Contrary to common belief, CRM is not just a software but a whole tool that can help build your business better. It has the power to reshape your marketing strategies and all your processes. This tool does not come cheap and this is why one needs to be sure of what exactly he is looking for before investing in one.
It is an automation tool designed to help you out. No way does it guarantee immediate success. It is its use that will bring success to your business. So, before you invest in getting a CRM software for your business think of all the reasons as to why you need one. Get your thoughts and your motives aligned before you get this tool for your business. Given below are some of the things that you might need to look into and take notes of in your business before moving on with the idea of getting a CRM.
Organization of your contacts
Before you get on with this, it is important that you have a look at the organization of your contacts. If they are on a spreadsheet, run a check on the information that is available and missing for each contact to help you formulate a common pattern.
Build up proper contact information
Before getting this tool, you should know that exactly what information you need to have your contacts before you market your products to them. This data can help you know your clients better, the way they think and what you need to do to start up a personalized form of communication with them. For future references, you would also need to keep their updated contact information with you. However, you might have to set up some custom fields that can help the CRM software target your clients better.
Define your processes
Before getting the automation tool, you should start up with all sorts of actions needed for an effective marketing strategy. Define your process. Build up a workflow that you want your whole team to follow, a business model that will grow to represent your company. Think about how you would want your company to maintain contact with your clients. Work towards that.
It is one of the most difficult and time-consuming parts of getting a CRM installed. This is what will define your whole business model and how your business will go on from then onwards. Be very precise about it. Know what you want exactly and how you can achieve that through your processes. For example:
- How to send out proposals?
- What sort of information will you be collecting from your new clients?
- How to stay in touch with the customers and clients?
- How frequently you should be following up with your contacts?
These are just some of the many aspects of your business process that you need to work on. Once you start digging there will be plenty of things that will require your attention.
Know your contacts
Always keep and maintain the record of your contacts. It is very important that you know where exactly you got their information from. Messing this up will not be good for the whole image of your business. The key to making personalized information is to be precise and accurate. Initiating contacts with wrong information can be harmful to your business reputation.
Before making your company contact some client, it is important to know that they wanted to be contacted by your company in the first place. Never would you want your company to be a source of annoyance for the clients your business depends on. If you are not sure about it, better email them to seek their permission first. This way you can have a clear idea of what the client wants. This information can be added in your contacts’ spreadsheet too for future references.
Be very cautious of the material you share with your email and contacts list. Do not share any controversial content, or data that might be an infringement of someone’s rights, content that violates laws etc.
CRM software is of no use if you have not worked on your whole business model and processes. It is an automation tool that would need a proper environment to work on. Work on creating one for it first before investing in getting a CRM for your business.