A Guide for Independent Consultants and Boutique Firms
Managing client relationships effectively is pivotal to the success of an independent consultant or boutique consulting firm. A robust CRM system helps to effectively manage these relationships and win new projects.
The goal is to generate new project opportunities and increase close rate with an efficient method that minimizes extra administrative work.
HubSpot CRM offers a robust yet user-friendly platform that streamlines client relationship management. With its comprehensive suite of tools, HubSpot CRM facilitates every aspect of client interactions — from marketing and sales to customer service — within a single, integrated environment.
This guide provides step-by-step lessons for independent consultants and boutique consulting firms on how to effectively use HubSpot CRM.
Lessons:
PART 1: OVERVIEW OF HUBSPOT
PART 2: INTRODUCTION TO CONTACTS
- Introduction to Contacts
- Who Should be a Contact?
- Understanding HubSpot Property Types
- Most Commonly Used Default Properties for Contacts
- How to Create a Custom Property
- Create a Custom Property for LinkedIn Connect Request Status
- Create a Custom Property for Nickname
- Custom Property for Educational Institutions Attended
- Create a Custom Property for Former Firm
- Create a Custom Property for Industry
- Create a Custom Property for Metro Area
- Create a Custom Property for Continent
- Customizing the Contact Record View
PART 3: EXPORTING AND IMPORTING CONTACTS
PART 4: MANAGING CONTACTS
- Adding Attachments Manually to Contact Records
- Adding a Manual Note to Contact Records
- Using the Call Engagement in HubSpot
- Using the Meeting Engagement Type
- Using Lists (Active vs. Static)
- Creating a Static List
- Creating an Active List
- Understanding the Default Lifecycle Stages
- Recommended Custom Names for Lifecycle Stages
- Understanding Lead Status – Default Options
- Recommendations for Custom Lead Statuses
- Adding an Association Between Two Contacts
- Merging Two Contacts
PART 5: COMPANIES
PART 6: DEALS
- Introduction to the Deal Record Type
- Introduction to the Default Pipeline
- Recommendation for Custom Deal Stages
- Customizing Deal Stages for Projects Through Staffing Firms
- How and Why to Create Multiple Pipelines
- Create a Custom Deal Property: “Source of Deal”
- Customizing the “Closed Lost Reason” Property
- Adding Attachments to the Deal Record
- Importing Previous Deals from a Spreadsheet
PART 7: EMAIL
PART 8: OTHER COMMUNICATIONS
PART 9: TASKS
PART 10: WORKFLOWS
PART 11: REPORTING
PART 12: TICKETS
PART 13: PRODUCTS
PART 14: CONTENT MARKETING
PART 15: INTEGRATIONS