QuickTips: Tips & Tricks For Bookkeeping Success
Since I’ve taken over the reins of our monthly newsletter, QuickTips, I hope I’ve been able to illustrate a few ways QuickBooks® Desktop and QuickBooks Online® can be so much more than just accounting software – it’s a database, as well as an organizational and marketing tool. If REALLY used properly, you might even say that it has the ability to read your fortune or future. 😉
QuickTip 1 – Label Printing
Looking for a way to easily print labels for your customers and vendors? Once again, QuickBooks has you covered. This is especially nice during the holidays when you want to send cards out or if you’re hosting an event and are looking to invite some of the key people with whom you do business.
You can find the label printing option by clicking: File/Print Forms/Print Labels.
The really cool thing is that if you are using customer or vendor typing (another neat trick) then you can easily send out sales or event mailings that target a specific group.
The addresses print nicely on Avery Labels (and they work great on files too).
*NOTE* This tip applies to desktop the desktop version of QuickBooks. For online users, you can print your addresses by simply exporting your customer and vendor list. Again, this can be filtered and exported by customer type which makes it super handy.
QuickTip 2 – To-Do Lists
To me, there’s nothing better than a nice to-do List. Give me something that I can cross off as I complete my tasks and this girl’s in heaven. Not only is there a place for to-do lists in QuickBooks, if you ask nicely, QuickBooks will make your list up for you – and it’s really great for keeping you on track to send out follow up reminders. In fact, I’ve even shown my husband how to do it so he could help keep track of the work flow in our business and he absolutely loves it!
You can make up to-do lists for customers, vendors, employees and leads.
Then, with a click of a button, you can easily print a report/list to cross off. Now that’s just sweet!
*NOTE* QuickBooks Online does have a “notes” section that is pretty handy for keeping up with customers and vendors but, unfortunately, it’s not a to-do section.
QuickTip 3 – Lead Center
Oh, you say you didn’t know your QuickBooks Desktop software brings some CRM capabilities to the table? Well, sit back and let me just rock your world!
Even though some users will refer to the QuickBooks Lead Center as the “Poorman’s CRM,” it does what it’s supposed to do and keeps my desk clear of business card clutter.
After your next networking event, try storing that business card information here instead of in another pile on your desk. The Lead Center is a great place to keep a list of your potential leads without cluttering up your Customer List in QuickBooks. AND, with a click of a button, you can easily convert them into a customer. And if you ever want to pony up for a more robust customer relationship management system, transferring your digital contacts over will be a breeze.
*Note* Sorry QuickBooks Online users, this is a desktop only feature.
By Matt Long (Wooster office)