I’m writing this after almost losing the database at White Roof Radio. My account was recently migrated to a new server and that database did not make it. Luckily, I host with Wirenine, who are one of the best WordPress hosts anywhere. And they went above and beyond to restore everything the way it was before the migration.
Databases are files that you should backup. Podcast episodes, vlog episodes, any content that you create should be backed up. And TikTok + iCloud does not a backup.
The Importance of Backing Up
Obviously, you want backups for those just-in-case moments, so when they do happen, you are prepared and experience little to no downtime. Backups of your content are also handy to be repurposed at a future date. For example, I’m going to be sharing old episodes of White Roof Radio, and it’s a process made easier for me because I have a backup.
Backing up doesn’t mean 1 copy. It means 3 copies. Technically one should be offsite.
3-2-1 Backup
3-2-1. No, that’s not a skit from the old GenX TV show The Electric Company, it’s a good backup strategy.
3 copies of every file
2 different storage types
1 offsite
To me this means 2 different storage types and offset can both be fulfilled by cloud services like Dropbox or iCloud. These, running on an external drive that is backing up your computer.
This gives you 3 copies of your file (1 on computer, 1 on external hard drive, 1 in cloud), on 2 different media types (HDD and cloud), with 1 offsite (cloud). Is it perfect? Nope. Will it keep you from losing your files? Yep!
If you are creating content that should be backed up, I’m also assuming you have some type of computer that acts as your home base. My setup backs up my Mac to an external drive that lives with me at home. Plus, all of my important files are also living either in iCloud or Dropbox (and soon on my own NAS). And, of course every photo or video I take gets the same treatment.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to build a custom NAS. Start off with an external Western Digital hard drive to exceed the size of your computer drive. Relocate your cloud folder to that drive as well. The nice part about that is now you have a portable copy of your stuff.
Just make sure you are backing up.