Contact Management! Woo Hoooooo! Now THIS is a topic you've been waiting all year (well, six days anyway) for, huh?!
Actually, I get more requests for recommendations on contact management than almost any other topic. Since I'm a big fan of running a Sphere of Influence (SOI) business, which naturally involves getting and staying in touch with one's Sphere of Influence, it seems obvious that I might be the perfect person to point you toward the perfect system for you.
Well, unfortunately, there is no perfect system and which one you choose will be a decision you'll need to make for yourself - which may involve some trial and error. However, part of the challenge agents have with choosing the right system for them is figuring out exactly what they want and need that system to do! They look at all the features and benefits and costs and platforms the various systems offer and get overwhelmed into inaction. I've been there... I get it.
But... good news! While I can't tell you with authority which system is best for you, I can help get you started sorting thru all the noise.
On January 6th, we're doing a little show about using your contact management system to run a Sell with Soul-style business. Managing your Sphere of Influence. Remembering to stay in touch without making your friends feel like a number. Not relying on a fancy system to do your staying in touch for you, but rather using it as a tool to help you do it yourself. Identifying who within your SOI is due for a coffee date or catch-up email. Grouping your SOI without complicating your life unnecessarily. Stuff like that.
We'll also touch on using your contact management system to organize your business, which, in my opinion, is one of the primary reasons to even have a contact management system!
This show will be an audio-only program - that is - I won't be demonstrating any of the contact management strategies I'll discuss during the show. BUT... later in January I'll be holding the first ever live SWS webinar where I will show you how to do the stuff I'm gonna talk about on January 6th! So, do try to tune in for both...
Join us?
THE DETAILS Date: Thursday, January 6th, 2011
Time: 8:00am Pacific / 9:00am Mountain / 10:00am Central / 11:00am Eastern
Duration: 60 - 90 minutes
Equipment Needed: Nothing fancy - just a phone and/or computer
Cost: Free, but you must register below!
REGISTER FOR THE SHOW HERE
See you Thursday!
I have a scheduling conflict, but am going to see if I can get it moved -- this sounds like a seminar I can't afford to miss! Hope to hear you on Thursday!
I hope you can make it!!!
Good Morning Jennifer
Thanks for the post and information. Have a great day.
I too am trying to juggle my schedule to be there for this one, Jennifer. As you know, I have been wrestling with this issue for a while. I know some successful agents do well without a CMS -- they use Constant Contact for emails and newsletters, social networking to "touch" their SOI once in a while, and checklists for managing individual files. Is a CMS one way to bring all of these systems together? Or is it one more thing to have to learn, manage and take care of?
Tanya - I did "well" without a CMS for much of my career - in fact, during the peak of my career when I was selling 50+ houses a year, I didn't have anything more than a WordPerfect document and paper checklists. So, yes, absolutely, it can be done, and I know plenty of top producers who aren't even as tech-savvy as to be using Contant Contact.
However, once you discover the joy of a good contact manager that you know how to use (and use it), you won't go back.
It's a bit of a chicken and egg thing, though... If you aren't all that busy, you can certainly do without a system... but... would you be busier if you HAD a system (and used it - that's critical). I believe a contact manager can and should pay for itself many times over in so many ways - your time, your energy, your peace of mind and of course, your bank account.
Is a CMS just something else to learn, manage and take care of? Yes. But it will also take care of you and free up your mind and spirit to focus on things that create income and make your life easier.
This is the sort of thing I'm going to talk about tomorrow... I do hope you'll join us!
I'm signed up and ready to listen. Need answers for a CMS for loan officers and Realtors.
I'll try to make it but have a JA-inspired lunch scheduled for tomorrow...will this be a Club SWS recording?
It really doesnt matter what system you use, You just need to pick one, Learn it, and use it!
it helps to have someone in your office that uses the same thing so you can help each other out...
I have had a database since the early 90s and wished I started sooner, I still miss my old Dos based one, to date it was the best one out there, but it doesnt work with windows any more!
ACT is a good one that has been around for a LONG time 20+ years... so it is likely to stick around. I have been using it for a few years now, and it does what I need it to.
Goldmine-Tried it, Hated it!
Thats my 2 cents worth!
JA - I have been waiting all year for this one too. Like Robert, ACT, has gone through three versions with me but has been shelved a few years back. Anxious to hear the recommendations tomorrow and see "JA Live" later on this month. 2011 is panning out to be a stupendous year so far!
Susan - Yep - it'll be at Club SWS later today or tomorrow! (www.clubsws.info).
See y'all in a bit!
Thanks for the show. It was great. Given the name Ixact is this a real estate version of ACT? If one is willing to take the time to learn which is better Ixact or Top Producer?
Wow - that was fun! Tom - I don't think Ixact is related to ACT... as far as Ixact versus Top Producer - I don't know anything about 8i, so I can't speak intelligently about it... but if I were to compare Ixact with TP 7i... it would be a close contest. I'm not sure Ixact does anything BETTER than TP, but it is a lot easier to learn and doesn't require a contract... If you're willing to invest the time into TP I think you'll be happy with it... but if you don't, you'll probably never know what you're missing, if that makes sense...
JA, Thanks for the reply. I very much like the idea of no contract. I will probably give it a try. Good luck with the wedding.
-Chris
http://www.showappeal.com
I missed this. Did you record it or is it out there somewhere to hear?
Hi Gene! Yep it was recorded... I only provide recordings to my Club SWS (www.clubsws.info) or at my store (www.swsstore.com) for the low low price of $3.99... ;-]. Can you make the next show (January 27th) live? They're always free!