In the early days of social media, managing multiple accounts was a challenge for small business owners. They had to log in and log out on different platforms and create content for each channel. Then, various tools appeared that made social sharing much easier and time effective.
In some way, digital marketing was simpler back then. There were fewer platforms, less noise, and better chances of reaching your audience. Nowadays, marketing is becoming increasingly automated, and businesses need to keep pace to stay competitive. A broad variety of tools that can boost your small business’s digital presence is available now. The question is, which one should you choose?
Sending the right message to the right people, at the right time, and in the right way is the bedrock of good digital marketing. Unless your prospects value what you say, any attempt to engage and convert them is likely to fail.
Segmenting your prospects using the right variables allows small business owners to target their audience with relevant messages. The more targeted your message is, the more likely you are to see an increase in conversion rates.
Picture this.
Each night, you lay your head to rest confidently that your bank balance will grow a bit in the morning.
That’s every small business owner’s dream. After all, who wouldn’t want to watch the sales roll in while they kick back and relax with a cold drink in their hands?
Keeping your creative juices flowing can sometimes be a bit tricky, especially if you are supposed to do so constantly. But, when the success of your small business depends on it, there’s no choice. You have to do it.
Or do you?
Here’s the frustrating Catch-22 snaring small business owners: too much automation is bad for conversion, but too little automation means a lot of money, time, and stress.
So, where exactly do you draw the line? How can you decide what’s the proper amount of automation you should use to keep your marketing personal? And, most importantly, how can you avoid sounding like HAL 9000 when interacting with customers?
This is a story you might know all too well. You’ve been told that marketing automation can solve a lot of your problems. You thought it would bring you a seemingly endless flow of prospects who’d convert into loyal customers. You thought it would help you save time, grow your small business, and put your online marketing efforts on autopilot.
Email marketing is huge these days, and everybody already knows the benefits it can bring to your small business. A strategic email marketing campaign can bring you a substantial increase in conversions and of course, a lot of entrepreneurial satisfaction. With a great newsletter series in place you can make sure all your subscribers will receive the right messages at the right time – what else could you really wish for?
It sounds so easy…
You know marketing automation can help you scale your local business. You know you should invest in smarter tools to ensure your prospects receive the right message at the right time. So you start implementing a solution that you think can meet your online marketing needs best.
Two weeks later, you’re still fiddling with automation rules and workflows.
How can your local business compete with the big boys?
That’s simple. You automate.
You know you should invest in smart tools that can help you turn prospects into customers. You know marketing automation can help you reach out to your prospects effectively, personalize your online marketing efforts and maximize your bottom line. As a small business owner, you’ve probably seen others using automation with great results. And, while you recognize marketing automation’s potential, you might still have some reservation.
Do you know what the biggest killer of productivity is?
No, it’s not procrastination.
It’s fear.
Case and point: marketing automation.