Tag Archive for: Email Marketing Automation

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Marketing Automation Demystified: Your Blueprint to Success

Marketing Automation Demystified: Your Blueprint to Success - Done Digital BrisbaneDone Digital

Marketing automation, an essential tool for modern businesses, might just be the game-changer your small business needs. As a small business owner, you’re likely juggling various tasks – from inventory and staff management to customer service, all while striving for growth. Amidst this bustle, marketing efforts can unintentionally take a back seat. But imagine if there was a way to make these efforts more streamlined, time-efficient, and effective. This is where marketing automation steps in. Now, you might be wondering, what exactly is it? Let’s demystify this tool and simplify your journey to success.

What is Marketing Automation?

Marketing automation is about using software to automate marketing tasks that would usually take up a lot of your time. We’re talking about things like email campaigns, social media posts, and even lead generation. By automating these tasks, you can focus more on strategy and less on the day-to-day details.

Is Marketing Automation Suitable for Small Businesses?

Absolutely! Many small business owners in Australia are already using marketing automation to great success. With fewer staff members than big companies, it’s even more vital for small businesses to find efficient ways to get the job done. And don’t worry – it doesn’t have to be overly complicated or pricey.

Benefits of Marketing Automation

Marketing automation offers a range of benefits, including:
Saving Time: By automating routine tasks, you free up your time to focus on other crucial areas of your business.
Increasing Efficiency: Automation allows you to create a streamlined marketing campaign that works even when you’re sleeping.
Improving Customer Engagement: Automated follow-ups ensure that you’re constantly engaging with your customers, enhancing your relationship with them.

How to Get Started

Starting with marketing automation is simpler than you might think. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you out:

Identify Your Needs: What tasks are consuming most of your time? What customer engagement opportunities are you missing out on? By answering these questions, you can decide what tasks to automate first.

Choose Your Software: There are numerous marketing automation tools available, so pick the one that fits your needs and budget. Remember, the best tool is the one that you’ll actually use! One that stands out in terms of price and value is Clixio.io.

Test, Tweak, Repeat: Once you’ve set up your automation, monitor its performance. The key to successful automation is regular tweaking and optimising.

Marketing Automation Demystified: Your Blueprint to Success - Done Digital Marketing - Brisbane Australia

Marketing automation tip: Maintain a personal touch. Not all customer interactions should be automated. Identify key touchpoints for valuable human interactions, balancing efficiency with connection.

Remember, Automation Doesn’t Replace Humans

Finally, it’s important to remember that automation is a tool, not a substitute for genuine human interaction. Automated emails can’t replace the warmth of a personalised message, and automated social media posts can’t replicate the authenticity of real-time engagement. Use automation to streamline your processes, but don’t forget the importance of personal touch.

Examples of Marketing Automation

Here are a few practical ways you can apply marketing automation to your business:

Email Marketing Automation: Send automated emails based on certain triggers. For instance, you can set up a welcome series for new subscribers, or a follow-up email after a customer makes a purchase.

Social Media Automation: Schedule your social media posts in advance and have them automatically published at optimal times for your audience.

Lead Scoring: This refers to the process of assigning points to each lead based on their behaviour or interaction with your brand. This can help you identify and focus on the leads that are most likely to convert into customers.

7. Tips for Effective Marketing Automation

If you’re just getting started with marketing automation, here are some tips to keep in mind:

Start Small and Scale Up: Don’t try to automate all your marketing efforts at once. Start with one or two tasks, evaluate the results, and then gradually incorporate more automation into your strategy.

Segment Your Audience: Marketing automation is most effective when messages are tailored to specific segments of your audience. Segment your audience based on factors like their interests, past purchases, or how they interact with your brand.

Monitor and Optimise: Keep a close eye on your automated campaigns. Are they bringing the results you hoped for? Use analytics to understand what’s working and what isn’t, then make adjustments as needed.

8. The Role of Content in Marketing Automation

Remember, successful marketing automation relies heavily on quality content. Whether it’s the emails you send, the social media posts you publish, or the ads you run, your content needs to be valuable, engaging, and relevant to your audience.

Invest in creating high-quality content that resonates with your target customers. This might involve writing informative blog posts, creating engaging videos, designing eye-catching infographics, or developing insightful e-books. The better your content, the more effective your marketing automation efforts will be.

Put Your Marketing on Autopilot with Done Digital

Marketing automation, once demystified, is not some jargon-mstfilled monster but a powerful tool in your arsenal. It’s here to streamline your processes, improve customer engagement, provide valuable insights into your customers’ behaviour, save your small business time, and improve efficiency. So, why not take the plunge? Remember to start small, continue tweaking, and never underestimate the power of good content. Your journey to success might be simpler than you think, and with marketing automation, it could well be a well-automated one too!

If you’re ready to put your marketing on autopilot and elevate your business to new heights, book a Free Strategy Session with our expert team. You can find more information on our Digital Marketing page.

Let us help you on your journey to marketing success and a thriving business!

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3 Tips On How To Make Email Automation A More Human Experience

3 Tips On How To Make Email Automation A More Human ExperienceDone Digital

The words ‘personal’ and ‘automation’, like day and night, couldn’t be any more contrary. So, when suggesting to clients that we should use email automation to communicate with their customers, they often get a little confused. Every day our inboxes are flooded with promotional offers and impersonal emails from big corporations. Part of my job is to make customer experiences more personal and human, and email automation software, like Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign and Ontraport are the perfect tools to do just that.

Here are 3 things you can do today to make emailing your customers more personal and gain valuable insights, all while freeing up more of your busy time.

1. Send a ‘personal’ follow-up email

Your customers might opt-in for your newsletter, download a lead magnet, or purchase a product or service. They then usually receive an automated confirmation e-mail to thank them for taking action. One powerful way to make email automation more personal and human is to send them a ‘personal’ follow-up email shortly after the initial confirmation email. The amount of people who reply to this email is phenomenal and many will even thank you for the warm and personal welcome. I usually send this about an hour after the confirmation email.

Real World Example:



“Hi, [Customer First Name],

 my name is David, digital marketing consultant here at Done Digital. 



I noticed that you just downloaded our free e-book and thought I quickly reach out to say hi and introduce myself. If you have any questions regarding the ebook, or in general, I’m always just an email away. :)



Would you be open to sharing some of the challenges you currently face in your business when it comes to marketing, [Customer First Name]? Have you got any specific goals that you looking to achieve in the coming months?



I look forward to hearing from you,



Kind regards,


David”



Tip: Keep the email in plain text (no branding or template) so it actually looks like you just sent it. Insert your email signature at the bottom of the email, just the way you normally would. You might want to restrict send times for this email to business hours, so customers don’t receive a personal email from you at 3am – unless that’s part of the image that you are trying to convey.

 




2. Collect customer data & actually use it

Many businesses collect customer data but never actually make good use of it. Over time, you might collect a number of details about your leads or customers, such as their name, gender, location, birthday, interests, and what products they purchased. This is all data you can use to make your customer experience more personal.

 As a service-based business, you might have a range of services that you offer. Send customers a different series of emails, depending on the service they signed up for. As a gym or yoga studio, you might have a 30-day introductory offer. Design an email sequence that helps people get the most out of their first month with you. Make them feel welcome, educate and inspire them. They are much more likely to stay if you nurture them and deliver a personal experience. Make sure to ask questions to find out where your customers might need some help or what they particularly like about your service. Asking for feedback will not only create rapport with your customers but help you improve your business significantly along the way.

Real World Example:



“Hi [Customer First Name],



it’s already been a week since you signed up for our 30-day intro offer. How are you going so far?

 Have you already had some minor (or major) successes that you are happy to share with me? Or is there anything that you might need help with? Maybe motivation, a nutrition plan, or advice with certain exercises? 

You can always contact me or have a chat with one of our personal trainers. We want to make sure  you get the most out of your 30 days.



Also, how is the time table working out for you? We are always trying to improve and increase the number of classes we offer. Are there certain times during the week that would suit you better?



Look forward to hearing from you, [Customer First Name].



Warm Regards,


[Gym Owner Name]”

 




3. Ask good questions in your email automation sequences

Asking good questions in your emails will give customers the opportunity to respond, thus deepening relationships and building rapport. Most businesses make the mistake to only talk about themselves and their product features. Asking good questions shows that you care about your customers and puts the focus on them. It’s only when we ask questions that we can learn about our customers and use this information to develop better products and services.

Here are some questions that you might want to start asking in your email automation sequences:

•    “What are some of the challenges you are currently facing and how could we be of help?”
    •    “Is there anything about our product/service you think we can improve?”
    •    “What do you like the most about our product/service?”
    •    “Who would you recommend our product/service to?”


Tip: Restrict each email to a maximum of one or two questions. Asking too many questions at once will put off customers, rather than encourage them to reply to your message.

After all, knowing what truly matters to our customers helps us to contribute in more meaningful ways and make the world a little better. One email at a time.

What’s your experience with email automation (good or bad)? Have you sent emails to your customers that performed really well? What are your thoughts about email automation? Let me know in the comments below. I’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have.

If you are ready to transform your marketing and take your business to the next level, check out my 90-Day Marketing Transformation. I might be the guy who can help you.

 

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