Automated marketing to generate more leads and more sales

Automated marketing refers to all techniques and tools that automate marketing processes, with the goal of generating leads and increasing sales for a business.
Marketing automation also helps to increase the efficiency and productivity of marketing departments.
To answer the question "What is marketing automation?", we have prepared this article with its definition, advantages, strategies, examples of use and tools.
What is marketing automation?
Definition
In general, automated marketing encompasses all means, methods and solutions for automating digital marketing actions, from a business perspective.
Together with inbound marketing and outbound marketing, these strategies contribute to optimize the commercial performance of companies and ensure ROI.
Marketing automation platform: functionalities
A marketing automation software brings together a range of powerful tools within the same platform, such as:
- Sending emails.
- Social media management.
- Visitor tracking.
- Landing Page management.
- Establishment of automatic processes based on customer profile.
- Implementation of Lead Nurturing processes.
- Implementation of Lead Scoring processes.
- Synchronization with a CRM tool.
Why implement marketing automation?
Three key points to define marketing automation (as a discipline and as software):
1. Automation of repetitive tasks.
For example, email marketing , or sending a series of welcome emails to new newsletter subscribers, is done by software. Content personalization is the basis of this strategy.
2. Lead qualification and lead generation
It requires the intelligence and knowledge of a web marketing expert, as well as a technical solution to configure and manage all processes.
3. Increasing sales in both BtoB and BtoC
The sales funnel has been previously designed in close collaboration between the marketing department and the sales team: each customer profile corresponds to a specific scenario leading to the act of purchase. The tool greatly facilitates the different marketing automation tasks according to each scenario.
To get results with marketing automation, we must follow this logic: the strategy thinking is the head, the software is the legs.
7 advantages of automated marketing
1. Save time and money
Optimize the actions of your marketing and sales teams. You can measure and choose strategic actions that your teams can work on, while the software works for them on "low value-added" tasks.
2. You gain in efficiency and productivity
Completing the previous point, not only are your marketing teams exempt from time-consuming missions, but marketing automation is also a booster for SMB efficiency.
With marketing automation, forget about time-consuming Excel tables that require a lot of work and thought. Reporting is done automatically and in real time.
Analyze the results of marketing campaigns easily and adjust your strategy for better results.
3. Lead nurturing
A marketing automation platform is intended to deliver qualified leads. Marketing tools allow you to define parameters to classify leads automatically. More than just intuition, these programs allow precise segmentation, based on real and measurable data.
4. Lead Scoring
You can accurately score your leads based on their profile and behavior automatically. Therefore, only customers with real potential will be targeted for direct contact. By prioritizing the leads that are most likely to convert, you will increase the efficiency of your business.
5. You reduce the sales cycle
Marketing automation techniques such as content generation, lead nurturing or lead scoring reduce the buying cycle, through a maturing process adapted to the profile of each customer.
6. You generate more sales
The undeniable asset of automated marketing is its ability to qualify a buyer: the solution allows you to send a commercial proposal to the right person at the right time.
7. You personalize relationships
With marketing automation, these processes have become obsolete. Automation allows you to get to know your contacts better and send them the right content at the right time.
3 marketing automation channels and strategies
Good use of marketing automation is based on pre-established marketing automation scenarios. It involves defining a sequence of actions that are triggered based on user behavior. The goal is to send tailored content with specific messages.
1. Premium content for download
- A user accesses your website and provides his email address in a contact form to download a white paper.
- 7 days after receiving your whitepaper, you send them more information on the same topic.
- 15 days later, you send him a case study, to show him what works and how.
- 30 days later, you send them a free trial offer .
2. Webinar
- A user attends your webinar on the scheduled day.
- 10 days before, you send him useful information for this webinar.
- 3 days later, you broadcast the video with associated content.
- 25 days later, you propose to prepare a personalized study.
3. Birthdays
- The contacts database has all the necessary information for future campaigns (you know the birthday of your customers).
- 10 days before the birthday, email a special anniversary offer with a discount.
- 5 days before, send an email reminder if the promo code has not been used.
- 10 days after using the discount, congratulate the customer on the purchase and thank them for their trust.
Marketing automation software: what tools are available?
Here are two of the most widely used marketing automation tools, so that you can discover some of their main functionalities:
Hubspot Marketing Hub
Marketing Hub is HubSpot's specialized marketing tool. This software is accessible to any type of company, from SMEs to large accounts.
Sendinblue
Sendinblue is a complete platform for marketing management and automation. From chat, email and SMS marketing management to retargeting and segmentation, through the creation of Landing Pages and subscription forms.
Marketing automation tools for your business strategy
If it's obvious that you need to choose a solution that fits your needs, it's worth determining which specific functionalities or features you require.
Focus on your customer, study them and then trust your campaigns to the capability and reach of the right marketing tool.
Article translated from Spanish