Making Better Use of Podio - How can we maximize usage as a CRM?

Question

We are using Podio for organization in our real estate activities. Up until now it has worked well in organization acquisition, rehab, marketing, sales and even rental leads. We have a need to organize investors for specific deals into one software. This could be Podio or something else but I would like to stick with Podio if we do not have to find something new. The problem is that Podio is not the best for email communication within the platform. We need to send a cover letter with several pages on the bottom as an appendix. We want to be able to track who opened the email, how many times, for how long ect. Is there any extension that works well with Podio? I would like to hear what everybody uses in this situation? Do we need a separate CRM software besides Podio?

Account Closed · Answer

Account Closed Have you asked for the 2 week free trial of globiflow for podio? If not, I would look into it.

Tim Herndon · Answer

Account Closed

I read this entire thread and I can understand your frustration. I love Podio, but it does require a lot of third party tools to patch together things, as it is NOT a real estate CRM but a generic CRM that you can mold with third party tools.  Mandrill will not work becasue the emails you are sending are not transactional by nature. We use Mandrill but it's for forgot password, invoices, receipts, task reminders, notifications, etc...

We weren't able to find a solution for this either, so we had to develop our own software and integrated our gmail account for sending day to day emails but we are using Google Apps for business, so emails are coming from our own domain name.  We are looking into a solution for broadcast emails to lists like cash buyers, but you can always connect Mail Chimp or Aweber for that, We are just building our own solution from scratch. If you want to discuss just send me a PM and I'll try to help you!

Good luck!

Account Closed · Answer

Thank Yo for your responses. Much appreciated! Emailed you @Brian Jordan @Tim Herndon

Account Closed · Answer

Ideally we would integrate it for everything. But right now we need it for investors @Brian Jordan

Account Closed · Answer

Thanks. I looked into Mail chimp and they do not allow single transactional emails. But there is something called mandrill that can help. I think mail chimp extension for podio only syncs contacts and campaign info vs. sending outgoing and receiving incoming email. I used Zapier before but it isn't so convenient to use for email into podio because a different email has to be created for each item in an app. If you have any suggestions we welcome them @Major Robertson

Jeff B. · Answer

Email technology as it exists today, CAN NOT RELIABLY produce a Return Receipt.  The receiver has every option to ignore receipts and neither you nor they see that choice.

(ps: I am a professional in Internet Technology for several decades now).

Brian Jordan · Answer

I'm assuming your referring to a mass email with wholesale deals? If so, I use constant contact. DM me your email and I'll send you a sample of what I send my investors. If that's not what your referring to, look in to Slack. I don't believe it integrates with Podio but it works great with team member communication.

Brian Jordan · Answer

Are you wanting to use the emails to communicate between team members within Podio or would it include emails and communication with clients, investors, sellers, tenants, contractors, etc?

Major Robertson · Answer

If it's a general email every time you can integrate sending emails with a mail client using zapier.

As for analytics on mail sent you will need a third party tracking system. Mail chimp is good with sending emails to lists as well as providing tracking. Not sure if it's possible to send emails to individual people.

That should be a good start. If you need further help let me know and I'll dig a little deeper for you and give you specifics on how to set something up.