Before Anna and I started contentkiWe went to a coffee shop, pulled out a notepad and started brainstorming all the services we could offer based on our skills and experience.
We developed content writing, SEO optimization and content strategy. From there, we delved even deeper into each category and added SEO blog writing, thought leadership, landing page copy, and social media to our list.
I’m glad we took the time to break this down early on as it gave us a clear sense of who we are from the start, rather than figuring out our services on the fly.
The rough sketch in our notebook was what is known in technical jargon as “ Concept map. It is a tool that you can use not only when starting a business, but also to develop new concepts and do thorough research before bringing them to market.
Table of contents
What is a concept map?
A concept map is a visual representation, often in the form of a diagram, that shows the relationship between different ideas or concepts. It is a great tool for structuring and organizing knowledge. It typically includes two elements:
- node. These represent concepts and are in the shape of circles, ovals or boxes.
- Arrows. These connect ideas. They could contain a linking word or verb to explain the relationship between concepts, for example “leads to” or “is part of”.
A concept map helps break down complex topics/ideas into more digestible components.
Types of concept maps
Before I discuss the types of concept maps, here is a list of them The best mind mapping software you can try to help you create your own concept map.
Spider cards
I’m sure it won’t surprise you to hear that these concept maps resemble a spider web. The main concept is in the center, with related subtopics branching outward. This structure allows you to explore multiple aspects of the central idea.
How to create it:
- Place your main idea in the center of the diagram.
- Draw lines radiating from the center to represent an important subtopic tied to the main idea.
- Add sub-topics from each subtopic to dive even deeper into the topic.
- Use labels or short words to better illustrate the relationship between concepts.
When to use it: Use it to analyze a broad topic in detail.
Flowcharts
A flowchart represents a linear or sequential process or workflow. It uses symbols and arrows to show how information flows, often including decisions or actions.
How to create it:
- Define the process or task you want to illustrate.
- Draw arrows to show the sequence of steps. Use boxes or other shapes to represent each step or action.
- Use a diamond shape for decision points and demonstrate different branches based on yes/no or other criteria of your choice.
- Continue until you’re done.
When to use it: I think flowcharts are great for explaining processes, for example when onboarding new employees.
System cards
Instead of focusing on the main idea, system maps highlight the relationships and interactions between different concepts. They lack a hierarchical structure and emphasize how different parts work together.
How to create it:
- Define the main system components.
- Arrange them based on their interrelationship rather than in a hierarchical order.
- Draw lines between components to show how they are connected to each other. I think it’s helpful to add words like “influences” and “depends on” to better explain the nature of the relationship.
- Expand every part of the system by detecting feedback loops, inputs and outputs.
When to use it: Use system maps to understand and analyze complex systems such as supply chains or organizational networks.
Hierarchy maps
A hierarchy map illustrates how elements are related to each other in a hierarchical structure and displays their relative status. This means that ideas have a higher status while others have a lower status. The main concept or highest-ranking element is at the top, while the lower-ranking elements are positioned below.
How to create it:
- Place the main or highest ranking concept at the top of the card.
- Define the key subtopics that fall under the main idea and place them directly below it. Connect them with lines.
- Branch down to view subconcepts while maintaining a clear hierarchical structure.
When to use it: I think it’s useful for displaying information with multiple levels of authority or importance, for example government structures or Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
How to create a concept map
Before you start working on your concept map, I recommend you download HubSpots Concept map template – it will make the process much easier.
1. Define your main topic.
First, select the main idea or theme you want to analyze. It should be broad enough to allow branching of some subtopics.
Depending on the type of card you are using, place the main concept either at the top or in the middle of your card. It serves as the foundation from which all your other ideas are developed.
2. Identify essential concepts.
Once you figure out the main idea, start brainstorming other topics you want to explore. Think of as many as you can, but instead of placing them directly on the map, list them first – this is called the “parking lot” method.
Once your list is complete, order the concepts from most general or broad to most specific. I think it’s best to create a hierarchy with the most important/general ideas at the top and the more detailed ones below.
3. Move concepts from the parking lot to the map.
Now you can transfer your concepts from the parking lot to the map.
Place the main idea in the middle or at the top, with related subtopics branching off from it. Each additional topic should be linked to a specific category and ultimately form a hierarchy.
When organizing the concepts, I recommend using linking words to clarify the relationship between the ideas. This will increase understanding of how each concept relates to the others.
4. Check accuracy and consistency.
The more connecting ideas you have, the more likely you are to make a mistake. Therefore, it is best to check each connection to make sure it is linked to the correct concept.
Use cross-references to find ideas that are in another part of your map. This approach can help you connect them with additional concepts, creating a more comprehensive and interconnected structure that enables even more insights.
5. Expand and revise.
Your concept map is not set in stone. As new ideas emerge, you can keep adding them to the map to create new connections.
I appreciate that the map is flexible and you can rearrange, remove or add sections as you gain a deeper understanding of the topic.
The process doesn’t end with the first version; I recommend that you regularly check that your map is complete and relevant. Make revisions if necessary.
Creating my own concept map
Let’s get to practice. I’m now going to create a concept map for my own freelance business.
Step 1: Identify my main topic.
Since I am a freelance content marketer, one of the things I deal with is SEO optimization, which will be my main topic.
Step 2: Identify essential concepts.
I’ll break it down into a few subcategories: on-page SEO, technical SEO, and using SEO tools. For this example, I will only mention three, but feel free to think of as many as you can, such as off-page SEO and local SEO.
Write them all down.
Step 3: Move concepts to the map.
Once I’ve listed the main concepts, it’s time to focus on each individual concept and list relevant subcategories. For example, on-page SEO can be broken down into sub-steps such as “keywords” and “content optimization.”
If I wanted to go even deeper, I could add “keyword research,” “long-tail keywords,” and other smaller concepts under the “Keywords” subtopic.
I did this with all three main topics and wrote two subcategories for each, along with ideas for branching out further.
Notice how the map helps us understand that SEO is a multifaceted concept and that, although it is mostly an area covered by marketing, it overlaps with areas such as technical website/app performance.
Step 4: Double-check accuracy and consistency.
In this step I check that I have assigned each idea to the correct category.
For example, I made sure to place “User Intent” under “Content Optimization” rather than “Site Speed.” Keep in mind that some concepts like “keyword research” may fit into more than one category.
Step 5: Expand and revise.
I will treat this concept map as my first version. The more time I spend brainstorming ideas, the more subcategories I can add.
I could expand my map to include “URL structure,” “internal linking,” “indexing,” and “security” – all related to SEO optimization.
Additionally, as mentioned earlier, it is important to identify relationships between different categories. For example, I could create a link between “SEO tools” and “keywords” because the data from the SEO tools I use influences my keyword selection and influences my overall SEO strategy.
If you’re a content marketer like me, you’ll find one here Content mapping template to help you organize your work.
The best way to create a concept map is to use a pre-made template.
I love brainstorming, but sometimes I come up with so many ideas that I lose track and forget half of my ideas within five minutes.
A concept map is a great tool for organizing your thoughts and ideas. It helps to explore a particular topic in detail, thereby providing a deep understanding. You can start small and expand your map as you generate more ideas.