5 Methods For Effective Note Taking

There are mainly two reasons you go to a presentation. It is either to learn or to network and many time both. It is obvious that effective note taking will help you learn, but did you know that sharing notes is a great way to establish relationships? With that in mind here are my 5 methods for effective note taking:

1. Make your notes brief! Never use a sentence where you can use a phrase. Never use a phrase when you can use a word. Use abbreviations and symbols but be consistent.
2. Put most notes in your own words. Some exceptions will be formulas, definitions and specific facts.
3. Use outline form and or numbering system. Indentation helps you distinguish major from minor points.
4. If you miss a statement, write key words, draw a line where the missing words will go and the details later. (I use this as a conversation starter, "That was a great presentation. Do you remember the part about... I need to fill in some blanks)
5. Don't try to use every space on the page. Leave room for note sharing with others. You may want to list key items in the margins

If you are an artist like Peter Durand you can take notes by drawing a picture. See his notes from PopTech at http:\\www.alphachimp.com. I actually use this are to help me review my notes. I also use Evernote to synchronize my notes on my iphone, ipad and pc. That way I can refer to my notes practically anywhere. I discovered SoundNote for the iPad. It records the audio while you take notes. Later you can touch your note to fast forward to that part in the audio. I have to warn you it could make you a lazy note taker.

These are just a few methods to make you a more effective note taker. Share some of you note taking tips, tricks and disaster stories in the comments section below.

Fred Abaroa
The Marketing Imagineer
Fred [@] TMIFred.com
@TMIFred