As a small business owner it can be easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day detail. Keeping all the plates spinning is tough. Automation can be a great way to simplify your processes and focus on what matters most: growing your business. Here are eight business automation hacks that will save you time and money.
1. Text expanders
Text expanders are software tools that allow users to create shortcuts for frequently used phrases or words. With text expanders, users can save time and effort by typing a short abbreviation or code instead of typing out the entire phrase or word. The software then automatically replaces the abbreviation with the full phrase or word. This can be especially useful for individuals who type frequently, such as writers, editors, or data entry professionals. Text expanders can also help to reduce errors by ensuring consistent spelling and formatting of frequently used phrases. Overall, text expanders are a valuable tool for improving productivity and efficiency in various settings.
Examples: Typedesk, PhraseExpress, Text Expander, Phrase Exander, Text Blaze
2. Meeting automation
Meeting automation using tools like Calendly and MeetGeek is becoming increasingly popular in modern workplaces. These tools help to streamline the process of scheduling and managing meetings, saving time and effort for everyone involved. Calendly allows users to create custom meeting links and set their availability, which can then be shared with others to easily schedule appointments. MeetGeek, on the other hand, automates the entire meeting process from scheduling to follow-up, including creating agendas, sending reminders, and collecting feedback. Both tools also integrate with popular calendar apps like Google Calendar and Outlook, making it easy to keep track of all your meetings in one place. Overall, meeting automation tools like Calendly and MeetGeek can greatly improve efficiency and productivity in the workplace.
Examples: Calendly, MeetGeek
3. Finance and expense software
Finance and expense automation refers to the use of technology to streamline and simplify financial processes in a business. This can include tools like accounting software, expense tracking software, and payment processing systems. By automating finance and expense processes, businesses can reduce errors, save time, and improve accuracy in financial reporting. Expense tracking software allows employees to easily submit expense reports and track expenses, while accounting software automates tasks like bookkeeping and invoicing. Payment processing systems like PayPal or Stripe enable businesses to accept payments from customers quickly and securely. Overall, finance and expense automation can help businesses to operate more efficiently, save money, and improve their bottom line.
Examples: Xero, Sage, Quickbooks, FreeAgent
4. Email marketing & sales funnel software
By using these automated tools, you can quickly and easily create, manage, and monitor emails to customers, prospects, and leads. You can also create automated sales funnels to capture leads and nurture them into customers, as well as segment and target specific audiences. These tools can save time and money by reducing manual labor and streamlining processes, enabling you to focus on more important tasks. They can also help you personalize your emails and messaging to better engage your customers. Ultimately, these tools are essential if you want to maximize the effectiveness of your marketing and sales efforts.
Examples: Mailchimp, Constant Contact, Get Response, Acumbamail, Vbout
5. Invest in a CRM tool
A CRM system allows businesses to track and manage customer interactions, from initial contact through to post-sales support. By automating tasks such as lead generation, email marketing, and follow-up, a CRM system can help businesses save time, reduce manual errors, and improve customer satisfaction.
Additionally, a CRM system can provide valuable insights into customer behavior, allowing businesses to better understand their customers and tailor their marketing and sales strategies accordingly. Some companies overlap with other elements of marketing and email contact so it’s worth taking a look at their features more closely to see which one will be best for you.
Examples: Hubspot CRM, Monday Sales, Salesforce Essentials, Pipedrive, Insightly
6. Project management tools
If you’re a service or SaaS based business for instance, you’ll want to take a look at project management tools to streamline the whole process. Make sure everything is documented and that it’s easily accessible and searchable. It also needs to be easy to track and monitor progress on projects so that everyone is working with one version of the truth and so there aren’t multiple documents being stored in disperate locations. It ensures everyone can see the status of the project as it happens rather than waiting for updates or having to request information. If there are issues, it’s also quicker to preempt them and figure out a solution as quickly as possible.
Examples: Monday, Notion, and Clickup
Which business automation hacks will you choose?
The use of automated tools and software can help you save time and money, improve customer satisfaction, and maximize your marketing and sales efforts. Start by investing in one tool first and making sure that it’s well embedded into your business. A solid finance solution can be a good place to start, if you don’t already have one. Then you can add other options in later to build on your business automations. This way you will see the benefits stack over time, helping you to streamline processes, reduce errors, and focus on more important tasks. After all, tools such as these are essential for businesses to succeed and remain competitive in today’s market.