After receiving one of the first Honeybook Breakthrough Grants, CRMs (customer relationship management tools)have been a major topic in my newsletter, and my community has been asking questions.
The most common question has been, "Do I need a CRM like Honeybook for my business?"
Based on my observations and experiences, I have summarized all the business phases suitable for using a CRM like Honeybook to help answer these questions.
What is HoneyBook?
HoneyBook is a user-friendly CRM that improves your client's experience with your company from initial contact to project completion. It simplifies your proposal, contract, and scheduling processes, making them seamless and professional.
With its intuitive tools, you can create beautiful, on-brand proposals, intake forms, welcome guides, and more. HoneyBook also allows you to automate processes, so you feel like you have an admin helping you get things done! With different plan options, Honeybook can help your business through various phases.
Phase 1: Getting Start
You have a business idea, and you're getting started. You haven't signed a client yet, or you've signed your first few paid clients.
I recommend using something other than a CRM in this early phase because your business may change. You're still gaining clarity around your niche, ideal client, and offers. You may switch things up as you gain more experience and begin working with clients (or more clients).
Use tools like Calendly in the phase to help potential clients book calls with you. Ditch the back-and-forth emails that sometimes go into booking a simple call.
You would be amazed at how much time a good scheduler saves you- Kirstin Brenders
Also, start documenting your client inquiry process steps and notice when you share the same instructions or information with potential and new clients. Those emails can be saved as email templates. Save time by selecting well-thought-out emails and avoid reinventing the wheel with your communications.
Phase 2: Gaining Client Experience
You've had the opportunity to work with some clients at this stage.
You've gained more clarity around who you want to work with, which services you want to offer, etc.
At this point, a starter plan with Honeybook is worth investing in. It will help you:
Keep track of all inquiries.
Streamline your proposals, contracts, and invoices, saving you time.
Send payment reminders to your clients.
Organize all your email templates.
Phase 3: Steady work and Streamline
At this stage, you've worked with many clients and have a steady stream of clients.
You have created a client process that you feel comfortable with, which helps you deliver the results you want for your clients.
Now, you are ready to grow with added productivity and automation tools. Automating your admin tasks frees you up to focus on money-generating tasks. Saving time becomes essential as it allows you to work with more clients.
At this point, the Essentials plan with Honeybook is worth investing in. The main advantage is access to automated workflows.
Once you have established your workflows, you can utilize automation to streamline tasks within your client process. This means that various actions and operations will be executed in the background without you.
Phase 4: Scaling
At this stage, you may find yourself fully booked. Using their Premium plan, you might want to scale up with priority support for your whole team. Or you might want to scale and transition from a 1:1 service to a group offer—like memberships, group coaching, or an online course.
Depending on your offers, you may or may not need a CRM when you reach this phase.
You may still need a CRM for the initial part of your client process, which involves managing inquiries and sending proposals, contracts, and invoices. While working with my Honeybook Pro, she showed me ways Honeybook will grow with me as I scale my business. So, if memberships or group coaching is in your future, work with a Honeybook Pro to future-proof your setup!
Wrapping it up
So there you have it—how a CRM like Honeybook can support you in each phase of your business.
I want to mention that while you may find yourself in a phase similar to the ones I've described, your approach may differ from what I've outlined.
If your business's methods are effective and resonate with you, then rest assured that you are on the right path!
Hey there—if we haven’t had a chance to meet yet, I’m Kirstin. I'm a former corporate gal turned small business owner who guides aspiring business owners and creative entrepreneurs. Get in touch, and let's keep the conversation going.
Some links are from affiliate programs where commissions may be earned based on clicks and/or purchases. Affiliate links help me fund ALL free content I provide - and I'd never promote something I didn't personally use and love. Thank you!
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