What would you do with 5 extra hours a week?

It's easy to get stuck in the mindset of "I just have to get through today," especially when you're managing client work, admin tasks, and everything in between. But what if you could gain back a few hours each week - not by working faster, but by not doing the same things over and over again?

Automation isn't just for tech companies or big teams. It's a time-saving, stress-reducing tool that any business owner can use to lighten their load. Five hours may not sound like much, but imagine what you could do with that time: connect with more clients, develop a new offering, or just finally take a break.

Automation is not just a tool; it's a strategic advantage to drive efficiency.

A basic workflow that saves you even a few clicks is a win in saving time and allowing you and your employees to focus on more impactful activities. This shift leads to cost savings, improved accuracy, and enhanced scalability, enabling businesses to grow without proportionally increasing resources. By embracing automation, small businesses can transform their operations, positioning themselves for sustainable success and growth.

Tip: Here are some automations you can try today to start saving your time, and sanity.

Many small business owners think automation is complicated or only useful for tech-heavy businesses. However, even the simplest operations, like scheduling meetings or sending reminders, can be automated with easy-to-use tools. You don't need to overhaul everything at once. Start with one time-consuming, repetitive task, and build from there. Here are some universal automations to get you started:

• Client Onboarding & Intake
  • What to Automate: Sending welcome emails, collecting intake forms, booking calls.
  • Tools:
    • Dubsado / HoneyBook
    • Calendly + Google Forms + Zapier
    • TidyCal, Calendly, or Acuity Scheduling with auto-reminders
• Lead Capture & Follow-Up
  • What to Automate: Gathering leads and triggering emails or task reminders.
  • Tools:
    • Kit (formerly ConvertKit) / ActiveCampaign
    • Zapier to link your form (e.g., Typeform, Google Forms, or Gravity Forms) with your CRM
    • Insightly or HubSpot CRM for simple automations and tracking
• Social Media Scheduling
  • What to Automate: Publishing posts, scheduling promotions, recycling evergreen content.
  • Tools:
    • Buffer, Later, Metricool
    • Canva’s content planner
• Recurring Admin Tasks
  • What to Automate: Monthly reports, invoice reminders, client check-ins.
  • Tools:
    • Zapier or Make
    • ClickUp / Asana for recurring tasks
    • QuickBooks / FreshBooks for auto-invoicing
• File Organization & Naming
  • What to Automate: Sorting documents into the right folders, renaming files based on submissions.
  • Tools:
    • Zapier + Google Drive
    • Loom, Zoom, or Scribe to create step-by-step documentation automatically
• Internal Team Alerts
  • What to Automate: Notifying teammates when it’s their turn to take action.
  • Tools:
    • Slack + Zapier
    • ClickUp or Asana with built-in automations

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Personal Update:

I have been diving into new automation and project management solutions to help an entrepreneur who's juggling multiple businesses and a remote team. When you're wearing multiple hats, staying organized isn't optional - it's essential. Automations have been a game-changer in creating structure, reducing repetitive tasks, and making sure nothing slips through the cracks. The right systems really can give you room to breath.

If you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to begin with automation, let's chat. I'd love to help you uncover a few simple wins that can make a big impact. Hit reply and reach out. I'm here to help.

What specific operational challenges are you currently facing that you'd love to see covered in future newsletters? Reply to this email with your questions.