How to keep track of your client prospects (simplest CRM)
When getting started the most important thing is to reach out to all your potential clients - here is how you can keep track of your dialogues.
Simplest CRM to get started
It is important that you do not overthink things in the beginning. It is all about getting started and having as many dialogues as possible.
Therefore, reaching out to as many potential clients as possible is key for your success.
You can find the sheet here: PROSPECT MANAGEMENT SHEET
4 simple steps to get started
Step 1: Go to your LinkedIn > My network > Connection.
This will show a full list of all the people that you are connected with on LinkedIn
Step 2: Go through all your connections and add them to the list
Go through each of your connections one by one and if you think that they could be interesting to talk to then add them to your list.
Don’t be picky, add a lot of people to your list. Worst case is that they don’t reply.
Add the following details to the sheet.
Company
Name
Comment: add what they could be interested in hearing (do a bit of stalking)
Step 3: Prioritize who to contact first
When you have been through your network, then have a look at the list and figure out who you prioritize.
Base the prioritization on the likelihood of them buying something from you. You can use the following two questions to help you:
Are they a buyer or knows the buyer in the company that you are targeting?
Are they in need of help now (based on your research)?
Step 4: Reach out to prospects, and keep the sheet up to date
The most important thing is to actually reach out. The sheet is worth absolutely nothing if you do not act on it.
Keep the sheet up to date and make that your single source of truth for the status of your dialogues.
Add comments as you go along and remember to keep the dialogues going.
A few tips:
Write a personal message for everybody that you reach out to based on your relationship, their profile or some of their posts.
Have a standard message telling them why you are reaching out that you add after the personal message.
Remember to follow up, can seem pushy, but it really helps. Max 2 follow ups after the first message.
If you are not getting the output you want, increase the input (reach out to more).
Learn as you go. It will never be perfect, but you will get better for every person that you reach out to.
Good luck! Let me know how it goes 🚀
Cheers,
Christian
Thank you for this post! It’s really valuable, particularly to a serial procrastinator like me!
Great post. Very actionable!