As an administrative consultant, I am always looking for the best workflows for my clients’ business systems. Be it for streamlining, productivity, planning, organizing, or efficiency – there are an abundant (almost superfluous) amount of software apps out there – and I’m continually trying them out in an ever-changing digital world. Today I’m talking about client relationship management and maintenance.
QUESTION: How well are you managing your contacts?
Lately I’ve been doing a lot of research and implementation of CRMs. A CRM is a ‘Client Relationship Manager’; a database that contains email addresses, contact info and other pertinent info about customers.
The initial setup takes a bit of organizing and time, but once established, the benefits are enormous. With a CRM, one can keep track of recent communications and sales, contact info, as well as personal bits of info like date of birth or even custom criteria as specific as an astrological sign. One can also create ‘to-do’ lists regarding specific clients, and also earmark particular contacts who are considered ‘champions’ when it comes to your sales relationship with them.
There are a plethora of CRMs out there currently; here are few of the top ones ranging from free to highest in price:
Insightly – Pricing: Free up to 3 users; up to 2500 customer contacts/records
Zoho CRM – Pricing: Free up to 3 users; up to 5000 customer contacts/records
Nimble – Pricing: One plan only – $15/mo per user; unlimited customer contacts/records
Sage CRM Pricing: Free 1 month trial, $39 per user
Contactually – Pricing: $49/mo, team contact sharing, unlimited contacts/records
Batchbook – Pricing: $35/mo; unlimited users, up to 5000 customer contacts/records
Microsoft Dynamics CRM – Pricing: $65/mo user, unlimited customer contacts/records
Salesforce – Pricing: $25 – $125/mo per user; varying features, unlimited contacts/records
Infusionsoft – Pricing: $199/mo; 3 users, up to 2500 contacts
Are you maintaining strong and healthy relationships with your client base?
If you were to ask yourself ‘am I keeping up the best communication with my clients possible?’ – what would your response be? How do you manage all of those email addresses and are you even collecting addresses on a regular basis?
Research states that email marketing is still one of the top ways to stay connected and make sales with your client in the digital world. So it’s apparent that maintaining communication is paramount and the method to reach to them is via email.
Here is where the CRM comes in.
