Name: Pierre Journel Profession: Blogger, podcaster, personal productivity addict Location: France Blogs: theguitarchannel.biz, www.lepcc.net, http://elephantchannel.net/ Twitter: @pjournel @TheGuitarChannel

Bio

Pierre is a podcaster and journalist who loves geeky things, photography and running. He is passionate about music and the guitar, in particular. He is an audio and video podcaster behind The Guitar Channel. Discover how Evernote allows him to simplify his life, manage his hobbies, and recently helped him purchase a home.

I use Evernote, Everywhere

• Mac
• iPhone
• iPad
• Browser Extension for web clipping (Chrome)
• Web

I use Evernote for…

I have many hobbies and to keep up with everything, I’m always looking for tools that will make life easier. With Evernote, I’ve found how to save time and be more productive. My whole life is in Evernote. I discovered Evernote in March 2009 from a podcast on MacReviewCast and have been an avid user ever since. No matter where I am, I can create new notes and access them immediately. I store all essential information that I might need later at some point in Evernote.

Today I have about 15 notebooks corresponding to each of my hobbies or projects. Whether for my professional or personal life, blogs, or ideas, I keep all important elements that will help advance my projects or hobbies in Evernote. As a result, I actually have more time for new activities.

Blogging and Podcasting

I’m passionate about the guitar and I’ve created two blogs and podcasts focused entirely on the instrument (La Chaîne Guitare and an English version, The Guitar Channel). Evernote is my development tool for both of these blogs. I use Evernote to:

• Remind me about all the information I’ve gathered about music and the guitar: The keyword search function allows me to find anything whenever I need it.
• Prepare interviews:  When I receive discs from musicians that I want to meet, I listen to them and can instantly note my questions or comments, no matter where I am — in the metro, at home or at work. Being able to immediately capture my notes is invaluable.
• Conduct interviews: During the interview, I have my video camera in one hand and my iPhone equipped with Evernote in the other so I can simultaneously review my notes and questions.
• Take notes: I use Evernote to research background information of an artist. I also keep notes on guitars that I’ve tested. For example,  all of my notes about the Telecaster guitar are tagged with  ‘Telecaster,’ whether it’s an article I clipped from the Web, or photos I’ve taken in a guitar store, or a manual for stringing the guitar, etc.
• Conduct web research: I clip articles about the artist to help prepare for my interviews. [Download the Evernote Web Clipper]
• Comparison shop: I gather want ads about used guitars for sale, allowing me to comparison shop by model and price.
• Store photos: I snap photos of guitars and concerts I attend with my iPhone.
• Capture Audio: I record bits of music with audio notes. [Learn how to capture an audio note]
• Blogging: I write and edit my blog posts in Evernote.

I’m also constantly adding information to my Evernote account by email. I simply email things to my personal Evernote account. [Learn how to email to Evernote]

The post-production process and podcast history

After a show is recorded and posted online, I keep all of my podcasts in MP3 in Evernote. I use the audio function that allows me to replay any podcast from Evernote. From A to Z, I have a complete history of my notes and my podcasts. I can also retrieve information by cross-searching tags, which I never forget to add while making notes. [Learn how to attach files to your notes]

User Tip: Evernote for House Hunting

I recently purchased a home. Anyone will tell you what a challenge this can be: you’re dealing with administration documents, comparing prices and quotes. I was amazed at how simple the process was with Evernote. Evernote pushed the buying process  from an idea through to final completion. For this project, I created a notebook that helped us find the perfect property. I used Evernote for:

• Storage of official documents (reports, bank papers, etc) that I could access anywhere I happened to be. [Learn how to attach files to your notes]
• Capturing want ads from the web. This allowed me to discuss with my wife which properties to visit.
• Creation of notes with all the necessary documents for contacting banks about loans, rates, official documents, and organization of quotes from contractors about renovations and ideas for things we wanted to buy.
• Photos of the project, measurements of the rooms, etc.
• Sending architect plans by email to contractors.
• Snapping photos of different rooms.
• Taking photos of furniture in store and noting all the necessary details needed for furnishing the apartment (shape, size, price, flooring, door handles).
• Clipping items found on the Internet, including dimensions and price information for comparison shopping.
• Creating a to-do list to help complete the multitude of tasks. I was able to strike off completed items or add new tasks when necessary.

I can’t imagine undertaking any project without Evernote. How has Evernote helped you get organized and maximize your productivity?