I understand the basics of how to use Evernote, but I also know that in order to become an advanced user, that it is best to tap into the knowledge and experiences of a power user, so you avoid making the same mistakes that newbie users make and learn a few tips or rare knowledge that may save you from hours of experimentation and false starts.

The Evernote Bible by Brandon Collins is one of those resources that accelerates the journey to competency in the use of Evernote and the related plug-ins and services that can be used with it. He covers the basic functionality of Evernote with a focus on practical use of the application. Since no one will use an application as customizable as Evernote in quite the same way, Collins describes how the system works and then shows you how he uses it. In fact, his appendix 99 Uses for Evernote is a particularly useful section, making good suggestions about other ways you could use Evernote that you might not have considered, along with a couple of tips on how to set it up to perform each task.

He gives you a lot of advice on how to best organize the flow of information into Evernote, as well as how to set up Saved Searches to guarantee that you’ll be able to find it again. The Evernote Cheat Sheet is a one page overview on popular shortcut keys, search operators and more. He also covers the benefits of upgrading to a paid account by providing detailed reasons and situations where it might be helpful to a user to do so (the ability to store large files, work collaboratively with others, and the ability to import and search PDF files).

The book, although well edited, could use another pass for typos. I found a couple of them, as well as a missing period or two at the end of sentences within the book. But then again, what publisher manages to release a book typo free? I also would have liked to see more screen captures on how he organized his system. His example on how to set up a personal Customer Relations Management (CRM) system could have used a few graphics to help the user see how he organized the tags and the flow of the information through his system. I would have also loved to see the way he configured and organized the system for a couple of his 99 Uses for Evernote section such as #53 Save articles that can be sent to answer people’s questions.

These issues do not significantly detract from the tremendous value this book provides for the $2.99 cover price. Reading this book and following its advice can catapult you to an advanced user stage within a couple of hours. It is well worth adding to your Kindle eBook collection. Stay tuned for posts about how I am using Evernote in my writing process over the upcoming weeks.

 

Rating ***** (Well Worth it at Full Retail Price)

(About Ratings: ***** — Well Worth it at Full Retail Price; **** — Buy on Sale/Discounted; *** — Buy Used; ** — Borrow It from the Library; * — Waste of a Good Tree)