If you’re reading this, you probably wrangle Salesforce data and want to actually use it for something—like running account-based marketing in Terminus. But plugging Salesforce CRM into Terminus isn’t ever as “seamless” as the sales decks claim. This guide is for operations folks and marketers who want a direct, reliable integration without blowing up their dashboards or losing sleep over sync errors.
Below, you’ll find a step-by-step guide for integrating Salesforce with Terminus workflows, honest takes on what works, and pitfalls to dodge. Let’s keep it simple, practical, and—most importantly—doable.
1. Get Clear on What You Need to Sync (and Why)
Before you even touch the connectors, figure out what you actually want Terminus to do with your Salesforce CRM data.
Don’t just sync everything “because you can.” That’s a recipe for slow syncs, data chaos, and lots of regret.
Ask yourself: - What campaigns or workflows in Terminus depend on Salesforce data? - Which Salesforce objects (Accounts, Contacts, Opportunities, Leads) matter for these? - Are there custom fields or objects you need, or will standard fields do?
Pro tip: Write down your “must-have” fields and objects. Skip the “nice-to-have” noise. You can always add more later if you’re missing something critical.
2. Prep Your Salesforce Data First—Seriously
Terminus is only as good as the data you feed it. If your Salesforce instance is full of duplicates, junk, or inconsistent records, Terminus will inherit those headaches.
Check for: - Duplicate Accounts and Contacts (merge them now—don’t wait) - Outdated or unused fields cluttering up your objects - Missing key data (like blank email addresses, missing Account Owners, etc.) - Consistent picklist values (especially if you’re segmenting by industry, region, etc.)
What to ignore: Don’t waste time on cleaning up data that will never be used in your Terminus workflows. Stick to what’s truly relevant.
3. Set Up the Terminus Salesforce Connector
Now, the fun (or at least the necessary) part. Terminus offers a Salesforce connector that pulls data into their platform. The steps may vary slightly by version, but here’s the real-world flow:
a. Check Permissions and Access
You’ll need a Salesforce admin or someone with API access. Create a dedicated integration user if you can—it’s easier to audit and troubleshoot later.
Give it: - Read access to the objects/fields you want to sync - API access (required for most integrations) - No more permissions than absolutely necessary
b. Connect Salesforce to Terminus
- In Terminus, find the Salesforce integration setup (usually under settings or integrations).
- Authenticate using your Salesforce credentials (ideally that integration user).
- Select which objects and fields you want Terminus to import. Resist the urge to check every box—stick to your shortlist.
Heads up: The initial sync can take a while, especially if your Salesforce data is huge. Don’t panic if it’s slow the first time.
c. Map Fields Carefully
Terminus will try to map standard fields automatically. For custom fields, double-check the mappings—it’s easy to mess this up and not realize until campaigns break.
- Map only what you’ll use in Terminus segments, scoring, or reporting.
- Watch out for field types that don’t match (e.g., Salesforce picklist to Terminus text).
- Document your mappings. Seriously, future-you will thank you.
What doesn’t work: Relying on “automatic mapping” for custom or oddly-named fields. Always verify.
4. Set Up Sync Schedules and Monitor for Issues
By default, Terminus usually syncs with Salesforce every few hours. For most teams, that’s fine. Don’t try to force real-time sync unless you absolutely need it (and are ready for the pain).
- Decide how often Terminus should pull data from Salesforce. More frequent syncing = more API calls (watch your Salesforce API limits).
- Set up error notifications in Terminus. If a sync fails, you want to know right away—not a week later when someone’s campaign is dead in the water.
- Check the sync logs after your first few runs. Look for:
- Failed records
- Permission errors
- Field mapping issues
Pro tip: Schedule regular spot checks, especially right after making changes in Salesforce that could affect the integration.
5. Build Workflows in Terminus That Actually Use the Data
Now’s the time to make the integration payoff. Use the synced Salesforce data to drive real actions in Terminus:
- Audience segmentation: Build dynamic segments based on Salesforce fields (like stage, territory, industry).
- Personalized campaigns: Trigger ads, emails, or outreach based on Salesforce events (e.g., Opportunity moves to “Negotiation”).
- Reporting: Use Salesforce fields to break down campaign performance by account type, region, or owner.
What works well: Keeping segments tight and based on clean, reliable fields. The more complex your logic, the more likely something breaks.
What to avoid: Overengineering. Don’t build Rube Goldberg workflows that hinge on obscure fields or one-off scenarios.
6. Keep Data Flowing Both Ways—But Be Careful
Depending on your setup, you might want Terminus to send engagement data back to Salesforce (for sales and marketing to see). This can be useful, but comes with caveats:
- Only push back data that’s actionable. Flooding Salesforce with every Terminus click and impression just creates noise.
- Use custom fields or objects in Salesforce for Terminus data—don’t overwrite your core fields.
- Make sure sales and marketing teams know what the new data means and how to use it.
What often goes wrong: Permissions mismatches, field naming confusion, or making changes in Salesforce without updating Terminus mappings.
7. Document Everything—And Keep It Updated
It’s boring, but documentation saves you when something breaks (and it always does, eventually).
- Keep a running doc of: integration user credentials, field mappings, sync schedules, and error notification settings.
- Update your documentation whenever you add new fields or change workflows.
- Share it with everyone who touches Salesforce or Terminus.
Don’t ignore: The temptation to “just remember how it works.” You won’t. Document it.
8. Troubleshooting: Common Pitfalls and Fixes
Even with best practices, things break. Here’s what usually goes wrong—and how to fix it.
- Missing or outdated data in Terminus: Usually a sync issue or a permissions problem. Check the logs and field access.
- Segments not updating: Double-check your field mappings. Did a field name change in Salesforce?
- API limits hit: If you’re syncing too often or have lots of integrations, you can max out your Salesforce API calls. Scale back syncs or prioritize integrations.
- Data mismatch: Are picklists or field types inconsistent between Salesforce and Terminus? Standardize them.
When in doubt, start by re-running the sync and checking logs. Most issues are either permissions, mappings, or API limits.
Summary: Keep It Simple, Start Small, Iterate
Salesforce-to-Terminus integration isn’t magic, but it’s manageable—if you stay focused. Figure out what you actually need, clean your data, map only what matters, and document everything. Don’t overcomplicate things. Start with a basic integration and add pieces as you see what works (and what doesn’t).
Above all, remember: even the fanciest workflows fall apart if the underlying data’s a mess. Keep things simple, fix issues as they come up, and don’t be afraid to say “no” to unnecessary complexity. That’s how you build a system that works—and keeps working.