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Kameron Messmer Special user Billings, MT 742 Posts |
Sorry if this has been asked before, I'm sure someone will post where...
So I've been getting SUPER busy with gig requests lately (Big problem, I know) But I have trouble keeping up and keeping track of information. Who is who and what day and where and what time. I have Showbiz CRM but I get info from people in person, on Facebook, on my website, on email, on phone calls and it gets confusing. Plus, I am just not an organized person and I don't want to forget a client or show! So my question is, What is YOUR process for booking and client tracking? |
Tim Friday Elite user 485 Posts |
I just use a calendar. Get a calendar, every gig from every source goes in the one calendar. Lightly pencil in prospective gigs then when they or another is confirmed write it in with a different color. Always use this one calendar to check if you are available a certain day.
Other than that I also use Lou Serrano's Performance Agreement and that has all the details I need to know about the gig. |
Chris Stolz Inner circle Mississauga, Ontario 1958 Posts |
I use a system that I built, which I am now releasing. Everything else I've tried was either too simple, or built on bloated CRM systems. IMHO adding extra fields doesn't make it a system for entertainers. I built mine from scratch for guys like us. It's got some very cool features. The drag/drop set list builder and the gear list are my favorites (Based on your set list, it tells you all the pieces you need to put in the car).
It's at http://www.ManageGigs.com
Chris Stolz
BLACK ART BOOK: Hiding In The Shadows. |
Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
That's stuff is cool if your into having tech with you everywhere and on the go. I still to this day find the best for me is a Lead Sheet. They can also still be used in conjunction with tech methods as well. To me there is nothing more frustrating when talking to someone in person who whips out some electronic device in the middle of our conversation to input data. Pen and paper is much more accepted, less rude and the longtime standard from sales, service and business professionals. (you can always later input into your electronics and databases.)
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Chris Stolz Inner circle Mississauga, Ontario 1958 Posts |
I don't disagree at all either. I write down everything by hand, since I find that easier to do while still engaging in conversation, and then input it into my gig system to keep track of. I've always been a more effective note taker by hand.
Chris Stolz
BLACK ART BOOK: Hiding In The Shadows. |
dedikc Veteran user France (Lyon) 340 Posts |
Just waiting for it Chris. Will it be translated?
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Chris Stolz Inner circle Mississauga, Ontario 1958 Posts |
It's in English to start so you will need to use your browser plugins to translate. In time I definitely will look into translation options - excellent call-out.
Chris Stolz
BLACK ART BOOK: Hiding In The Shadows. |
MarkToland New user Chicago 35 Posts |
I use Daylite CRM, iCal, and Apple Mail. Those combine to give me everything I need at a moment's notice.
And I would have to disagree with MindPro here. Keeping up with the latest technology will make you more organized and increase your productivity. Yes, if someone hands me a business card then I'll input the info later. But pulling out a device to check availability or input information is totally acceptable nowadays. I do corporate gigs and my clients have checked potential dates on their devices in front of me, too. It's just what we do now, and if it's good enough for a McDonald's or PepsiCo representative then it's good enough for me. |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
I have to say that perhaps it is less distracting to use tech in the right way.
I mean if a guy pulls out his calendar on his phone to check a date to make certain it is available, I do not see that as bad at all. If you are taking notes on it then perhaps it is a bit odd. I have never taken notes in meetings ever. Heck I never took them in class! Meetings about what we do are just not that long, they are not involved with so many details. Once you have done it for a couple of months you will see everyone, and I do mean ALMOST everyone has the same questions! It is quite rare for someone to have an unusual question. So taking notes is an unnecessary distraction in my view anyhow. Old school or new school. Checking dates it is necessary to have SOMETHING to work with so no biggie. Use new tech to your advantage as much as possible. Don't be like me where you just don't get it! Much better to understand it as it evolves.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
MarkToland New user Chicago 35 Posts |
I agree with Danny Doyle. Tech is useful when used in the right way.
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Chris Stolz Inner circle Mississauga, Ontario 1958 Posts |
FYI, my tool went live today. There's a 7 day free trial for anyone who wants to mess around with it.
Chris Stolz
BLACK ART BOOK: Hiding In The Shadows. |
tmoca Inner circle 1113 Posts |
Outlook and a "booking sheet" based of the Ammar sheet from his book. Simple & effective.
Combine the use of Office365 and all devices sync and your calendar/booking sheets are available anywhere. BTW - Office365 is only $7 a month for a single user. Been using it for years |
MichaelDouglas Special user Portland, Oregon 766 Posts |
Kameron, I feel your pain. There are times when inquiries come in from email, facebook, text messages, phone calls, etc. Having software like ShowBiz or whatever is great. However, the challenge is in getting the info from these various channels into your software so you can properly follow-up on these leads. I've been struggling with this also.
The worst of it is when I get a call when I'm driving or grocery shopping. I can let it go to voice mail but then I have to later listen to and transcribe the info. Here's the conclusion that I've reached. On my voice mail and web site I encourage prospects to use the contact page on the site to reach me. Yes, my phone # is listed there also but in a smaller font and they'll have to look harder to get that. When people do call me I ask that they use the contact page on my responsive web site...i.e they can easily do it on their smart phone also. That way I won't loose a scrap of paper that I write their details on or forget to call them back once I've unloaded the groceries at home and finally get back to my computer. Is it rude to tell them to go to my contact page? Well...I think that in an ideal world, I would be sitting at my PC every time a lead came in. I could process it immediately. I just don't have that kind of time and I'm not yet in a position to hire someone for that. So yes, it is a lower level of customer service to ask them to go do their own data entry. Has this caused me to loose any gigs? Maybe. I'm not sure. I know that some people are not all that computer savvy and a web form may be a bit off-putting. Others are just expecting call center customer service out of a one man business operation. So if I loose the occasional gig because I can't respond immediately or they don't want to type in their info...so be it. I'm happy that my fellow local entertainers also get some work that I can't get to. For the peace of mind I get by directing my leads to my web form...well less stress is a beautiful thing. For what it's worth...after a few months of experimenting with requesting callers use the web page, I may abandon this practice. I'd love to know if others have experimented with this approach. Peace! |
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