Using Notion for Writing Your Books and Online Content
One of my favorite tools for writing
Over the last three years, I have used several systems to write my books. At first, I was only using a word processor. Then, I went on to use Scrivner. After that, I started using different note/productivity apps.
Each book was written in a different program initially. However, I found the perfect writing tool for writing books, blog posts, and online content. I am convinced that there will be no going back after this program.
What is it? It's Notion. A few months ago, I started using Notion at the suggestion of another writer. I wasn't very sure if I would like it. But I tried it anyway.
Once I transferred over my productivity setup, I started realizing the benefits of this program. Now, I will never go back to anything else. In today's article, I want to share with you a few things:
What is Notion
The benefits of Notion
How I use Notion for writing
After this, if you are interested in Notion, feel free to leave a comment asking any questions you might have. I am just starting, but I would love to help.
What is Notion
Notion, at its core, is a productivity app. You can use it for note-taking, tasks, project management, and data storage. It was primarily used by teams working on different projects and collaborating.
However, the depth of the tools has allowed it to take on a whole new world for many people. Because of the depth of tools, you can create calendars, databases, tables, reminders, and complex systems for your work and personal life.
I have used Evernote, Apple Notes, and Microsoft OneNote in the past, and nothing beats the versatility of how you can use Notion. It is my primary spot for writing my online content and books.
But let's look at some of the benefits of Notion next.
The Benefits of Notion
There are a lot of things I like about Notion. For example, I keep everything in my Notion app. I have it set up with nine main categories. Within those categories, I use Notion to work on projects, manage tasks, keep track of timelines, and store information.
Benefit #1: All-in-one Workspace
I used to use the Apple Suite for my productivity and writing. I used Notes for writing. Then I would have my tasks in the Apple Task app. And I would keep project management or spreadsheets in Apple Sheets.
However, with Notion, you can do all of those things under one main category. You can have your writing, tasks, project management, and budget information in the same program.
For example, with my Transformed Faith Publication, I write everything in Notion, keep my book budget in the same category/folder, and keep track of timelines for publishing my books.
Benefits #2: The Free Version is Great
If you only work with Notion for productivity, you don't have to buy into subscriptions. I only use the free version of Notion, and I don't think I would need to pay for the next level.
This is one of my favorite parts of Notion because you always seem to need to buy into a deeper level with other programs. Or, if you want deeper tools, you need to purchase extras. But you don't need to do that with Notion.
The only caveat is that you will need to buy into the different subscription levels if you want to use it for your team, which is probably okay if you have a team of people working with you on your books.
Benefit #3: You Can Make Money with Notion
Over the last few months, I have found that many people use Notion and share their systems with Gumroad or other shops. I didn't realize this was a thing until I went deeper into the Notion experience.
Since then, I have purchased a few Notion templates that have helped me with personal finance, tracking maintenance for the car and home, and managing my social media accounts.
Recently, I created an easy template for Notion, which is my system for writing online content. It is the same system I used to write this post. You can find the template on my Gumroad store, The Three Box System.
How I Use Notion for Writing
I use Notion to capture my ideas, write drafts, edit drafts, and store my published posts. I also use it to write the first drafts of my books. Lastly, I use Notion to create the basic ideas for some of my social media.
Online Content
For my blog posts, Medium posts, and Substack posts, I write all of them in Notion. I capture my ideas and write my drafts using my Three Box System. Then I work on editing them and store the published posts in reference folders.
The basics look like this:
Three Box System: Capture Ideas → Write Drafts → Edit Drafts
Store Published Post: Reference → Add a link to post at the bottom of the finished draft
I keep the links at the bottom of the drafts if I want to go back and see how a particular post has been done or read the comments. This way, I can look up comments if I decide to add a post to a book.
Books
For writing books, I start with one central folder/database. Then, I write the book's outline at the top of the page. Then I create a new page under this database to write each chapter. This way, I keep everything in the same place.
This is how it looks:
Main Page with Outline and Deadlines
Introduction, chapter pages, and conclusion
Once I finish writing the initial draft in Notion, I bring it all together into Google Docs (where I work with my editor on my books). Once we get through the edits, I add a page with the file of the draft uploaded for safekeeping. I also keep my book cover designs in Notion.
Social Media
Lastly, I use Notion to plan my social media posts. I am not the best at this yet, but it does work great using the database/folders to keep track of themes for a week or specific topics I want to touch on at any given time.
This is pretty simple:
Social Media Platform
Weekly Pages: List out each day and the theme for the day
I use one main page for the social media platform, LinkedIn. Then, I have individual pages each week (for example, 9/11 to 9/17). With each weekly page, I list the days and the themes or plans for posts.
This saves me time figuring out what to post and keeps me on topic.
Final Thoughts on Using Notion for Writing
Notion is a great resource. I love it and don't plan on going anywhere else. The other thing about it is that the depth of use is so great that I am always learning something new.
I think it is the perfect resource and tool for every writer, from just starting to write for years. It has all the tools you need to run your writing as a hobby or business.
If you are starting, check out my Three Box System for writing. You can pick it up on Gumroad for $7, or join my Paid Substack Newsletter and get it free!
J.R. Heimbigner is a #1 Bestselling Author on Amazon who loves helping people grow in their faith and help writers become authors. You can connect with him on Medium, his website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Substack!
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Thanks for sharing this information...I've never heard of Notion, but will check it out!