As a solopreneur or small business owner, you may have questions about all the systems you need to run your business. Given the price of a good CRM (client relationship management) system, it’s understandable that you’ll want to know a bit more about what exactly it is, the benefits, if you really need one, and if so, when. I’m happy to answer those questions for you!
What is a CRM?
Client relationship management (CRM) is a system for managing all a business’s relationships and interactions with potential and current customers. A CRM system helps companies stay connected to their clients/customers by managing communications, streamlining processes, and tracking engagements. The goal is to help facilitate revenue-generating activities and relationship-building.
What are the benefits of having a CRM?
CRM systems have countless benefits and vary based on your business model and needs. However, there are three top benefits:
- Organize client contact and interaction information
- Facilitate and optimize the customer/client experience
- Provide oversight of client/customer relationships
Who needs a CRM?
Product-based businesses will want a CRM in the form of an email marketing system (such as ConvertKit) to bring potential customers into your marketing funnel and easily reach them for product launches, sales, and general communications.
Service providers need to have a CRM multi-functional system (such as Dubsado) if you are 1) the primary contract owner (sending contracts out for signature), 2) your business activities generate a large amount of information that would be helpful to store in one location (emails, forms, contracts, phone logs), and/or 3) you’re running an agency-model and want to assign accounts to individuals in your organization.
When should a CRM be set up?
As a product-based business, an email marketing CRM system (e.g. ConvertKit) should be set up immediately. Start collecting email addresses from the minute you decide you’re going into business.
For service-based companies, maintaining oversight and organization around the communications and records related to potential and current clients is one of the most frustrating aspects of running a business – especially if it gets away from you. I firmly believe that a CRM should be one of the first investments you make as your business begins to grow. What does that mean? If you’re sending out more than three contracts a month or your client experience is complex, it’s time to get a system to support you.
In my experience, Dubsado is the best CRM to start supporting your growing service-based business. Facilitating signing contracts, scheduling appointments, sending out proposals and questionnaires, tracking emails, and building automated workflows, this one powerful platform replaces numerous other apps and software – not only streamlining your work but also reducing your operating costs.
Whether you’re a product or service-based business, my advice to you is the same – you need to have a method of tracking your client/customer relationships. CRMs are powerful tools that can transform how you work – and your potential to generate revenue. Don’t wait to set one up.
Need help? Check out my services to learn more about how I can help you optimize your operations.
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