Backing projects up is extremely important. If you’re not already regularly backing up your projects, you need to start right away. In my experience the best way to run backups is to use a program that can run in the background and automatically run backups for you. That way you can set it and forget it.
I like & use Synk by Decimus. It’s very reasonably priced and full of great options. There are other good backup programs, and as long as it gets the job done, it really doesn’t matter which program you use, as long as you’re consistently running. it.
Typically when setting up a backup, you have the option to mirror your source, which will often delete files in the backup when you delete them at your source, or you can archive everything. Make sure you’re archiving everything!
I like to use a hard drive dock (there are lots of options) and backup my projects to external drives. I simply label them backup-1, backup 2 etc. and store them in anti static bags in my closet. I have a simple Filemaker database where I list what is backup up where, so if I have to bring up an old backup, I can look up what drive it’s on in my database and know which drive to plug-in.
Finally, don’t forget to backup you system drive. Start with a bootable clone of your system drive, and then update the backup so as you create new files, update software etc. the backup is updated, too.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me, or add a comment.