contact database - Virtual Assistant Forums

CarolineCloutie · #1 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009

Hi! I have a client who needs all of his business card contacts placed into a contact database. This database must have the ability to send out emails and newsletters. I'm thinking filemaker pro, but am wondering if I have him purchase filemaker and have me use it, would I still be able to transfer this information on to him? how do I do this? and how would I charge for this?

thanks in advance.

kathiemt · #2 (**permalink**) 07-06-2009

Why not use an online database system? That way neither you nor he has to pay for software and he can just pay a monthly fee for the system to be used. Some programs that can do this for you are: Constant Contact, 1shoppingcart.com, aweber.com and others.

People can self-subscribe and unsubscribe which means it's less keyboard time for you. And you can simply export in csv format for a backup copy regularly.

Tess · #3 (**permalink**) 07-06-2009

I agree with Kathie! Why go to so much trouble and expense when there are great programs online that will do it all for you - or at least simplify.

My personal favorite is Vertical Response, although I've also worked with Constant Contact.

I have not worked with AWeber, which is sort of amazing since it seems everyone else HAS - but have heard great things about it.

I just charge my regular hourly admin rate for the management of it all, and if I'm doing a custom HTML email newsletter then the speciality rate applies.

CarolineCloutie · #4 (**permalink**) 07-06-2009

thank you for the information! I think I've decided to go with Constant Contact. I'm familiar with it and it's easy to use. AWeber is super popular but when I've tried to use it, I found it difficult to navigate and set up...I might have been missing something. Thanks so much!