Keeping Track of Contacts
by Dawn O'Connor Matthews

 
OK - I know `where' all those cards are!  I bet you keep those contact cards with the names and numbers in the bottom of your purse, in little plastic bags, your glove box, to one side of your desk, etc. etc.

 
Want an idea of how to keep them all in one place?

 
Here's all you need:
3-ring binder
3-ring lined paper
Index pages -(Blank tabs and Jan-Dec tabs)
Scotch tape

 
CARDS:  See example below:
Tape one card per page - on the upper left-hand side.
On the upper right-hand side of the page, write where you met her and anything you can remember about her.  You know - all that stuff you jotted down before putting the card away.
Now you have all kinds of room left on the page to note when you called, what she said, what you said, when to call back, etc. etc.
If you have a bunch of names from one place (i.e. display table, basket/facial box) you can use your computer to type it on the upper right-hand side of the page with the place, month and year.  Then run your 3-hole paper thru the computer.  All done!  Now `tape' the cards on the pages.

 
INDEX:
Write each day of the week on separate index pages.  These will be the `days' you need to make your phone calls.  Put whatever `start day' you wish - it doesn't have to be Monday - whatever works for you!
Now make one index page that states `This Month'.  Then add your monthly index for the remainder of the year.
Make it a routine on every `start day' to go in to the `Next Week' section and bring forward the ones to be called this current week - place in the appropriate day section.  Now you're set for the week!
For those who ask you to call “next week” - move the piece of paper with their card into the `This Month' section.  If they say “next month' or something like “after school starts,” put it in the appropriate month of your monthly index section - simple, eh?
Just keep moving everything 'forward' into the appropriate sections on a weekly and monthly basis.

 
Now you have all your cards together in one place!  You can even take the binder `with you' and make calls if you're waiting for an appointment, etc.!!

 
3-hole Paper Set Up

 

 
                                                                                 Wal-Mart
                                                                                 Aug. 15/05
                                                                                 Cute, dark hair, LOVES
                                                                                 Lip Gloss!  Gave her Cream &
                                                                                 Sugar LG sample

 
      Tape
      Contact Card
      Here

 
 

 
      Wed. Aug. 17 - 7:15 pm - phoned - N/A (no answer)
      Thurs. Aug. 18  - 1 pm - phoned - yes, she's interested in one-on-one
       Facial. Explained class of 3 and free gift/discount for her as hostess.
      She likes that!  Set class date for Thurs. evening 8/25!!
      Call her tomoro night (around 8 pm) for list of names!

 
      Fri. Aug 19 - 8 pm  - phoned for names - had to move date to Fri. 8/26