I have been guest blogging lately on TrackVia's site. TrackVia is an online database company that provides solutions perfect for us consultants and mobile workers. Included below are links to two of my recent posts.
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A Few Clicks from Your Data
December 26th, 2008
As a so-called mobile warrior, I have put together a few tips and services that I use for surviving those times when you are away from the office but may need to check in from time to time:
1. Wi-Fi Hotspot List - If you are traveling, find out the local Wi-Fi spots before heading out.
2. Twitter/ FriendFeed - Stay connected with clients and friends using frequent updates.
3. MobileMe - Sync your calendar between multiple devices and save copies of those important documents that you may need later.
4. FlickR - Upload all photos that you may need to access later for presentations and the like.
5. GoToMyPC - connect from anywhere to your computer in the office.
6. Skype - make cheap international calls when you have Wi-Fi access.
7. And of course, TrackVia - Save all contacts, excel files and sales leads in the web-based database.
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Next Generation PR - Meet Your Database
In PR it isn’t always about “who” you know… In today’s world where voices are a plenty, tracking “who” you should know is just as important. With a rise in social media and the growing influence of bloggers, the days of relying on a media subscription for your PR activities are long gone.
Most PR professionals subscribe to at least one media database but like me, you probably aren’t using the notes features. I, for one, use a number of media databases and would rather not store my information in a service that I may not continue using- not to mention that many of these services have limited sharing functionality.
I have used a number of databases throughout the past decade or so. Most were server-based and made it difficult to keep records updated in real time given out-of-office requirements. Today I run a virtual firm, Digital Idea Media, with two partners and a number of contractors. What we thought would just be a nice alternative to saving our contacts in Excel has quickly turned into a platform with unlimited ways in which we can track client programs and our business activities.
I decided that it would be best to share a list of the few surprises that we found in using TrackVia for our business:
1. Influencer Database – track all media, analysts, bloggers and record all PR activities (it isn’t just media relations anymore); run target lists and reports on activities per quarter; include images of contacts for tour briefing books
2. Media Database – track all audio, video and blog posts and upload stats for quarterly reporting; provide clients with a quick and accessible record of all media
3. CRM: Prospect/Client Database – track people who work for companies of interest; include background information; add notes for touch points; send holiday cards
4. Client Reporting Tool – keep an editorial or activities calendar and house documents that need approval; house final documents where all information can be assessed by the client or the firm at any time
5. Newsletter Database – track newsletter issues and calendar of ideas; use the mail merge feature to send the newsletter to the contact database
6. Blog Planning Database – create a list of blog ideas and final posts to keep on top of regular posting
7. Planning Database – track all PR activities for the year in one place; record how you did against your goals and keep your “PR Plan” in a living database
As you can see, there are many different ways in which you can use an online database solution like TrackVia. What we didn’t expect when we started using the database was the value in sharing the status of activities with clients, not just with our team as we had done in the past. The TrackVia database allows us to create the fields that are most relevant to our business and, we are able to customize a solid database that allows us to stay organized and our business well managed. We are just getting started and would love to hear how others are using it in our industry or others.
