Most of us think of automation as a good thing – but, is it really? The medical field is now introducing automated operations, where you can go into the hospital for an appendectomy and robots will remove it based on the programming for your particular case.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I want a robot performing a sensitive operation. Robotic voices now answer phones of companies and most of us hate hearing the non-human voices on the other side. We want the personal touch of doctors who care about us and a human voice who can do something about our problems.
Our Internet marketing businesses can now be automated so that we almost never have to deal with customers. Autoresponders thank them for a purchase or a comment and automatic links send them to other sites. We don’t really have to connect with customers anymore. But what effect does that have on our businesses?
During the time I’ve been an Internet marketer, I’ve come to despise the word, “automated.” Those ‘get rich quick’ schemes, responses and links are ‘automated’ to the point that all the so-called guru has to do is launch it on the Internet and the automation takes over, bombarding you with other schemes.
There’s no direct contact or personalization involved. Just an ‘automated’ grab of your name and information so they can send out more ‘automated’ messages to entice you to buy something you don’t need and that won’t help you or live up to your expectations.
Automation can hurt the online reputation you’re trying to build – if it isn’t done properly. Too much automation sometimes takes you out of the equation and can alienate customers that gave you the success you have.
Social technology has given us the ability to automate while still letting your personality shine through. FaceBook and Twitter are both examples of social networking that are both automated and yet let you hold the customer’s hand at the same time.
So, there is a good side of automation if you don’t over-do it.
The Good Side of Automation
There is a good side to automation though. It can be an awesome tool when you use it sparingly and don’t forget your customers in the process. One of the perks of automation that I enjoy is the ability to “tweet” to many people at the same time – but, I always respond to re-tweets personally.
I can’t stress enough that you have to interact with customers. There are many marketers who don’t think as I do and use automation as their strategies for reaching thousands of customers at once and build a list that sends out automated messages and “calls to action.”
These marketers may offer videos of them demonstrating a product and even say that you’ll be tutored by a “team of experts” so that you can start making the big bucks immediately.
Used properly, there’s almost no limit as to how automation can help our online businesses and help us to become a resource to our customers. One social management system – Hootsuite – can help you manage sites such as FaceBook, Twitter, WordPress and many others by letting you set up analytics that measure your overall success and schedule postings that can keep you connected with your customers.
Then, there’s Bufferapp that lets you schedule posts in advance to various social media networks. There are other “automating” apps that you should definitely look at and see how one might help with your time management by performing some of the tasks for you.
Using Automation without Losing Touch
It’s important that when you do use automated features for your business that you don’t over-use them. You want to use social media as a tool to let your customers get to know you and what you have to offer – and that will never happen if you use automation to shower your list with mindless and useless postings.
Remember these valuable tips when using automation in your business:
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Always reply personally to your customers. Never send an automatic post and then forget about it. You should always be available to respond to someone in a timely manner.
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Target each audience. Some of your customers may want more professional content than others, whereas some may enjoy content that’s light and fun. Never automate posts and content to go to all audiences.
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Use automation to schedule evergreen posts, content and videos. Evergreen information is always appreciated by your customers, both old and new, and they can be automatically scheduled to give you more time for other tasks.
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Keep your content up-to-date. Our Internet marketing businesses are always changing and there’s always something new to report. Don’t automate old information that your customers have seen before.
The main message I want you to take away from this post is that automation can be a good thing if you don’t misuse and abuse it. It can save you time and effort and set you free to accomplish more.
Just don’t miss connecting with your customers. That’s the most important thing we can do to build our businesses with purpose and integrity and helps everyone.
February 21, 2013 at 10:39 am
I love using BufferApp to share posts, and since I have Bitly integrated, I can check my link stats there too. It’s pretty awesome and replying to tweets and posts personally really drives interaction and ultimately more traffic, subscribers, and sales.
I agree that automation can be super helpful when used properly, but easily abused.
Thanks for this post,
-Gabe Johansson
February 21, 2013 at 10:49 am
Hey Gabe!
I haven’t used BufferApp, will be looking into more in detail. You are welcome! Thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts. :)
- Carol
February 21, 2013 at 12:13 pm
Hi Carol.
Great post and I totally agree with you that using automated responses tends to take the personal touch out of building a relationship with readers/customers and if used correctly, it sure does have its benefits.
I’ve recently discovered Hoot Suite and it’s been a lifesaver. Who knew a tool like this would save me time in my work life so that I can tend to my home life. It’s helped me keep a steady stream of traffic whereas before on days I was really busy at home, traffic would suffer because I’d only be online for several hours.
Thanks for sharing these tips. Hope you’ve had a great week!
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February 21, 2013 at 1:01 pm
Hello Corina!
So glad you’ve benefited and using automation tools – they can definitely be helpful when used appropriately.
Thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts. :)
- Carol
February 21, 2013 at 6:39 pm
Hey Carol – a great post on an important topic! While we are always looking to save ourselves time, too much automation can definitely create a lower quality in our connections and lose us some great relationships. I appreciate the personal touch and often don’t even respond when I can tell that a message is automated. I am constantly working on a good balance between hands-on & automation :)
~ Ruth
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February 21, 2013 at 6:52 pm
Hi Ruth!
I couldn’t agree more! :) I appreciate you coming by to share your thoughts with us.
Wishing you all the best.
Carol Amato
February 21, 2013 at 8:28 pm
Hi Carol
I would have to agree with you base on my experience when trying to get something done in the service industry and unfortunately Ihavent had a chnace ti use it in internet marketing.
Great to read you information and the responses by people who have used it
Ken
February 21, 2013 at 8:37 pm
Hello Ken,
Well, if used in moderation it can be a wonderful tool.
Thanks for stopping by.
:-)
– Carol
February 21, 2013 at 8:54 pm
Hello Carol,
I agree that automation is best used in moderation, but it sure works great for sending welcome e-mails through Aweber or GetResponse.
If used correctly, I think it can free more time up for personal contact with readers and customers.
I have always appreciated your quick personal replies.
Thanks, Carol. – Steve
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February 21, 2013 at 9:18 pm
Hello Steven,
Yes, for email marketing an autoresponder is absolutely essential and the only actual legal way to do it…
Automation tools for blogging, social media etc. if used properly, can be a great asset and benefit, however, can be a complete train wreck if overused.
Thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts. Have a great weekend. :-)
– Carol
February 21, 2013 at 9:21 pm
I have not heard of either Hoot Suite or BufferApp. You can bet,I’m going to be checking them out. That is my downside!! I don’t know a lot about all the software that is available out there, but, if I stay tuned to Carol’s channel, I’ll know more then I did before. Gonna go check out Hoot Suite and BufferApp.
Thanks, Carol
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February 21, 2013 at 10:08 pm
Hi Geri!
Well, using automation in a limited fashion is okay, and can help, but keeping it personal is best.
I certainly enjoy sharing what I learn… :)
Talk soon,
- Carol
February 21, 2013 at 9:24 pm
Hi Carol,
Thanks for the nice post. Automation has some pros and cons. I think it’s better if you’ll also check the automated responses from time to time. So that it won’t appear too automated..
Cherrylene
February 21, 2013 at 10:05 pm
Hi Cherrylene!
Yes, it definitely needs to be a mix, I agree. :)
Let me know if you have any questions…
Have a great weekend.
- Carol
February 21, 2013 at 10:11 pm
Okay… so I went and checked out both social media pieces of software. I must admit, it would make life a lot easier to use one or both of these. You kind of take the personal touch out of social media, though. If you interact with tweeters and find some kind of rapor with them, it’s a much nicer feeling. Not saying I won’t use this software sometimes in the future, but, it’s nice to know about what’s out there in the marketplace.
Thanks, Carol
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February 22, 2013 at 10:13 am
Hi Carol – Definitely an important topic. The only thing I automate is the scheduling of my tweets. Hootsuite is a God-send for that. My responses to new followers are always personal. I am discouraged by those automatic DM’s that come when you follow someone new on Twitter. They often say “buy my product and like me on Facebook”. Then again, I don’t have hundreds of new people following me each day ;-)
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February 22, 2013 at 10:21 am
Hi Patricia,
I agree with you, I don’t particularly like the automatic direct messages, at least the ones I get don’t seem too personal…
I hope you have a wonderful and blessed weekend. :)
- Carol
February 23, 2013 at 12:06 pm
Thanks again, Carol for the great info, I signed up for Hoot Suite a while ago, but haven’t used it much, time to do it!!!
LOLIJ…DOC
February 23, 2013 at 12:23 pm
Hello Stephen,
Using it carefully is recommended, as always, keep the personal touch, and you should enjoy it. :)
Have a great weekend.
- Carol
February 23, 2013 at 12:24 pm
CONGRATULATIONS to Steven Stuart!! He won a Starbucks Gift Card! Thanks for your contribution.
:)
- Carol Amato
February 24, 2013 at 9:13 pm
Hi Carol – That balance of automation and the personal touch is the balance we all need to find in so many parts of our lives! Without personal touch people can’t know, like and trust you – but with only personal touch you don’t have to sleep :) I like sleep and chocolate.
And, just as an aside, I’m thrilled with the use of robotic surgery for specific types of surgeries in the right surgeons hands. It is safer with less ‘human error’ in the OR. Medicine is practiced and not a science – I wish it were the other way around!
February 24, 2013 at 11:17 pm
Hi Gail,
Some interesting points you’ve made, thanks for sharing your thoughts. Striking a perfect balance is the challenge, and as we move forward in life with our past mistakes to guide, we shall only see an improvement to be sure. :-)
Have a good evening.
- Carol