Ever hit send on a follow-up email and wonder, 'Wait... have I already messaged them twice this month?' Welcome to the chaotic world of networking—untracked, unorganized, and usually more confusing than helpful. But what if meeting the right people (and staying top of mind) didn't require superpowers—just a bit of structure? Time to make the Relationship part of CRM shine.
Why Your Network Needs a System, Not Just Charisma
Networking isn’t just about showing up to mixers and hoping for the best. It’s about consistency, memory, and follow-through. And your brain—brilliant as it is—has better things to remember than the coffee preferences of your last 10 LinkedIn messages. That's where a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system comes in. It's not just for salespeople. Whether you're a freelancer, founder, or someone who meets a scary number of people weekly, a light-touch CRM helps you know who’s who, what you’ve said, and when to reach out again. Translation: no more awkward double-intros or missed follow-ups.
Build Your Relationship CRM in 5 Quick Steps
You don't need fancy software (unless fancy is your thing). Just follow these steps: - Pick a tool: Google Sheets, Notion, Airtable, or something CRM-specific like HubSpot or Dex. - Add key fields: Name, company, where you met, last contact date, next follow-up, notes. - Create categories: Label contacts by purpose—mentor, client, peer, investor, etc. - Set follow-up nudges: Weekly, monthly or quarterly check-ins. Use calendar reminders or automation. - Make it a habit: Review and update your CRM every week. Ten minutes is all it takes.
Stay Connected with Intention
Networking isn’t just about growing your circle. It’s about making sure your circle isn’t a blur. With a simple CRM, every interaction becomes more meaningful—and less stress-y. It's not about collecting contacts; it's about cultivating relationships. Thanks for hanging out at Automanium—where making systems human is kind of our thing. Come back tomorrow for more clarity, less chaos!