What CRM do you use?
I am currently getting a marketing plan together to fit my budget to begin marketing for leads next month. Although I think I am going to hold off on creating a website and investing in a CRM until I get a few deals under my belt in order for my cash to go into marketing instead, I would like to know and discuss what CRM’s you all use. If you don’t mind taking a minute to comment the name of the CRM, the pros, the cons and whether you would use it again if you were to start from the beginning, I would appreciate it. Thank you and I look forward to hearing from everyone!
@Colin Spivey there are a dozen of them! It ultimately depends how in depth you want to go with the data, ease of use, and what you want to accomplish as your end goal.
@Colin Spivey I use Hubspot and find it intuitive but there are a ton of CRMs available. A lot of them are free and good enough for even the most advanced users.
There are a lot of different CRMs out there. Depending on what your goals are and what kind of budget you have to spend on a CRM, will determine which one is best for you.
https://www.g2.com/categories/crm
We use Hubspot, it is pretty easy to use yet has in-depth data, and advanced features. I would recommend using them.
@Luke Marsh
I will definitely check it out, thanks man!
@Omar Khan
Perfect, thank you!
@Ray Danishyar
From what I’ve looked into so far, there are tons. I just wanted to see what other people who are actually in the industry and using it for the purpose I would be are actually using and benefiting from. Thanks!
@Colin Spivey, I put together the CRMs most relevant to REI into one list. Start your research with the most popular CRM software: "Top 50 CRM Software for Real Estate Investment".
I can help you choose CRM for your business processes. Please reach out if interested.
@Colin Spivey I have been using Podio for 8 years now. It has grown along with my business and also allowed me to customize and scale depending on my needs. With the ability to integrate other apps into my main platform, I enjoy being able to expand the capabilities. Hope this helps. Good luck.
@Mark Shaver
Thank you!
@Patrick Jackson
Podio is definitely one I’ve been looking into. Thanks for your advice!
I hope get soon to the point of where I feel I need Podio or Salesforce. I'm using the Excel sheet that my purchased leads come with. I simply add a column for call notes and use wrap text formatting. I'll add a note like this:
7/18/20: John: Said take me off my list!
But then again I'm only making calls so I really don't need many integrated features.
A benefit of Excel is seeing many notes at a glance. CRM's tend to be a contact per page kind of thing.
Another is (and I know this from my day job) is getting caught up in the tool learning curve, data entry etc, takes time away from customer face time.
Thoughts?
@Greg Scott wrote: "Another is (and I know this from my day job) is getting caught up in the tool learning curve, data entry etc, takes time away from customer face time."
Old school RE investors keep information about clients in the Moleskine (image source):
It has a very attractive learning curve and elementary data entry. Moleskine investor gets a lot of time to work with clients. He does miss a lot of meetings, though.
You wrote: "A benefit of Excel is seeing many notes at a glance. CRM's tend to be a contact per page kind of thing."
CRM can show customers at a table as Excel and in a few other ways, Excel can't even dream about it.
Read the detailed comparison in the article "Excel vs CRM".
Hey Mark, thanks for quoting me in your post!
We don't disagree. I think it's a matter of scale and eventually Excel (truth be told I'm using Google Sheets), will become inadequate.
I use both CRM's and Excel. There are times early in the process when a simple spreadsheet is a good tool. One of those is rapid fire dials.
I can take list of 100 leads and just dial away. Or I could spend time importing them into Podio.
Greg
@Greg Scott, I agree with you, the scale determines the choice of instrument:
- Excel is great for up to 100 records
- Between 100 and 1000 records, the RE investor moves from using Excel to CRM
- If there are 1000+ records in the database, it is easier to work with CRM.
But sometimes the situation requires you to start using CRM.
For example, you hire a Virtual Assistant. It's not safe to share Excel (or Google Sheets) with him. CRM allows:
- Give the VA limited rights
- Follow up on every VA action
- Record his calls and correspondence
- Evaluate his performance (KPI).
Good point because I really am considering outsourcing this cold-calling thing. I think I could easily share the spreadsheet but if VA's are used to a certain CRM it could get awkward to explain my methodology.
So Mark not sure what you do? Are you an agent for Podio?
Greg
@Greg Scott, I don't advise you to give the CRM choice to your VA. Virtual assistants choose a CRM that may not work for you at all.
Virtual assistants selection with CRM
CRM is especially convenient when you are still looking for call managers. Choose a CRM that allows you to control your virtual call managers (record calls, calculate conversion,...).
Write down a screencast for 30-60 minutes "How to make the right call". (All CRMs are about the same. Even if the assistant doesn't understand something, CRM won't let him do anything extra). Give the next candidate 100 lead cards and ask him to make a call. Pay the assistant to watch the video and do the work. Check 5-10 more candidates in the same way. Candidates do not see each other's leads and do not even know about each other's existence.
CRM statistics will show the conversion of the sales funnels for each candidate. This way you will quickly identify the 2-3 most effective candidates. Work with them, too.
Key point
Virtual assistants come and go all the time. If each candidate comes with their CRM, you will have many training and control problems.
But when you have your favorite CRM, you can once organize video training and testing of candidates. Then your CRM will select the best candidates for you year after year.
You wrote: "So Mark not sure what you do?"
I am so sorry, I can't write to who I am. The rules of BiggerPockets say: "No Advertising or Promotions Outside the BP Marketplace." However, all information about me is in my profile. Click on my avatar, the first line will be the answer, who I am and what I do.
You wrote: "Are you an agent for Podio?"
But I can reveal my relationship with CRM software developers. I added the disclaimer to "Top 50 CRM". "I'm not a partner and I'm not a salesman for any CRM. Buy whatever CRM you want or do not buy at all. All tops are compiled by practicing real estate."
If you want some assistance in CRM software picking feel free to PM.
@Greg Scott
Definitely enjoyed the conversation between you and Mark. Thank you both!
@Matt Vines
Do you work for FlipPilot or is this just the CRM that you use?
So what does it mean when someone posts a critical reply but account is closed immediately thereafter?
Originally posted by @Account Closed:I'm really not sure where the comparisons come from with Excel, or Goog sheets. Makes no sense. For anyone serious in RE, they should only be looking at using 'sheets' to load data INTO a CRM
@Colin Spivey
Both work with them and use it. My big challenge lately has been lead generation
@Colin Spivey Me as a realtor and a starter I'm using Podio in my real estate business.
As a VA to a real estate investor, my client is using REI Blackbook and I'm loving it! ❤️