Make Your Time at a Writing Conference Easier and More Valuable with These Digital Apps

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

The writing conference season is in full swing. While everyone knows the value of attending writing conferences, many be not be aware of the benefits gained with a few simple apps added to your mobile device(s). This month I’ll share some of my favorites, and how they help keep me on track.

The first thing you need to know is that the value of an app isn’t dictated by the cost. Many of my favorites are free, and the others are all quite reasonable.

Overall Organization

Dot Card: This isn't an app. But it's a digital version of your business card. I'm trying it this year and I'm excited about the possibilities. Here's the link to the website if you want to take a look: https://dotcards.net/

DropBox: This app needs to be loaded on your desktop (or laptop) computer first. Save all your documents in DropBox and you can access them from all of your devices. I have the paid version but I also have thousands of photos I have saved there. For just documents, the free version may have enough storage for the average user.

CamCard: Business card scanner & reader: The value of this app is that I no longer have to keep up with business cards. I can just snap a picture of the back and front of the card, pick a category, even add notes.

Evernote: You either love it or hate it. But the truth is there's no better overall organizational system out there. 

Taking Notes

Noteshelf: This is by far my favorite note taking app. It isn’t free (around $5), but is available for android and apple, in versions for the phone and tablet. I use this instead of carrying a notebook and pen (much better on my back). I also use the Apple Pencil and absolutely LOVE it! It also makes it almost impossible to lose my notes because it syncs with DropBox and EverNote. 

Dragon Dictation: I love Dragon Naturally Speaking, but I think I love the app even more. I have it on my iPhone and my iPad. I can dictate notes directly into the app and email them to myself from anywhere. Just be sure to email them immediately, otherwise the note will disappear.

Making Connections

Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram: By now everyone knows the value of staying connected with social media. I have all the individual platform apps, just in case I want to post directly from there.

Pictures

More and more we’re connecting through images. It’s important that we have easy access to apps that make our images come to life. 

WordSwag: This is a great app to add text to images. It’s completely free and my favorite. 

Snapseed: This is my favorite app to help tune an image. I can crop, work on color, add filters, add frames, just about anything.

General

LastPass: In today’s world we need a password for almost everything—and for security they all have to be different. This app addresses that issue. It has a free version, which is excellent. But I use the paid version. I can store all my passwords securely and only have to remember the one to my LastPass. You can access LastPass from all your devices.

White Noise: This app has an entire catalogue of soothing sounds to help even the worst insomniac relax. It includes a timer feature, as well as an alarm, so you can wake up as refreshed as you went to sleep.

Nook, Kindle, iBook: I make sure they’re all up-to-date and the books I want to read are installed on the device I’m using.

Audible: I love my Audible app. I sometimes prefer it to White Noise when I’m trying to unwind. It’s also great to use on the airplane, waiting in the airport, or traveling in the car.

Streaming Sites: This is another favorite that I use to unwind back at the hotel. Sometimes all I need is a good laugh with some of my favorite shows to help put life back in perspective.

My Final Tip

Before you leave home, make sure you’re logged into all your social media networks, like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Hootsuite, etc. This will save valuable time when you want to post an update on the go. 

Now it's your time. There's no way any of us can know all the coolest apps. Which ones do you recommend? 

Don't forget to join the conversation!

Blessings,

Edie

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Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through the lens of her camera. She’s a writer who feels lost without her camera and a reluctant speaker who loves to encourage an audience. And she embraces the ultimate contradiction of being an organized creative. As an author, she knows the necessity of Soul Care and leads workshops around the country on staying connected to God. Her numerous books, including the award-winning Soul Care series andUnruffled, Thriving in Chaos reflect her passion to help others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them to their lives. 

Edie is the director of The Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference, popular speaker a numerous conferences, and a board member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. Connect with her on www.EdieMelson.com and through social media.