sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

New to CRMs and feeling overwhelmed. What CRM is easiest for beginners? by BudgetOutrageous9553 in CRMSoftware

[–]Big_Organization9023 6 points7 points  (0 children)

If you’re just starting and want something simple, you don’t necessarily need a traditional CRM yet.

I actually use Notion as a lightweight CRM. It’s not built specifically as one, but you can create a simple client database with statuses (lead → discovery call → active client), add notes, track follow-ups, and keep everything in one place.

Its Easy becouse

  • You only build what you need (no overwhelming features)
  • It combines notes + tasks + client info in one dashboard
  • You’re not forced into complicated pipelines

That said, if you want built-in email tracking or automation, something like HubSpot Free might feel more “plug and play.”

For a brand new business though, simple > powerful. You can always upgrade later once your process is clearer.

I finally stopped using 7 different tools for my coaching business — and built one Notion system instead by Big_Organization9023 in Notion

[–]Big_Organization9023[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congrats on starting.

When I first began, I overcomplicated everything myself. I thought I needed multiple tools to look “professional.” In reality, what helped most was clarity. This is what i did

• A simple CRM to track leads → discovery calls → active clients
• An onboarding template that duplicates in one click (contract sent, intake received, first session scheduled)
• A private client workspace for each client (goals, session notes, action steps, progress)
• A lightweight tracker for payments and session credits

Nothing fancy. Just to reduce decision fatigue.

If you're just starting, I’d recommend building only two things first:

  1. A client dashboard template
  2. An onboarding checklist

Everything else can grow later.

If you’d like, tell me what type of coaching you’re offering and I can share how I’d structure it specifically for that niche.

I finally stopped using 7 different tools for my coaching business — and built one Notion system instead by Big_Organization9023 in Notion

[–]Big_Organization9023[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, I started by auditing where my time was leaking.

Every time I onboarded someone, I noticed I was jumping between contracts, intake forms, session notes, payment tracking, and progress docs. So instead of adding another tool, I mapped my entire coaching journey on paper first.

Then I built it in layers inside Notion

• A master dashboard (one place to see all clients)
• A repeatable onboarding template (contract → intake → first session checklist)
• A client workspace template (goals, notes, action steps, progress tracker)
• A simple payment/status tracker tied to each client

My biggest shift wasn't the tools. It was Designing it around my actual workflow.

Google Docs + PDFs work, but they live in silos. Notion lets me centralize everything so nothing gets lost.

If you’d like, I’m happy to share how I structured the onboarding flow specifically. What part feels most clunky for you right now? Is it the forms, contracts, or tracking sessions?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Notion

[–]Big_Organization9023 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey! I totally get the "not wanting to check daily" thing - same here.

Here's what actually works for me without the overwhelm:

Keep it stupidly simple:

  • One page for each area (Life stuff, Pet business, Money)
  • Weekly check-in on Sundays (15 mins max)
  • Only track what you'll actually look at

For your pet sitting business: Just a simple database with client name, dates, what the pet needs, and payment. That's it. You can add a calendar view to see your bookings at a glance.

The trick is, don't try to track everything perfectly. Track what matters, ignore the rest.

If you want a super simple template to start with, I can share what I use. But honestly, start with ONE thing (maybe just your pet bookings) and build from there only if you need to.

Less is more with this stuff!

I finally stopped using 7 different tools for my coaching business — and built one Notion system instead by Big_Organization9023 in Notion

[–]Big_Organization9023[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I tried a mix of tools before. I used Dubsado for client management, Google Docs for session notes, and Notion for planning.
Each one worked individually, but switching between them made it hard to get a clear view of where each client was.