So If you don’t have a database, how do you get started? Step 1 is to investigate the different software packages available. Some of the more popular programs are ACT!, Goldmine, and Maximizer. Each one is a little different but basically do the same thing. We use act because they have an ACT! User Group in our area. These programs can be bought for approximately $200 and are well worth it. It is important to note that if you have Microsoft Outlook and want to use that as a database to start that is OK. But for many reasons, you need to buy one of the software packages mentioned. ACT!, Goldmine, and Maximizer are very user friendly and can handle a multitude of tasks much easier than Microsoft Outlook. Microsoft Outlook should be used for e-mailing only.

Before you start to build the list, take a look at your business. You’ll need to answer a number of questions before you start the database. How many customers do you have? What is the average value of a customer? Should I keep track of how many orders they place with us? How many prospects do we have for future business? How many more prospects should we add to our database? These questions might not seem important. But if you are going increase the value of your business, you’ll need to answer these questions. Remember, your business is either growing or its dying. Your business can not just stay the same.