1. Ask friends what they use and how they use the database software that they use.
Surely one of your friends uses relational databases. They will be able to tell you what works and what does not with the package that they use.
2. Do your own due diligence on the features that you need.
After receiving suggestions on several packages from your friends, get on the web; use Google to search for the software
3. Purchase a Relational Database.
A Relational Database simply put is a lot of data like name, address, city, state, zip, phone number, e mail addresses etc that is searchable in too many different ways to list here. The power comes in allowing you to find any single record (read person) or group of records (group of persons) quickly and communicate with them in numerous ways. For example you can search for past customers that live in
4. Hire a coach/consultant/trainer to teach you how to most effectively use the software you acquire.
Your time is too valuable to noodle around in a database program trying to figure out how to perform the basic tasks that you wish to accomplish. An hour or two of a skilled consultant for the software will save you tons of time and get you productive in hours not days.
5. Make sure that the program will allow you to setup and implement marketing campaigns to both individuals and groups.
Some programs will allow you to send communications (e-mails, postcards, and letters) to individuals but you need to send each one individually. The better programs allow you to send all the necessary letters (for example) with a single mouse click (or two).
The program that I use sorts through all the letter and/or emails that are to be sent off into the future and lets you know how many are scheduled to go out today.
This should be done in the main program without add-ons or additional pieces of software.
6. Think about the expenditure as an investment and not a cost.
Investing in database software and building the list of names is truly like buying a printer or other piece of software or a high-speed connection to the Internet.
You will be able to conduct business in ways you never imagined prior to owning and building your personal database.
7. Assure that you can send emails directly from the database software that you acquire.
Some database packages force you to use intermediary steps or use the e-mail client that came with the software. Many are not supported nor are they in the mainstream.
8. Make sure that the software will allow you to mail-merge a group of people receiving different letters or e-mails.
Mail merge allows the software to look up the name, address, etc and the letter or e-mail put the two together and send them. Other pieces of software force you to do this manually. Not a good use of your time.
9. Realize that in the beginning there is a huge investment of time entering the data from your paper system.
Be aware that it could take you only 60-120 seconds to enter each person's contact information. And also be aware that you will only have to do this one time. Ever. Then you can use your personalized database as a Rolodex, phone list, birthday card reminder system and to carry out marketing campaigns just to mention a few uses. Once the contact information is entered, it is there forever.
10. Realize that once the database is built, its effective use will feed you and your business forever.
After you enter all the people that you know in the world, you can begin to make them well crafted offers for your goods and services.
No more hand writing (unless you chose), no more looking through stacks of business cards for a number to call.
All you have to do is enter the name and up pops their contact information to use in a money producing way.
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