What Is Marketing Automation?

Marketing automation means letting software handle repetitive marketing tasks — follow-ups, routing, reporting — so your time goes to strategy instead of busywork.

What it actually is

It is not complicated software for big companies. It is a set of simple "if this, then that" rules: when something happens, an action follows automatically.

What you can automate

• Welcome emails when someone subscribes.
• Lead routing when a form is submitted.
• Reminders when someone does not reply.
• Weekly reports pulled together for you.

What you should not automate

Anything that needs a human touch — nuanced sales conversations, sensitive replies. Automate the repetitive, keep the personal personal.

How to start

Pick one repetitive task that eats your week and automate just that. Prove the value, then expand.

Want to know your highest-leverage automation? Get a free audit and we will flag it. Then read 5 automations every small business should set up.