I just got off the demo with Dave Gillespie from GridIron Flow workflow software and got more tips on how to use the productivity software. Someone asked me the difference between this and the Daylite software I blogged about on Monday and then came up with a great analogy:

Daylite* is like your office manager who organizes the email, calendar and communication data.

GridIron Flow is like the talented intern who remembers everything you used to create that last great project on the computer.

I also wanted to tell you what a great deal GridIron Flow is through the end of June – normally retailing for $299, it is on sale for $99.95. You can download a free demo and see how you like it but mark your calendar to buy it if you want it before the price triples.

Learn more at http://www.gridironsoftware.com/products/flow.html

Saving time organizing your info and workflow means more time to create and license!

I received an email shortly after the call saying it would be nice if I gave more details about HOW I actually use this software.  Here is what I’ve loved about it so far.

Scenario 1:

Have you ever created an image and saved it.   Then you use that image to start a companion – maybe the background and border are the same but you are changing the main images.  You fully intend to do a “save as” and rename it but instead, by habit, you just “control – S” and save?  Well if your Mac Time Machine didn’t kick in in the past 5 minutes, you may be stuck recreating the original work. Total bummer.  (I’ve done this more than once, best intentions often lose out to force of habit!) But GridIron Flow to the rescue!

I just look on the “Versions” and reopen saved version and I’ll have the fully layered original back. PHEW! Do that a few times and it is worth the investment.

Scenario 2:

Sometimes I like to get an idea of how long something takes and then see what my return on time invested actually is.  For example, if I do quite a few mock-ups for a potential client and they never choose any, return on time is $0.  But maybe they pick it up and sell some.  Perhaps I can see that I spent 2 hours adjusting art I had in my portfolio for the project and made $2000.  That will make me more than happy to make adjustments the next time. (No guarantees of repeat performance of course – but interesting to see.)

I’ll be able to see just how much time the next eBook I work on takes to put together and track my return on investment as it sells.  If time is money, knowing where your time goes can’t be a bad thing!

Scenario 3:

If you do any flat fee or pay by the hour work, GridIron Flow is a great way to see just how much time you are spending on a project.  Even if you use 10, 20 or even 100 different files in a project, if you use the program, it will link everything together and give you time spent on each file as well as the whole project.  This can help you with budgeting and cut down on questions about how you spent your time.  There is a way to create a report of time spent too – I haven’t used that feature as of yet.

Here’s to your creative success!

– Tara Reed

* The Daylite link it to Matthew Bookspan’s website – I used him to purchase the software and get started and highly recommend his help.  I get no compensation – just think that much of him!

I did receive a complementary copy of GridIron Flow for my help in coordinating the demo.  I use it in my business and would buy it if I didn’t already have a copy – it’s saved me a few times already!