Building the Mind Map
The conventional manner with which to begin mind mapping is by starting with the central
main topic and branching out from there. Start by editing the text in the main topic box.
Because our hypothetical mind map explores possible reasons for our product not selling,
we should label the text in the Main Topic box "Why isn't our product selling?" Click
on the Main Topic box to select it, click Add Text in
SmartPanel, and begin typing text; or just double-click the box and the
cursor will blink, indicating you can type in it.
Labeling the Main Topic
Now add some general answers, such as "Location," "Advertising," and "Service," to that
question as Topics. To do this, click Add Topic in the Edit
group of SmartPanel three times, once for each new topic.
SmartDraw will automatically add boxes and branches which are appropriately linked and
evenly spaced. Add text to the new boxes as before and your mind map should appear as
in the figure below.
Adding Topics and Text
Begin to dig deeper into each topic, splitting each into more specific subtopics. For example,
the product's location could be its shelf position or the store itself. There are
several modes of advertising, such as radio, television, signs, magazines, and
word-of-mouth. Service might point to technical support. To add each of these
subtopics, click on a topic box (Location, Advertising, or Service) to select it, click
Add Subtopic in the Edit group of SmartPanel
once for each subtopic to be added. For our example, select "Location" and click Add
Subtopic twice; for "Advertising," click Add Subtopic five times, and for "Service," click
Add Subtopic once. SmartDraw will automatically adjust the branches to accommodate the
new additions. Add text to each new box as before.
Adding Subtopics
Perhaps you decide that the product should not be advertised via the radio for some reason.
To remove "Radio" from the mind map, click the Radio box to select it, click Delete
in the Edit group of SmartPanel and the Radio subtopic is deleted. Note:
deleting a topic will delete all of that particular topic's attached subtopics as well.
Deleting a Subtopic
When actually creating a mind map, one would continue from here until one is satisfied that
all possible topics are presented and developed thoroughly. Subtopics can be added to the
existing subtopics in the same manner as before. This particular mind map might be presented
at a marketing meeting in order to assist in boosting sales on this product. It could also
be made during the meeting for group brainstorming.