Running a business isn't a job for those who want a quiet life, as you'll know. There can be times when it feels like there just aren't enough hours in the day to get everything you want done. If you feel you're having to let leads slip away as a result, take a look at marketing automation.
Put simply, it refers to technology that will let you make your marketing a great deal more efficient and streamlined. You'll be able to stop wasting time on manually processing repetitive tasks and instead let automation take over. This benefits you because greater operational efficiency means your company's revenue will be growing more quickly. You can also use automation to measure the effectiveness of tasks and complete workflows, giving you a clearer picture of how your business is performing.
It's natural to be sceptical of the benefits of marketing automation until you've seen it in action – so we've put together a few statistics that may help to persuade you. According to research reported by HubSpot, automating your lead management will likely mean at least a 10% increase in revenue after six to nine months. From the same source, it's reported that the great majority of marketing leaders use automation, and that around four-fifths of top-performing companies have been benefiting from it for at least three years. Yours could be too.
Using marketing automation means you no longer need to manually handle communications with each separate segment of your customer base. You can set up email-based campaigns, for example, that can be sent to carefully chosen cohorts with just one click. This means far less time spent on administration and far more time available for the real business of selling. If you join with a business growth agency such as JDR, they'll work with you to create an automation strategy that is based on your company's real-life needs and goals, not just a "one size fits all" approximation.
The single biggest reason to do this is that it will save you time – and as any business owner knows, time is money, so it will save you money as well. Your marketing budget will be less taken up by labour costs and much freer to invest in driving your company to new heights. Freed from the need to follow up leads manually, you'll have confidence that you won't let them slip away. You'll also have more resources available when you come to make decisions on recruitment, advertising or anything else. The ROI of effective marketing automation is very high.
There are a lot of platforms out there competing for your attention, so it's vitally important to think hard about which one is right for you. Look at what each one offers, as well as reading reviews by people who've used them. For example, HubSpot Marketing Automation is consistently ranked highly by its users thanks to its combination of simplicity and power. Take the time to consult with a digital agency and listen to their comments about platforms they recommend.
Marketing automation is no longer just a "nice to have" extra. It's a central part of a fully integrated online marketing strategy. Implement it well and leads who might otherwise have disappeared will end up converting and becoming regular customers. Get started today by chatting to one of our experienced marketing specialists on 01332 343281.
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