It’s true that we have so many apps in our tech stacks these days, and the last thing we want to do is add one more. Or is it? I mean, maybe it’s not the last thing we want to do? Maybe it’s the next thing?

What if using another app could simplify things? What if it made it easier to find what you need, when you need it? What if you had a system for organizing all of your apps across multiple use cases (i.e., geometric and not linear)?

If you’re reading this, then you’re thinking, on some level, that there might be a better way to manage everything.

The toolbox

• Chrome (or your browser)
• Bublub
• Airtable
• The Brain (desktop app)
• ClickUp
• NoteJoy (desktop app)

Email notification and rules workflow – The Mighty Networks situation

I was recently faced with a decision. For a long time now, I have been using Slack for every client, and it works really well. Most clients are familiar with Slack, but I’ve never loved the organization of it. It’s too linear and there aren’t many dimensions on which I can organize information. All you have is a system of channels = 1 dimension. But for our businesses, and communities, we need something much more dynamic, especially when the goal is to build a resource that can become a reference library of valuable information. We need something that is geometric in its ability to organize, categorize, and easily reference information.

I’ve started to set up new clients in Mighty Networks, instead of Slack.

By the way, for all you all visual people, here’s a video on managing your apps and Mighty Networks.

And now that SalesForce has inked the deal to buy Slack, there is even more concern. We have no idea what Marc Benioff has planned for it. Eat it, or spice it up? Who knows?

The first downside that became apparent to me was that in Slack’s desktop app, I have all of my workspaces in the sidebar with easy access at my fingertips.

Mighty Networks doesn’t have a desktop app. Each network has a unique subdomain (just like Slack does). So, you need some kind of bookmarking system to keep this organized. And you’ll probably want to set up some rules for notifications, but no need to get crazy about this. Wait for the notifications to come in. Then, when they get annoying, set up your rules. You might find that it’s not as noisy as you thought it would be, and it’s really simple to set up a rule for each network to keep the email noise down, and focus on each network when YOU decide it’s time, rather than wait for the notifications.

Each network will send its emails from a unique email address, such as Sethworks@mn.co.

So, I created a label for Sethworks, and set the rule accordingly:

When I set up the Sethworks label, I chose a color that would stand out. I chose not to skip the inbox, so that I will see them. Marking them as read will prevent them from “ringing my bell” so to speak.

Then, when I am ready to follow up, I click on that label to see only those notifications. The screenshot here is actually based on a search of the emails from Sethworks@mn.co that are in the inbox.

By the way, you will note that the URL for that search can be bookmarked here.

When you are looking in the inbox, the colored labels will show up. If you click on the label on the left, they won’t, but it doesn’t matter at that point because you know what planet you’re on. These emails are “throw away” emails. You only need them as a reminder to follow up in the network. Many times, I will click on one just to get into the network, then delete all of them. Once I’m in the network, I can follow up on everything/anything that requires my attention. This generally only takes a few minutes per day.

What about keeping track of your bookmarks for each Mighty Networks network?

This is easy to do in any of the apps mentioned abovein the toolbox.

Each network has its own unique URL, so whichever system you’re using, you bookmark each network’s URL according to your own system for organizing them. The trick is that you’ll want a way to access these all in one place, as well as each one among the apps you use for that particular client.

Install the mobile app, and it’s very easy to switch networks from there.

To switch networks in the mobile app, go to the hamburger menu at the top left:

Editor’s note: This is the first article in a series by Seth David on Extreme Bookmarking. Access the entire series at this Content Guide.