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What Are Contact Types vs Personas?

Contact Types describe how someone relates to you or your business, while Personas describe who they are in your industry or community.

Contact Types (How They Relate to You)

Contact Types define the relationship category a contact belongs to. These are about your connection to them.

  • Lead / Prospect
  • Client / Customer
  • Referral Partner
  • Vendor
  • Colleague
  • Staff / Team Member
  • Friend / Family
  • Subscriber
  • Company / Organization

Contact Types answer: “What is this person or entity to me?”

Personas (Who They Are in the World)

Personas describe who someone is in your industry, audience, or community. These labels exist regardless of your personal relationship with them.

  • Buyer
  • Seller
  • Renter
  • Entrepreneur
  • Small Business Owner
  • Donor
  • Volunteer
  • Sponsor
  • Decision Maker

Personas answer: “Who is this person in the ecosystem I operate in?”

How They Work Together

A single contact can have both Contact Types and Personas applied.

  • Contact Types organize the relationship
  • Personas add context and meaning
  • Together, they guide Journeys and communication
Contact Types define your relationship. Personas describe who they are.
Simple Examples by Industry

Professional Services

  • Contact Types: Lead, Client, Referral Partner
  • Personas: Entrepreneur, Small Business Owner, Decision Maker

Real Estate

  • Contact Types: Lead, Client, Vendor, Colleague
  • Personas: Buyer, Seller, Renter

Nonprofits

  • Contact Types: Donor, Volunteer, Sponsor, Staff
  • Personas: Non-Members, Community Member, Board Members

Local & Service Businesses

  • Contact Types: Prospect, Client, Vendor, Referral Partner
  • Personas: Homeowner, Small Business Owner