How To Use CRM Software For Lead Generation - Marketers Rejoice!
Posted by Cathy Boudreau on Thu, Jun 23, 2011
Marketing is a field that is changing at a rapid pace, as technology progresses (ie: CRM software) and the internet becomes the new sales and marketing stomping ground. The essence of marketing, of course, is to get the consumer to know who you are and what you sell, and care enough to buy it from you instead of your competitor.
Knowing how to manage this is an art, because people are individuals, and choices are specific to each consumer. It is possible for people to have a different reason for arriving at the same conclusion, so knowing the individual customer is crucial to holding their interest.
And, holding the consumer’s interest can be a real challenge. Bombarded by imagery and marketing messages at an alarming rate, people tend to cope by not paying attention. So how do you capture their attention and keep it? This is where CRM software comes in. By appropriately managing your customers’ data, and analyzing their responses to marketing efforts, a good CRM program can tell you exactly what’s working and what isn’t. It can also give you a better idea of what will attract new customers. Lead generation from the marketing side comes when you have gained and kept the attention of your potential customers.
The big news in CRM today is wrapped up in social media trends. Social CRM software became popular in 2010, as a business framework. Experimentation in social channels - a Twitter channel for customer service or a collaborative sales effort or the use of mobile marketing with social ranking, rating, commenting and sharing - came to the forefront and had a promising start. Communities that are focused around customer are becoming increasingly common. Additionally, the interest in mobile CRM software is at an all time high.
This doesn’t negate the value of traditional marketing. Advertising products through trade shows, your company website, and word of mouth from previous customers can also work. Email marketing still has value, as do press releases; in fact, traditional press releases have been found to be much more effective than social media press releases. The trick is to incorporate different approaches, and do what makes sense for the people you are trying to reach. Marketing is in the middle of an overhaul, and that makes for an exciting time in the profession.
With all these options, CRM databases are ripe to harvest for lead generation. Greater customer insight and intelligence is the key to reaching potential customers, and gaining their attention. A good CRM software can help your company to identify what works for you, prioritize sales-ready leads, help your sales team reach the right people, and analyze the ROI of your marketing campaigns. In this way, a CRM program can not only generate leads, but optimize your sales and marketing efforts and help your business to grow.
For more information, or to request a free, one-hour consultation for your business, contact us at www.harvestsolutions.net/contact-us
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Harvest Solutions
We understand the importance of quality customer relationship management. We can perform a needs assessment for your business, followed by planning, customization, implementation and data integration services of your next CRM system. Our continued training and support ensures your business successfully implements the plan we create together. Request a consultation from Harvest Solutions today. Then, stay up-to-date by finding us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Learn more industry insights by subscribing to our YouTube channel and following our blog. Also, please give us a call now to schedule your free consultation! (877) 683-3313