It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of automation and of organization especially when it comes to running my business (as both a blogger and a freelance writer) but there are so many benefits to using trello as an organization tool that it’s worth taking a look at how to use trello as a beginner.
If you’re new to trello, or if you’re new to organizing digitally (and not writing everything down) this is going to be your guide to how to use trello quickly and get organized af.
Some of the links below contain affiliate linking, which means that at no extra cost to you, I may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. You can read my full disclosure policy here.
I hate learning new things.
It seems weird to say this because I love learning new things, but I hate the effort that it takes to get over that hump of feeling totally overwhelmed to oh this is awesome!
But I have to learn a lot, because at this stage in my life I am actively learning more than I have in college and grad school combined.
Learning how to run an online business, and be a mom, and be a mom of two, and keep my marriage feeling that spark and healthy, and manage the everyday goings on of parenting is HARD.
But yet here I am, and I think a large part of how I’m able to do all of it, even in the face of insurmountable odds, is by being organized.
But you don’t have to be a naturally organized person, really, to use Trello and that’s part of why I love it oh so much. (But if you are, it’s even better!)
Trello is a digital bulletin board. Or like, post-it notes for tech-y people.
- If you’re used to managing to do lists, or activities via a family calendar Trello can be your replacement.
- If you’re used to managing workflows and assignments via a giant dry erase board, Trello can be your replacement.
- If you’re used to plotting out your hopes and dreams using a daily planner…you guessed it, Trello can be your replacement.
Okay, enough of this bullshit explanation if you’re here odds are good you’ve already got Trello and are looking for help.
But if you haven’t downloaded trello yet you can access it for free by clicking this link here:
I really recommend downloading it and having it installed on your phone as well as your desktop to start with. (and desktop is just open in a browser window).
There’s something limiting in my opinion about learning a new program on the small screen of a mobile phone.
A quick Caveat: As of now Trello is a totally free program.
In the event that Trello someday moves to a paid structure
a) My heart will break because I’m so used to it being super free and
b) It may mean that I’ll have to entertain using the services of another program such as Airtable and Evernote which I’ve not found to be as intuitive or easy to use.
If that’s the case, come back to this post and hopefully I can update it in time to help you get back on track with your own personal and professional goals.
Using Trello, A Beginner’s Guide
If you’re starting an all new account, click the link above, provide an email address (Or use Google to log in) and you’re all set.
It’s that easy!
On your phone, access the app via the App store, and use the same login information to download it to your phone/log on.
Seems too easy right?
That’s because the hard part is over. You’ve now taken real active steps toward organizing your entire fucking life (IF that’s what you’re’ up for) Via Trello.
Creating Boards in Trello
In Trello, boards are sort of the tent poles of topics for you to organize.
So, for example, you might have a board that is for your work assignments that you could call “work” or you could have a board for organizing family vacations that you call “Trips” or “Vacations.”
I have boards for meal planning, and even one I share with my hubby called “Honey Do List” which he graciously checks every time he has a break from work for what to do.
It is kind of awesomely hilarious.
Here’s where the real fun begins.
Create a board click the + sign in the top right-hand corner.
Title your board and make sure Private is selected (or else anyone can find your board and access it if it’s public.
If you’d like to make it public then by all means, go to town boo. That just means it’s discoverable by anyone who searches for that type of board via Google and finds it randomly.
Create the board and you’re on your way.
You can change the background of the board from a simple color to free photos that are provided by Unsplash in the Menu.
Now that you’ve created a board it’s important that you create your lists.
Creating a List in Trello
Lists in Trello are exactly what they sound like.
If you think of an umbrella topic such as Meal Planning, a list would be categories within that topic so for example Dinner recipes, Grocery lists, or even a calendar for what you’re eating that week
(Yes! Trello has an awesome calendar function and we’ll get into that in a bit.)
Here’s how you create lists:
The option to create a list is automatically generated (because, like, this is the entire reason for Trello)
Simply enter what you’d like to call the list in the field available.
Then we get to make a card.
How to Create Cards In Trello
If lists are Categories, Cards are specific items within that category.
You can see more about how to do all of this in this video where I explain how to create a simple “To Do List” in Trello:
Hopefully through this post you can get a better sense of the endless possibilities of Trello.
Be sure to check out my board for tracking and organizing Summer Activities For Your Kids.
How are you using Trello? Better yet, what would you like to use it for? Comment below or shoot me an email and let me know and I’ll see if I can help you!
