Why Salesforce Is the Ultimate CRM for Investment Sales

Let’s face it – logging meetings into Salesforce isn’t exactly the most exciting part of fundraising. You’ve just finished a great pitch, your mind is already racing to the next opportunity, and the last thing you want to do is sit down and type out what just happened.

But here’s the hard truth: if you don’t log it, it didn’t happen. Without those notes, you’ll be scrambling later to remember the details - or worse, missing key follow-ups that could close a deal. And that’s where Salesforce can truly shine.

Yes, it can feel like a hassle at first. But once you embrace it, Salesforce becomes your secret weapon. It’s not just a CRM - it’s the tool that makes your work more efficient, your pipeline more actionable, and your results more impressive.

In this article, we’ll dive into why Salesforce is worth it. By the end of this, you’ll have a better understanding of how logging those meetings might be the best thing you can do for your fundraising success.

Why We All Hate Logging Meetings (and Why We Should Do It Anyway)

Let’s be honest: logging meetings feels like a drag. You’ve just crushed a pitch, your brain is buzzing with ideas, and the last thing you want to do is sit down and type out what just happened. It feels tedious, unnecessary, and – let’s face it – a little beneath your skillset.

But here’s the hard truth: you’re not going to remember everything. Unless you’re some kind of fundraising savant, half of what was said in that meeting will be a distant blur by the time you sit down to follow up. That’s where Salesforce comes in – to save you from your future self. You know, the one scrambling to recall why someone in Boston was interested in your product 18 months ago.

As we like to say at Dakota, “Salesforce protects you from yourself.”

We get it, using Salesforce can feel overwhelming especially if it’s not set up right. Bad configuration and stale data? That’s a CRM’s version of bad breath – unpleasant, unhelpful, and frustrating. But here’s the good news: once you push through the initial setup pains, Salesforce becomes your best friend.

It’s not just a CRM; it’s a leverage tool. It saves time, keeps you organized, and makes you look like a pro.

Another mantra we say at Dakota is, "If it’s not in Salesforce, it didn’t happen.” Sure, that might sound harsh, but think about it: how can you grow your pipeline or close deals if you’re not tracking what’s going on?

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The Magic of Logged Meetings

Here’s why logging meetings into Salesforce isn’t just helpful, it’s life-changing:

1. Your Future Self Will Thank You

Imagine this: You’re prepping for a follow-up call with an allocator you met last quarter. Instead of digging through random notebooks or scrolling through emails at 11 p.m., you open Salesforce. There’s everything you need: notes from your last chat, their concerns, their timeline. You’re instantly the most prepared person in the room.

2. It’s Not Just About You

Let’s be real – your boss is going to want updates. Maybe it’s for a pipeline review, or maybe it’s because they like bragging to their peers about how awesome you are. If your meetings and notes are already in Salesforce, you can just hit “Export” and there you have it. No scrambling. No excuses.

3. Sales Triggers

Logged meetings create what we call sales triggers – those little reminders that nudge you to follow up or circle back. Say you met with a potential investor in Q3, and they mentioned revisiting the conversation in Q1. A sales trigger in Salesforce ensures that opportunity doesn’t slip through the cracks. Without Salesforce, you might forget. With Salesforce, you’re ahead of the game.

Why Salesforce Makes Fundraising Easier (Really)

We’ve covered logging meetings, but Salesforce is more than just a digital notebook. It’s a fundraising tool. A time saver. A miracle worker (when you actually use it).

Here’s what it can do for you:

  • Track Your Progress: Know exactly where each client stands without flipping through old notebooks or sending awkward follow-up emails. Salesforce puts your entire pipeline in one easy-to-read view.

  • Organize Your Chaos: Salesforce eliminates the sticky notes and half-finished spreadsheets that slow you down. Everything lives in one place, saving you time and stress.

  • Create Reports Instantly: Impress your boss (and save yourself hours of work) with clean, organized reports that are just a few clicks away.

The Bottom Line: Salesforce Is Your Superpower

If you take away one thing from this article, let it be this: Salesforce isn’t here to make your life harder – it’s here to make your life easier. Logging meetings and keeping your CRM updated isn’t just “doing your job.” It’s setting yourself up for success, growth, and the occasional compliment from your boss.

The most successful fundraisers don’t just pitch – they prepare, follow up, and stay organized. Salesforce gives you the tools to do all of that effortlessly. Start logging those meetings today, and watch your fundraising process transform tomorrow.

Because at the end of the day, fundraising in investment sales is hard enough – your CRM shouldn’t make it harder.

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Written By: Morgan Holycross, Marketing Manager

Morgan Holycross is a Marketing Manager at Dakota.

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