NotebookLM is quickly becoming a powerful tool for deeper understanding and enhanced productivity, helping users analyze, synthesize, and connect information from various sources. With multimodal capabilities powered by Gemini 1.5, NotebookLM makes it easier to manage knowledge and gain insights, whether you’re working on a single project or juggling multiple topics at once.
If you’re just getting started, here are eight expert tips from Steven Johnson, a seasoned author and Googler who’s been involved with NotebookLM since its inception. His insights will help you get the most out of this innovative tool.
1. Experiment with Your Recent Documents
Steven’s first piece of advice is simple: upload your 10 most recent documents — even if they seem unrelated — into one notebook and start experimenting. Asking questions based on random, unrelated documents gives you a sense of how NotebookLM works and the insights it can provide. This trial run, whether you’re familiar with the content or not, allows you to see how well the tool connects dots and extracts useful information.
2. Create an “Everything Notebook”
While you can create specific notebooks for different topics or projects, Steven suggests having an “everything notebook” where you store general knowledge and frequently used materials. This might include inspirational quotes, company documents, or brainstorming ideas. For Steven, this notebook serves as a place for open-ended thinking. At the same time, having separate topic-based notebooks, such as one exclusively for NotebookLM work, keeps things organized and allows you to quickly access project-specific information.
3. Use NotebookLM to Synthesize Multiple Sources
One of NotebookLM’s standout features is its ability to connect and synthesize information from a variety of sources. Steven notes that this is particularly useful when you’re juggling information scattered across different tabs, folders, or documents. For example, after brainstorming with Gemini or researching for a project, NotebookLM can bring all that information together, turning it into an easy-to-follow format. Whether you’re preparing for a presentation or consolidating research, the tool becomes your personal assistant for managing complexity.
4. Leverage Suggested Questions
When you upload your sources to NotebookLM, it may be overwhelming to figure out where to start. Steven advises new users to make use of the suggested questions that NotebookLM offers. These prompts help guide your exploration of the material until you find your own queries. In addition, follow-up questions based on previous interactions make it easier to dive deeper into the content, ensuring that you don’t miss valuable insights.
5. Request Information in Different Formats
NotebookLM recognizes that different people prefer to digest information in various ways. Whether you need a study guide, a table of contents, a timeline, or even a conversation between two AI hosts, NotebookLM adapts to your needs. This flexibility allows you to choose formats that work best for your personal understanding or for sharing with others. The new Audio Overview feature even lets you listen to your content, providing an engaging auditory experience where two AI hosts discuss your uploaded information.
6. Explore Creative Uses
NotebookLM isn’t just a tool for work or school — it’s also an incredible resource for creative endeavors. From writing novels to building intricate worlds for games, Steven points out that many users are leveraging NotebookLM to keep track of and organize their creative projects. You can ask it to remind you about characters in your story or get feedback on your ideas. The possibilities are endless for writers, artists, and creators looking for a tool that can enhance their workflows.
7. Make Use of Audio Overviews
Steven highly recommends that users take advantage of NotebookLM’s Audio Overview feature. Once you’ve uploaded documents, you can generate an audio conversation about the content. Not only is this feature engaging, but it also provides a unique way to review material. Plus, with the option to customize the conversation, you can focus on specific elements of your sources and adjust the tone or level of sophistication.
8. Use NotebookLM as a Creative Critique Partner
In creative fields, it can be hard to get objective feedback. NotebookLM can assist with this by acting as a critique partner. Whether you’re working on a manuscript, an article, or even a presentation, you can ask the tool for its take on what’s working well and what could be improved. Steven likes to use it to get feedback on his writing by asking questions such as, “Which parts do you find most compelling?” This use case is particularly helpful for those who need an extra layer of analysis to refine their work.
Conclusion
NotebookLM is an invaluable tool for anyone looking to dive deeper into their projects, whether for professional tasks, academic research, or creative endeavors. From synthesizing scattered information to providing flexible formats for understanding and presenting data, it’s designed to cater to a wide range of needs. Follow these expert tips from Steven Johnson to master NotebookLM, and you’ll find it becoming a trusted digital assistant that makes your work more insightful, efficient, and even enjoyable.
By experimenting with recent documents, organizing topic-based notebooks, leveraging creative formats, and exploring its feedback capabilities, you’ll discover how NotebookLM can revolutionize how you handle information.
