A Question For Writers - Keeping Track Of Clients

Personally, I use Google's calendar to keep track of clients. Each client has a color so that I can mark when specific batches are due, and all the writers on my team have their own colors so that I can see who's working on which articles at what time.

Thanks for the replies. I'll have a good look at Google calendar. I don't have a team because I stick to the pet niche, and I promote my writing as being written by a vet. I like the idea of different colors for each client though.

Hi Audrey:

Hope all is well and glad your business is growing! Great work.

In order to prevent learning the hard way (as a professional author/writer/public-speaker) this has happened) please not only organize and save the work once but twice.

You can set up any system you like such as Microsoft Word/Excel with each client having the information at your fingertips such as name/address/phone/fax/paid and unpaid balances, dates of completed and due assignments, and so on.

Here is where you want to make sure you never have the information lost forever. Every day back it up by either recording a Data CD and or copy/paste the info into your email account and save as a draft. This way if anything happens to the computer you can always copy/paste the email into a database/Word/Excel File and do the same with the Data CD.

A Data CD lets you record almost anything on it. Audio/video/files/photos/etc. Best of all the same blank CD's for music are used for Data CD's. Almost every computer these days has recording software that enables you to use the Data feature without spending additional funds. If you don't have the software it is well worth it (normally no more than 30- 50.00 American dollars) for time tested quality releases.

Keep up the superlative work.

Marya, thank you. I must admit, I prefer something that's visible on the wall, or at my fingertips.

Craig, appreciate the reminder :-) Will definitely take your advice.

I use Google calendar.
I have 4 B-I-G calendar whiteboards, too.

I love my whiteboards--both my calendar ones and the blank ones.

CDB

Spreadsheet with all the relevant data on it. Copies of all emails, and a folder for each client in my documents which are inside a folder for writing projects. Each new projects has a brief written in word, normally a copy of the original email, and then further information as you get it.

I have been a content writer for a while now and the one thing I use is called Basecamp. The company I work for uses one and then I got my own to keep rack of my own personal projects.
Project management, collaboration, and task software: Basecamp

It is the best thing I have seen.

Hi Audrey

I use an excel spreadsheet. The headings include-name, email, WF ID, what's been ordered, when ordered, completion date offered, amount, deposit, final payment, discount, any other info.

You can also use a year planner for your wall so you have an 'at a glance' record.

I also keep a folder with all email correspondence.

Mary