Choosing a CRM Consultant for Your Nonprofit

Consultants offer expert help for choosing, deploying, and customizing CRM software like Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud. If your current CRM tools are outdated or static, work with a consultant to find new systems and integrations. Here are some of the things to review when choosing a Salesforce nonprofit consultant:

Type of CRM Consultant

Before hiring a CRM consultant, find out what they specialize in to choose the right expert for your nonprofit. The common types of CRM consultants include software consultants, Salesforce consultants, customer retention consultants, email marketing specialists, and AI-powered customer service consultants. Some CRM consulting firms specialize in all five departments to provide comprehensive services for businesses and nonprofits. CRM software consultants help companies select, implement, and maximize the efficiency of adopted software.

A Salesforce nonprofit consultant focuses on helping companies implement and enhance the efficiency of Salesforce, which is one of the top CRM tools. Customer retention consultants focus on working with employees, suppliers, and customers to improve loyalty and retention. Email marketing specialists help with software implementations used to categorize leads and prospects and craft targeted messages for increased conversions. AI-powered customer service consultants focus on improving customer experience with the help of artificial intelligence.

Experience With Nonprofits

One of the first things to look for in a CRM consultant is whether they specialize in working with nonprofit organizations. CRM consultants specialize in achieving custom implementations, strategic integrations, and platform modernizations for different business types. Some consultants focus on CRM tools and implementations for startups and eCommerce businesses, while others work exclusively with nonprofits. Before working with a consultant, ask them for examples of nonprofits they’ve served in the past.

Narrow your search results by identifying CRM consultants within your sector, like higher education, healthcare, or welfare. The goal is to find consultants with experience selecting, implementing, and supporting the adaptation of nonprofit CRM solutions for businesses like yours. Look for consultants who customize and optimize CRM software for fundraising advocacy and donor programs. You can ask potential consultants for a service proposal and review their recommendations to determine if the plan meets your needs.

CRM Consulting Services

When working with a consultant, review their complete list of services to decide whether they fit your nonprofit’s needs. Some of the services to expect include technology audits, needs assessments, software recommendations, implementation support, team training, and change management. Technology audits assess the pros and cons of your current CRM software to identify areas of improvement. Needs assessments involve working with stakeholders and analyzing your processes, donor engagement goals, and fundraising programs to identify necessary solutions.

Services like software recommendations and implementation support involve selecting custom CRM tools and assisting with implementation, adaptation, and staff training. During implementation, the consultant assists with mapping data from your old software to the new platform and activating the required integrations. CRM consultants also offer internal operations updates and manage the overall transition. Look for consultants who are familiar with various platforms and are ready to work with the best CRM solutions based on your nonprofit’s needs.

Ongoing Improvement Strategies

Your relationship with a CRM consultant exists for as long as you use the CRM tools they suggest. As part of your team, the consultant provides expert insights, continuous improvement strategies, and ongoing monitoring and support throughout the project lifecycle. The consultant works with your team to make sure everyone fully understands the CRM system. To achieve this, they provide on-site or virtual training for your staff and management. Even after you fully understand the CRM system, you may still need a consultant to assist with new API integrations.

Choose a CRM consultant who is ready to offer individual coaching sessions for team leaders and tailored resources for your personnel. A good consultant provides long-term contracts, including services like constant monitoring, performance tracking, software updates, and support. Consultants committed to continuous improvement help you evolve with changing technology and client behavior. When your CRM becomes static, the consultant is there to guide the updates, add-ons, plugins, and integrations. Flexible professionals are also available to assist your team during emergencies.

Find a Salesforce Nonprofit Consultant Today

Salesforce is a leading CRM tool and has a unique product, Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud, exclusively designed for nonprofit organizations. Working with a CRM consultant allows you to successfully implement this solution and maximize its efficiency. Speak to a Salesforce nonprofit consultant today to learn more about how your organization can benefit from custom CRM tools.