Automating reviews is one of the most important steps brands make in order to win the reputation game online. It allows organizations to reach every customer, making it as easy as possible for them to share their feedback. 

Bill Gates once said, “The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency.” 

Automation is often an overlooked business method when finding ways on getting an edge over one’s competition. A company that wants to stand out should consider automation to simplify and speed up operations. 

Too many business owners focus on repetitive tasks and unnecessary bureaucracy rather than do things that drive growth and profit. Automation is the answer. Once you put routine processes on autopilot, you can shift your attention on tasks that make or break a new venture. 

In today’s digital world, there’s no shortage of innovative solutions to business automation on the market. Operations that involve payroll, marketing, and even customer service can be automated and streamlined to some degree. Companies of all sizes can create their own automated processes using proven tools and apps to be more efficient and productive. 

Here are the key steps to transforming your business with automation. It’s time to turn this technology into end-of-month reports worth celebrating. 

1. Set which processes to automate

The second rule, according to Bill Gates, is “automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the inefficiency.” 

It is crucial to choose the right tasks to automate. This is where most companies get off to a false start with automation. Just because you can automate a process doesn’t necessarily mean you should. A few examples would be content writing, translation, and web design. There are a lot of tools for automating these processes but most of them fall way short of the mark. 

The reason is, it can be difficult for algorithms to automate tasks that require creative thinking and a lot of human input. For now, even recent technology can’t 100 percent replicate a human’s complex cognitive processes. 

So focus on business processes that are time-consuming, repetitive, and easy for algorithms to handle accurately, without your input. What are these tasks? Examples include: 

• Email responses for lead scores
• Analytics reports
• Bulk image resizing and optimization 
• Posting blogs to Twitter at specific times
• Sending invoices to clients
• Reaching out to existing customers 
• HR onboarding and process automation 

You can start by connecting platforms together. There are tools like Zapier and IFTTT that aim to eliminate repetitive tasks from your workflow as much as possible. Once you get used to automation, you might even come up with more ambitious strategies that can entirely transform your business. 

2. Explore automation tools

Once you’ve identified the tasks you are going to automate, it will be easier for you to choose the right tools. There are a lot of automation platforms available today. Below are some of the most highly recommended automation tools for the usual business processes: 

• Zapier – Basic Automations

A wonderful tool that connects the apps you use everyday to automate your work and be more productive. It lets you turn emails into trello cards, auto-reply to Slack messages, track time from Google Calendar into Toggl, promote new store items on Facebook, streamline your recruitment process, and so much more! 

• ActiveCampaign – Sales Automations

ActiveCampaign is an all-in-one marketing and sales automation tool. It is used to nurture leads and make sure that all are well-qualified before scheduling consultations. It delivers lead magnets that attract new subscribers to an email list. It can send messages to customers based on the website pages they visit and track contacts that are most engaged. 

• Breezy – Recruiting Automation

Breezy gives your organization the power to build and optimize your hiring process, whatever the size. It allows you to customize pipelines for different roles, automate communication, tasks, scheduling and follow-ups. 

• Edgar and Buffer – Social Media

Choosing your scheduling tool for social media can have a big effect on your business since it can help you increase engagement, traffic and analyse your progress. Both Edgar and Buffer let you manage social media activities such as scheduling posts to be shared on different platforms.  

3. Set targets and track results

After choosing your automation tools, make sure to set specific targets or objectives before putting any workflows in place. This will help you gauge success and refine your processes for better performance. 

Automation is going to free up time that will allow you to do something else – so where will you spend it? Define your goal and evaluate the impact of your automation strategy. Create an automation culture in your workplace. Keep a mindset that is all about efficiency and maximizing results. Here’s why automation is vital for your business: 

• Time-Saving

Your staff may be spending countless hours performing repetitive tasks. With automation, time is saved and more value is added to the business. Human error is eliminated, and the staff won’t be hindered by hours of mundane tasks. 

• Less Labor Costs

Tasks that are performed in bulk require a high number of employees in order to keep up with the deadlines. Companies sometimes hire extra employees to help with the busy workload. With automation, tasks become more efficient, saving you tons of money. 

• Customer Service

A lot of companies lose customers due to ineffective support. Consumers want a brand they can get in touch easily. But not all can afford to run a call center. Automated phone lines can now take messages for inquiries, take payments, and provide information 24/7. 

Automate your business beyond reviews with the help of Outliant! We are experts in effectively managing your digital marketing budget, having developed tools and strategies for over hundreds of clients to make business processes more efficient. We can help you grow and automate your business so you can spend time on what matters most.