Tip #1: A tracker you don’t open is just a spreadsheet with good intentions
Doesn’t matter how good your fields are, or how colour-coded it looks, if you’re not opening it, it’s not doing anything. Pick one moment in your week (Monday coffee, Friday wind down, whatever) and make it non-negotiable. The tracker only works if it becomes a habit, not a project you’ll eventually get to someday.
And for what it’s worth, it definitely doesn’t have to be a spreadsheet. I don’t mind what you use, as long as you use it!
Tip #2: Pick the tool you already know
If you don’t really know where to start with keeping track of your leads, just pick a piece of software you already use.
If you use Google Docs, try that. If you use Excel, try that. If you’re an Asana user, use that. Same goes for Airtable, Google Sheets, Trello, ClickUp, Notion, Cat Doyle’s Walktalk app, etc etc.
Starting somewhere and refining later is honestly better than waiting for the perfect software you don’t know how to use. You won’t learn what works for you in theory. It comes from practice.
Tip #3: Your follow-up doesn’t need a script, it needs HUMANITY
You don’t need the perfect words to say when you follow up a lead. You need to actually remember to BE A HUMAN. Don’t treat people like they’re just a sale. They are humans. And so are you. So be a human.
Tip #4: Not all new connections are the same
After a networking event, before you do anything else, sort your new contacts into two buckets.
Hot leads: people who expressed genuine interest, said something that sounded like a yes, or specifically named a problem you solve. These get a warm, personal reach-out within 48 hours while the conversation is still fresh.
Leads: people you connected with who aren’t ready yet, but who might be eventually. These go into your nurture list. You’re not chasing them. You’re just staying visible and useful over time.
The moment you treat both groups the same, you either push too hard or wait too long. Knowing which is which means you can show up with each one from a place of confidence rather than dread.
Tip #5: Stop trying to remember everything
If you’re stuck manually remembering your leads in your head (or a notes app you never open), and it’s not working….
Please please please don’t tell yourself that you need to be more disciplined. You don’t; you need a SYSTEM that works for you and your brain.
Build in reminders wherever you’ll actually see it… Your VA, your CRM, a calendar reminder, a sticky note on your monitor- I don’t care. Just get it out of your brain.
If you need help with your leads, book in for my workshop.
