Five Steps for Fall Cleanup of Your Contacts List
A quick Internet search for "fall cleaning" yields some nine million results, from checklists to how-to's. But what about your contacts list?
Your database is a valuable resource, but it's only as valuable as you are diligent and organized in your management of it. Who hasn't made mental notes of things to correct, change, or complete? We all intend to go back and systematically tidy up our contact management system, but the road to you-know-where is paved with good intentions.
To help you get started, here are five simple steps to do a little Fall database "housekeeping":
- Delete redundant entries or duplicates. Take the time to ensure you're deleting the right ones, though. Clear the clutter. Keeping multiple copies of anything is a waste of time and space.
- Reorganize your Orbits (or groups, for those of you who aren't yet VIPorbit users) and the contacts in those Orbits. Have you added new contacts to the appropriate Orbits?
- Review each contact and delete information that you know is outdated. Just like you need to sort through your closet to weed out the styles you no longer wear, you need to evaluate contacts for relevance and accuracy.
- Look up and add social networking information where you've previously left it blank. If you see a certain contact of yours is really active on a platform, try connecting with them there. They may be surprised to know you're there, too.
- Backup your stuff. Whatever steps you choose to spruce up your contact management system, the last step should be backing it up for safe keeping. Don't let all that effort go to waste should the unforeseen happen.
In the process of your Fall cleaning, you'll undoubtedly come across contacts with whom you haven't interacted in a while. Take a minute or two to reach out to them in some way. Thank a client. Say hello to a old friend. Call your mom.
Real relationship connections are emotional. Data isn’t. It’s simply the means to achieve the emotional connection.
