You were saying, “Little guys need automated marketing, too, just like enterprises.”
“They do,” I replied, “but they don’t have the time or money to use a system built for an enterprise. They need to squeeze as much juice out of the systems they use as they can. The good thing is that entrepreneurs are always trying to find ways to provide a better deal.”
“So what are you recommending?” asked Chris.
“Mo’ importantly brer CRM, are you telling them the whole story? I mean it’s like the difference ‘tween a shovel and a backhoe. Which is better, ‘pends on the size hole you got to dig. So are you tellin’ folks to get the enterprise software and use just part of it or systems built for the little guy that don’t cause as much stress on the wetware?
“Yes,” I answered. “I’m just trying to give the ‘Little Guy’ an edge. But I have to tell you there is a CRM system that is integrated with an inbound marketing solution that I’ve telling people about lately. The neat thing is their support team goes above and beyond to help. I was trying to get the two synced during that hot weather spell where it was over 95 for 3 days. Between my computer being in that heat and what that did to internet connections I thought I would never be able to use Big Contacts and Active Campaigns. The guys at BC ran tests using my database, made a video of it and sent it to me to see what could be done with a decent connection. And they made sure the sync took so I could use AC. (That’s Active Campaign not Air Conditioning).
As I go forward setting up a store on my web site for Marketing Without Money TM and other digital products I’ll be investigating more services that are developed and optimized for small businesses.
What I like about this solution is the simplicity. You can load all your contacts into Big Contacts using a CSV file. You can track them via company and individually by name. You can tag them so it is easy to maintain multiple lists inside your complete list. Those of you that have seen me present CRM Magic know that the list of things I believe are ideal in an integrated system include:
- Contact Manager
- Calendar
- Automated Actions
- Regular E-mail
- E-mail Marketing (including Mobile)
- Auto Responders
- Web Landing Pages
- Forms Linked to Auto Actions
- Easy integration with Social Media
I wrote that list over two years ago when no low-cost, easy to use system was available for the ‘Little Guy’. It’s almost like they were listening.
But don’t take my word for it. Go see for yourself. Here are the links again:”
Jerry and his mob (I know that’s a bunch of Kangaroos but we’re not down under at the moment) will be back next week. No one ever knows what marketing for small businesses topic will overwhelm their lunch.
Consulting: www.JerryFletcher.com
Speaking: www.NetworkingNinja.com