As demonstrated by last week’s blog, finding affordable, effective marketing automation solutions is as easy as ever. Meanwhile, important questions arise when you look deeper into automation techniques. For instance, is it really the software itself that defines your success?
The Basics
What is the basic functionality of your average marketing automation strategy? On a general level, it’s helpful to think of automated marketing actions as being activated either at a regular interval defined by you, or when a certain condition arises, also defined by you. The ideal marketing automation solution will respond dynamically to your leads, learning as much about them as possible and allowing you to target more effectively. You’ll then be able to trust your site or email campaign to follow up on the right conditions with the right actions, producing a more personalized experience for leads as they move through the funnel.
Today’s Software
While the above is all well and good as a fantasy, it’s important to know how to separate the imaginary best-case scenario from the practical, actionable aspects of the technology. For one thing, a lot of today’s marketing automation technology focuses on things like email campaigns, which occupy the outbound end of the marketing spectrum. While this is an important and helpful part of any strategy, the fullest potential of automation lies in its integration with inbound marketing strategy. When something as dynamic and complex as an inbound strategy enters the mix, you can be sure that no single software solution for marketing automation will be your magic bullet.
Recipe for Success
If the automation software alone won’t necessarily guarantee you the best results, then what will bring you closest to that ideal solution? As always in digital marketing, it’s the person using the technology and the way in which they use it that will mean the difference between failure and success. Inbound marketing automation can take the effectiveness of your site — not to mention your overall customer experience — to another level, but only if you have the right people by your side to make it work. Opt for a team with maximum inbound experience and you’ll have a real recipe for success!
Even the most impressive strategy can fall flat when not implemented with the right tools and commanded by the right person. CAYK is here to help you and your business navigate today’s modern marketing world with skill and tact, so call us today at (403) 456-0072 to get started!
