Use Custom Fields Correctly

Key Points:

0:00 – Opening and Topic Introduction
Britoni opens the Mastering Your Tech call and explains that the session will cover custom fields and custom values inside FBS.

0:25 – Where to Find Them
From the dashboard, coaches go to the left sidebar, then Settings, to access custom fields and custom values.

0:50 – Custom Fields and Values as Variables
Britoni explains that custom fields and custom values work like variables or placeholders.

1:05 – First Name Example
A custom field can be used as a placeholder for someone’s first name, so the system automatically inserts the correct name into a message.

1:33 – Bulk Message Personalization
Instead of manually typing each person’s name in a bulk message, coaches can use a custom field to make the message feel more personal.

2:01 – Custom Field vs. Custom Value
Custom fields are tied to a specific contact, while custom values are more global and can be used across the system.

2:24 – Custom Fields Are Contact-Specific
A custom field can store information about a person, such as name, business name, dog’s name, website status, or business start date.

2:52 – Custom Values Are Global
A custom value can store broader system information, such as a business name, phone number, book cover link, or book download URL.

3:15 – Update Once, Change Everywhere
Custom values allow coaches to update information in one place and have it update across emails, websites, templates, and other system areas.

4:10 – Custom Fields Page
Britoni moves into the custom fields section and explains that the demo account has more fields than most user accounts because it is used for testing.

4:45 – Create Field Button
To create a custom field, click Create Field in the upper-right corner.

5:08 – Choose Field Type
The system asks what type of field to create, such as single line, multiline, text box list, number, phone number, dropdown, or checkbox.

5:48 – Dropdown Example
Britoni chooses a dropdown field so the user can select one option from a list.

6:00 – Choose the Object
The field must be associated with an object, such as a contact, opportunity, or business.

6:24 – Create a Website Field
Britoni creates a custom field called “Does the business have a website?”

7:16 – Add Options
He adds options such as yes and no, so the field can be used as a quick dropdown.

8:12 – Custom Field Created
The new field appears in the custom fields list.

8:30 – Find It Inside a Contact Record
Britoni goes into Contacts and opens a sample contact to show where the field appears.

9:00 – Contact Folder
The field appears in the Contact folder because that is where it was assigned during setup.

9:30 – Fill Out the Field
Inside the contact record, Britoni selects yes for “Does the business have a website?”

9:54 – Use the Field in an Email
He opens the email composer and shows how to insert custom fields into a message.

10:18 – Insert First Name
Britoni inserts the contact’s first name as a custom field.

10:49 – Insert the New Custom Field
He also inserts the custom field that was just created.

11:12 – Business Start Date Example
Britoni gives another example: storing a business start date and using it in a message.

11:45 – Personalized Outreach Example
A coach could write, “I see you started your business on [date],” using the custom field to make the message more personal.

12:48 – Custom Fields in Subject Lines
Custom fields can be used in the email body or subject line, such as adding the contact’s first name to grab attention.

13:22 – Message Preview
Britoni shows that the system translates the custom field into the person’s actual stored information.

14:00 – Returning to Settings
He returns to Settings to show more custom field options.

15:00 – Create a Folder
Britoni creates a custom folder to organize custom fields.

16:00 – Folder Organization
Custom folders help group related contact information inside the contact record.

16:53 – New Folder Appears
After refreshing the contact, the new folder appears in the contact details area.

17:11 – Hide Empty Fields and Folders
Britoni shows the option to hide empty fields and folders so users can focus only on information that has been filled in.

17:30 – Custom Fields Recap
Custom fields can be created, assigned to contacts, organized into folders, and used in messages.

18:00 – Custom Values Section
Britoni moves into custom values and explains again that custom values are more global.

18:40 – Add Custom Value
To create a custom value, click Add Custom Value.

19:00 – Custom Value Interface
The interface is different from custom fields because custom values are generally expecting text or a string.

19:29 – “Thing I Noticed” Example
Britoni starts to create a “thing I noticed” value but then realizes it should actually be a custom field because it is tied to a specific contact.

20:00 – When to Use Custom Field Instead
If the information changes depending on the contact, such as something you noticed about their business, use a custom field.

20:47 – General Phone Number Example
Britoni changes direction and creates a general phone number custom value as an example of global information.

21:33 – Use Custom Value in Message
He opens a contact message and inserts the custom value into the email.

22:08 – Refresh to See New Custom Value
After refreshing, the custom value becomes available in the email composer.

23:00 – Naming Caution
Britoni explains that renaming a custom value after creation can leave the old key in place, so it is better to create it correctly from the start.

23:46 – Custom Value Filled In
The system fills in the global custom value inside the message.

24:10 – Update Once Across Templates
If a custom value is used in multiple templates, changing it once updates it everywhere.

24:45 – Book Download URL Example
Britoni explains that the book download URL is a good example of a custom value because it may appear in many emails and templates.

25:14 – Two Years of Email Content
Focused has two years of email campaign content, and custom values keep coaches from having to manually edit every single message.

25:26 – Website Use Case
Custom values can also be used on websites, so a link or value can load dynamically on a page.

26:00 – Final Recap
Custom fields are contact-specific. Custom values are global. Both act like placeholders that pull stored information into messages, templates, and website pages.

26:34 – Closing
Britoni wraps the training on custom fields and custom values.

Five Key Takeaways

• Custom fields and custom values are placeholders that pull saved information into messages, templates, and pages.
• Custom fields are tied to a specific contact, such as first name, business start date, or whether the business has a website.
• Custom values are global and work well for reusable information like phone numbers, book links, business information, or website URLs.
• Custom fields can make bulk outreach feel more personal when used correctly.
• Custom values save time because one update can change the information everywhere it is used.

Notable Quotes

“Custom fields and custom values are variables.”

“They’re placeholders.”

“The custom field is going to be more about the person.”

“The custom value, on the other hand, can be a global system setting.”

“Instead of retyping the link every single place, we just have a custom value that stores that information.”

“You can send them a message that is particular to them.”

“If it’s associated with a particular contact, use the custom field.”

“If it’s not, use the custom value.”

“You change it in one spot and it will change everywhere else.”

Action Steps from the Call

1. Go to Settings in FBS.
2. Open Custom Fields.
3. Create a custom field when the information is tied to a specific contact.
4. Choose the correct field type, such as single line, multiline, dropdown, checkbox, number, or phone number.
5. Associate the custom field with the correct object, usually Contact.
6. Name the field clearly.
7. Choose the folder where the field should appear.
8. Add dropdown or checkbox options if needed.
9. Create the custom field.
10. Open a contact record to confirm the field appears in the correct folder.
11. Fill in the custom field for the contact.
12. Use custom fields inside email messages.
13. Use custom fields in subject lines when appropriate.
14. Create folders to organize related custom fields.
15. Use “hide empty fields and folders” to simplify the contact view.
16. Go to Custom Values when the information is global.
17. Create custom values for information that should be reused across the system.
18. Avoid using custom values for contact-specific information.
19. Use custom fields for notes like “thing I noticed” if the information changes by contact.
20. Use custom values for reusable details like phone numbers, book links, and website URLs.
21. Create custom values correctly the first time instead of renaming them later.
22. Insert custom values into emails or templates.
23. Update custom values in one place when the information changes.
24. Use custom values to avoid editing multiple templates manually.
25. Use custom values on websites when the same information appears in multiple places.

Resources & Tools Mentioned

• Mastering Your Tech
• FBS / Focused Business Suite
• Settings
• Custom Fields
• Custom Values
• Contacts
• Contact Record
• Contact Folder
• Additional Info Folder
• Create Field
• Create Folder
• Field Type
• Single Line Field
• Multiline Field
• Text Box List
• Number Field
• Phone Number Field
• Dropdown Field
• Checkbox Field
• Custom Field Folders
• Email Composer
• Subject Line
• Bulk Messages
• Email Campaigns
• Templates
• Website Pages
• Book Cover Link
• Book Download URL
• Two-Year Email Campaign
• Hide Empty Fields and Folders