How to Create A Sales Pipeline

I have struggled for awhile to create a strong sales pipeline. I was able to concentrate on several prospects try to close them. One or two would actually close and then I would move on. I had a hard and time juggling all of my prospects. I used programs like ACT, www.act.com/, Google Documents, docs.google.com/, and Excel. I have found the most success with Excel. Google Docs is great, but I ran into compatibility issues, and sometimes travel and don't have Internet access. You can gasp now! So it is helpful to have everything stored on my hard drive. I did not like the process in ACT, it took too much work. I have color coded, labeled, and done just about everything I could to learn how to juggle them. I have found this process works for me.
1. Create a spreadsheet with all of your Clients.
2. Create a spreadsheet that is blank so you can copy and paste new prospects in that you may run across.
3. Prioritize your clients and create lists.
4. Make sure you have emails and Phone numbers for your prospects.
5. Divide the list into sub groups. A Prospects, B Prospects, and C Prospects
6. Create Email templates for all three groups.
7. Set up reminders in your email system to send out your prospecting emails.
8. Work your list.
9. Everyday review and move your prospects to their category.
This has been the best process for me to categorize and ensure that I am seeing everyone I am working with in one place. I had to learn I could no longer hunt through emails. I needed one place for notes and updates.