
For years, businesses using Zoho CRM and QuickBooks have relied on third-party integrations, custom development, or manual data entry to keep sales and accounting aligned. Zoho has now introduced a native QuickBooks Online integration that makes…

I recently got pulled into one of those technology disasters that starts small and somehow turns into a full-time job. Apparently, someone mistakenly used my Gmail address as a backup authentication email while setting up their…

Watch Now You’re invited to my free Zoho Wednesday Webinar on Wednesday, May 27 at 12 PM EST. Join us for our FREE Wednesday Webinar on Wednesday, May 27 at 12:00 PM Noon EST as we cover one of…

Zoho CRM gets a bad reputation for being complicated. In most cases, that’s not the issue. The issue is how it was set up. Here are the mistakes I see all the time—and what they’re costing you.…

For many long-time ACT! users, the software has been a reliable companion—tracking contacts, managing relationships, and keeping sales efforts organized for years (sometimes decades). But lately, there’s a growing sense of hesitation when that annual renewal…

If you’re using Zoho regularly, you’ve probably run into a few “why is this happening?” moments. The good news? Many of the most common questions have very simple fixes. Here are three quick ones I get…

For years, “enterprise software” has carried a certain reputation: powerful, comprehensive… and wildly expensive. Traditionally, only large organizations with deep pockets could afford fully integrated systems that handled sales, marketing, finance, support, and operations all in…

For years, many loyal ACT! users enjoyed a simple arrangement: buy the desktop version of the software once, install it, and use it for years without thinking about another payment. It was reliable, familiar, and for…

Zoho One gives you 45+ fully integrated apps in one powerful platform—eliminating the cost, complexity, and headaches of managing multiple systems. The result? Lower expenses, better visibility, and a business that runs smarter and faster. It’s…

We Got Promoted (No, Not the Corner Office Kind… the Zoho Kind) There are a few moments in business that feel like a real “level up.” Landing your first big client. Hiring your first employee. Finally…

Let’s be honest. Prospecting often looks like this: Open CRM.Open LinkedIn.Search company.Search people.Click profiles.Get distracted.Twenty minutes later you’re reading someone’s post about their dog getting promoted to “Chief Happiness Officer.” There’s a better way. LinkedIn Finder…

View the Webinar You’re invited to my free Zoho Wednesday Webinar on Wednesday, March 18 at 12 PM EST. In this session, I’ll demonstrate 12 new features in Zoho CRM that can help you work smarter, stay better organized, and get…

If you’re frustrated with Zoho CRM, you’re not alone. However, most of your Zoho CRM problems are easy to fix. Most people don’t leave Zoho because it’s a bad product.They leave because it was never set…

If you’re still running your business on ACT!, this might feel a little uncomfortable to read. Good. Because for many companies, their ACT! database isn’t just “old software.” It’s a single point of failure quietly sitting…

Email is still at the heart of most CRM activity. Sales conversations, follow-ups, support threads—it all lives (or should live) alongside your customer records. One of the things Zoho CRM does well is giving you multiple…

Watch Now Are you using Zoho CRM but feel like you’re only scratching the surface? Or maybe you’re brand new and want to start strong without feeling overwhelmed. Either way, this webinar is for you. In…

Reporting is where a CRM either earns its keep or exposes its age. On paper, both ACT! and Zoho CRM offer “custom reporting,” but the experience of creating those reports—and the value you get from them—could…

In the fast-growing ecosystem of business software, recognition isn’t handed out lightly—it’s earned. That’s why the recent promotion of Karen Fredricks from an Authorized Zoho Partner to an Advanced Zoho Partner marks a significant achievement, not…

Bigin had a busy year in 2025, rolling out smart upgrades designed to save time, reduce manual work, and improve how you connect with customers. Here’s a quick look at the most useful new features and…

ACT! Pro has long been a trusted CRM for small businesses, but many users now find it limiting as their needs grow. Modern teams want a CRM that’s easier to use, cloud-based, and tightly integrated with…

The New Year is all about fresh starts. We clean out closets, set new goals, and promise ourselves we’ll finally get organized. But what about the technology running your business? If you’re still relying on an ACT!…

Zoho One includes a virtual smorgasbord of 40+ products, but these are my favorites: Zoho CRM: The heart of Zoho One this is the place to keep all the data for your contacts. Zoho Books: Tired…

Installing software in 2025 should be simple. Click a button. Maybe wait a few minutes. Get coffee. Done. Installing ACT! v27 Premium Desktop, however, is not an installation—it’s an experience. One that involves patience, reboots, research,…

A multi-generation family business modernizes operations, cleans up critical data, and unlocks automation for growth. Client: Playground King Consulting Partner: Tech Benders Location: Florida, USA Industry: Recreational Equipment & Playground Installation Employees: Approximately 24 Introduction: Playground King…

I’ve always known Zoho had strong marketing… but my recent trip to Canada proved that Zoho’s marketing team might actually be telepathic—or at least incredibly efficient. It all started on the New Jersey Turnpike. I’m driving…

Every business owner expects a little healthy competition. What we don’t expect is for a competitor to help themselves to our hard-earned content like it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet. For months, something odd kept happening on my site.…

If you’ve ever tried to move from Act! CRM to another CRM platform, you may have discovered a frustrating truth: while migrating basic data like contact names, phone numbers, and emails is fairly straightforward, getting your…

Choosing a CRM isn’t just about tracking contacts — it’s about enabling your business to sell smarter, market better, and support customers consistently. Zoho CRM Plus is a complete customer-experience suite, while Act! CRM is more…

If you’ve ever worked with a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system, you’ve probably noticed lots of built-in fields—things like First Name, Last Name, Email, and Phone Number. Those are standard fields that come with every CRM. But…

This message from my website absolutely made my day: Visitor: “Do you work with Act! for DOS 1.1?” Me: “Is that a typo? You mean Act! 21.1, right? Act! 1.1 is nearly 30 years old.” Visitor:…

If you’re still using an older version of Act! CRM—especially classics like Act! 6.0—you’ve probably noticed the cracks starting to show. What was once a powerful contact management system has become outdated, harder to maintain, and…

What’s Missing in Act! for Web Act! for Web brings the convenience of browser access, letting you work from anywhere without installing software. But if you’ve been using Act! Premium for Desktop, you’ll quickly notice that…

“Free” sounds great—especially when it comes to CRMs. Zoho’s free editions of Zoho CRM and Bigin are surprisingly capable, but they’re not one-size-fits-all. Here’s who they’re ideal for—and who will quickly outgrow them. 🎯 Zoho CRM…

Watch Now! Still hanging onto ACT! CRM? Join us this Wednesday for a free webinar where we’ll show you why it may be time to move on. We’ll compare ACT! head-to-head with Zoho’s powerful suite of…

If you’re ready to move on from ACT! CRM, you may be wondering how to export your data. The truth is, getting your information out of ACT isn’t as simple as hitting “export.” Here are two…

Back in August, 2000 I ran an Act 6.0 launch event. I was super excited as it had been over 4 years since a previous release of Act, and this version had Outlook integration! I planned…

As more ACT CRM users begin upgrading to Windows 11, it’s important to understand how the change may impact your ACT! CRM software. While Tech Benders continues to support ACT!, we can’t guarantee that older versions…

QuoteWerks integrates seamlessly with contact managers like ACT! and ACT! for Web, eliminating the need to re-type customer information. QuoteWerks also has its own built-in contact database.

This year has been a milestone for Tech Benders—we’ve experienced an incredible 159% increase in total revenue as of 8/27, and the driving force behind this growth has been our strategic shift from selling Act! software…

Salesforce and Zoho CRM are both great products. So why do I prefer Zoho? Quite simply, it’s a lot better “bang for the buck.” There are a number of reasons for this. Salesforce has long expanded…

Tired of Office 365? There is an alternative. Zoho Workplace is an all-in-one, cloud-based productivity and collaboration suite that brings together the tools you need to work efficiently – and they all integrate with Zoho CRM!…

Choosing accounting software? While QuickBooks is the big name, Zoho Books delivers more value, tighter CRM integration, and online access—at a fraction of the price of QuickBooks. 💰 Zoho Books Pricing Zoho Books starts at $15/month…

Tired of juggling phone calls, sticky notes, and your CRM? With Zoho Voice, you can make and receive calls right inside Zoho CRM or Zoho Desk—no extra software, no switching tabs. It’s a cloud-based phone system designed…

Watch Now Are you getting the most out of your CRM? Whether you’re currently using Zoho or Act, there’s a good chance you haven’t tapped into some of Zoho’s most powerful (and often overlooked) features. Join…

Data is the lifeblood of any CRM system. Whether you’re switching platforms, updating contact info, or simply backing up your data, the ability to easily import and export records is critical. If you’ve ever tried performing…

I receive a lot of inquiries about Zoho’s product line. There are three basic Zoho products: Zoho Bigin, Zoho CRM and Zoho One. And there are additional levels for both the Bigin and CRM products ranging…

Back in 2019 I wrote this article about the QuickBooks Link that connect Act to QuickBooks. Fast forward six years and I’m finding that many businesses running on QuickBooks eventually look for tighter integration with their…

View Now If you’ve ever felt like your Zoho data is trying to tell you something—but you’re not quite sure what—it’s time to tune in. We’re hosting a free, practical webinar all about Zoho Reports &…

WATCH NOW! Whether you’re sending a personalized note to one contact or launching https://meet.zoho.com/yari-ogx-nara full-blown email campaign to hundreds, we’ve got you covered! Join us as we explore: ✅ How to send single, personalized emails using…

Act! CRM has been around for decades—over 30 years! And many businesses have loyally used it just as long. But even the most loyal Act! users have likely faced this recurring issue: database clutter. A few…

Are you using both ACT and QuickBooks? Tired of doing double-entry? We’ve got the answer!

When it comes to managing customer relationships, Zoho has a whole toolbox ready—but two of its most popular options are Zoho Bigin and Zoho CRM. If you’re wondering which one fits your business better, here’s a…

If you’re still using ACT! CRM on a Windows 7 machine, it’s time to talk security—and no, we don’t mean installing another antivirus tool. While ACT! CRM has served businesses faithfully for decades, using it on…

Are you ready to take your Zoho CRM knowledge to the next level? Our Zoho CRM Wednesday Webinar series is here to help you do just that! Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025 @ 12 PM EST…

When customizing your Zoho CRM modules, choosing the right field type is key to capturing accurate and useful data. Whether you’re setting up a sales pipeline, contact form, or support ticketing system, understanding the field types…

In a previous article I talked about the escalation in the Act CRM product when they introduced “Act Advantage.” If you’re looking for a cheap CRM – or one that doesn’t carry an annual subscription –…

Are you ready to take your Zoho CRM knowledge to the next level? Our Zoho CRM Wednesday Webinar series is here to help you do just that! Date: Wednesday, April 23 @ 12 PM EST Topic:…

When it comes to choosing the right CRM for your business, the options can be overwhelming—and sometimes, the prices downright shocking. If you’ve taken a peek at ACT Advantage lately, you might’ve experienced a little sticker…

Are you ready to take your Zoho CRM knowledge to the next level? Our Zoho CRM Wednesday Webinar series is here to help you do just that! Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2025 @ 12 PM EST…

Spring has sprung – and so have a lot of amazing new Zoho CRM features Expanded Messaging Integrations: Now connect with customers via Line, in addition to improved WhatsApp features like message templates, threaded replies, and…

Wednesday, March 26, 2025 @ 12 PM EST Topic: Roles & Permissions View Now! Every second Wednesday, we dive into exciting and practical topics to help you maximize the potential of Zoho CRM for your business.…

As the tech world marches forward, a significant milestone is approaching: Microsoft will officially end support for certain versions of Windows on October 14, 2025. For everyday users, this might just seem like another update on…

Date Wednesday, March 12, 2025 @ 12 PM EST Topic: Customizing the Zoho Home Page View Now! Every second Wednesday, we dive into exciting and practical topics to help you maximize the potential of Zoho CRM…

Are you ready to take your Zoho CRM knowledge to the next level? Our Zoho CRM Wednesday Webinar series is here to help you do just that! Next Webinar: Wednesday, Dec 14, 2024 @ 12 PM…

When it comes to choosing a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system, one factor that often gets overlooked is database size. If you’re planning to host your CRM database on the web, you might be wondering: How…

Are you ready to take your Zoho CRM knowledge to the next level? Our Zoho CRM Wednesday Webinar series is here to help you do just that! Next Webinar: Wednesday, Feb 12, 2025 @ 12 PM…

I get it—Windows 11 is shiny, new, and packed with features. But before you hit that upgrade button on your trusty Windows 10 machine, let’s talk about a few things that might make you pump the…

In recent years, there’s been a notable shift in the CRM landscape. A growing number of businesses that once relied on Act! are now jumping ship to Zoho CRM. If you’ve been scratching your head wondering…

Are you ready to take your Zoho CRM knowledge to the next level? Our Zoho CRM Wednesday Webinar series is here to help you do just that! Date: Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025 @ 12 PM EST…

Back in 2017 I had to make a difficult decision. After many, many years invested in Act!, it was finally time to move on. A decision I didn’t take lightly! My relationship with Act! had been…

I’ve worked with MicroCadd for more than 20 years, starting back in the days of Act! 6.0. Over time, it became clear that they had simply outgrown Act!—and for good reason: They needed to track transactions…

Are you ready to take your Zoho CRM knowledge to the next level? Our Zoho CRM Wednesday Webinar series is here to help you do just that! Date: Wednesday, Jan 8, 2025 @ 12 PM EST…

You use Zoho CRM. You’ve got a smartphone. And you want to link the two together! Luckily, you don’t need to buy any extra software—Zoho has you covered with its free Zoho CRM mobile apps for…

For decades, ACT! Pro was a trusted name in customer relationship management (CRM) software, helping businesses track leads, manage contacts, and use a sales pipeline. However, as of 2023, ACT! Pro is no longer available for…

Are you ready to take your Zoho CRM knowledge to the next level? Our Zoho CRM Wednesday Webinar series is here to help you do just that! Date: Wednesday, Dec 18, 2024 @ 12 PM EST…

Having the right task scheduling tool can make all the difference when trying to automate your business. Both Act! and Zoho have functionality designed to automate follow-up tasks. Act! has the Act Scheduler and Zoho has…

Ah, the 1990s—a simpler time when your biggest tech worry was whether your dial-up modem would scream its way to a connection. Back then, if your computer misbehaved or you needed to install software like ACT!…

For years, I ran events focused on ACT! CRM, helping users get the most out of their system. I held a number of Launch Events every time a new version was released. In 2000 I held…
You might have received an email this week regarding the relationship between Act! LLC and Tech Benders. Act! LLC, formerly known as Swiftpage LLC and Sage LLC, may be undergoing restructuring and has decided to take…

Act! has been around for 40 years. You might think of it as an old house; new features were sometimes added but unfortunately they do not always work as planned. The biggest offender? The dreaded Act!…

Act! Connect Link, the third-party technology that enables Web-API-based features to operate with the Act! Premium Desktop product, is being retired by the vendor on December 31, 2024. If you are using one or more of the…

There have been a lot of changes going on in the Act! world. In addition you’ve probably been receiving some scary messaging from the folks at Act!. I’m hoping I can explain them to you as…

One of the most common questions I get is, “How do I export Act data out of Act CRM.?” Most users have figured out that they can easily export their Act contacts to an Excel spreadsheet.…

Moving from Act to Zoho can be as easy as, well, the ABC’s. Or in this case the A-Z’s. Switching from ACT to Zoho CRM could be a great move for your company – or a…

I’ve been doing a lot of Act to Zoho conversions lately. I have written several previous articles on what to expect when you convert your data and where to start. Here are a few great questions…

As the author of 14 books on various CRM products I receive a ton of questions every week both from my own clients and prospective clients. Here are the top five questions people often ask me…

If you are an Act subscriber you received a message last week announcing that Act v26 Premium Desktop has been released. Those of you who are already Act subscribers can download and install Act v26 at…

ACT! Premium Mobile is a mobile app version of the ACT! CRM designed to help you manage your contacts (and sales) from your mobile device. Key features include: Contact Management: Access and manage customer and prospect…

It started as a trickle; my phone started ringing today and I saw dozens of incoming email sitting in my Inbox. Microsoft is ending security support for Microsoft SQL Server 2014. Your Act! Version is at…

Several times a month I receive a call from an organization that has lost their ACT! password. Sometimes this happens when the ACT! Administrator leaves the company – and takes his password with him. Fortunately we…

I have received literally hundreds of inquiries since Act Pro was discontinued. Some of my Act Pro customers understand this decision and ultimately move to the subscription based Act Premium for Web ($360-480/user/year) or Act Premium…

I am often asked to give an Act! demo or a Zoho demo. I’ll do them but the truth is that I feel they can be very misleading. Like a movie trailer, they show the highlight…

If you are an existing Act user looking to purchase an Act Perpetual license I can’t help you as they no longer exist. However, I can make sure you get the best deal when you move…

I receive a lot of inquiries about Zoho’s product line. In a previous post I outlined Bigin, the entry level Zoho product. In this post I’d like to give a quick comparison of the Zoho’s full-scale…

I receive a lot of inquiries about Zoho’s Bigin product. Bigin is meant to be an entry level crm. Whether you’re ready to move beyond spreadsheets or simply replace legacy CRM tools, anyone can “bigin” their…

Every year many of my clients ask me if there is a way to get holidays loaded into their ACT! database. Unfortunately, holidays do not come pre-loaded in the ACT! calendar. Obviously, some holidays such as…

This morning started with a flood of calls with various eMarketing questions. Small wonder considering that the Triumvirate of Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Christmas are right around the corner. Not to mention the various health insurance…

I field a lot of calls about various aspects of CRM; I have yet to receive a call from a CRM user asking to add more work into their schedule. I am, however, asked for just…

By now you’ve probably that the Act Pro product is no longer available. IYes, it is true that the Act Pro product is being discontinued but it does not mean that you have to panic. You…

There is not a version of Act! for “the Mac.” In fact, there has not been a version of Act! that was Apple compatible since Version 4. I agree, it would be nice to have one…

This week brought not one but three clients that called me upset that Act! had “eaten” some of their contacts. In all cases we were able to solve the mystery of the missing Act! contacts and…

Since the discontinuation of the Act! Pro product on September 15, 2023 my mailbox has been flooded with the same question: “Where can I buy an Act! Perpetual license?” In a nutshell, the answer is “nowhere.”…

The Act! product was officially retired on 9/15/23. Apparently, a lot of existing Act! Pro customers either didn’t receive the message or don’t want to believe the message as I am being bombarded with questions from…

Using the Act Dialer or Zoho Dialer The other day someone asked me for my daughter’s phone number; although I call her almost every day I didn’t know it. My cell phone has made me lazy.…

Back in August, 2000 I ran an Act 6.0 launch event. I was super excited as it had been over 4 years since the release of Act 2000, and this version had Outlook integration! Act 6…

Many Act! users routinely head to the Export Wizard to send their information not realizing that there is a much easier method for exporting Act! data. You’ll find the Export Current List to Excel icon at…

Yes, it’s true. Effective September 15, 2023 you can no longer purchase a copy of ACT! Pro. I’ve had no less than 3 dozen phone calls in the last 3 weeks from ACT! Pro users expressing…

One of the most common questions I receive from Act users is about the Act and Outlook integration. Some users complain that they could never get it working at all. Other users report that the Act…

Zoho has just surpassed the 100 Million Users Mark. I am not surprised. Zoho represents an amazing value in today’s world of software. I personally moved my own software from Act & QuickBooks to Zoho One…

Are you currently using CRM software and feeling that it might be time for a change? The world of Customer Relationship Management is constantly evolving, and finding the right CRM solution for your business can be…

Sometimes I feel like a broken record. I am constantly receiving emails from Act! users telling me that they don’t want to purchase an Act! subscription because they “don’t want to have their data in the…

Many CRM software users get confused with the distinction between fields, records and entities. In a CRM product, a field is a single piece of information such as a zip code, e-mail address or phone number.…

Since the demise of Act Pro on September 15, 2023 my mailbox has been flooded with the same question: “Can I still buy an Act Perpetual license?” In a nutshell, my answer is “NO!” To fully…

A couple of years ago Swiftpage announced that they would no longer sell the Act Pro product. Indeed, there was no Act Pro v23; however, there was an Act v24 Pro. Yesterday, Swiftpage announced that they…

The last day to purchase Act Pro v24 will be on September 14, 2023. Here’s what you need to know: I want to continue using Act!. What are my options? Do Nothing. Maybe things will change.…

A good CRM implementation requires a lot of planning. To put it into perspective, if you try to create a spreadsheet and fail to get the results you anticipated you can easily delete a formula or…

This week Act Premium v25 was released; here is a rundown of my favorite features: New Act v25 Premium Desktop Features Act! Insight Advanced Dashboard Builder: create advanced, custom Act Dashboards Advanced querying allows for multiple sets…

At Tech Benders we specialize in both Act and Zoho. And we understand that once you get your information into your CRM system, you may need to get it out again in the form of a…

Struggling with content for your eMarketing Campaigns? This webinar will help! If you have either Act Premium or Zoho CRM your account includes a FREE eMarketing Account. Unfortunately, many of you are not using it and…

I have been working as a fulltime CRM consultant for over 20 years. I like to say I work with CRM from “A to Z” as i have worked with Act, Zoho and many other CRM…

2023 started off with a bang – particularly where Zoho is concerned. Over the past 12 months Zoho has released over 150 enhancements. Here are a few of my personal favorites: Roll Up Summary fields: This…

Many of my long time Act users want to transition to Act! Premium Cloud but wonder how it differs from Act Pro or Act Premium desktop. Act! CRM Cloud is the web-based version of the Act!.…

I love the Clash and “Should I Stay” is one of my favorite songs. And one of the questions I am frequently asked. Prospects often ask me for my advice on whether they should remain with…

So, you’ve purchased ACT and you’re ready to install it. Sounds easy, right? Sure it is – if you’ve got your ACT together! Here’s a few hints that will help speed you on your way: Make…

Act Pro vs Act Premium There are 10 basic differences between ACT! Pro and ACT! Premium: ACT! Pro will only work for up to 5 users in a database even if you purchase additional licenses. ACT!…

Selecting a CRM is NOT a “one size fits all” solution. For that reason Tech Benders recently decided to expand our product offerings to include three great products: Act CRM, Zoho One and HubSpot. Nearly every…

No one ever calls me with an initial greeting of, “Hi Karen, I just wanted to tell you how great my CRM solution is working. Quite the opposite; I am usually hit with a litany of…

If you have ACT! 2010 or 2011 and you’re not using the Web Info tab you are missing the banana boat as we say in Florida. And, if you haven’t figured out how to use the…

Losing weight got me to thinking how I could apply the same concept to removing some of the “dead weight” often found in databases. Although I work with a variety of CRM solutions I find that…

In a previous article I listed the Top 10 things former Act! users need to know when moving to Zoho. Once you start learning your way around Zoho you’ll be amazed at all the additional functionality…

I’ve written several articles comparing Act! to Zoho. Most of my Act! users simply don’t want to change. Occasionally clients do want to move to Zoho and are wondering: where do I start? Here are my…

I’ve written 14 books on various CRM products as well as created training videos for LinkedIn Learning. There are 10 pitfalls I see all the time; learn simple ways to avoid them! Whether you use Act,…

I am both an Act! Consultant and a Zoho Consultant. Or, as I like to say, I cover CRM software from A (Act!) to Z (Zoho). I am not saying that one product is necessarily better…

Over the last several years I have converted hundreds of Act! databases to Zoho. Once you’ve made your decision to move from Act! to Zoho, converting your Act! data is easy. I can pretty much guarantee…

Karen Fredricks, noted author of thirteen books on various CRM software programs, has published her latest book on Zoho One Essentials: Mastering Zoho CRM, which provides user-friendly instructions on basic and advanced Zoho features. According to…

What’s in a name? These days a lot – if your name happens to be Karen. Who knew that “being a Karen” would become a thing? I try to keep a really low profile, especially if…

Reap the competitive benefits of Zoho, one of the best customer relationship management (CRM) solutions on the market today. Read Zoho One Essentials: Mastering Zoho CRM Learn How To: > Store complete contact information, including name,…

Act v21 Pro is no longer available. Sorry. It’s been discontinued. David F wrote this email to me today: “I’m using version 20.1.120.0 Update 8. I’ve been using Act! almost from the time of it’s entry…

Last week my phone started ringing off the hook; Swiftpage had sent out an email announcing the release of Act v24 and the demise of Act v22. The message started, “As you’ve likely heard, Act! v24…

In the course of writing 14 CRM books, and working as a full time CRM consultant for the last 20 years, I am fortunate to be blessed with a fairly constant stream of new CRM clients.…

I recently received this email recently from a client with a whole lot of questions about Act v24 Pro: Are you aware of any enhancements / bug fixes in v24 Pro, or did they just rebuild…

I have consulted in Act for over 20 years. As a result I am often asked by my clients whether they should remain in Act or move to Zoho. The response varies on a case by…

Oh my! Whenever I receive a barrage of email from panicked Act! users I can pretty much assume that Swiftpage sent out a new mailing went out. The latest one informed users of Act V21 that…

Purchase Act Pro v24 Here. ACT! Pro – It’s b-a-a-a-a-ack! ACT! Pro is back – for a short time only. Yes, the product that you were told had been discontinued has been “undiscontinued.” Is that even…

Tuesday, October 26, 2021 @ 12:00 PM EST Do You Love Act? We love it too and can help you with anything from upgrading, training, customizations or even purchasing your Act software at a discount. Confused…

Start your free trial of Zoho One Here! Replace your patchwork of cloud applications, legacy tools, and paper-based processes with one operating system for your entire business. Zoho One includes over 40 apps designed to manage…

Act! or Zoho: which is the best way to go? I received the following emails from one of my clients this week. It’s typical of what I have been hearing from so many of my clients…

Whether you are running a start-up that needs an easy, low-cost accounting system or you are a well established company that has outgrown your existing accounting system you might consider taking a look at Zoho Books.…

No matter what kind of business you have, you need the proper software to run it and the proper hardware to run it on. But with so many platforms available, it can be difficult to make…

Act by Sage. Sage Act. Act Premium. Act Pro. Act for Web. Act Growth Suite. Act Saas. Act CRM. Act Companion. Act Essentials. What’s in a name? In this case, a whole lot of confusion! Although…

There’s no doubt that QuickBooks is a great accounting system used by over three million subscribers. After all, it is the Number One selling accounting product in the US. However, not everyone who uses QuickBooks loves…

Good news for all of you Act Premium subscribers: starting with your April, 2021 renewal you will now be receiving the Basic Version of Act EMarketing free of charge with your paid subscription. What does that…

When I do an Act to Zoho conversion for one of my clients the first thing I am often asked is “Where Are My Act Groups?” As the name implies, a group is a collection of…

One of my clients recently reached out to me asking if there are any CRM addons or other features that he should be considering to go with their CRM installation. My first thought was I didn’t…

A prospect called me this week. He had a ton of issues with his Zoho CRM usage and was looking for a Zoho Consultant. Apparently Zoho CRM had “lost things” including his notes from his old…

ACT! Pro – It’s b-a-a-a-a-ack! Just in time for Halloween ACT! Pro is back – for a short time only. Yes, the product that you were told had been discontinued and been undiscontinued. Is that even…

I have consulted in ACT! for over 20 years. More often than not, especially in the current Covid environment, companies require “remote access” to all of their data. I have Act clients and I have Zoho…

ZOHO is probably best known for its CRM functionality. However, in recent years this functionality has expanded to include 40+ productivity tools; this suite of products is known as ZOHO One. These tools are so comprehensive…

Sales can be a series of ups and downs. Rejection can be rude and brutal, and it can be constant. You might feel that you are being crushed by quotas. It can make the salesperson wonder…

If you are an ACT! subscriber you’ve probably received an email from SwiftPage letting you know that the Act support you had thought you had purchased was being yanked out from under you. Don’t shoot the…

It is easy to remove records in ZOHO. Fortunately, it’s just as easy to recover them! The ZOHO Recycle Bin stores all the records from all the CRM modules as and attachments that are deleted from…

There is a famous story about Pablo Picasso. A woman is strolling through a local park when she spots Picasso sitting on a bench. She summons the courage to speak to him. “Excuse me. You’re Pablo…

Accounting might be the hardest part of running a business. One mistake might keep you awake for hours. That’s why you need Zoho Books. Zoho Books will make most of your accounting hassles disappear. This online…

Please note that ACT v22 PRO is no longer available. Please contact us for other options. Q: How can I purchase Act v22 Pro? A: Sorry, ACT v22 Pro is no longer available for purchase. Q:…

Many users of ZOHO have recently converted from other products including Act CRM. One of the first questions I’m often asked is “Where’s the ZOHO Calendar?” That’s an easy one; the Calendar icon is hidden away…

If you have recently gone through an Act to ZOHO conversion you might be looking for help. As a 20-year ACT! Consultant – and the author of 7 books on the subject – it’s small wonder that…

As a 20+ year ACT! Certified Consultant and the author of 7 books on the ACT! CRM software, ACT! users represent a large portion of my business. And as a ZOHO Partner I’m often asked: “Which…

I did it! Last week I finalized my conversion from QuickBooks to ZOHO books. I’ve been working on this since January. I am not a slacker; frankly, I was just scared to make the final plunge.…

Congratulations! You flew out to Denver, closed a big deal, and now you are sitting in the airport relaxing with a well-deserved glass of wine. But wait! It’s the end of the month and your expense…

Current Act Premium Subscription subscribers have been receiving emails lately that are, frankly, pretty confusing. Their “plans” are being changed. If you read between the lines this most probably means that the prices, they are a…

You probably have already received a notification from SwiftPage that Act! v22 Pro will be the last version of the ACT! Pro product. You probably have questions so here’s what you need to know: This does…

Are you using both ACT and QuickBooks? Tired of doing double-entry? We’ve got the answer!

Act Growth Suite – What You Need to Know NOW In my last article I gave you a fifty cent history of the various Act E-Marketing solutions. I also mentioned that two of them, Swiftpage E-Marketing…

Act! Growth Suite – Part 1 Anyone remember New Coke? Me neither. Manufacturers often like to change naming conventions; why, I’m not sure. Maybe they feel compelled to “freshen” things up a bit, or maybe their…

An Act! consultant can get you up and running quickly so that you will soon be able to see the benefits of Act for yourself.

Act Pro vs Act Premium There are 10 basic differences between ACT! Pro and ACT! Premium: ACT! Pro will only work for up to 5 users in a database even if you purchase additional licenses. ACT!…

Act License Error Message In November I held a webinar about the changes that were being made to the ACT! license services sometime after December 31, 2018. In the webinar I showed you how to update…

Top Act Tips from the Top Act Consultants Talk about mixing business with pleasure! I recently took a cruise with over a dozen of the top Act Consultants. We had a contest to see who could…

I learned today that SwiftPage will be issuing an Act licensing update as of January 1, 2019. This change will impact all existing ACT! users. I have been selling, supporting and customizing ACT! for over 20…

We recently repaired a corrupted Act database for a client. In fact, it’s the SECOND time we’ve repaired his database. Needless to say he was not a happy camper, although he was thrilled to get ALL…

I am asked to compare Constant Contact vs Act E-Marketing several times a week. My explanation revolves around all the benefits you receive from using Act Emarketing. Constant Contact and Act Emarketing are both “email service…

Register for the Act Database Cleanup Webinar Can you perform an Act Database Cleanup? Are you plagued by duplicate contacts in your Act database? Is your Act database filled with obsolete contacts? Wish you could organize…

Register for the Act EMarketing Webinar Are you struggling to reach out to your Act! database? Are some of your contacts old and outdated? Does pressing “Send” make you a nervous wreck? Maintaining the accuracy of…

As the saying goes, I wish I had a dollar for every time an Act! user started the conversation with these words, “Karen, I am a long-time Act user.” In fact, there are millions of long-time…

I know what some of you are thinking – another year, another Act! version. Like it or not, technology is not standing still and one of the reasons that the Act! software product has thrived for…

Sign up for the Act v20 Webinar Here In the late 90’s I owned a computer school in Boca Raton, Florida. If you are a Seinfeld fan you can equate Boca with the fictional “Del Boca…
Who says you can’t take it with you? Not the Act Consultants at Tech Benders! We will be conducting a meeting of the Act Virtual Users Group to illustrate Act Companion which installs FREE phone apps that will…

One of the most common questions I receive from Act users is about the Act and Outlook integration. Some users complain that they could never get it working at all. Other users report that the Act…

Act Tech Support Webinar: Click Here to Register You probably love a good mystery – but not when it comes to your Act database! If you’re like most Act users you rely on Act to run…

Curious about what’s new in Act v19.1? You’ve come to the right place! Act has lots of great new features including: Act eCommerce Connections Connect with popular eCommerce solutions BigCommerce, Ecwid, Etsy, Shopfy, Volusion, and WooCommerce…

I recently discovered that the Lynda.com training library is available free of charge at most local libraries. And Lynda.com includes my Act! training videos. A number of years ago, I created a series of Act! training…

Wow! As hard as it is to believe the Act software program is celebrating its 30th birthday this year. If you’re into numbers that translates into 19 versions, six owners and millions of users. Believe it…
Tech Benders is pleased to announce that Act Consultant Roy Laudenslager recently earned the spot of Featured Partner on the Act! Community forums. Laudenslager was honored for his numerous contributions in answering questions for Act! Users and for…

I’ve been personally using Act! Premium v19 for my own production database since it came out earlier this month and feel that Act! v19 is “ready for prime time.” However, there are still many Act! users…

In the past I’ve shared one of my favorite Act! tricks which is to copy the holidays from outlook to Act! so that you’ll have them on your Act! calendar. You might want to review my…

So, you’ve purchased ACT and you’re ready to install it. Sounds easy, right? Sure it is – if you’ve got your ACT together!

I recently had a client call me to tell me that they were not going to upgrade their Act! to the latest version because they had outgrown Act!. “Karen,” they explained, “Act! just isn’t giving us…

ACT for WebWho says you can’t have your cake and eat it to? Not us! There are lots of companies who will sell you a “cloud-based” CRM solution – for a hefty monthly fee. And just…

The Act! software is a great tool for businesses, but you may be having a hard time getting the most out of it. If you find your operation struggling with the expansive software, you should consider…

Back in August, 2000 I ran an Act 6.0 launch event. I was super excited as it had been over 4 years since a previous release of Act, and this version had Outlook integration! I planned…

We’re excited to announce that Act! v18.2 is now available! If you are an Act! Premium subscriber, you are entitled to receive the latest Act! Premium updates and enhancements as they’re released. If you are currently…

I usually don’t mix politics with my Act! consulting but I read an article over the weekend that just fascinated me mainly because it showed that even the wealthiest folks with ostensibly the best consultants can…

We all receive an over abundance of e-mail, and your Act! E-Marketing blasts might get lost in the clutter. Here are a few tips that will increase your “open rate” when using Act EMarketing. Concentrate on…

Are you still running an older version of the Act! software? Maybe you’ve thought about upgrading to a newer version, but were not sure it would fit into your budget. Act! is much more affordable than…
Using Zapier to import data into Act! is an easy-to-set up method for adding information into Act! from your various other business sources. Zapier does this by performing ‘zaps’ that automatically collect useful data from commonly…

Although most ACT users are “ACT FanACTics” they are sometimes a bit technically challenged. Here are a few “myths” I often hear.

Whether your business is large or small you know the amount of time it takes to keep organized, track customers, follow-up with them, and market your products to them. It can be overwhelming to keep track…

Hiring an Act consultant is a smart investment if you own Act! and want your business to grow. Sales are the lifeblood of any business and having a good sales pipeline along with a good foundation…

One of the primary purposes of using a system like Act! is being able to learn more about your customers. This customer data will make your business more successful. Act! has a variety of tools that…

We have to ask…what are some of the Salesforce.com causes for attrition and how may those considerations affect the choice your business makes when it comes to choosing the right CRM solution? “The financial metrics are clear…
Act! software can benefit any type of business. It’s never too late to get started building processes into your database that will make you more productive and profitable. Using your Act! database as an electronic rolodex…
As the author of 14 books on various CRM software applications and the creator of the lynda.com Act! training videos I am often asked to compare the various CRM products. Potential CRM users aren’t sure which…
Act Ides of March Seminar Register Now for the Act Tech Support Webinar You probably love a good mystery – but not when it comes to your Act database! If you’re like most Act users you…

You’ve purchased Act – now what? It’s time for some custom Act training! ACT! customer relationship management software is one of the most cost efficient and popular choices available today. The easy to use software boasts…

When I purchased my new all in one tablet last year I thought I was going to purchase the Microsoft Surface Pro. However, I decided on the Lenovo Yoga 900 because the comparable Surface Pro model…

We’re really excited about this version of Act! because it adds new features designed to make you more productive in less time. But don’t just take our word for it – see it yourself! Go to…

We’re really excited about this version of Act! because it adds more new features than any previous release.

I have had numerous calls and emails from Act! users over the course of the last month asking me if Act! will work with Windows 10. I’ve also had a number of calls from users who…

As one of the top Act! resellers, I wanted you to be aware of this news: Starting on May 15, 2015 Act! Premium moved to a Subscription platform. Starting then, you will have two options for…

When I work with Act users with either Swiftpage E-Marketing or Act E-Marketing I like to point out that there are two separate but equal processes: Composing and sending an e-blast Reporting on the results If…

I had someone call me last week who was enraged that Act! Support was not able to help them convert their Act! 5 database (circa 1999) to the latest version, Act! v17. Another customer couldn’t…

For all of you who are currently using Act! v17 – or thinking of moving to v17 I have great news: Act! v17.1 is due to be released on Wednesday, February 25th. This update is free…

Now that you have purchased Act! v17 for your business you may think that hiring an Act! consultant is a waste of time and money. The software does it all already doesn’t it? Wrong! Act! is only…

You’ve seen my posts about the benefits of bringing Act! CRM into the workplace, the help it can provide in customer management and organizing the office, and how it can not only save you money but…

It seems these days that everyone wants to have use Act hosting so they can view their Act! database in the clouds. We provide Act! web hosting and think we do a great job of it:…

No, Virginia, there is not a version of Act! for “the Mac.” In fact, there has not been a version of Act! that was Apple compatible since Version 4. And yes, I agree, it would be…
Having written over a dozen books on CRM software, it’s not unusual for me to receive calls from CRM users who want to “jump ship” and move from one product to another. The reasons may vary…
Customer Relation Management (CRM) systems have come a long way. Did you know that this sector is growing at an impressive 6% rate per year? The demand for quality CRM systems is growing at a fast…

A recent survey conducted by the American Research Group, Inc. showed that Americans were planning on spending an average of $861 on gifts for the 2014 holiday season. This number has increased by 8% compared to the…

The number of businesses that are moving over to VOIP phone systems is on the rise. VOIP phones offer many advantages, including lower monthly phone bills and nifty ways to connect your remote employees. For me,…

Whether you’ve been using ACT! for years or are fresh in the game, there is always something new to learn. Now that you’ve upgraded to ACT! v17, you’ll need to make sure everyone on your team…

On Thanksgiving, we take pause to appreciate what we have and to celebrate with family and friends. Numerous customers and even vendors impart the feeling of Thanksgiving within your company and your Act software makes it…

The holiday season is quickly approaching. Your events calendar is filling up twice as fast. Between the marketing meetings and researching your target market for segmenting, you barely have time to breathe. The note you wrote…

We’re really excited about this version of Act! because it adds more new features than any previous release.

Act v17 was release on October 23, 2014. E-marketing which means Act! users will have the ability to design and send e-marketing pieces in the newly designed editor and have more options for tracking their effectiveness…

The newest release from the ACT! team, ACT! v17 software, is here and it is better than ever! If you run a business, you need to see what this software will be able to do for you. ACT! 17 makes…

Act! can be used by virtually any industry. The out of the box contains over 70 contact fields as well as additional Company, Group and Opportunity fields. You can change these fields to make them…

The major focus of my business comes from being an Act! consultant. With all due modesty, I am great at what I do. I often come up with the perfect solution to a client’s problem in…

Back in 2008 I wrote a blog article recommending that you switch to an Act! E-Marketing account if you were sending out marketing blasts of over 50 emails/send. Here it is 2014 (gasp!) and I’m still…

If you have an older computer with an older version of Act, you might be wondering about the Act and Windows XP sunset options. Windows XP, the operating system of choice for most PC users for over ten…

Many Act! users routinely head to the Export Wizard to send their information not realizing that there is a much easier method for exporting Act! data. You’ll find the Export Current List to Excel icon at…
The Act QuickBooks Link Small businesses require two solutions to effectively manage their front and back office operations: A CRM solution to manage front office processes such as sales and service An accounting solution to manage the…
Act! Outlook Synchronization Clients often ask me to “setup their Act! Outlook integration” and are dumfounded when I respond that there is no such thing. “But Karen,” they insist, “you told me that my version of…
The Contact field can prove to be surprisingly confusing for both new and old Act! users alike. Although the field seems very straightforward at first glance, it contains a bit of “magical Act! functionality” that can…
One of my favorite Christmas carols is a parody called “The Bathroom Door Said Gentleman” (sung to the tune of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman.” During the course of the song we find out what happens…
Implementing a CRM solution can be a daunting – and expensive – proposition. Many organizations are already using tools including Outlook and Excel spreadsheets and can’t justify the expense involved in transitioning to a true CRM…

We’re really excited about this version of Act! because it adds more new features than any previous release.

As most of you know the “C” in CRM stands for Contacts and that’s the focus of these clean-up tips. I see a lot of databases in a variety of formats (Act!, SugarCRM, Salesforce, Zoho) and…
I recently received this plea for help from one of my ACT clients: “Karen, we have added a couple of new people to ACT and they are up and running. As a disciple of your teachings,…

I came across a great post written by fellow ACT consultant M Scott Schaffernoth. I laughed for ten minutes when I read it and Scott kindly offered to share. Her Parts May Have Often Been Ditzy…
Last week I shared a story about an ACT! user who thought he had a major problem which turned out to have a rather easy, if not silly, answer. My second story involves an ACT! user…
Any Administrator or Manager user can create an automatic schedule for creating backups using the ACT! Scheduler. Combine this power with your free Drop Box account to save your database “in the clouds.” Download and install…
Every year many of my clients ask me if there is a way to get holidays loaded into their ACT! database. Unfortunately, holidays do not come pre-loaded in the ACT! calendar. Obviously, some holidays such as…

Many of you already know the common definition of assume; if not, look at the word again and break it into smaller pieces: ass_u_me because that’s just what happens when you “assume” something. ACT E-Marketing is…
Last year I switched to a new publisher, PackT, after many years of writing the ACT for Dummies books. My new titles are called “Cookbooks.” Although you won’t find a great recipe for lasagne inside you…

Act 2013 will become obsolete on 9/30/15 If you are using Act 2013 there are a few important pieces of information you need to know. If you’re using Act 2013 you’ll want to upgrade to the…

A few weeks ago I wrote about some of the changes that ACT! has experienced during its 25 year history. I received a call this week from one of the original ACT! co-founders , Mike Muhney,…
Back in the days of ACT! 6 (was that really ten years ago?) my telephone message asked callers if they had recently “Compressed and Re-Indexed” their database. Back then, there was no way to automate this…

I have a page on my website that offers free software for the old ACT! 6 product. Unfortunately, ACT! 2006 users frequently try to download and install those freebies and find that they don’t work. Let…

I often expound on the virtues of ACT! E-Marketing, formerly known as Swift Page E-mail. I thought I’d share a conversation with one of my clients who had some reservations about switching to ACT! E-Marketing from…

Wow! As hard as it is to believe the ACT! software program turned 25 this month. If you’re into numbers that translates into 14 versions, five named owners and millions of users. I received an e-mail…
Hard as it is to believe, I’ve written over a dozen books on technology and created training videos for LinkedIn Learning. Trust me, writing is a labor of love. My “day job” is to help my…
The other day I was working with a client when his ACT! alarms window opened; I must say that the number of alarms he had was, well, alarming. He quickly clicked the Select All button, selected…

When I was five I spent a week with my family at a vacation spot that included a water park with a rather large slide going into the deep end of the pool. My older brother…

Several years ago a marketing company offered to do a mailing for me to all businesses within a 50 mile radius of my office. This sounded like a great idea until I realized that areas to…

It seems that these days “everyone wants to be in the clouds” but alas, many business owners don’t know what that means and/or how to get the job done. There are a number of ways to…

OK, I’ll admit that as a 30 year user of, and consultant for, Windows products I might be a bit prejudiced but can anyone explain to me the current obsession with Apple products? My local Apple…
Many of you have been asking me when my next “ACT for Dummies” book is coming out. I’m pleased to announce that it’s here – although maybe not in the same format as you might expect.…

There’s a reason why ACT has been around for over 20 years and has over 6 million users world wide. It’s a great product! In addition to all the great functionality found in ACT 2011, here…

Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither was your database. However, if you stick to my 5 simple Commandments you’ll soon be reaping the benefits of an effective CRM solution!
The cookbook style is designed to give you simple steps to help you learn a new software feature. The recipes will show you how to create custom dashboards and reports, as well as utilize the new…

A common question I’m asked is whether there is an easy way to add the incoming leads you receive from a website form directly into an ACT! database. My answer is a resounding YES.
There are lots of cool shortcuts in ACT! that users take advantage of every day to make ACT! even more powerful than it already is.

‘Twas the holiday season and all through the house, Not a creature was clicking, not even your mouse. The stocking were hung by the “Windows” with care, Glad that Win 7 was finally there! My clients…

I can’t claim that CRM software will help you get your holiday shopping done on a timelier basis but I can claim that it will help automate many of the office chores to make you much…

Put yourself in the shoes of your prospects when designing marketing materials. What has more appeal – a sales pitch or useful information? Which one would entice you enough to open it and which one would…

Two books on the ACT software program by Karen Fredricks have been selected by Packt Publishing for inclusion in their R.A.W. (Read As We Write) program.

In the ACT! realm I’m happy that Sage just released ACT! 2011 Service Pack 1 (SP1).
One of my favorite ACT add-ons is the Call On CRM solutions that allows you to dial your phone directly from ACT!.
I am currently working on two new titles for PackT – ACT! By Sage 2011 Cook Book and ACT! by Sage Reports and Dashboards Cook Book. I’m even more excited to announce that both books have…

Gary and I attended the Jon Stewart/Stephen Colbert Rally on Saturday. Frankly, we were motivated more by the incentive of a $19 airfare than any political leanings.

I personally use an importing product and recommend that you use one as well if importing into ACT on a regular basis.

If you’ve been sitting in the Stone Age and are still clinging to your tried and true version of ACT 6, you might want to take a look at the features that you missed by not…

Technology upgrades should be considered a necessary, recurring cost of doing business. You can’t run your business without a telephone and office supplies, and you shouldn’t be running a business with outdated technology. Ironically, technology is…

sync act to your cell phoneYou use ACT. You’ve got a smart phone. And you want to link the two together! Companion Link is the product you need. CompanionLink will synchronize your ACT! data with your…

If you’re any kind of sports fan then you heard about the marathon John Isner/Nicolas Mahut match at Wimbledon this year. Of course, as a marketer I can see how that same mind-set and determination would…

In Outlook 2010 Essential Training, author Karen Fredricks provides in-depth instruction on the key features of Outlook 2010. The course shows how to master fundamental Outlook features
QuoteWerks integrates seamlessly with contact managers like ACT! and ACT! for Web, eliminating the need to re-type customer information. QuoteWerks also has its own built-in contact database.

I received a rather bizarre e-mail last Saturday night just as I was getting ready to enjoy a lovely evening at a Marlins game. It came in to my business account from my Yahoo account and…

If there’s any doubt as to Karen’s knowledge of any and all things related to CRM software, check out the impressive list of titles that she has written. In addition to 5 titles on ACT and…

In ACT! 2011, the New History window (CTRL + H) defaults to Appointment instead of Call as in all previous versions. Find it annoying? Download the free ACT addon.

For those of you who might not be familiar with lynda.com I’d describe it as an online software school. You can take out a monthly subscription for roughly $25 a month which give you access to…
Today many of my clients are opting to use an online fax service such as MyFax or eFax with ACT.
It’s amazing what you can do online, for free, in terms of connecting with your potential and existing customers right now! What’s really great is that it doesn’t take a lot of time, and it’s a…

If spring represents the time to clean-up your database, then summer should represent the time for the smart e-marketer to ramp up their marketing efforts. Take advantage of the slow time to plot your future marketing…

Maybe you can’t offer a secret menu, but you can make your customers feel like insiders by treating them like members of the family. And although you might not garner celebrity endorsements, you can ask for…

If you were brand new to CRM it might be a different story, but you obviously know ACT and have liked it for years. If you move to another product you’ll constantly be missing core ACT…
There is indeed a black hole area in the minds of many ACT users when it comes to synching their ACT database to their cell phone. I’ve been synching ACT database to my phone for years…

I spend a great deal of time working with my clients on creating e-marketing campaigns with the use of an ESP (e-mail service provider) However, much of the day to day e-mail that so many of…

These days that’s not as easy to qualify prospects as it sounds. Companies and people used to be easier to read and qualify. Now image and brand can hide their truth. The outside is no longer…
Like it or not, unless you’re working for one of the Fortune 500 companies you too are an underdog when it comes to your business. It’s an uphill battle to get your name to stand out…

This being Easter weekend I thought I’d share a couple of my favorite ACT Easter eggs. In case you’re not familiar with the term, a software Easter egg refers to a bit of hidden code in…
Losing weight got me to thinking how I could apply the same concept to removing some of the “dead weight” often found in databases. Although I work with a variety of CRM solutions I find that…

Once your e-mail address –or worse yet – your company’s domain – becomes black listed it can take you months or years to get the problem rectified. And, even if you don’t get blacklisted, most spam…
Your parents probably taught you as a child to invest in your future. Shouldn’t you also be investing in your business?

My rule of thumb for writing a marketing piece is to pretend that I am writing to one of my buddies with a bit of friendly advice.

If I need training on a rapidly changing site such as Facebook I’ll be using lynda where I know I’ll get the latest and greatest information.
I’ve learned over the years that money I spend on a consultant, book or course is well worth its price when I compare it to the time it might take me to eventually wave the white…
It pays to advertise. After all, the harder “they” sell the more likely we are to buy.

Software companies are in the same boat as your local hardware or office supplies store. Hard as it may be for the average consumer to believe, software companies are in business to make money – or…

You could market only to people who think – and communicate – the way you do. Unfortunately, that idea makes the somewhat flawed assumption that those people will still be around at the end of the…

I’ve decided to stick with Amazon for their book reviews but leave other reviews to the experts!

ACT 2010 is here and it’s all about social networking!

My dad taught me that when I pointed my finger at someone (or something) I was in fact pointing two fingers back at myself. Think about it the next time something goes wrong with your computer.

For me, not using ACT to manage a business is tantamount to using an abacus to total a long column of numbers.
Whether you’re new to the world of CRM or have been using a CRM product for years, your goal is to become a “CRM Master.” This article will grade your CRM efforts based on your use…
Sending an e-mail blast in ACT can be a pain. Learn how to send ACT e-blasts with a minimal amount of pain and effort!

ACT! has been around for over 20 years – and it just keeps getting better and better! Find out if you should upgrade to ACT 2009.

It’s here – ACT! 2009 – right on schedule. So, do you need to race out and upgrade?

For 5 years I ran an ACT Users Group in my hometown of Boca Raton, FL. It was a fun – although time intensive – endeavor. The meetings were typically attended by 25-50 “ACT Fanatics” who…
The biggest advantage of using ACT is to improve your marketing efforts. Here’s a few simple tips to turn your ACT database into a lean, green, Marketing Machine!

So, just how do you measure success in your business? Obviously, if the dollars are rolling in then you must be doing something right! ACT’s Opportunity feature is a great way to measure your sales success.…
So, do you think you want to start using ACT!, Microsoft Office Live or Outlook Business Contact Manager to help manage – and grow – your business? You’ll want do a bit of homework first to…

We specialize in Act Database repair. Many Act users use their databases year after year without running routine Act maintenance. Consequently, they may find that one day they can’t open their Act database, or perhaps Act…

As the author of four “For Dummies” books on ACT I am often asked to comment on the negative reviews that a potential user might find on the Internet. Please realize two things about these comments:…