contact lists & blogs

[Emmanize]

I was reading about setting up a “contact list” I take it this is just a list of potential clients? I was going to explore around and hand out my details in person to businesses, so basically my contact list would be in my head. Apart from being organized is there anything that benefits you from having a list in a digital address book?

Also do business blogs work? I often hear blogs are good for advertising but I have never seen what difference it makes.

[resdog]

Having a digital address book allows you to have good editable notes on particular clients. For example, if you meet with Client A, Susie, and during your discussion, you discover that she's not interested in design right now, but will be in about 6 months, and her son likes the Dallas Stars Hockey team. Then, as you are in the elevator, you "overhear" two people talking about their need for some graphic work for a trade show because the last graphic design used too much red. You boldly tell them about yourself, and they say, "Yeah, give us a call next week." So now you're happy, because you have two potential leads in your head.

Now having a digital address book allows you to input information as you gather it (such as Susie's kid liking hockey [something you can talk about to give you common interest]) or incident notes (elevator guys not liking too much red). Then, before you meet with your clients, as you go over the notes, it keeps things fresh in your mind. As your client base builds up, this helps out a lot. Plus, you can keep track of how phone calls go, when you last emailed them, any additinal info you receive, etc.

That's why I have a digital client list.

[Emmanize]

Ah thank you, that makes a lot more scene. Do you guys buy software for this or use what is on your PC?

[resdog]

I use Outlook 2003 now, but I have used Act! in the past. Both good programs.

[xplod_ldg]

You can also use a PDA for this. It's portable so it's easy to take it with you everywhere you go.