Staying Organized with CRMs

I just got back from a week of pitching my portfolio to manufacturers at the Atlanta Gift Show. What do you do with all those business cards and email addresses? How do you keep track of who you have to follow up with and when? When your list grows to hundreds of companies to reach out to, it can be overwhelming, unless you have a secret weapon! I have been using a system to keep track of all my contacts for various aspects of my business since 2018 and it has been a game changer in my business!

CRM, or Customer Relationship Management, is a software solution designed to help businesses manage interactions with current and potential customers. A CRM system is a powerful way to manage customer interactions, streamline processes, and help you foster long-lasting relationships.

Key Features of CRM Systems:

Contact Management:

A CRM is a centralized storage of customer information, think similar to a spreadsheet with easy access to contact details and communication history, and whatever data you feel is pertinent.

Sales and Pipeline Management:

The most helpful aspect of a CRM to me is tracking leads, opportunities, and sales or project pipelines. I keep track of prospective and current clients I have sent art to and easily keep track of what phase of a project I am in with clients.

Task and Calendar Integration:

I need to do better at utilizing this aspect, but you can schedule and manage tasks and appointments, and set reminders to email even months ahead of time or for follow up emails.

Automation:

A CRM helps you streamline repetitive tasks to improve your efficiency and has workflows for seamless processes. I can send out emails in bulk to those who have accepted marketing and personalize them with their name and later as I discover new prospective companies to work with, I can send them the same email with my art attached. 

Different CRM Options:

Salesforce:

One of the most widely used CRM platforms, it offers a comprehensive suite of features for sales, marketing, and customer service. It is highly customizable and scalable.

HubSpot CRM:

It's known for its user-friendly interface and offers a free version with basic CRM features, including integration with marketing and sales tools.

Zoho CRM:

Soho provides a wide range of features and is customizable to suit different business needs, while integrating with other Zoho applications.

Pipedrive:

This CRM focuses on sales pipeline management, with a user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop features. It's Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses.

Monday.com:

Monday is known for its visually beautiful and collaborative interface.
It offers customizable workspaces beyond traditional CRM and is suitable for project management and team collaboration.

Streak for Gmail:

Streak is a fully embedded CRM in Gmail and helps you to manage all your work right in your email inbox. It also provides a suite of email tools like email-tracking, sending personalized emails, and email templates. This is the CRM I've used for 6 years and I love it!

When selecting a CRM system, consider factors such as your business size, specific needs, budget, and scalability. You can explore trial versions or free plans to get a hands-on experience before making a final decision. A well-implemented CRM system can be a game-changer for your business - no matter how large or small you are.