Defining your data schema - the fields that you want to track - is the first step in setting up your Audience Center All Contacts database for accounts without a connected CRM. Continue reading for instructions to do this step-by-step.
Instructions
Step 1: Choose your Field Names
Before you start, decide on the fields you will use in All Contacts.
This should include any data about your contacts that will be used to personalize or segment contacts into different target markets.
For example, you’ll definitely want to include basic contact information, like:
- E-mail Address (this is required)
- First Name and Last Name
- Company
- Title
- Phone number
You may also want to track industry, preferences, interests, time zone, etc.
Not sure? No sweat! You can always add a new field later, even while you are importing new contacts.
Step 2: Add your Fields to All Contacts
Add each field for your Contacts in Data Management:
- Go to Settings > Data Management.
- On the left, pick from some of the Act-On Standard fields that are most commonly used by your customers. Pick any of the fields that are relevant to you. Email address will be included automatically.
- On the right, you can define your own custom fields. Just enter a name, and pick a data type.
- The Data Type drop-down will let you pick from Boolean, Date, Datetime, Text, Number, Score, and Email. If you’re not sure what data type to pick, Text is usually a safe bet, but picking a Date when appropriate will help in future segmentation.
- Save your changes.
Score Data Type
Act-On calculates a lead score based on a formula you design. You don’t need to store this lead score as a field in your data schema, but if you think you’ll want to export it for any reason, it would be useful to have it.
- When defining a Score field, you’ll have the opportunity to choose which score sheet to use.
- If you have multiple score sheets, you can define multiple score fields.
When you've got all your fields defined, save your changes. Now, in Audience Center > All Contacts, you'll see your All Act-On Contacts list ready for data import.