Better Sheets: Recent Episodes
Better Sheets
Everyone uses Google Sheets. Don't just make any sheets, make better sheets.
bettersheets.substack.com
Let’s chat.. about a photo library.
Can you sell your photos, images, drawings?
In a google sheet?
Heck yeah!
Do you know an artist? or photographer who wants to sell their work in a google sheet? Please introduce me. Happy to help.
More Audio Lessons
What Can We Learn From a Speedometer?
Lead the Eye
Out of View
Only Necessary
Data + Comparison
If you prefer video: https://www.youtube.com/c/BetterSheets/videos
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettersheets.substack.com
How to Launch a business in a Google Sheet.
Todays short audio lesson is an intro to the ideas I’ll go over the next few days.
Photo Library
Templates
Lead Lists
Digital Ad Agency
PR Templates
Here’s more writing I did on IndieHackers on this topic.
Before you have a business. Launch a google sheet.
When you have an idea. Launch a google sheet.
Some Crazy Ideas
Countdown to launch
Create a Virtual Mall
Create a CRM for your users
Release Your Swipe File
Capture 100 examples of great work in your industry. You did all the work already. Go ahead release it. Share your POV. Share what you've learned, your notes. Your insights.
100 Email Templates
100 Landing Pages
100 Best Facebook Ads
Release a Calculator
Create a calculator in a google sheet. A marketer can code a google sheet while the technical team can keep building the core product.
Podcast Ad Calculator
Financial Model Calculators
Calculate How much your users can make from using your product.
Create a Marketplace
Don't got time to code? No time to source more than a few sellers and buyers? Launch a google sheet for them to find each other. If your business is a marketplace, You might think this cannibalizing your product. But if your marketplace is worth it's price, it'll be 10x better than a google sheet. And this google sheet will get your users started right now.
You can copy the one I made.
And, Here's how I made it.
And as of right now Better Sheets is featured on AppSumo.
This is the best price you'll ever get this for. For the appsumo price of $19 you're getting every single video for less than 20 cents.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettersheets.substack.com
Who said you had to see a sheet to learn google sheets?
Today’s audio lesson is on the best practices when naming tabs. You’ll discover a whole new world!
Here’s 5 more audio lessons on Google sheets to keep you busy
What Can We Learn From a Speedometer?
Lead the Eye
Out of View
Only Necessary
Data + Comparison
Tomorrow I’ll talk about how you can create a business in a google sheet.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettersheets.substack.com
A few weeks ago I recorded 14 audio lessons, on google sheets.
I’ll have to record them all again due to various technical mistakes I made. Calling them chapters and not lessons for one.
So, I’m giving away all the lessons I’ve recorded now, for free!
You get to hear them all!
The last one I uploaded for you to hear was about Better Headers.
This one is about Better Business Practices you can do in Google Sheets.
Enjoy!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettersheets.substack.com
Let’s Go!
Let’s get into the sheets!
Tired of principles of dashboards?
Hell no!
We’re moving on, anyway.
Today’s Friday so let’s do something funky.
In the podcast/audio lesson I tell you how to make “Better Headers”
But in the video.. I’m gonna say “don’t draw attention to your headers”
What is it then, Man?
It’s both.
Don’t draw attention to your headers, but if you must, make your headers useful.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettersheets.substack.com
When I learned this lesson myself, I realized all dashboards before sucked.
And now my dashboards are better.
This is Simple
When you show data, add a comparison next to it.
Show percentage change from yesterday.
Show basis points different from last month.
Show revenue change from last year.
Show sales change from last quarter.
Insights
Data is data
Data plus comparison is insights.
Enjoy!
-Andrew
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettersheets.substack.com
I go deeper in this audio lesson about keeping un-necessary information or work off your dashboard.
And this lesson leads into a longer lesson later about naming tabs. We often use google sheets
4 Ways to add Only Necessary information on a dashboard
Gray out data you don’t care about when you look at the dashboard.
Put info on a separate tab.
Create different dashboards for different users.
Create a new sheet with importrange() function that is only a dashboard.
-Andrew
P.S. tomorrow we’re ADDING something to our Dashboard.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettersheets.substack.com
Keep those dashboards out of view.
You don’t drive with a speedometer in your face. You have to look down!
You drive with the steering wheel, the gas, the brake, the engine. There’s a lot going on in your business too.
Don’t use a dashboard to drive your business.
That’s the audio lesson today we’ve learned from a speedometer. It should be out of view most of the time. And we can check it when we need to.
Your Examples
I just thought of this… If you have a dashboard you use in your business. Take a screenshot. Send it to me. I’ll suggest a few things you can do to make it better.
-Andrew
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettersheets.substack.com
Last week I recorded a BUNCH of audio episodes. And I submitted them to the new platform. Have yet to hear back. (is that a pun?)
I only read the instructions on how to record audio lessons, after I recorded 14 of the 20 episodes. Yes, I did that in reverse order of what I should have.
Now I’m paying the price for growing up with Jewish guilt, and not reading the instructions first. Thanks Mom! The anxiety on high right now.
While I didn’t do anything SUPER wrong, I did forget the first step. Or rather, I never knew the first step in the first place. Which is totally missing so you won’t even know anything is missing.. unless I just tell you.
Oh well.
I might end up rerecording everything. Or figuring out an easier way to fix the mess I’ve put myself in.
But you’re expecting now. Not a diatribe about lost lessons.
Here’s another audio only episode.
At least Alex will listen. He liked the first one I sent on Friday. Hi Alex!
Unfortunately, the lesson here is: If you express you like something, you are very likely to see more of that from me.
Lesson to all readers.
You can actually tell me what you like and I will give you back 5x what you liked.
So here you go.
5 more audio lessons this week. 4 of which are lessons we learn from a speedometer. Friday is about making Better Headers.
Oh and go buy Alex’s book for less than $10.
I got to read it for less than 1 cent. Yes free. My unbiased honest review will be on the internet soon.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettersheets.substack.com
For Your Ears, Only!
Today I recorded 14 audio only modules about google sheets. I included earlier this week a note that I’m recording these lessons for a new platform. Audio Lessons only.
The first one I recorded was the principle of making better dashboards.
The analogy I use throughout the first 5 modules is that the Speedometer is one of the greatest dashboards ever made.
I have included it in this email to share with you the kinds of short lessons I’m recording. Happy to hear any critique or feedback if you listen and want to talk.
If You Want Videos, Not Only Audio.
Here are two videos that can help you make better dashboards.
P.S.
I haven’t done the drawing for a free membership yet since hitting 200 YouTube Subscribers. You have time, I’d say within the next few hours…. to become a subscriber.
The only thing you have to do is be a YouTube Subscriber and you are entered into the random drawing.
If you already have a membership I will see if you’d like to gift it to a friend.
Subscribe here: Youtube.com/c/BetterSheets
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettersheets.substack.com
Today is part 5 of a 5 part series this week: Data + Comparison
I’ll show you an example of a great dashboard.
Lead the Eye
Only Necessary
Out of View
Show Data + Comparison
Better Dashboards Show Data + Comparison
If you want to show acceleration on a car, it's a visceral movement.
You see the gauge increase.
On a static number dashboard... A single number won't do.
You'll need to see the number, and the acceleration.
Get access to every single video right now at BetterSheets.co
I’ll build a dashboard with you.
Use of conditional formatting to show red for down and green for up.
We’ll build a gauge chart.
We’ll change all the data in the dashboard based on a month selector.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettersheets.substack.com
Today is part 4 of a 5 part series this week: Out of View
I’ll show you an example of a great dashboard.
Lead the Eye
Only Necessary
Out of View
Show Data + Comparison
Better Dashboards are Out of View most of the time.
A dashboard doesn't sit directly in the middle of your view.
You need to go to look at it.
You need to avert your eyes from your driving to see a speedometer. A dashboard as well.
It's not going to be the thing you use to drive the car.
That's the pedals, the steering wheel, the key.
Get access to every single video right now at BetterSheets.co
I’ll build a dashboard with you.
Use of conditional formatting to show red for down and green for up.
We’ll build a gauge chart.
We’ll change all the data in the dashboard based on a month selector.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettersheets.substack.com
Today is part 3 of a 5 part series this week: Only Necessary
I’ll show you an example of a great dashboard.
Lead the Eye
Only Necessary
Out of View
Show Data + Comparison
Better Dashboards Only Have Necessary Information
Leave Math and Work on a tab called WORK
Show the Most Important Information.
Summarize the Information for the User.
Get access to every single video right now at BetterSheets.co
I’ll build a dashboard with you.
Use of conditional formatting to show red for down and green for up.
We’ll build a gauge chart.
We’ll change all the data in the dashboard based on a month selector.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettersheets.substack.com
Today is part 2 of a 5 part series this week: Lead The Eye
I’ll show you an example of a great dashboard.
Lead the Eye
Only Necessary
Out of View
Show Data + Comparison
Better Dashboard Lead the Eye
Don’t Highlight Labels
Use Color to guide the reader.
Use Larger Text Size to show what matters more
Labels can be grayed out as we’ll become blind to them the more we use the sheet.
Get access to every single video right now at BetterSheets.co
I’ll build a dashboard with you.
Use of conditional formatting to show red for down and green for up.
We’ll build a gauge chart.
We’ll change all the data in the dashboard based on a month selector.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettersheets.substack.com
Today is part 1 of a 5 part series this week.
I’ll show you an example of a great dashboard.
Lead the Eye
Only Necessary
Out of View
Show Data + Comparison
A Great Dashboard: The Speedometer
Shows real time
Shows what happens when you accelerate, or brake.
Check engine Light: if something wrong.
How much gas is left in the tank.
Get access to every single video right now at BetterSheets.co
I’ll build a dashboard with you.
Use of conditional formatting to show red for down and green for up.
We’ll build a gauge chart.
We’ll change all the data in the dashboard based on a month selector.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettersheets.substack.com
One quick way to make your sheets easier to read: Hide Gridlines
Go to the View menu
Click on “Gridlines” and the check will disappear.
Why?
Because then your readers’ eyes will only go where you want them to go. Give your sheets more whitespace, just like a website should have more whitespace.
What?
I made a video to show you too.
In 1 minute I show you how to hide gridlines. And tease you about what else you can do to communicate better in sheets.
In the paid version of BetterSheets.co I show you way more interesting things you can do with Border colors and border styles.
Communicate better with easier to read sheets.
Right now you can get lifetime access, for $30, to all BetterSheets videos at bettersheets.co
See you tomorrow!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettersheets.substack.com
This tip goes over how to use Alternating Colors.
Alternating Colors is a built in feature of google sheets. It’s in the menu when you pick a fill color.
Use Alternating colors with your tables, and uncheck View: Gridlines.
One bonus tip here, give your tables breathing room, by adding white space around them. This is great for summaries.
The best way to see how this is used. Watch a video.
In this free tutorial video I also go over some design principles that you can use in google sheets.
Buy Full Access to Better Sheets and you won’t have to pay again: http://bettersheets.co/
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettersheets.substack.com
This tip is to give your eyes a rest. If you work in sheets hours each day, the high contrast black and white grid starts to hurt.
Short Audio Note attached goes over the same thing.
Change Font to #222222
A subtle change of the font to #222222 won’t be noticed by most and will help.
Change your font color to #444444 and your eyes will thank you.
Change Cell Color to #fbfbf8
Go one step further, change all the cell colors to #fbfbf8 and you’ll get less contrast.
It’s almost like reading on paper.
Remember Four Things: 4444444, Facebook, Facebook, Fate
That’s all you have to remember to do this in every sheet you’re going to spend time in.
color will be 444444.. .that’s Hashtag, 4 six times.
And the fill color of the cells:
Facebook…. FB
Facebook….FB
and Fate…. f8
Again, for those in the back.
Font Color: #4444444
Fill Color: #fbfbf8
Just remember: 4444444, Facebook, Facebook, Fate
One cool thing available to all BetterSheet customers: Create Progress Bars. Right now there’s a 4 part series of tutorials videos that goes deep into what you can do with progress bars inside your Google Sheets.
Not every day will have a video. Today’s your lucky day. Go watch it.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettersheets.substack.com