Table of Contents
Internal Communications
This is for internal communications between Festival staff/contractors/area managers on the Marcato platform. For external communications with Artists, Vendors, Volunteers etc. please see …some page to go here… 
Commenting
You can leave comments on any Marcato profile - Production Staff, Artists, Vendors, Volunteers, Venues, Shows, and more. Comments are a fantastic way to discuss nitty-gritty details with colleagues. The comments are emailed to whoever is involved, but the comments are also attached to the profile or page, so that other colleagues can see the conversation if they need to. This means that everyone who has access to a particular profile can see what's going on and be updated on all previous comments/actions - very helpful to read BEFORE you go any further with a particular issue. This should be the way you communicate with others about any profile within Marcato to save time waiting for personal emails to many people to be read and acted upon. Get in the habit!
Commenting on Volunteers
To leave a comment on any profile in Marcato start on the Dashboard. Use the search box to find the one you need. Select the name from the drop-down box. Once their profile is on screen, click on the little magnifying glass next to their name, then click on the “comments” tab at the top of the box down the page.
Here you can simply add your comments. To include others in your messaging, tick the boxes to the right hand of the message box to include those that need to know. They will receive an email notification that there are new comments with a link directly to the profile page. You can also attach files in this process (it works just like regular email) - easy! You can also look at their “history” under that tab which is really helpful to see what their current status is on payments, access, updates, when they received stuff from us (and who sent it) and the like. Again, this is very helpful to be completely up to date with any issues.
To comment on an Artist
To comment on an artist, you need to visit the Comments tab on the artist's profile page.1) There is a comment box where you can write your message. You can also attach files here too. Then to the right, tick the people (or departments) who should be updated with your comments. Comments are visible to everyone, but notifications are only sent to those ticked.
If you're joining or adding to a conversation or comment chain, you can tick more people, or you can un-tick those previously notified.
Comments are not visible to anyone outside the organisation. They are only internal. If you are adding information that should be embedded in the profile of an artist, volunteer or vendor, it may be best to add it in a more appropriate place by editing the profile.
Messaging
Files
Calendar
Tasks
Marcato contains an internal task management system. Tasks can be created in many different ways. They can be created as stand-alone tasks, or they can be created as tasks attached to various profiles (Contacts, Artists, Shows, etc etc).
Tasks can be assigned to someone. They can also be set to send email notifications to other people, so that others can get updates on the progression of the tasks.
Tasks attached to profiles can be fantastic reminders. For example, while working on an Artist you may notice that they have requested an odd item of backline. It may be prudent to create a reminder to yourself (and/or others) to follow up on this request in later months.
More content to be written on tasks… http://marcato.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/11000067308-tasks