If you've ever felt like you're spending way too much time on repetitive tasks that don't directly generate revenue, then this episode is for you.

We're talking all about automations and how they can save you hours every week in your business. From streamlining admin tasks to managing your client workflow, automations are one of the best investments you can make as a small business owner.

In this episode, we're sharing our personal experiences with implementing automations, what tasks you should automate first, and exactly which tools we use to run our businesses more efficiently. We're also addressing the biggest concerns people have about automations, like whether they make your business feel impersonal or whether they're too complicated to set up.

If you're still doing everything manually (or if you're curious about what you could be automating), this episode will give you practical ideas for where to start.

Topics We Cover

• When we realized we needed systems and automations in our businesses
• The tasks that were taking way longer than they should (and how we fixed them)
• Why most business owners wait too long to start automating
• What automation actually means in a small business
• Why automation feels intimidating (and why it doesn't have to be)
• The difference between different CRMs (17 Hats, Honeybook, Dubsado)
• Which tasks you should automate first
• What a CRM actually does and why it saves the most time
• How to add personal touches even with automated workflows
• Project management tools: Basecamp, Asana, ClickUp, Trello
• Email marketing platforms: Flodesk, Mailerlite, Mailchimp
• Scheduling systems: Calendly, Acuity
• Social media scheduling: Planoly, Tailwind
• Why automation creates freedom
• Where to start first

Time Stamps

05:21 – When did you realize you needed systems and automations?

06:50 – Tasks that were taking way too long

08:00 – What it was like running your business before automating

09:01 – Things you did manually that now seem ridiculous

11:18 – Why business owners wait too long to automate

13:15 – What does automation actually mean?

13:56 – Why automation feels intimidating

15:28 – Why it can be complicated (but doesn't have to be)

16:00 – Choosing the right programs for your business

17:19 – What tasks should you automate first?

19:26 – What is a CRM and what can it do?

23:04 – Adding personal touches to automated workflows

24:55 – Different CRMs for different business needs

25:10 – What is a project management tool?

28:16 – Using project management purely for your own organization

29:53 – How automations save time in project management

32:54 – Email marketing platforms and automation

36:09 – Scheduling systems like Calendly

37:07 – Social media scheduling platforms

40:42 – Automation doesn't have to be complicated

41:26 – Automation creates freedom

42:47 – Where to start with automations

Links & Resources Mentioned

Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com

Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com

Tools Mentioned:

• CRMs: 17 Hats, Honeybook, Dubsado, Moxie
• Project Management: Basecamp, Asana, ClickUp, Trello
• Email Marketing: Flodesk (get 50% off your first year), Mailerlite, Mailchimp
• Scheduling: Calendly, Acuity
• Social Media: Planoly, Tailwind