How do I add customers to my publication?

Edited 24 days ago

How to add customers

You can add customers to your publication on Column's "Customers" page. Here's how:

  1. Go to My Organization > Customers

  2. Click "Add Customer" 

  3. Enter the customer's email address. Email addresses are required for all customers in Column.

  4. If the customer already has a Column account, we'll fill in their information. If not, you can enter their contact information, including phone number, address, and account number (if applicable).

  5. Set up unique preferences. You can assign customers specific rates or discounts, decide whether they must pay upfront for notices, and, if desired, allow them to download affidavits before paying invoices.

  6. Click "Create Customer"

  7. You're done! The customer will now appear in your customer list.

Note: If you're adding a customer who already has a Column account and the customer belongs to one or more organizations, you'll also see an option to add selected organizations to your Customer Organizations list. This is recommended if you want to set preferences for all customers from an organization such as a law firm or government agency.

What happens next?

When you add a customer to your publication, they'll receive an email notification only if they're new to Column. This email instructs the customer to register for an account, provides helpful links to get started, and tells them that your publication added them as a customer. 

If the customer already has a Column account and has placed notices with other publishers, they won't be notified when you add them to your publication.

After you add a customer, here's what happens on your end:

  1. You can find the customer in your customers list and edit their settings if needed.

  2. When you upload a notice, you can search for the customer in the Customer Information step of placement.

  3. When the customer registers their account, their status will change to "Registered" in your customer list.

Why add customers ahead of notice placement?

Adding a customer before they place their first notice with your publication is optional. You can upload notices for customers who aren't on your list, and customers can place notices with you before they're on your list. Typically, someone becomes a "customer" when they submit their first notice with your publication.

So, what are the advantages of adding customers before their first notice? Here are some reasons why you might want to do this:

  • If you add a customer through the "Add Customer" workflow, you might take more time and care while entering their email address and contact information, thus avoiding confusion down the line. Incorrect email addresses are a common source of confusion among customers who expect to receive notifications by email. Only account holders can change the e-mail address on their account.

  • If you want to charge the customer custom rates, assign an account number, or pre-configure their account to require upfront payment or invoice outside of Column, you can set those preferences before their first notice. This will ensure their first notice placement and billing go as smoothly as possible.

  • If you want to encourage customers to place notices self-serve, you can add them to your customer list and send them an automatic email instructing them to register for Column.