How to back up 'new files only' to external hard drive?

not sure i'm doing this the best way.... any suggestions would be great!
i have my master photo/video library on my desktop (using a file tree that i've grown & know exactly where things are since 2003- (pre mac).
that file is on mac + saved to an external hard drive. i back this up to my external often, BUT I'm not sure if i'm doing it the best way.
i add photos, change the master file name w/ current 'added to' date, then drag or copy to the external hard drive and it copies/writes. then i go and delete 'older file date' to keep space on external. i've tried to copy using the w/o changing the file name, but then i have 2 copies of same file name on back up and i have to browse to see which one has the new photos?! is there a way to add only the 'new' photos/files to the external instead of doing a complete copy, then i can go and update the file name w/ a current date? concerned that my method of add new master file/ delete old master file will create eventual problems on the external?

BenB wrote:
The auto-backup is the database only, not the media.
To back up the whole Library totally, first make sure to Consolidate it, then simply drag-and-drop it on to the backup drive, that simple.
The KB article referenced by Karsten suggests one additional step: make sure your copy of the library is not at the root level of the drive to which you are copying it. I have not clue why this might be important.
Herewith:
Back up your Project Library and events using the Finder
To create a single backup copy of your Project Library and events, you can copy the Final Cut Projects folder and Final Cut Events folder to an external storage device.
If you are backing up incrementally, create a folder structure that helps you easily navigate through your backup folders. You could label the folders with the date you made the backup copy, for example.
Important: To avoid issues, it’s essential that you place the backup files in a folder (named “2012 Final Cut Pro Backups,” for example) that is not at the root level of your external storage device.
In the Finder, locate and select your Final Cut Projects folder and Final Cut Events folder.Your Movies folder is the default location for all project and event files:/Users/username/Movies/ Important: If you moved a project or event after you created it, it will not be in the default location.
Drag the Final Cut Projects and Final Cut Events folders to the external storage device.
The folders are copied to your external storage device.

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