My CRM Recommendations for Agents

Do I recommend using a CRM? You bet I do! I LOVE the CRM not just because it has bells and whistles, but because, when used correctly, the CRM can manage the sales and relationship side of your business like an admin assistant freeing you for more quality time with your clients and in your personal life.

But not all CRMs are created equally. And while many have merit, not every CRM is a good fit for every person. My experience working with agents is that they may like things that have bells and whistles in theory, but the more complicated the software the less likely they are to use it and enjoy using it for their business.

With that in mind, here are my Top 3 Recommendations for Agent Friendly CRM's

1.     Capsule – This is a sweet real estate agent niched CRM. It has some of my favorite high-level features like the capacity to add a sequence of tasks to any and all contacts. This allows you to keep track of where you are in your sales cycle with all your clients.  It also allows you to integrate calendar and tasks with contacts to get you organized and create that next level time management. The drawback on this on is that it can be simple, so for my agents who are low tech and don’t want anything complex it’s perfect. For those who have a superuser mentality toward software you may outgrow this quickly.

2.     Pipedrive – Pipedrive boasts being the best product for real estate agents. It has the coveted tasking/sequencing feature that I would recommend to any salesperson. But it also has some features that are very agent intuitive and consider the way you have to scatter yourselves to get your business done. They note how you can work from your phone in your car, or at your showing, and how you can use the software to organize your communications by client and make changes to their details in real time on the go. I love these features, and I also appreciate their auto follow up features with templated emails. This is truly my favorite of the favorites, but it is more complicated than the above-mentioned Capsule, and as such the very basic tech hating agents may feel overwhelmed with this piece.

3.     Salesforce -It’s a classic, and they’ve made a commitment to continuous improvement, so they are dialed to every aspect of up-to-date integrations, features and the changing landscape of digital business. This software has all the features of a 10.0 CRM. You miss nothing here, and you do pay for it. That being said, this product is for users who are committed to the CRM already, have basic user skills or better yet high or superuser type skills and those who feel very comfortable with complex, multilayer software systems. The recent complaint about this software is onboarding is inadequate which suggests it’s not for first time CRM users.

Other Use Recommendations for Your CRM

The joke I always make when someone asks me about CRM’s is that they all suck to a certain extent. But it’s not really the CRM as much as it’s the user, and their ability to manipulate a software and bend it to their will or just be slapped around by it due to a can’t or won’t deal with learning the tool well. Sorry, but yes, I’m saying the degree to which this will be effective for you is in direct correlation to your willingness to embrace it. An agents’ favorite words, I know.

 Therefore, I not only recommend choosing something you will use, but I also recommend devising your strategy of use before you get started and adhering to it religiously as you use your tool.

What is a CRM strategy, you ask? I go into this in detail in the book, but in brief a CRM strategy is a method by which you input all your data to a standard and use the tool in a way that is consistent. For example:

• ·         Create a sales cycle to use with clients and program it into the sequencing feature – *may have a different name than sequence.

• ·         Add every new potential you meet to your CRM with a standard for the data – name, email, phone, current home ownership situation, desired home ownership situation, family size, estimated time of next move/search, estimated sale/purchase in dollars.

• ·         Add a task sequence to them immediately that coincides with their timeline.

I have multiplied sales by double and triple digits using a CRM tool in the same manner I describe here. It’s hardly magic. What it is, is a way for you to keep track of a lot of people and the different conversations you are having all at the same time, making it easier for you to remember details, pick up where you left off, and follow up in such a timely manner as to make people feel like you are their new best friend. And you are in a way, their best friend in Real Estate!

 So please check these out, and shop around as I don’t know everything (even though I like to think I do, wink wink). You may find something that you like more than what I’ve suggested. And if you need my help, I’m happy to set this up for you in your CRM of choice. I can make it quick and painless and pretty affordable depending on what you need. Just let me know.

Your CRM is a right-hand assistant when well used. It can multiply you and your effectiveness while freeing up your time and maintaining your sanity. Make sure you at least look into using one.

*Currently, I’m not affiliated with any CRM product. So, I get nothing for these recommendations. I just firmly believe in the CRM for it’s potential to manage a business owner, and in their ability to help you succeed.