Organizing Your Contacts – Step 1
The first step to organizing your contacts is to put them in the same place every time. Sounds easy enough. But let’s break it down a little more. When you’re out and about meeting and chatting with people and you get their contact info either by business card or by writing it down begin the categorization process right away. This will look different depending on what your business is. Here are some examples:
-Potential Client- put “C” or a letter designating what product you think is right for them
-Potential Joint Venture Partner- put “JV”
-Not Sure- leave it blank or put “L” for list
Also mark the card in some way if you need to follow up with them right away. A star is good for this one.
Now, you’ve got the card in your hand. Put it away before you put it down or drop it. This has happened too many times- a great connection is made, the card is set on the stack of papers at the seat, and when everything is picked up cards fall to the floor and they’re easy to miss. If you’re a lady put them in your purse and alway in the same pocket. If you’re a man pick a pocket or place in your wallet they will always land.
When you get to your office have an “in box” or “to be entered” spot. Put them there every time. That way it will be clear those are the contacts that still need to be processed. Then whoever is responsible for that data entry will know to check that spot. If you use a VA that spot should be an envelope that you mail weekly for timely data entry. Make sure they know your categories and follow them exactly. This way you will have a working database of all your contacts at your fingertips once you follow the next step.
