I just found an email about an ActiveRain webinar scheduled for next Tuesday on my favorite CRM - IxactContact. My strong recommendation? Check it out - if you don't already use it.!
Last year, I realized that I needed a CRM for grown ups. I'd been using a patchwork combination of MAC applications, Contacts, Calandar and Reminders, that were designed more for personal use than operating a business.
So I started to call around to the various companies that were sending me email and some recommended by colleagues. Here's how it ususally went.
I would make the call, and a cocky-sounding youngster would answer the phone.
"Our CRM is really great because it's so easy to use - like, my five-year-old little brother can figure it out!"
Since I am not a five-year-old boy, this didn't impress me each time I heard it, especially after I signed on to each allegedly simple site to check it out.
Then I remembered hearing about Ixact Contact from several colleagues, and these were women who, like me, were helping to increase the average age of the average Realtor.
So I called their number and a grownup sounding woman answered. She listened to and thoughtfully answered a few questions I asked about the product, and then wow!
"OK, we beta tested our CRM on a group of actual Realtors in a local office - my mother was one of them." And at that point, she had me!
I also learned that their very inexpensive package also included a web site, as well as the ability to create and send email blasts and newsletters. They have a library of very well-written materials you can send to FSBOs, expired listings, and lots of ways to keep in touch with your base. They also help to keep you organized. And while I don't need it a lot (yes, it actually is easy to use), they have an excellent help desk.
A while back, I started to send my "Monday Morning Coffee" to everyone in my base, sort of like a blog post, but geared to my sphere of influence. Once a week on Monday morning, everyone in the system (old and current buyers and sellers, aunts and uncles, siblings , nephews, cousins, neighbors, prospects from Open Houses - you get the idea) get a copy of something they seem to enjoy reading.
And I hear from them, whether they want to buy a house or not! And quite often, the calls generated by this weekly contact are resulting in listings and referrals.
So there if I can use this, anyone can figure it out! And I may hang out for the Webinar just for fun!
