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How to Use Evernote with a Traditional Paper Notebook

I live in Evernote. It has quickly become one of my most important software tools. I especially liked using it with my iPad. However, I gradually stopped using my iPad after buying a Macbook Air. I ultimately gave it away to a colleague.

Notebook to Evernote Example

So for now, I have returned to a traditional paper-based notepad for taking meeting notes. Previously I used a Moleskine notebook. I have written about this also. Honestly, I don’t think you can beat it for being unobtrusive. I also find real value in the physical act of writing.

If you are just getting started with Evernote, I suggest that you buy Brett Kelly’s remarkably practical e-book, Evernote Essentials, Second Edition. It is worth setting aside a couple hours to work through this brief, 95-page book. It will save you DAYS of learning Evernote on your own.

But how do you get these notes into Evernote, so they are accessible later? That’s the challenge.

Recently, I created a new workflow that I am really liking. Here’s what I did:

  1. I replaced my Moleskine notebook with an EcoSystems notebook. Though you can buy these directly from barnesandnoble.com, Barnes & Noble retail stores typically has a full selection. That’s where I bought mine. The ruled notebook looks identical to the Moleskine with one important difference: all the pages are perforated, not just the last sixteen. This means you can tear them out and scan them. (Moleskine would be smart to replicate this.)
  2. I bought a Fujitsu ScanSnap scanner. This is not cheap, but it makes the dream of a paperless office possible. You can set it up so that scanned pages go directly into Evernote. The setup wasn’t quite as simple as I had hoped. But, now that I have it set up, I don’t have to think about it.
  3. I tear out my pages and scan them. Once they are scanned, I give the note a name that always starts with the date and then a brief description of the content, e.g., “2011.04.21 – Andy Andrews.” I then file my notes under “Filing: Notes.” (“Filing” is what Evernote calls a “stack”—or collection of notebooks.) By the way, I then throw away the paper pages. This takes courage. But my notes are secure both locally, on a backup, and in the Evernote cloud.
  4. I add any action items into Nozbe. This is the task management system that I am presently using. I used to use Things, but I grew impatient waiting for them to implement cloud syncing. Nozbe has it today, and it works flawlessly. My task lists are always available on my MacBook Air and my iPhone—or any device I log into.

The value of this system for me is that it is the perfect blend of old-world and new-world technology. I can keep taking my notes the old-fashioned way and still have access to them electronically.

Question: How do you process meeting notes? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Posted on April 25, 2011

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  • http://coachradio.tv/ Justin Lukasavige

    Evernote – I love you! Every day you do more than I thought you ever could.

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  • Neil G

    Michael,

    Have you compared Nozbe with Franklin Plan Plus online (Clolud Based Task List)?

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  • http://jornadadeumlider.com Fernando Almeida

    Thanks for sharing a possible workflow for paper notes. I struggle at times in taking computer to a meeting and run the risk of rendering it ineffective due to the distractions that a computer with wi-fi bring. But, taking a notebook was not adequate for me, since that means double work in typing notes to the computer after the meeting.
    You present an interesting solution to this dilemma.

  • http://KnowtheNetwork.com Keith

    If I take analog notes I just snap a picture with my iPhone4 and toss it in Evernote. I’ll grab a pic of the whiteboard and record an audio memo once it’s over if I have any loose thoughts.

    I’m looking for good tips for using Moleskin notebooks on an everyday basis. (I run my tasklist in toodledo, calendar in gCal, and wondering where my Moleskin fits in beyond being a spiritual journal.)

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  • Philltran

    Thanks for sharing your experience with the Snapscan. I was on the fence of getting one. Specifically the neat receipts package.

    If bolt on a shredder you have the perfect paperless workflow.

    Right now I use a scanning app on my iPhone that saves to evernote. It’s convenient on the go but is a slow process.

  • http://twitter.com/tylerstanton Tyler Stanton

    Never mind. Had I read two inches further down the page I would have seen your answer.

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  • http://twitter.com/ken_askew Ken Askew

    OmniFocus—Things—Nozbe; why all the tool changes Michael?

    • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

      That’s over about a 5-year period. I am always looking for new ways to improve my workflow and be more productive. You could say it’s a hobby.

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  • http://twitter.com/TheMaXiMiZer Staci Clarke

    Hi Michael,

    I LOVE Evernote too! As for your process, I use the LiveScribe Echo Pen to write in a notebook. These are uploaded simply by connecting the pen to the computer via USB. Not only does it scan the notes & audio if you recorded some, but it also sends those notes to Evernote on your instructions. This is really the ultimate combination of “best practices”.

    Staci Clarke-The Maxmizer

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  • http://www.billsimmonslive.com Bill

    Are you familiar with
    http://www.manymoon.com
    as an alternative to Nozbe? I had someone recommend but you seem to recommend Nozbe. Would love your thoughts before I jump in. Thanks!

    • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

      I’m sorry, I am not.

  • Jcavins

     What size Ecosystem notebook do you use? What size Ecosystem notebook do you use? 

    • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

      I use the Ecosystem “Author” notebook. It is 5¼” x 8¼”.

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  • Graham Brenna

    This is great Michael! Thanks for taking the time to create these posts about how you use Evernote. I love this app and have it sync’d with my iMac at work, my MacBook Pro, my iPad as well as my Android phone. I use it primarily for taking notes in meetings, which I do right on my iPad. I am very interested in getting rid of all the paper in my office and I think I am getting closer to being able to stomach the $200+ for a scanner that works with Evernote. I will get there someday since my whole office knows that I really dislike paper and clutter.

  • Douglas Ring (Home)

    Regarding the Fujitsu ScanSnap hardware.   I’ve been considering this purchase and am operating in a blended family of Mac/PC.   Obviously I’m a new reader to your site… but am assuming you went Mac.
    Could you share the model you went with, and what software setup issues I might have to deal with?

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  • http://twitter.com/GGoldsmith Gretchen Goldsmith

    Mike, have you seen the Livescribe pen?  Forgive me if I’m telling you about something you’ve already tried and blogged about, but it’s new and exciting for me.

    Livescribe is how I get handwritten notes into Evernote. I don’t need a scanner. It has built in handwriting recognition, so it can search handwritten notes easily. Just $139 or so. You use special paper, including nice journals that resemble Moleskin. But if you run out of the paper, you can print the dot-paper off any 600 dpi laser printer. Incredible fast and cool, and it syncs with Evernote.

    BONUS: Here’s the kicker. You can go back to a page in your journal later and add a couple notes in the margin and your Livescribe pen will add those notes to the page automatically — no scanner, no deleting the old page! 

     –Gretchen Goldsmith

    • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

      Gretchen, yes, I actually have one. However, I found it too clunky for my use. The size of the pen didn’t feel comfortable in my hand, and I felt awkward in meetings using it. If they ever make a thin one—normal pen size—I will have another look. Thanks.

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  • Robin Wentzel

    Aloha.  Would recommend your taking a look at the LiveScribe pen as there is now a collaboration with Evernote.  

    • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

      I commented several times on this above. (I know it’s a lot to go through.) I have a LiveScribe pen, but I am not a fan. I found the pen too bulky and awkward. I know some people swear by it, but it did not work for me. Thanks.

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  • John Mayson

    This blog post finally pushed me to do what I should’ve been doing all along.

    Since the mid-90s (actually earlier, college, but I sadly threw out all of those notebooks) I’ve carefully kept notebooks.  I primarily used National Brand lab notebooks, but I have used everything from Moleskine to free ones from vendors.  I broke down and bought a Doxie portable scanner and have been scanning everything into Evernote.

    Those notebooks were so beautiful on my shelf, but I had to tear the pages out to scan them easily.  Today about half of them are in Evernote and they’re far more useful there than on my shelf.  I have decided the best notebook for me is the inexpensive black and white composition notebooks.  I still cringe at ripping pages out of a $17.99 Moleskine.  I don’t flinch when I’m doing the same to an 89 cent composition notebook.  :-)

    Thanks for the inspiration.

  • Anonymous

    I like using Penultimate for my iPad. I use it for taking notes in church, staff meetings, song ideas, etc. Each topic has it’s own notebook.

    It takes some getting used to, but provides me with the action of writing and storing electronically. I then can email the page to Evernote or a whole notebook. The only drawback is  writing with the Pogo Sketch takes some getting used to. Once you have it mastered, it’s pretty awesome! :-)

  • Eddie Gilbert

    Hi Michael. Just found your blog pages on Evernote, and appreciating the insightful posts. Thank you!

    Can you please help me out by clarifying your current position (based on your experiences & personal determinations) regarding taking notes using paper (EcoSystems notebooks) and scanning them vs. typing notes directly into Evernote on an iPad. Although topics #3 (“How to Use Evernote with a Traditional Paper Notebook”) and #4 (“How to Use Evernote with an iPad to Take Meeting Notes”) are both “How to” articles, you do offer personal reflections in each that, taken together, seem at odds: in #3 (here), you say you find value in the physical act of writing and that even though you liked using Evernote with the iPad you gave it away after buying your MacBook Air; in #4 you discuss liking typing better than writing by hand with legibility being a factor, and several other direct advantages of using the iPad/Evernote combo directly. I’m sure this is due to time sequencing, with one winning out over the other, but these do not appear to be time-stamped, and I’m having a hard time figuring out which is more recent, and hence where you now stand.

    So, after now having used both approaches, which approach have you landed on as “best” for you, and can you please comment as to why (in the spirit of resolving the seeming confusion that someone reading both posts for the first time, like myself, might have)?

    Again, many thanks.

    • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

      I am currently using the Ecosystems Journal for the reasons I stated in that post. Thanks.

  • CAR

    I agree that taking notes the old fashioned way (paper and ink) is often the best way to go during meetings.  But, by using a Livescribe pen/notebook combo you can have it both ways.  I’ve been using Livescribe for a couple of years now and have loved it.  But, it just got better:  there is now an Evernote app for Livescribe!  This mean that I can automatically send all of my Livescribe notes to my Evernote account.  No more scanning, no more converting to pdf and e-mailing or otherwise transferring the notes to Evernote.  It is all now very seamless.  Check it out!

  • http://twitter.com/matthewcandler MattCandler

    While I haven’t had an opportunity to test this myself, another way to get handwritten notes into Evernote (including notes that sync with audio from a meeting) is through a Livescribe Smartpen and corresponding Livescribe Moleskin-type journals and paper.  This however, does not allow for a scanner to be used for other purposes such as receiptsa nd miscellaneous documents.  

  • Anna Lam

    I currently have the first generation iPad. While it’s proving to be quite useful for entertainment, I’m finding that the old-fashioned notebook to be better suited for capturing ideas.

  • JT

    Have you tried Producteev for your task management? Curious on comparison to Nozbe. 

    • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

      I’m sorry. I have not.

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  • Christopher Andrews

    As an alternative to a full-size scanner, I purchased JotNot Pro for 99 cents for my iPhone. This app syncs with your Evernote account. What is amazing is that you can be anywhere, take a photo of a handwritten note or any piece of paper right from within JotNot. Then you hit the process button and it optimizes the photo into a real scanned file. It turns your iPhone into a or table office environment and it syncs with Evernote! It’s useful when your camera won’t send a good picture into Evernote, JotNot will give you a perfect scan or for those who don’t want to buy a scanner.

  • Sheffner

    Off-topic: how do you make that Evernote Essentials blurb appear in every blog post? Do you use a widget or have you tampered with the template code? (I’m a WordPress user.)

  • http://eizu.deviantart.com Diana Santos “aka” Eizu

    Amazing tips!!!

  • Dgriffin13509

    this is great stuff, i write in my downtime at work and need to get it inot text so i can post it as content to my blog, i believe your method gets me on the right path

  • http://twitter.com/clickhost ClickHOST.com

    Michael, I’m so glad I’m not the only one to replace my iPad (my wife is the proud owner of it) with a MacBook Air. I write about it here: http://www.beyond438.com/2011/03/11/not-getting-an-ipad2/

    Thanks Michael, I love this stuff and learn something everytime I come here.

    Cheers,
    Carel.

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