The Magic Key
When I was new – and I hate to admit that occasionally I still do – look for the magic key to success in real estate. I’ve purchased and bought into far too many products. In fact, before you buy anything, call me. I probably already have it. I’m sure we can make a deal.
After going through several contact management products, I ended up where I started – back using Outlook.
Pulling Out My Hair
I wish I knew how to email mail merge before, especially the other day when I was pulling out my hair. I didn’t even think of it. You too can send a “personalized” email to several people at once, which actually makes it completely unpersonal, but it looks personal.
All the instructions are there for you – probably in a better format than I could recreate here. So go over there and look.
The fact is that the price of a product sold to an agent is multiplied ten-fold compared to the same type of product sold to the average business person. So before you buy into it, think about who their market share is. If it’s just us, then look somewhere else. Uh-oh, I’m getting on my soapbox again…
Missy Caulk
October 6, 2008 at 9:30 pm
I heart Outlook too, and that was a great tutorial. Thanks I subscribed and skimmed the topics of the blog so I am sure I will get many tips, if not I’ll call you. 🙂
Will
October 6, 2008 at 10:19 pm
I also Heart Outlook… especially the customised version from Sonoma Enterprises called Active Agent. Very cool real estate modified outlook that gives you absolutely everything you could want from Outlook with a very simple layout, no monthly fees, and really terrific (from my experience) support.
The website for this little known firm is https://www.sonomaenterprises.com/outlook.htm
(They really should do a better job marketing as I just stumbled on them once several years ago and while I have looked at others could not find a better bang for the buck).
Dan Connolly
October 6, 2008 at 11:02 pm
I have been very happy with Outlook 2003 with Business Contact Manager. The only thing missing for me is that the program doesn’t have a field for spouse. I guess in business applications the spouse doesn’t exist. So to send a note to John and Mary Smith, John’s middle name has to be “and Mary”.
The greatest feature is the email automatic linking, so any email in or out is automatically saved to the client file, so I can read it and erase it from the inbox yet it is there in the client’s file when I need it later.
Ines Hegedus-Garcia
October 7, 2008 at 8:05 am
Vicki – funny thing is that we use TP and about 2 months ago decided that they were not working and we should switch to outlook. I just have to get around to it – thanks for the push.
Bob Schenkenberger
October 7, 2008 at 11:08 am
As much as I love Outlook, I continue to look for ways to increase the productivity and get away from the limitations. I use Outlook, and have an Exchange Server, so I can share contacts, and calendars with my team.
I’m currently looking into migrating into gmail, google calendar, etc…
Email is great, Calendar is OK, Contacts Suck, and no such thing as Task Management unless you go the add-on route with something like “Remember the Milk”.
I’m love the sharing possibilities, not sure the funtionality will be sufficient.
I’d love to hear from anyone else that has migrated from Outlook to Google, it sure would help me get rid of a $50/month hosted exchange bill!
Vicki Moore
October 7, 2008 at 11:54 am
Missy – Please do. 🙂
Will – Another option is
https://patzaby.com/Products/product.asp?Id={9E8F1F94-A443-4C4F-94FE-56CE967B4969} One of the few things I haven’t purchased so I can’t attest to how well it works.
Ines – I had TP too. I had the software then switch to 8 – I think it is. I got sick of paying monthly for a ton of features I never used.
Bob – I haven’t used Outlook-Google. Can someone help with that??
Vicki Moore
October 7, 2008 at 11:58 am
Thanks Dan. Here’s a link to what Dan’s referring to: https://office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/HP102186731033.aspx
Patti Smith
October 7, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Thank you. This came at the right time as I have been reading reviews on the many products on the market. I am sure some of the products are more advanced than Outlook, but you can’t beat the cost.
Vicki Moore
October 8, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Patti – I agree. You can talk yourself into or out of buying something. I’ve gotten by just fine with Outlook. There are a lot of add-ons and ways to get around the shortfalls. I guess you just have to decide if the expenditure is worth it. Although it’s smart for the provider, I don’t like the monthly charge products – like Top Producer. It adds up to a ton of money.
David Fanale
October 20, 2008 at 12:44 pm
I use Outlook for email and TP for contact management for recruiting agents for sending out letters and keeping notes. I am curious: If you are or would be recruited to another company, what method would work best?