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Home: Video University Forums: Marketing & Business:
Time tracking?

longshot
Novice

Jul 15, 2004, 9:20 AM

Post #1 of 3 (849 views)
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Time tracking?	Can't Post

How do you track time spent on a project? I've tried a couple of different methods, but I'm finding all of them so far rather difficult because I might actually be doing 2 or more things, not necessarily for the same project/client, at a time. If I start a DVD burn on one project, I might move to editing a different project while that burns, then grab the DVD and print a cover or something when the burn is finished, etc., etc. I know that's not technically at the same time, but writing down a time every couple of minutes when I'm doing something like this or even switching tasks on time tracking software just seems to interrupt my work flow and be annoying. I suppose I could get used to it, but I'm wondering if there's a better way out there that someone has discovered.

Thanks.

hlanden
The Dean / Moderator

Jul 15, 2004, 10:43 AM

Post #2 of 3 (845 views)
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Re: [longshot] Time tracking? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Here's what I've done. I keep a separate log sheet for each job. I log all times and the hourly rate for that job. I round up or down to the nearest 15 minute unit. This makes adding it up very easy. It's not a difficult habit to get into and when you make your living selling your time, it's a very important task. Also I can show the customer these time sheets at any time.
In my contract with business customers, I give so many hours of scripting and preproduction, so many days of shooting, and so many hours or post production (including finding music, recording a professional narrator, etc)
Each of these tasks has a rate associated with it. I have put these contracts all together in a specail package
so others can usew these same methods. See "Letters of Agreement for Ambitious Producers" at
http://videouniversity.com/contofer.htm
I try only to work this way - by the hour or day - because in business videos flat rates, for instance, of $1000 a finished minute can get you into trouble and dont' really represent your best interest or your client's. But some tasks like duplicating or rendering need to be priced differently. The bottom line is that you must be paid well for your time and there's only so much time. Give me a call if you'd like to know more about this,
Hal
401 253 2800
Produce Profitable Special Interest Videos

longshot
Novice

Jul 15, 2004, 12:46 PM

Post #3 of 3 (833 views)
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Re: [hlanden] Time tracking? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks, Hal. Rounding to 1/4 hour with a log sheet sounds like something I could do pretty easily. I'll give it a shot.

Thanks,
Russell