MindMeister updates: map out your ideas even faster

Please revert to the old version. The combo of list and org chart is essential. I will have to switch to another mind map software if this is not fixed.

1. 🤓 Mindmiester User Since 2009: Thoughts On A Path to Reward Mastery and Retain Power Users

I've been using Mindmeister as my primary mind mapping tool since 2009 😲. Mindmeister and Meistertask are my daily drivers for brainstorming, note-taking, project planning, project management, and personal productivity. I've created countless mind maps and practically live in Meistertask's Agenda view.

I have some detailed thoughts on this “New Editor”, along with a proposal at the bottom of this post to introduce an "Advanced Mode," for Pro Subscribers, allowing you to cater to both new users and power users.

2. 👎 Challenge: New Editor is Heading in the Wrong Direction

When you introduced the New Editor in 2021, it lacked many core features compared to the Legacy Editor. I was assuming Meister would quickly iterate to bring the New Editor to parity with the Legacy Editor.

Instead it has been a good number of years and many features have not been incorporated. The latest release suggests that rather than iterating to stay competitive with your own Legacy Editor — let alone the market — you're now taking a step further in the wrong direction by removing features from an already stripped-down editor.

While the New Editor has a more modern fresh look, and I do use it, I STILL often return to the Legacy Editor. I also find myself using competitor products more and more.

3. 💙 Legacy Editor: Features That Keep Me Coming Back

1. The amazing "Wunder" system for Images, Video, and Tasks. You predated AI with this incredible ability to search and return assets using branch text as context. Way ahead of its time.
2. Customizable Themes.
3. Right Click > Tools to Alphabetize (to sort siblings) and Add Numbers (to number siblings, also in Xmind).
4. A superior presentation mode using sections around branches. Again, way ahead of its time and an approach adopted by Miro and recently, Apple Freeform.
5. A superior Boundary UX.
6. A more interactive History UX with visual feedback.
7. Multiple symbols on a branch (along with % Complete) for better "tag" metaphor and filtering.
8. Lightweight task management capabilities without dependency on Meistertask.
   1. Smart % Complete toggle states in 1/4 turns.
   2. Ability to add % Complete + have a symbol on the branch.
   3. Due dates.
   4. Task assignment to non-account users.
9. A much faster drag-and-drop Meistertask integration with less menu diving for use cases where there is one Meistertask project per map.
10. Larger, more readable controls in the sidebar

This is a partial list.

4. 🦾 Feature Usage Matters, But So Does Quality of Life and User Impact

My guess is that one reason some of these Legacy features haven't been incorporated into the New Editor is because you're assessing engineering priority based on feature usage percentage within the user base. This line of thinking might go: "Our analytics show that feature 'x' isn't used by a significant percentage of users, so let's not add it back to the New Editor." Or, "Let's remove this feature from the new editor."

Using only this logic is akin to saying, "We noticed not many people use the airbag in our car, so we're removing it."

5. 😕 Reducing Features Risks Alienating Power Users and Hurting Recommendations

For example, let's say only 9% of users take advantage of customizable node layouts, so you decide to remove the feature (as you just did). However, what if that 9% consists of hardcore power users who have been loyal for years and have created hundreds of maps using this feature?

These are the same users who actively recommend Meister products to their friends, colleagues, companies, and students. They may not be as included as recommended by Mindmeister. This might also impact customer retention as people may exit to switch to a  competitor.

6. ⚖️ Balancing Simplicity with Customer Retention

It seems you're simplifying to attract new users, speed up onboarding, and reduce development costs.

That's understandable, but why do this at the expense of losing customers who've come to rely on you, or customers who want to grow with the product?

As marketing guru Seth Godin points out, it's far costlier to acquire a new customer than to retain an existing one and encourage them to upgrade.

7. 🛫 More Runway, Rewarding Mastery, and Retaining Power Users

I'm currently subscribed to the PRO bundle, which includes both Mindmeister and Meistertask. However, I'm primarily using it for Meistertask's PRO features. If these weren't bundled, I'd hesitate to pay for Mindmeister Pro separately.

That said, if I were considering Mindmeister as a standalone product, I'd be more inclined to upgrade to Pro if I saw clear efforts to improve and compete with both your Legacy Editor and market leaders.

To Seth Godin’s point, the Pro tier could boost revenue and attract users seeking a tool with long-term potential. Moreover, it's an effective strategy for enhancing customer retention.

With the stripped-down New Editor, users are more likely to "run out of runway" as they gain mastery and are inclined to have to switch to a competitor.

8. 🚀 Proposal: Add Missing Features from Legacy and Advanced Features Into a More “Pro” PRO Tier

A more effective strategy would be to provide a core set of features for all users, while offering an upgrade path to advanced features in a Pro tear with a much bigger value proposition than the current Pro offering. This approach would reward mastery and help retain experienced users, while hiding complexities from new users.

I suggest implementing an "Advanced Mode" or "Power User Mode," which would activate when users upgrade to Pro.

This tier would be the focus for iterating and bringing the New Editor closer to parity with Legacy features, as well as introducing innovative additions to make Mindmeister even more competitive in the crowded Mind Mapping market.

9. 🍻 Cheers

I offer these thoughts in the spirit of enhancing the product, user experience, and feature set for all Mindmeister users.

Here's to more runway for everyone! 🛫.