| Creating and managing your contacts is crucial to your success as a realtor. Here are three options for managing your contact database: Card File - create two index cards for each client. On one record all the information you want to keep about the client. On the second, record the name and details of all contacts made with the client. The first card you file indexed on last name. The second card you file in index slots numbered 1 through 31; each slot represents a day of the month - file each card in a day representing the next scheduled date you need to contact the person. After you contact the person, file it again in the number for the next day to contact them. TIP: for card files, use color cards to represent ABC categories of contacts.
PC-Based Contact Management - We think the best PC-Based contact management system is ACT combined with (an add-on for ACT designed specifically for Real Estate Agents and Brokers). This powerful tool will allow you to easily manage all of your contacts from your desktop or laptop (and optionally synchronize data with compatible PDA's). The add-on turns a powerful contact management system into a Realtor Business Tool.
(click here to learn about Real-ACT or to order) Internet Contact Management - is a good alternative if you prefer not to run software on your PC. This is especially useful if you want access to your contacts from home and the office and you don't have a laptop. ACT is available as an online tool (you buy a version that provides access to your office database across the Internet for your authorized users, click here for more information on ACT for the Web). There are also good dedicated Internet contact management tools for the real estate industry that are worth considering such as Top Producer. The disadvantage of this type of service is you have to pay a monthly fee, which can add up to significantly more than buying software in less than a year! | 
