Skip to main content
All CollectionsCopper 101
Chapter 3: Adding contacts
Chapter 3: Adding contacts

Get started in Copper.

Marketing avatar
Written by Marketing
Updated this week

This chapter will walk you through the fundamentals of adding contacts to Copper. We'll explore the key differences between "Leads" and "People" records, and provide step-by-step instructions on how to add contacts using various methods, including the Chrome Extension, the web app, and the mobile app. We'll also cover best practices for data import, including how to create custom fields and leverage templates to ensure data accuracy and consistency. Finally, we'll introduce you to Copper's powerful web forms, allowing you to easily capture leads directly from your website. Let's jump in!

Adding contacts - Leads vs. People

Leads are sitting in your parking lot, waiting to be qualified and let in the door. These are typically quite cold and unqualified contacts that need some initial qualifying before committing to them.

  • People are individuals/companies you have already started a relationship with or have qualified, so they will start inside the doors of your business. Once a lead is qualified you can open your door and bring them inside and now they will show under People, Companies and can be added to a Pipeline.

  • Leads are best used when:

    • You receive large lists of potential contacts

    • Website form submissions

How to add contacts

  • Google Chrome Extension: Adding the Chrome extension in your Google Gmail will allow you to monitor your email and Copper all in one page. If you are someone that is emailing the majority of your day, using the Chrome extension will allow you to view contact details and other emails quickly as well add contacts directly on the same page.

    • Can I tell if they are already in Copper? If they are already in Copper, the contact will quickly show their details and past activity. If they are not in Copper you will see a big blue button “Add to Copper”

      • To add a contact from an email to Copper, click on the email and select "Add to Copper." This will open a form where you can populate the contact information fields you've created. The more information you enter, the richer your data will be within Copper. This enriched data allows for more effective segmentation and filtering. As a time-saving tip, consider reviewing email signatures for quick access to additional contact information.

      • Note: when adding the company, if it doesn’t show up, start to add it and give it a second to populate if it exists in Copper already. If it doesn’t exist it will ask you to “create” - but wait a few seconds first to see if it shows.

  • Copper Web App

    • Adding manually: There are many ways to add People, Companies and Pipeline records in Copper and will allow them to connect in many ways.

    • People: In your Feed, you will see Suggestions - you can click “Add” for any of those suggestions. Remember their details or history will not show in Copper until you add them.

      • People Page - Top right you can click “add Person” and fill out their details

      • To quickly associate a person with a specific company or pipeline, simply navigate to the 'Related' section on that record. Click the '+' button within the 'People' section to easily add the desired person. This action automatically establishes a link between the person and the chosen company or pipeline.

    • Add a company: Company Page - At the top right you can click “add Company” and fill out their details

      • When on a Person Page, under details you can add a company and it will associate them with the person at the same time.

      • Fill in full details or use the “Add from Gmail” pop up functionality

      • A cool trick in Copper – when you start to add a contact to Copper (no matter where you click to add them) - if you have been emailing with them in Gmail, it will pop up and say “Add from Gmail” it will populate a bunch of information at the same time, super helpful. It will also tell you if the contact is in Copper already.

  • Import data: Treat your Copper data like a brand-new car – you wouldn't want to put chips in it! Ensure your initial data import is as complete and accurate as possible. Take the time to thoroughly review and update your import files before uploading. If you need to add a new field later, you can easily update existing records by selecting the "Update records on import" option during a subsequent import.

    • You can continue to work in Copper with current contacts and do the import when you are ready. Don’t rush it, the cleaner the car, the easier it is to use, segment and share details with others.

    • Creating Import files from Templates will make it easier and more efficient - Copper templates will provide all of the fields that are in Copper for each section including your custom fields.

    • We need to make sure we import in the following order to ensure we connect the dots to each other: Company > People > Opportunities

      • Create Custom fields first and then download the template second.

    • When importing people or companies we want to avoid duplications and Copper can help with that by ensuring you provide the right information for us to deduplicate against - if it has duplicates of the below, it will take the first one and skip others during the import process.

      • People - Email Addresses

      • Company - Email Domain

  • Mobile App: Using the mobile app is great when you are on the go and meeting with people in person.

    • You can manually add people and company from the mobile app by clicking the + at the bottom of your app page.

    • If you've collected a business card from a contact, easily add their information to Copper by opening the app, navigating to the 'People' section, tapping the '+' button, and then selecting 'Scan Card.' Copper will then extract the relevant information from the card and create a new contact entry.

  • Your Website: Eliminate the need for separate web forms and complex integrations. Copper now offers its own built-in web forms that can be easily integrated directly into your website. Potential contacts can seamlessly submit information through these forms, and the data is automatically captured within Copper. Team members can be instantly notified of new form submissions, enabling a prompt follow-up.

    • There are many customizations in our form from fields, to fonts, to colors used to match your existing site.

    • Two types of forms:

      • Widget – allow a side up or down page to come from one of the corners of your page and complete the details. The benefit of this form is it can be visible and easy to find on every page of your site.

      • Embedded - If you need your form on only select pages, then you can embed it into that page directly.

Did this answer your question?