How To Organize Your Files Using The PARA Method

[@thebeautifulmessshow]

Do you have a file naming convention? What method do you use?

[@TamasErdodi]

Really enjoyed your video! I'm using a similar system for my client work. But really curious how you organize the B-ROLL footage? I have a bunch of painting videos as well as nature inspiration with notes in notion and not really seeing how I could link between the different folders / databases? Thank you

[@thebeautifulmessshow]

Thanks my friend!! Great question. I don’t yet have a library of broll I revisit often. I typically have everything project based. I do have an assets library for SFX and graphics. If you’re trying to have a massive library of broll clips, you might consider sorting by subject or possibly date of shoot + shoot details. What do you currently do?

[@chayenn607]

I have the problem 1.when you send file to other the date should not be the front 2. the date stand for the date you create it 2.1 but if you edited it ? 2.2 if it the agenda the date can be create date/last updated date/the date that that meeting go-on help me plzz😢

[@thebeautifulmessshow]

Great questions. I will do my best to answer them. 1. I believe you’re asking about sending files to others whether to still have the date first. I personally don’t mind sending people files in this format. Unless there is a simpler or better way to name a file. In some cases you don’t necessarily need the full date, maybe just the year is important or none at all. That said, most of the time I include the full date as shown. 2. Yes, I usually set it as the date created - unless it’s representing a date that the event or thing occurred. For example, let’s say you have a presentation coming up. I might have the date for the Google Slides as the date of the presentation. 2.1 If it’s an important project, I will sometimes create multiple versions with the date of the day for the edit and even versions for that day. If it’s a simple project and won’t need the versions than I will usually just leave the creation date OR the date the project or file is being delivered. 2.2 I believe this relates to what I said for number 2. But yes, I would likely have it for the date of the event or meeting. Hope this helps! Feel free to reply with any follow up questions :) happy to help!

[@dsg4407]

i use same naming convention, as well as color-coded "tags". my primary tags "marketing, financials, proposals, HR, Tax, Meeting notes, ect". my two major time sucks for file management are maintaining a folder hierarchy, and remembering the file name/keyword. With tags, im able to save all files to a single folder, and then quickly fetch a file by drilling down based on tag. works great for Mac users, windows and google not so much

[@thebeautifulmessshow]

Oh that's super interesting! I haven't used tags much. Does it translate to other computers (e.g. moving an external drive to a PC or another mac)?

[@dvangaal]

Bruh, Star Wars and Philosophy?!? Get out of my GDrive!!

[@thebeautifulmessshow]

Hahaha too funny! Star Wars and Philosophy are the best.

[@sonny8085]

The "International" date standard???, I've literally only ever met Americans who write the date in that backwards way. It should always be small to large: 31/08/24 😉

[@renod42]

Iso date format for me 2024-12-18 and not American.

[@sonny8085]

@renod42 should I guess?, or are you going to enlighten me please?

[@renod42]

“don’t use underscores” … and then in the examples … underscores. I use underscores in the same fashion. Dashes in dates, underscores as a word separator.

[@sonny8085]

@@renod42 sorry, I meant where are you from?

[@thebeautifulmessshow]

@renod42 Sorry for the confusion. When I say don’t use underscores, it’s only for web purposes (e.g. uploading photos to a website). If it’s just on the computer, underscores are great 😊 👍🏻 I love doing it the same way you mentioned: 2024-12-25_Project Name_v01.psd Welcome to the channel