The Basics of Marketing Automation

               If you’ve managed to find your way to this article then that means you have some interest in knowing what marketing automation is all about and how it can help your business. This article will try to break down the basics of marketing automation and get you started on the right track. There are so many things to discuss when talking about marketing automation that there is no way it could all fit in this article, but I’ll try and help you know a little more and get you to ask the right questions if you want to do more research on this topic.

What is Marketing Automation?

               Marketing automation is an online program that allows you to easily manage and market through many different channels as well as automate certain steps of the marketing process. Some of the different functions that can be performed with a marketing automation platform include creating lists that can be easily organized, designing online forms that people can fill out, and producing detailed reports that easily breakdown the most important information. There are other features that these platforms provide but as will be discussed later, the functionality of your marketing automation system will be dependent of which platform you use.

What Marketing Automation Platform is Best for My Company?

               Unfortunately, there is no one size fits all answer here. There are many different marketing automation software companies out there which have a wide variety of specialties. However, there are some questions that you can ask yourself to help figure out which platforms may be right for you. Start by clearly defining what your marketing goals are then asking what will be necessary to help you complete those goals both as efficiently and as effectively as possible. Once you know what those things that you need are, you can start to narrow your search down to the automation systems that offer or even specialize in the things that you are looking for.

               One extra bit of advice is to look at what you get access to depending on the type of subscription you have to the service. There are often different tiers that are offered by these companies and some of the features you may want could be locked behind a price that you are not ready to pay yet. If you are not sure, you can always contact someone who works at the company you are interested in and they will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

When Should I Get Started on Using Marketing Automation?

               I may be a little bit biased when it comes to this question, but I think that I have the evidence to back me up for my reasoning. You should start using marketing automation as soon as possible. Marketing automation may sound like a super technical process that is only needed by the big companies but that is not true. Anybody can take advantage of this technology. As long as you spend even a small amount of time on marketing, there is something that marketing automation can offer you to make your life easier.

Why Should I Use Marketing Automation?

               There are many benefits that can be attributed to the use of an automation system. One of the major benefits that you will see after implementing one of these systems is an increase in marketing efficiency and productivity. By keeping all of your contacts organized, easy to segment and trackable, you can save time and ensure that you are sending the right messages to the right people at the right time. By doing this, you will also see in increase in lead generation for your business. Other benefits that can be seen after implementing a marketing automation system include a higher level of user engagement, better harmonization between sales and marketing, stronger lead nurturing, among many others.

How Do I Get Started With Marketing Automation?

               At this point, you have a couple of different options. The first is to get started on outlining what your marketing goals are going to be going forward. Without a clear objective of what you want to do, you will have trouble finding a platform that is the best fit for your company. Once you have a platform selected, you wither be able to jump right in and start importing some of your existing databases into your new automation system and grouping your contacts into groups that make sense for your business. After that, your next steps will be dependent on your marketing objectives.

               If you are still unsure of where to start, you can always contact a marketing professional like WSI and we can give you a more personalized set of plans and even help you better understand the ins and outs of marketing automation better than this, or any article.

You could get started by booking a free consultation at a time of your choice right now.