| You are smart and talented. You are adept at | | | | stay in touch with your contacts is by sending regular |
| networking and meeting new people. You are heading | | | | email updates, promotions, or newsletters. Most |
| down the road to success and you are just waiting | | | | contact management systems will allow you to email |
| to turn the corner. Business is good, but you know it | | | | your contacts either directly through their system or |
| could be better. There are opportunities you are | | | | via a connection to your email software. It would be |
| missing and you cannot seem to keep up with all of | | | | helpful to determine if your contact management |
| your contacts. | | | | system allows you to filter or group your contacts |
| Now is a good time to take a close look at your | | | | using different characteristics (i.e. customers vs. |
| contact management system. We all have one, | | | | prospects), then it will be easier not only to send |
| whether you are stuffing the business cards in the | | | | mass email updates, but to create relevant content |
| front pocket of your purse or entering contacts into | | | | for each group. Some systems even allow you to |
| a database. Either way, take a moment to evaluate | | | | track whether or not your message has been read |
| how you are managing your contacts and determine | | | | and which links each recipient selected. This data can |
| if your "system" allows you to easily complete these | | | | help you determine which of your offerings are the |
| important tasks: | | | | most compelling. |
| - Enter and view contact information via the Internet: | | | | - Customize and capture information unique to your |
| If you do not have an administrative assistant, then | | | | clientele: You know your business best. What |
| sometimes the only time you may have to enter | | | | information do you need to know about clients or |
| new contacts is in the evenings at home or at | | | | prospects to provide better service or complete a |
| another location away from your office or primary | | | | sale? When evaluating your contact management |
| computer. Gaining access to your contacts through | | | | system, think about where you are keeping this |
| the Internet or a handheld device can prove to be | | | | mission critical information. Are you able to customize |
| very useful. | | | | some of the fields in your system to track this data |
| - Track new business opportunities with contacts or | | | | along with the client's other information? |
| accounts: When you follow up with a new contact | | | | Once you have determined the features you need to |
| and find out that they have a need for your | | | | be successful in communicating with your contacts, |
| products or services, your contact management | | | | then you can review some of the contact |
| system should be able to record information about | | | | management software available to businesses and |
| that opportunity including potential revenue, where | | | | compare features and pricing. Let us know what you |
| you are in the sales process, important dates and | | | | find. What other considerations are important for |
| notes. | | | | managing your business contacts? |
| - Send and track email messages: A great way to | | | | |