Obviously not a new product, I've used Google apps for years, but I find Google calendar to be a very effective tool in managing the frequent and recurring deadlines of the art show biz. Here are a few of the pluses. It plays (syncs) well with all my devices (iPad, Mac computer and Samsung Galaxy phone); it is available anywhere I have wifi or 4G; it is very flexible in addressing the variety of custom events I need to create; and it's free! (I should mention that if you are out of range of wifi or 4g, you still have access to your last synced copy on your device.)
This is the time of year when show deadlines are constant. Because of the variety of application approaches (EntryThingy, Zapp, JAS, homegrown, mail in), I need a calendar application that can keep track all of this. More importantly, I need a calendar that can notify me a day or two in advance by email or pop up notice, from any device I use (my preference is email). This can be done with Google calendar.
Most calendar programs can do this for single events, but what about recurring events, like state sales tax deadline. If you do very many art shows in a given year, you probably travel to multiple states and have to set up business accounts with each of these states to collect sales tax. Currently I am registered in VA, PA, CT, OH, IN and NC. Each state has a different schedule of when I need to file. For some it's every 3 months (quarterly), some 6 months (semiannually) and for VA, my home state, it's every month. Miss a deadline and pay a fine whether you've had a sale in the state during that time period or not.
Here's where Google calendar shines. State tax deadlines are recurring events and I can customize these deadline (events) to be whatever is needed and then tell Google to email me a day before a tax deadline to remind me. This can go on forever.
Finally, I don't have to keep track of this anymore.
By creating a separate Family calendar, with share rights to the business calendar, I can overlay the family calendar on top of the business for a quick review of events. The two calendars can easily be toggled on and off and shared with multiple people.
Just a simple biz tip that makes my life a lot easier. Cheers, and happy New Year.
Replies
I like the built in iCal calendar on the Mac. Syncs to all my devices, and you can share calendars with others. Pretty much the same as Google calendar, and it comes free on every Mac device. Syncs via iCloud.