So you’ve upgraded your contact list into a customer relationship management (CRM) system. And hopefully, you’ve entered your contact and client data into the software. But if you stopped there, you’re missing out on the full functionality of your CRM.

What are you missing?

So much data and power can be unlocked when you use something we call “tags.” Tags are little identifiers you attach to each record that tell you more about each person in your list.

When you know more about people, you (and your staff) can cater every single customer experience whether it’s in person, by phone, over text or via email.

How to Use Tags

Most CRMs have an intuitive way to add tags within each client’s record.

Think about what information would be helpful to know when you’re handling clients. This is the information you’ll use when manipulating your client records later on.

Helpful tags you can use include:
  • Age range
  • Gender
  • Location
  • How they found you
  • Favorite products or services
  • Who on your team handles their account

How NOT to Use Tags

As with anything, there really can be too much of a good thing.

A couple things to avoid when tagging records:
  1. Don’t duplicate tags. Try not to duplicate tags you’ve already used by spelling them differently or calling them something slightly different.
  2. Don’t get overly specific. If you create too many tags, you risk having contacts who don’t fit into nice, neat buckets.

Duplicate and overly specific tags will make your data too messy to use down the road.

The Whole Point of Tags

Tags will be useless if you spend time putting them in place and then do nothing with them. Your CRM should help you use these tags to segment records into groups you want to engage.

Instead of sending mass text and email blasts of promotions and offers, software like Thryv lets you use these tags to target your messaging to the right individuals who are most likely to act.