mentioned she has each tier on a post-it note that she can move around as she pleases...maybe that would be better? Other suggestions?

Another thing I am doing is in Microsoft OneNote I have set up a tab for future pages and under that I have a page tab for each new page I have created and for those I want to create (is that too confusing?) Whenever I come up with an idea for that page, or some great tips for content I can use later on that page, I copy and place it there. I have a fantastic notebook of things I want to get to. I also have a ToDo list on each page under that tab...for pages created and not yet created

BUT....just like I am not good with the Palm as an organizer, I like a paper planner because I like to see everything laid out in front of me...it is the same with my thoughts and ideas. When they are stuck in the computer I feel that though they won't get lost....I don't feel organized!

So to wrap up my long-winded post....I was wondering how you guys organize what you want to accomplish and need to get done on your sites.

lisa · #2 (**permalink**) 04-11-2008, 04:06 PM

With any site I've created I've never used any additional software, notes, etc. to help organize my thoughts, content, etc. I just write when I feel the urge and stick it where it fits. But because I operate like that it's cost me some headaches because I find myself re-organizing things a lot.

It would be great to hear from other organized folks here because that's one thing I've always been pretty bad at. Fortunately I've been able to find success in spite of this but sometimes I wish I was more organized.

[moving to Content Corner]

James · #3 (**permalink**) 04-11-2008, 07:35 PM

Not too many still talk of being "green" in reference to being a newbie, but getting old(er) is inevitable.

One problem with getting organized in this work for me is that I keep finding out that I "should" have been doing it some other way and it's like starting over again anyway.

One thing I have done that I find helpful however is to plan out content areas, especially ones that call for separate folders and navigation, and write those into the code to start with even though it may be a long time coming. Then I just comment them out. It does help when I can just ftp a section of articles for example and uncomment the navigation for it.

Lajocar · #4 (**permalink**) 04-12-2008, 03:44 PM

I just use Dreamweaver and create a site with folders and subfolders.

images folder etc.

I don't still worry with to do lists, but just go along as I feel like.

All my web pages, images etc. are organized in folders.

West · #5 (**permalink**) 04-14-2008, 06:01 AM

I actually made an outline (like for a book report) of my site. I listed all the tier 2 pages, then added sub-lists of tier 3's. Once the outline was complete, I saved a hard copy to my files and printed out a copy. I keep the print out next to my computer at home.

I also printed out a copy of my MKL so I wont have to go through SBI to view it every time I need to reference it.

I also make a list of things to do and give myself a deadline. But I always get side-tracked.

The outline really helps me, but I'm constantly making changes to it. But every time I sit at my computer and actually see it, it helps me to stay focused.

I think it takes a while for people to find a flow that works well for them. You basically have to learn via trial and error.

Jewel · #6 (**permalink**) 04-14-2008, 08:26 AM

Thanks for all your suggestions.

I don't know if this will help you West, but like you, I don't like to have to go back and forth from the MKL. What I did was to export it all to an Excel spreadsheet. Then I have different tabs I created, or sheets I guess, at the bottom, one for each T2 and T3 as I start to work on them. I go to the master list that I had exported, and copy all of the words related to that Tier. I can sort them however I like...I usually have them sorted by demand.

(Say the T1 is fruit, I have one sheet for fruit, then I have one sheet for apples, one for bananas, melons, berries etc. where I copy each of the words pertaining to that tier there)

But...I am not sure if I can explain this in an understandable way...I have little groups of keywords, logically sorted, all over the page for the tier I am working on. I can see all the groups and their numbers at once. Say I am working on the apple T2, down the left three columns I may have all the general words that have to do with apples. Then a few columns over I have a group of words that I copied out and sorted that have to do with green apples. A few blank lines, and then I have a group that are related to caramel apples. Red apples. Equipment for apples. Does this make sense? I can sort each group with Excel as a whole, or just copy and sort the little groups I have spaced out all over that one sheet.

Then...when I am writing my page, I have the spreadsheet open and Word open at the same time with the pages side by side so I can see the keywords and numbers while I am writing and do different sorts as I please.

I don't know if this helps you understand..it really is very easy...or I just confused the hell out of everybody!

Actually, my folders and tier names are pretty organized...I just need to find a better way to manage my open task lists of unfinished items for each page...those that are up and those that are not yet written.

Jewel · #7 (**permalink**) 04-14-2008, 08:28 AM

Looking at your post again West, I think that outline idea might work...I can just print up an outline of my tiers, and write down the ToDo things that need to be done on each page as they comes to me.

missyb · #8 (**permalink**) 01-15-2010, 05:19 PM

I have a system where I have all the information for one site in a folder, except for the html, css they have their own dedicated folder.

Those with SBI, will be familiar with the tier structure of Tier 2 and Tier 3, I use these principles to organize my site. I try to work on a "family of pages" rather than just one. This means the T2 and T3's that belong to it.

I will use TamingTime.com as my example, all sites have a short "nickname" I use for each folder to not get sites mixed up.

Folder called "TT Site"
Inside this folder I have a folder called:
"TT Sets in the Works"
and one called:
"TT Completed Sets"

Inside "TT Sets in the Works" you will see this folder for example:
"TT Procrastination"
Inside there you will see lots of text-edit (notepad on PC) files named like this:

"MASTER SET - Procrastination"
This contains a mini blueprint of the procrastination pages, how they should cross link, what keywords should become pages, what "additional keywords could/should be used, additional ideas for monetising etc (I also have a system inside here to know exactly what point each page is at from nothing to completed with monetisation)

"T2 Overcoming Procrastination"
This will be my tier 2 page with a compilation of all other subsequent procrastination articles, with links leading the visitor to them.

"T3 Causes of Procrastination"
"T3 Procrastination Quotes"
"T3 Procrastination Statistics"
"T3 Help with Procrastination"
Etc

Sometimes if there is similar keywords, but in my "Master Set" I have decided one will go in one direction and the other another I will add a note in caps (so I know it is not part of the keyword). "T3 Help with Procrastination - PRACTICAL" for example.

I try not to start more "Sets in the Works" than I can handle, but it gives me variety - while staying on track. I make quick notes when I think of things, and I find content writing is a lot easier and quicker as by the time you open a text edit file to do that page, half of it has already been written. This method also (hopefully!) helps weed out bad ideas as when you go back, you see an idea that you jotted down - just isn't as good as you thought when you first wrote it.

Wow this is long for me, hopefully it makes sense to you. It sounds like a lot of work, but I assure you it saves you a ton of work! If you go to my site and check out the sitemap, you will see some pages are not links - those are still in progress. (I don't generally add them to sitemap until they are online, but as the site is new the site map was looking lonely!)

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