Marketers Space: Smarter Marketing with CRM Integration

Marketers Space: Smarter Marketing with CRM Integration


Hello Marketers!
Welcome back to another deep dive into smart marketing strategies at Marketers' Space! Today, we’re kicking off an exciting series focused on how Zoho CRM and Zoho Marketing Automation (ZMA) when integrated can transform your marketing efforts. Whether you're coming from Zoho CRM and looking to leverage Marketing Automation or primarily using ZMA and wanting to send your data back to CRM, this integration provides a full-circle solution for your marketing and sales needs.
Let’s explore how you can make the most of this powerful connection—from syncing contacts and deal data to running targeted campaigns to ensuring smooth data flow between both platforms for maximum efficiency.
In this post, we’ll cover the following: syncing data from Zoho CRM into ZMA, using ZMA’s Planner for campaign planning and calculating ROI, segmenting and targeting your CRM data, and finally, pushing the most relevant data from ZMA back to Zoho CRM. Let’s get started!

From Zoho CRM to Zoho Marketing Automation:

Seamless Syncing

Zoho CRM holds all of your important lead, contact, account, and deal information, which acts as the backbone of your marketing efforts. Once you sync Zoho CRM with ZMA, this data isn’t just a static list of names—it becomes actionable, enabling you to craft personalized and impactful campaigns.
The first step in this integration is syncing all the relevant data from Zoho CRM into ZMA. This includes Contacts, Leads, Accounts, Deals, and even Custom Modules, ensuring that your marketing team has access to the most comprehensive and up-to-date information. This sync is automatic and continuous, so as new records come into your CRM, they’ll be available in ZMA in real-time for marketing purposes.

For marketers, this sync is invaluable because it enables you to tap into your CRM’s wealth of information for targeted campaigns. Whether you're pulling in contact details or deal stages, you’re working with data that is fresh and ready to be activated in your campaigns.

Setting Smart Goals with the Planner using CRM Data

Once your CRM data is in ZMA, the next step is using the Planner to set clear marketing goals and calculate the ROI based on that data. You can set Goals using the count of leads closed (won or lost) from Zoho CRM. For example, you might aim to close 50 leads within the next quarter.
ZMA will then track this data directly from CRM, helping you monitor progress toward your goal. If you notice that you’re falling short, you can make timely adjustments to your marketing approach, whether that means revisiting your targeting strategies or re-engaging through personalized campaigns.
The Reports provide valuable insights into the performance of your marketing efforts.
It includes Revenue and Deal Stats, showing metrics like Revenue Generated and Deals Closed Won, giving you a clear picture of how much business your campaigns are driving. You’ll also find Expense and ROI Stats, which allow you to track your campaign spend and measure the return on investment (ROI), even across different channels.
Under the Contacts tab, you can view the Contacts Closed with Won Deals, helping you understand how effectively your campaigns are converting leads into customers.

ZMA’s Planner also makes collaboration simple—you can add team members, set tasks, and ensure that everyone is aligned with the campaign’s objectives, creating a coordinated effort between marketing and sales.

Segmentation for Precise Campaigns:

With synced CRM data in ZMA, segmentation becomes not only possible but incredibly powerful. You’re no longer sending generic, blanket campaigns to your entire contact list. Instead, you’re slicing your audience into precise segments with powerful Deal and Account-based criteria.

For instance, you can create a segment of leads in the Negotiation/Review stage of a deal and send them attractive, persuasive campaigns designed to push them toward deal closure.
This could include exclusive offers, limited-time discounts, or additional value propositions that address any remaining concerns, helping to tip the scales in your favor. You have much more deal and account-based criteria such as Deal Name, Deal Amount, Account Type, and Account Owner that you can use to create segments.

Reaching Contacts through Multi-Channel Campaigns:

Thanks to the seamless sync between Zoho CRM and ZMA, you can leverage all the CRM data in your campaigns, whether it’s via email, SMS, or WhatsApp. You can personalize these campaigns by using CRM fields to tailor various elements. The Sender Details can be personalized with the CRM lead owner’s name and email, while the subject line can include specific CRM merge tags to make it more relevant to the recipient.

Inside the campaign, you can incorporate Dynamic Content using Predefined Tags such as Account Type, Account Name, and Account Owner, ensuring the message speaks directly to the contact’s unique context.

You can leverage Merge Tags under both Account Tags and CRM Merge Tags to customize the content further.

This level of personalization ensures that each contact feels like they are receiving tailored communication, rather than mass-marketing messages, and drives higher response rates.

Maximizing CRM Integration using Journeys:

With Zoho CRM integration, the possibilities within Journeys in ZMA expand significantly, giving you more flexibility to automate tasks and create highly personalized marketing workflows.
One of the key features is Criteria Match, which enables you to target contacts based on specific account or deal information synced from Zoho CRM.

When setting up the sync between Zoho CRM and ZMA, you have the option to sync CRM contacts to a list. Once this sync is complete, you can use Journeys to target that specific list containing the synced contacts. By using the Added to List trigger within Journeys, you can then set actions such as sending personalized campaigns.

You can Update Contact Fields that have been synced from CRM, ensuring that your data stays current and relevant before sending a campaign.

You can also create Journeys that automatically move contacts into or out of marketing topics, helping you stay compliant with their communication preferences.
Beyond this, Journeys in ZMA offer specific CRM Actions such as Push Data (sending updated contact details back to CRM), Create Task (automating follow-ups for sales reps), and even Create Deal (automatically generating a deal in CRM when a contact shows strong buying intent).

Pushing Relevant Data back to CRM:

Syncing data from CRM into ZMA is important, but pushing data back to CRM is just as crucial. You may have collected contact details through various forms like sign-up forms, popups, or landing pages using ZMA, but it’s essential to push only the relevant data back to CRM for your sales team. 
ZMA enables you to create automated journeys that filter leads and only push the ones meeting specific criteria back to CRM. This not only keeps your CRM clean but also ensures that your sales team isn’t overwhelmed with irrelevant data. Typically, a lead will be pushed to CRM when it becomes a sales-qualified lead (SQL). In ZMA, leads are nurtured as they move through different stages based on their engagement or lead scores. Once a lead has shown sufficient interest and is ready for sales, you can set up a journey in ZMA to automatically push a lead to CRM. This ensures that the right contacts are passed to your sales team at the right time.
Additionally, this selective sync means that you only pay for the contacts that truly matter. Since ZMA enables you to manage contact limits carefully, you can decide which data gets synced to CRM, optimizing both your budget and your sales strategy.

The integration between Zoho CRM and Zoho Marketing Automation is more than just a sync—it’s a complete, full-cycle solution for marketing and sales teams. By syncing contact and deal data, setting smart goals with the Planner, using targeted segments and journeys, and pushing valuable data back to Zoho CRM, you’ll have all the tools you need to optimize your marketing and sales performance.

Stay tuned for more posts in this series as we continue exploring the powerful features of this integration and how they can elevate your marketing efforts!

Regards,
Pearlin Nitika
User Education | Zoho Marketing Automation

    • Recent Topics

    • is it possible to add more than one Whatsapp Phone Number to be integrated to Zoho CRM?

      so I have successfully added one Whatsapp number like this from this User Interface it seems I can't add a new Whatsapp Number. I need to add a new Whatsapp Number so I can control the lead assignment if a chat sent to Whatsapp Phone Number 1 then assign

    • Problem with reports due to "Connected" items change - Yes this IS a problem

      Now that the change has been made to use "connected" items I can no longer run the reporting I need in CRM. I should be able to start with Deals as the parent, connect down to the Account (Account_Name) on the deal as the child, then to any child items

    • Zoho sheet desktop version

      Hi Zoho team Where can I access desktop version of zoho sheets? It is important as web version is slow and requires one to be online all the time to do even basic work. If it is available, please guide me to the same.

    • Introducing notifications in the vendor portal

      Imagine this: You're a recruiter working with multiple vendors on a high-volume hiring project. You’ve just updated a job description after a last-minute change from the hiring manager. One of your vendors, however, is still working off the older version

    • CRM limit reached: only 2 subforms can be created

      we recently stumbled upon a limit of 2 subforms per module. while we found a workaround on this occasion, only 2 subforms can be quite limiting in an enterprise setting. @Ishwarya SG I've read about imminent increase of other components (e.

    • LESS_THAN_MIN_OCCURANCE - code 2945

      Hi I'm trying to post a customer record to creator API and getting this error message. So cryptic. Can someone please help? Thanks Varun

    • How to update "Lead Status" to more than 100 records

      Hello Zoho CRM, How do I update "Lead Status" to more than 100 records at once? To give you a background, these leads were uploaded or Imported at once but the lead status record was incorrectly chosen. So since there was a way to quickly add records in the system no matter how many they are, we are also wondering if there is a quicker way to update these records to the correct "Lead Status". I hope our concern makes sense and that there will be a fix for it. All the best, Jonathan

    • Analytics for notes created

      Is there a way I can see how many notes were created per day? Via reporting or analytics?

    • Add Custom Reports To Dashboard or Home Tab

      Hi there, I think it would be great to be able to add our custom reports to the Home Tab or Dashboards. Thanks! Chad

    • Cannot update Recurring_Activity on Tasks – RRULE not accepted

      Hello, I am trying to update Tasks in Zoho CRM to make them recurring yearly, but I cannot find the correct recurrence pattern or way to update the Recurring_Activity field via API or Deluge. I have tried: Sending a string like "RRULE:FREQ=YEARLY;INTERVAL=1"

    • Add image to report...

      Greetings, I send a weekly color coded report via Creator email. I would like to add the legend somewhere in the report. Header, footer where ever. I have the legend saved on Google Drive and can access it via shared link. Sure someone has wanted to add

    • More controls for User Fields in CRM

      Dear All, We are here with a minor but crucial enhancement to the user fields—now set accessibility permissions to the records for user field. User field allows you to extend co-ownership of records to your peers. You can collaborate with them for certain

    • Calls to accounts rather than leads or contacts?

      So..... We have a dilemma and I'm hoping someone has encountered this before and figured out a fix. We have just migrated to Zoho. It's great.....expect for how "Calls" are handled.... We are B2B. We do not use the leads module. A "Lead/Prospect" for

    • Image Upload Field | Zoho Canvas

      I'm working on making a custom view for one of our team's modules. It's an image upload field (Placement Photo) that would allow our sales reps to upload a picture of the house their working on. However, I don't see that field as a opinion when building

    • Power of Automation :: Automated 'Delayed & Closed' Status Update Based on Due Date

      Hello Everyone, A custom function is a software code that can be used to automate a process and this allows you to automate a notification, call a webhook, or perform logic immediately after a workflow rule is triggered. This feature helps to automate

    • Lead Blueprint transition in custom list view

      Hi, Is It possible to insert the Blueprint transition label in a custom Canvas list view? I am using Lead module. I see the status, but it would be great if our users could execute the Blueprint right from the list view without having to enter the detailed

    • Range names in Zoho Sheet are BROKEN!

      Hi - you've pushed an update that has broken range names. A previously working spreadsheet now returns errors because the range names are not updating the values correctly. I've shared a video with the support desk to illustrate the problem. This spreadsheet

    • getting error in project users api

      Hello, I'm getting a "Given URL is wrong" error when trying to use the Zoho Projects V3 API endpoint for adding users to a project. The URL I'm using is https://projectsapi.zoho.com/api/v3/portal/{portalid}/projects/{projectid}/projectusers/ and it's

    • Can Zoho Flows repeat Actions more than once?

      I'm attempting to make an intentional Zoho Flow loop using the below layout. However, when "WithinLimit" condition is met, the program fails to execute the action "Get & Add Request Co..." again. Is this by design? Is Zoho Flows unable to repeat actions

    • Has anyone integrated SMS well for Zoho Desk?

      Our company does property management and needs to be able to handle inbound sms messages which create a ticket for Zoho Desk. We then need to be able to reply back from Zoho desk which sends the user an sms message. This seems like a fairly common thing

    • populate email address and name in zoho desk?

      Is it possible to populate the email address and name in the zoho desk widget? We only use it in the context of an authenticated user, so we already know the user's name and email. Thanks,

    • Are there default/pre-built dashboards in Zoho Desk?

      Hi, I am looking for some pre-built dashboard templates in Zoho Desk, similar to what we can find in CRM/Projects, etc Thank you

    • Enable Locations for Expense

      Hi, please enable Locations (ex Branches) for Zoho Expense so that there is consistency between this app and Zoho Books. Thanks in advance.

    • Adding branded signature to tickets reply

      Hi, i am unable to figure out how to add signatures with logo to tickets reply. please advice .

    • Zoho Marketing Automation 2.0 - Landing Page function not working

      Dear Zoho Team, I am working on implementing Zoho Marketing Automation 2.0, and am now looking into the section "Lead Generation". If I open the "Landing Pages" section, I immediately get an Error code: Error: internal error occurred. Can you help me

    • WebDAV / FTP / SFTP protocols for syncing

      I believe the Zoho for Desktop app is built using a proprietary protocol. For the growing number of people using services such as odrive to sync multiple accounts from various providers (Google, Dropbox, Box, OneDrive, etc.) it would be really helpful if you implemented standard protocols such as WebDAV / FTP / SFTP so that alternative inc clients can be used.

    • Zoho Mail Android app update: Manage folders

      Hello everyone! In the latest version(v2.9) of the Zoho Mail Android app update, we have brought in support for an option to manage folders. You can now create, edit, and delete folders from within the mobile app. You can also manage folders for the POP

    • How to share ticket numbers across different ticket types

      I'm running an event and have three different ticket types. Add on Event + Main Event - Early bird Main Event only - Early bird Add on Event only - Early bird And Standard class - shown but not available until early bird finishes Add on Event + Main Event

    • Adding Social Media Buttons to Basic Campaigns

      Hi, I'm quote new to using Zoho Campaigns and I can't work out how to add Social Media Buttons into my basic campaign? In MailChimp there's a button that brings the icons into your campaign for you. I've tried adding the social media icons as 'buttons' in Zoho but it's not looking great. Can anyone help? Thanks!

    • Hide Inactive Social Sign-In Providers from Login Screen

      Hello Zoho Team, We hope you are doing well. Currently, Zoho One allows admins to configure security policies and enable or disable Social Sign-In options for third-party providers such as Apple, Google, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Yahoo, Twitter, Facebook,

    • Zoho Cliq not working on airplanes

      Hi, My team and I have been having this constant issue of cliq not working when connected to an airplane's wifi. Is there a reason for this? We have tried on different Airlines and it doesn't work on any of them. We need assistance here since we are constantly

    • [Free Webinar] AI Agents in Zoho Creator - Creator Tech Connect

      Hello Everyone! We welcome you all to the upcoming free webinar on the Creator Tech Connect Series. The Creator Tech Connect series is a free monthly webinar that runs for around 45 minutes. It comprises technical sessions in which we delve deep into

    • Download All Attached Files

      It would be extremely useful to have "download-all" functionality for downloading files attached to a task, subtask, comment, forum post or hosted in the "Documents" section etc. We've instructed our users to zip multiple files prior to uploading, but of course they forget all the time. Having to download lots of files one-at-a-time off a comment or task wastes a lot of time.

    • Ship via Carrier Not Working Since Commerce Update

      Since the recent update to the Commerce platform, I can no longer use the ship via carrier function. It will take me to the address screen and let me verify them but when I go to save and move tot he next screen it will not do anything. This is happening

    • automations: Can I execute a step on a specific date?

      I have created a form in Zoho forms, and created a contacts list. I have also begun setting up an automation with the intention of sending the form to the contact list on a specific date every month (via email) for the entire year (essentially sending

    • Zoho Expense - The ability to add detail to a Trip during booking

      As an admin, I would like the ability to add more detail to the approved Trips. At present a requestor can add flights, accommodation details and suggest their preferences. It would be great if the exact details of the trip could be added either by the

    • Adding Folders in Android App

      Is it possible to create a new email folder within the Zoho Mail Android app?  Or can this only be done from the desktop version of Zoho Mail? Cheers!

    • Schedule Exports for Regular Project Updates

      Tracking project data often means exporting data at regular intervals. Instead of manually exporting data every time, users can schedule exports for Phases, Tasks, and Tasks in Zoho Projects. These exports can be set to run once, daily, weekly, or monthly

    • Question about custom fields using Pivot Tables.

      I have created a pivot table showing annual revenue of a client and how much payment that client is paying my company. Is there a way using pivot table to add an additional field that subtracts those to fields / shows me a percentage of that difference?

    • Request for Light/Dark Mode

      Would love the ability to switch between Light and Dark mode similar to Zoho CRM. https://help.zoho.com/portal/en/community/topic/introducing-dark-mode-light-mode-a-new-look-for-your-crm

    • Next Page