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In order to run a successful business, there needs to be systems and processes in place to help you stay organized and to keep your business running smoothly. Technology of course can help with this as there are many systems available.
Below are some systems/software that will help you to keep you and your business organized, which is key to running a successful business that grows.
1. Highrise
What is it?
Highrisehq.com is a small business CRM (Customer Relationship Management) tool. Highrise is a system which allows you to keep track of leads and/or colleagues you have met. It acts as a database for all of your contacts. Plans start at free! This powerful tool integrates easily with some of the tools you are already using in your business such as Mail Chimp, Constant Contact, WordPress, your iPhone, Wufoo, and Gmail. You can import your contacts from Outlook, your Mac address book, keep track of your leads and schedule follow ups, keep track of deals made and not made.
How Will It Help You and Your Business?
Do you have post-it notes on your desk or computer of people you were supposed to follow up with and forgot? How many times have you said to yourself, “Whatever happened to_____________?” or “Wasn’t I supposed to call _____________?” You now have a system that will keep track of all that for you!
Highrise will save you the frustration of not knowing what happened with a lead and/or colleague you want to work with and save you the disappoint of losing a client because you never followed up.
Hootsuite
What is it?
Hootsuite.com is a powerful tool which allows you to manage your social media accounts. It’s an amazing tool that is free! Hootsuite allows you to manage all of your social media accounts in one area. From Hootsuite you are able to post, schedule posts, shorten links, upload images, have conversations with your team and several other features.
How Will It Help You and Your Business?
I talk to Entrepreneurs all the time who worry they are spending too much time on social media OR have not added social media to their marketing plan because they feel it is too time consuming. Hootsuite will help with that. Please don’t schedule ALL of your posts. Use Hootsuite in conjunction with your live postings. Your blog posts, special news and announcements are good places to start when it comes to using this tool for your social media. Also keep in mind you still need to check to see if you have any replies, comments, or direct messages. There is nothing worse than not receiving a reply to the comment you have made. Imagine how your readers will feel? So please don’t post and run!
Special Note: When using Hootsuite with your Facebook postings, please do so sparingly. Due to Facebook’s EdgeRank algorithm, using a third party for your Facebook posting reduces the visibility of your post.
TimeTrade
What Is It?
Timetrade.com is an online scheduling calendar.It is only $49/year (a little more than $4.00/month); you probably spend more than that on your Starbuck’s lattes each month!
You have the opportunity to test it out with a free trial for 30 days. Timetrade also integrates with your WordPress website and Facebook to allow your prospects and clients to schedule an appointment with you.
How Will It Help You and Your Business?
Time, time, oh, and did I say time? How many times have you spoken with a prospect, you’ve reached the point when it is time to schedule a consultation and she responds with, “I need to check my calendar, can I get back with you?” To schedule that one consultation, how many emails do you send back and forth? How many voicemails do
you leave one another trying to schedule a time? How many clients have you lost because it becomes too much of a pain with the going back and forth? With Timetrade you can now say goodbye to the back and forth game.
you leave one another trying to schedule a time? How many clients have you lost because it becomes too much of a pain with the going back and forth? With Timetrade you can now say goodbye to the back and forth game.
Once you set up your calendar availability, Timetrade will provide a link for you to send in an email. Once the recipient clicks on the link, the person is taken to a personalized welcome message you created, as well as the dates and times you are available to meet. The recipient schedules the appointment, you receive an email letting you know a meeting has been scheduled and it’s done! No back and forth, no hassle. Timetrade can be synced with your Outlook or Gmail calendar so not only do you receive an email stating an appointment has been made, it is also placed on your calendar for you!
Having tools to keep you organized and on track is invaluable. Highrise, Hootsute, and Timetrade are three of the many available systems to Entrepreneurs. Regardless of the systems you choose, make sure you are consistent. This will help you to begin systems and processes for your business which are invaluable. Having systems and process in place will allow your business to run smoothly and grow.
What tools do you use to stay organized?
