Marketing automation for small business.
Where to start, what it costs and what to leave to a person, in plain words.
- Start with speed
- Real prices
- A person stays in charge
The short answer.
Start with the moment a lead comes in. Many small businesses lose more business to slow replies than to anything a campaign could fix. After that, follow up on the leads you already paid for and never closed. Only then add more complicated automation. Keep a person in charge of anything that speaks for you.
What to automate first, in order.
1. Reply to every new lead in seconds.
A form fill, a missed call or a text. A fast reply by text, email and voicemail keeps the lead warm while you are driving or in a meeting. Launch's instant lead response does this for insurance agents at $297 a month, including voicemails in your own voice. See instant lead response.
2. Follow up on old leads.
Leads you already paid for and never closed are the cheapest to work. A steady sequence of email, text and voicemail brings some back. Launch's cold lead reactivation is $297 a month for insurance agents. See cold lead reactivation or read the step-by-step playbook.
3. Keep it all in one place.
Once replies and follow-up run on their own, you need one screen that shows what needs you today. That is an AI command center. Launch OS is $197 a month, Atlas AI is $297 a month and a custom command center is $497 a month. See what it costs.
What it costs beyond the plan price.
Texting has real costs outside the plan price. On Launch's cold lead reactivation plan, texts run about 2 cents each, emails are a fraction of a penny and calls are a few cents a minute. A phone number is $1.25 a month, or $2.15 for toll-free, and there is a one-time carrier registration of about $23.50. These are billed at cost with no markup from us. Whatever tool you choose, ask for this list in writing before you start.
What not to automate first.
Anything a person should approve.
If a message speaks for you on a sensitive topic, a person should read it first.
Mass blasts to people who did not ask.
Texting needs permission from the person, plus carrier registration. Texting people who never agreed can get your number blocked and can create legal trouble, so get consent first.
Things you cannot explain.
If you cannot say what an automation does and when it sends, do not switch it on yet.
How to tell you are ready.
You are ready if new leads reach you several times a week and you sometimes reply late. If you get one lead a month, spend your effort on getting found first, with a fast website and a complete Google Business Profile. See what hosting should include.
Questions you may be asking.
What is marketing automation?
Software that does repeat marketing and follow-up work for you, such as replying to new leads, sending reminders and following up with people who went quiet, so nothing depends on your memory.
How much does marketing automation cost for a small business?
At Launch Automation, instant lead response and cold lead reactivation are $297 a month each, Launch OS is $197 a month, and Atlas AI is $297 a month and a custom command center is $497 a month. Usage such as texts, calls, a phone number and carrier registration is billed at cost on top.
Does Launch offer this for businesses other than insurance?
The instant lead response and cold lead reactivation plans are built for insurance agencies. For other businesses, a custom AI command center covers the same ground and is $497 a month with an agreed initial scope.
Do I need to change my CRM?
No. A command center sits on top of the tools you already use. We work with GoHighLevel and most major CRMs.
Can automation text my leads without permission?
It should not. Texting needs consent from the person and carrier registration. Get permission first and make it easy to opt out.
Want to know what to automate first?
Describe how leads reach you and we will point to the first thing worth automating.