Marketing is one of the most important things you can do for your business. Majority of successful businesses have a good marketing campaign. So if marketing is the key to success, what could possibly have an even greater impact on your business and your bottom-line? The answer of course is AUTOMATED marketing.
So what is marketing automation?
Marketing automation refers to software platforms and technologies designed for businesses and organizations to more effectively manage marketing on multiple channels online (such as email, social media, websites, etc.) as well as automate repetitive tasks.
5 Reasons it’s important
1. Saves Time
An automated system can do the bulk of the time consuming tasks like emailing, texting and yes, even calling your customers. By leveraging tools that handle repetitive tasks, employees are free to remain engaged and focused on what they do best.
What once took days, now takes hours, and what once took hours, now takes minutes. The technological explosion of the last two decades has resulted in less time needed for menial, redundant tasks, leaving more time to deliver the service businesses offer.
2. Saves Money
If marketing automation saves time and “time is money,” simple logic suggests that your marketing budget will be less tied up in labor costs and free to be invested in the breakthrough decisions that will take your organization to the next level. Automation of marketing tasks liberates your mind and budget to better serve your company and put your money where it’s most needed, whether that be a larger ad spend to distribute your message, premiums on elite talent, or hundreds of other available options. The bottom line: marketing automation solutions are sure to lead to a positive ROI when effectively implemented.
3. Reduces Human Error
When you automate your marketing, you reduce the risk of human error. Whether that is failing to follow up with with prospects and customers or not remembering to upsell or cross-sell. Imagine how much revenue is lost to losing clients who need to be nurtured or revenue left on the table by not up-selling.
With marketing automation, you take the human aspect out of up-selling and cross-selling by creating a series of automated rules. Think of a company that sells mattresses.
On top of generic up-sells, like reminding customers to order new mattress pad, sheets, or inspiring them with popular Christmas gift ideas, you can also set up personalised up-sells.
For example, if a customer buys a specific kind of mattress that has an optional base upgrade, you might want to automate an email campaign or text message telling them about this upgrade 30 days before their birthday or one year anniversary from their purchase.
Don’t forget the fact that by taking care of the customer they are less likely to buy a mattress from another company. You have built their loyalty in following up and nurturing them.
Over time, the impact that this type of marketing can have on your customer lifetime value and ROI can be quite effective.
4. Scalability
As your initial marketing efforts begin to take off, a great problem arises: your current marketing tools are no longer sufficient —whether that be an entry-level CRM or the ‘ol Rolodex. If your organization is lucky enough to be growing at that kind of rate, you have two objectives:
- Dance a celebratory jig.
- Invest in an effective marketing automation solution that can support both your short and long-term growth.
The first is practically free (as long as you have rhythm), and the second sets the stage for years of potential growth. Besides having the tools in place to reach a larger audience, there’s nothing more comforting for an growing business than having all the pieces in place to reach an audience that is 5x, 10x or even 100x the size of your current contact list.
5. Optimization
The top marketing automation solutions will undoubtedly have some manner of reporting on each campaign’s performance, which is critical in today’s data-driven world. Beyond that though, the elite marketing automation solutions can even forecast future campaign performance based on historical data. We all know the value of understanding which marketing initiatives work and which don’t, and nothing provides a clearer picture than a marketing automation solution with powerful revenue attribution capabilities.
These are just five of numerous benefits to investing in a marketing automation tool. If your business is still just using email broadcasts or introductory CRM platforms, it’s time to ask yourself the following: Do you want regained hours, lower operational expenses, have a larger reach, and evidence that your work is valued? Of course you do!
No matter the size of your business, marketing automation can give you the power to achieve your marketing goals. The first step to understanding how it can help you is identifying what you want to accomplish. Schedule a complimentary strategy call with us today so we can help you get started in automating your marketing.
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Recommended Reading:
The Sales Funnel Book v2.0: The Simple
Plan To Multiply Your Business With Marketing Automation by Nathan Williams
Digital Marketing for Dummies, 2nd Edition
by Ryan Deiss
Invisible Selling Machine by Ryan
Deiss