I downloaded the OSX wallet yesterday and it synced relatively quick then i encrypted it (have no coin in there so not sure if i should have even bothered).
This is very important, and it is good that you did it. While you have no coin now, the wallet.dat file is the keys to your kinddom. You must protect it by:
1. Encrypting it with a strong password. Protect this password. Don't put it in a text file on your PC. If you do store it somewhere, make sure that is encrypted with another password, like in a password manager like LastPass or 1Password or Keepass.
2. Backing it up.
It sounds like you did step 1. Also make sure you do step 2.
So, yes, you are doing the correct things. Also, make sure you do step 2 often. Normally the wallet.dat isn't modified, but it might be if you do a spend. (I'm not sure if this wallet has additional change address pre-generted or not.) But, I re-back mine up after I do any spend and after I add any receive addresses or send addresses.
Also you can double-check your password is correct before sending coins, just try to send and it asks for your password. Might sound stupid but I saved the wrong password for my ltc wallet and it took me two days to figure out.
If you can unlock the wallet, then you have the correct password. But, yes, verify you can do that before you send any coins to one of your addresses.
Damn you guys beat me to that tip
Also make sure you backup every time you send something from your wallet. (This is has to do with how change addresses are managed)
are you sure? i don't think you have to back up after each transaction
yes back up after every transact. or at least the first 3