 It shouldn't come as a shock to you that at any point in time I could tell you what my business profitability is, where I'm tracking with my budget for the month or where each of my clients are on my workflow. I'm a trained accountant. Knowing my numbers is kinda my thing! What may surprise you is that while I run my business through cloud accounting software my daily planning & client workflow is all done by hand. In fact those that know me well know I am a bit of a self-proclaimed computer geek so it begs the question why I choose to use pen + paper over the latest or most advanced workflow software. There's just something satisfying about writing things down on soft, quality paper with beautiful ink pens that even the best, well-run database will never compete with. I keep a notebook for all kinds of scribbles, quotes, thoughts and inspiration. I put important reminder alerts into my iPhone, plus I run and organise my week out of the Colorvale Photographer's Planner. I am on to my second planner now and while these planners cost me roughly an arm + a leg to get shipped from the USA, it's a game-changer. Well it's a game-changer if it's used right, kept up to date & tidy! A few years ago, as my bookings increased I realised I required some kind of organiser so I could keep track of bookings, who has paid, what I should be editing first, where I am with each order and so on. It only takes a handful of sessions to all be on the go at once to feel overwhelmed. The Photographer's Planner is designed by a photographer for photographers, it allows customisation, you use what parts of it you want to and make it work for your workflow. Of course I like my calendar colour-coded and looking pretty so I add pretty pens and washi tape to the mix! I spend a few minutes each day keeping all my workflow details up to date & setting myself tasks & targets, and as a result I am able to ensure I offer all my clients the best service I can during these busy months.  |