Who are your customers?

Many times I get asked to take a look at a database and provide feedback regarding it. I usually tale a look at a couple of areas.  How many records are in the database?  When was the last time they were edited?  What is the break down by ID/STATUS ?  

When you open ACT! take a look at the count at the top of the contact record page.  Go to the contact list and add the column for EDIT DATE to the list.  Click the column header for EDIT DATE and the list will sort.  This will give you an indication of the last time the records were modified.  Old records are a problem.  Best practices dictates you are in communication with your contact records on a regular basis.  What that time frame is of course is up to your and your business model, however not touching records for years isn't good for anybody. 

Also add ID/STATUS to the list view and sort by ID/STATUS.  How many records are BLANK ?  The purpose of ID/STATUS is to designate what KIND of record it is.  Is the record a Client, a Lead, a Personal record and so on.  If you have BLANK records, then you have no idea what kind of record it is so it would be difficult to decide how or when to communicate with them.  Fill out any BLANK ID/STATUS records you have.  Then do a look up on ID/STATUS looking for Clients or Customers depending on how you designate them.  With this list in front of you now comes the interesting part.  
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​How should I interact with them and keep them on my on-going marketing plans?  How to do that will be a subject of another blog message so keep your eyes open for that.  -Happy ACT!-ing