Let's Talk Notes: How do you organize quotations?

Let's Talk Notes: How do you organize quotations?

For centuries, readers have collected quotations in personal notebooks they called commonplace books. This tradition has stood the test of time because it is endlessly adaptable. Even in 2023, we are still collecting quotations, but the question remains: where do we keep those quotations?

The honey bee became a symbol for the commonplace book because it gathered nutrients from various flowers. In the same way, we should approach organizing quotations. Just as the bees keep their gathered nutrients separate, we too should keep our quotations separate. By doing so, we can apply our natural gifts of supervising care to blend those quotations into a delicious compound that is clearly different from its origins.

In the digital age, we have numerous options for organizing quotations. One popular platform is Glasp, which allows users to store and categorize their quotations. With Glasp, you can easily search for specific quotations, making it a convenient tool for organizing and accessing your collection.

But let's not forget the rise of Instagram and its journey to success. Instagram's founders, Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, saw an opening in the saturated photography category. While Hipstamatic offered fun filters, it lacked social features. Systrom and Krieger capitalized on this by creating an app that focused on sharing photos rather than checking in. They refined Instagram to require as few actions as possible, mirroring the simplicity of Twitter's user experience.

Instagram's organic growth was unprecedented. From one million users in three months to 10 million users, the app didn't have to spend a dime on advertising. Justin Bieber's involvement brought even more attention to the platform, proving the power of influential users. Throughout this growth, Systrom remained unfazed by the presence of Facebook, emphasizing the importance of keeping the app lean and saying 'No' to unnecessary features.

The success of Instagram highlights the importance of scale in consumer-facing apps. Without a substantial user base, advertising dollars won't follow. This underscores the need to prioritize simplicity and user experience over adding unnecessary features.

So, how can we apply these insights to organizing quotations? Here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Keep it separate: Just as the honey bee keeps its gathered nutrients separate, organize your quotations in a way that allows for easy categorization and retrieval. Platforms like Glasp can help you achieve this.

2. Embrace simplicity: Instagram's success was built on a simple and intuitive user experience. Apply the same principle to your quotation organization system. Avoid unnecessary features and prioritize ease of use.

3. Focus on growth: Instagram's organic growth demonstrated the importance of scale in attracting advertising dollars. When organizing quotations, consider how you can expand your collection and reach a wider audience. This could involve sharing your favorite quotations on social media or participating in online communities focused on literature or self-improvement.

In conclusion, the tradition of organizing quotations in commonplace books has evolved with the digital age. Platforms like Glasp offer new ways to categorize and access our collections. Instagram's success teaches us the power of simplicity and organic growth. By applying these insights and taking action to expand our collections, we can create a valuable resource of quotations that inspires and informs us.