I’ve heard many people say that there are two type of technology users – searchers (people who will use document search technologies to access the document or the folder they need) and filers (people who will go navigate through their folders/notebooks to look for the file).
These are sometimes referred to as “hunters and gatherers”.
I think this is mostly true, but I believe even filers can benefit a lot from learning what the search box can do for them. It’s good to know multiple ways to get at the same information.
If I think about the technology skills I’ve acquired during my career, by far the one that has given me the most benefit has been the ability to search and the ability to get into what I call the “search mindset”.
Scanning and organizing documents is important, but what are we doing it all for? To me, we’re doing it so that we can find our documents later.
Searchable PDFs are not the goal – findable documents are really what we want.
Since I have spent years evangelizing this stuff, it’s high time I bring it together into one central place. I’ve created the latest DocumentSnap Guide: the Document Search Guide.
The Document Search Guide helps answer the question “how do we find that document we need, right when we need it?”
Learn more about the Document Search Guide or pick it up here.
What The Document Search Guide Is
The Document Search Guide is a PDF download with tips and strategies to help Mac, Windows, and Evernote users find their documents.
It covers the things that I do to find my documents and the things I have been recommending to people for years.
Here’s what the Guide covers:
- How to “think like a searcher” and get into the search mindset (this is a really valuable skill that few have!)
- How to search for files on the Mac, both with search commands and an easy-to-use menu system.
- How search for files on Windows, both with search commands and an easy-to-use menu system.
- How to search for files in Evernote.
I wrap things up with my Document Search Checklist, so you know exactly what you need to do to become familiar with this stuff.
Who The Document Search Guide Is For
If you’re new to this going paperless thing and are worried about not being able to find your documents, the Guide is for you.
If you’re experienced at scanning and organizing, I’ll bet learning some of the more advanced techniques can make zooming right into the document you’re looking for a lot faster and easier.
Even if you are someone that feels more comfortable going through folders to get to a document (there’s nothing wrong with that!), these skills will give you a different way to look at things.
We’ve all been there when you go to look for a file that you know should be there and – it’s not. Some basic search skills have helped me save the day more than once.
I Want You To Be Able To Find Your Paperless Documents
That feeling you get when you can’t find a document you know you’ve scanned is the worst, and I dont want you to ever experience it again.
I’ve priced the Document Search Guide low at only $7 because I want everyone to be able to download and implement it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed creating it.