As a business owner, you want to get the most bang for your buck when it comes to your marketing and automation needs. That’s why at Automation Agency, we offer project fees instead of hourly rates.

We firmly believe that this is in the best interest of our clients and provides them with the most value for their investment. In this blog post, we’ll explore the reasons why we offer project fees and how this benefits you as a client.

1. No Surprises

When you engage with the Automation Agency, transparency is key. We pride ourselves on providing you with a comprehensive scope of work alongside a fixed project fee right from the outset. This is one reason why we encourage most of our private clients to start with a Flowchart & Funnel Diagram. This ensures that you’re fully aware of what you’re investing in, eliminating any unwelcome surprises or unanticipated expenses as the project progresses. You can embark on your sales and marketing automation development with peace of mind, knowing that your budget is locked in and won’t be impacted by unexpected hourly charges. This means that you’ll know exactly what you’re paying for from the beginning, with no surprise expenses or extra costs down the line.

2. Focus on Quality

Our team of seasoned growth experts and marketing automation architects are committed to delivering top-notch work that generates tangible outcomes for your business. With project-based pricing, we’re able to devote the necessary time and energy to perfect every facet of your project without being hindered by tracking hours. Our undivided attention is directed towards producing the best results possible, without the concern of ticking clocks or hourly quotas allowing our team to produce high-quality work that delivers real results for your business.

3. More Flexibility

The flexibility that project fees afford us is directly beneficial to you. It allows us to tailor our approach based on your evolving needs and preferences. If a change in strategy or an adjustment in priorities becomes necessary, we have the agility to reallocate resources swiftly and identify if there are any additional fees necessary. This ensures that the end product not only meets but exceeds your expectations, adapting to any shifts in your project requirements. With project fees, we can be more flexible in our approach. This means we’re able to adjust our resources and priorities as needed to make sure we’re delivering the best possible outcome for our clients.

4. More Efficient

Embracing project-based fees empowers us to optimize our workflows and work more efficiently. Unlike hourly billing, which can inadvertently encourage slower work to accrue more hours, project fees encourage us to work smarter and more streamlined. This results in quicker project completion times, reduced complexities, and fewer disruptions, enabling you to witness the results of our labor sooner. Ultimately by using project fees, we’re able to streamline our processes and work more efficiently. This means getting your project completed faster and with fewer complications or delays.

5. No Hidden Costs

Hourly billing models sometimes hide unforeseen costs within their fine print, surprising clients with expenses that weren’t initially apparent. By opting for project fees, you can put these concerns to rest. Your invoice remains transparent, free from hidden fees or charges. You can have confidence that the price you agreed upon at the outset is the only cost you’ll encounter, contributing to a more predictable and stress-free financial experience. Whereas hourly billing can often come with hidden costs that you’re not aware of until they appear on your invoice. With project fees, you won’t have to worry about unexpected expenses that impact your budget.

6. Predictability

Predictability is paramount for effective budgeting and planning. By agreeing to a project fee, you gain a clear understanding of the financial commitment required for your marketing and automation initiatives. This predictability empowers you to allocate resources appropriately, knowing that your project won’t deviate from the pre-established budget. This financial stability fosters a sense of trust and partnership between you and the Automation Agency.

By agreeing to a project fee, you’ll get a predictable cost that’s easy to budget for and plan around. This means you can plan for your marketing and automation needs with confidence, without worrying about unexpected expenses.

7. Results-Oriented

Our philosophy centers around delivering outcomes that truly impact your business. Project fees align perfectly with this philosophy, as they shift the focus from mere task completion to measurable results. Our collaboration revolves around achieving quantifiable benefits for your business. Every effort we invest is geared towards producing value that goes beyond the project itself, making project fees an investment in your business’s growth and success.

Ultimately, we believe that project fees are in the best interest of the client because they focus on results. We’re not just completing tasks for the sake of completing tasks – we’re working to deliver measurable results that will help provide real value to your business.

Conclusion:

At Automation Agency, our steadfast belief in the superiority of project fees stems from the myriad of advantages they extend to our clients. By offering upfront clarity, unwavering quality, flexibility, efficiency, and cost transparency, we create an environment of trust and collaboration.

We’re dedicated to proving that the value of your investment isn’t just in our services but also in the confidence, assurance, and results that come with project-based pricing.

If you’re ready to experience the transformative benefits of project fees first hand then keep reading to learn more.

There are two main ways in which service companies can charge their clients.

(1) is Time Based fees.
(2) is Project fees.

There are arguments on both sides.

At the Automation Agency we have tried both, and by far the best results for both parties is Project Fees. It may be just our experience of trying both, but we believe the client gets a way better result using project fee philosophy and if the client gets a better result we trust that we will too.

And so what does project fees or fixed fees charging mean?

The agency must fix and agree a price for their work upfront to deliver an entire project. If the project runs over then it is the agency that pays the price for being inefficient not the client.

That’s a massive advantage to the client.

If we say we will build a client a full sales automation system to help them attract a lot more clients then that is exactly what we must build for the client. We can’t cut any corners, we must deliver.

For the client it means:

Faster – we are incentivized to deliver the project as quickly as we can and so we always work faster, the client gets the system working for them sooner.

Time based fees encourage service providers to keep projects running for as long as they can, while we deliver projects in four to six weeks we had experiences of people coming to us stating that it has taken an agency over six months to deliver projects. Clients pay for something, they want it installed as quickly as they can.

Quality – not only do we deliver faster but we must deliver the highest quality, because we are incentivized to be more efficient in our work. When we are not it is our agency that pays the cost or inefficiency, not the client. It means the Automation Agency employs the very best people in the industry, because we want them working quickly, being efficient and also doing the job right. It means you, the customer, get the very best.

We love building automation systems for businesses, it helps make them more money because they are more efficient and it helps them grow because they are able to attract a lot more clientele to their business. We have now proudly built systems for over 5,000 businesses running the philosophy of delivering to you the highest quality in the quickest time possible.

What is the difference between CRM and Marketing automation? Many of us can interpret that both are similar tools that help us to grow our business. But trust me, both are different and have different properties of their own.

Think about which software you need when you want to build customer relationships, manage sales pipeline and improve customer service? You go to CRM software. But when it comes to saving time, sending emails, improving marketing efficiency, and generating more leads you go to Marketing Automation software.

What is Marketing Automation?

Marketing automation is a strategic approach that enables businesses and organizations of all kinds to reach and engage with their target audiences more effectively. Essentially, marketing automation refers to software and tools that automate certain marketing tasks, such as email campaigns, social media posts, and ad placements. By using marketing automation, businesses can save time, resources, and ultimately, money. This is particularly important for small businesses or those with limited marketing budgets, who need to maximize their efforts to achieve their goals.

Even in industries unrelated to marketing, such as home renovation or interior design, automation can prove useful. For example, if you are a contractor or designer focusing on walk-in shower ideas for small bathrooms, you can use automation to reach potential customers with targeted messages and offers. This not only streamlines your outreach efforts but also ensures that your message reaches the right people at the right time. Ultimately, marketing automation is all about improving efficiency and generating better results, no matter what industry you’re in.

What Is Customer Relationship Management (CRM)?

Customer Relationship Management, or CRM, is a business strategy that focuses on strengthening interactions between a company and its customers, with the ultimate goal of improving customer loyalty and profitability. CRM is more than a software tool; it is an approach to customer engagement that requires a deep understanding of customer needs and behaviors. CRM incorporates marketing automation, sales force automation, and customer service automation into a single system for managing customer interactions across all touchpoints.

By utilizing CRM principles, companies can enhance customer satisfaction, increase sales revenue, and gain valuable insights into customer behavior that inform better business decisions. A successful CRM strategy requires a holistic approach, incorporating people, processes, and technology in a seamless system that prioritizes customers and their needs.

In what way do CRMs and Marketing Automation collaborate?

CRM and Marketing Automation can be combined together which will create a powerful customer relationship management system. Though both are different, they are also dependent on each other in a business organization. By combining CRM and MA software, businesses can track customer interactions from their first knowledge of the existence of your business to the time when they make a purchase.

This can help a business to build stronger relationships with their customers and manage marketing campaigns efficiently and seamlessly.

Keap serves as an integrated CRM and Marketing Automation Software solution, consolidating key tools for efficient business management. Designed to facilitate contact management, lead nurturing, and marketing campaign automation, Keap offers a comprehensive platform. Businesses can leverage its functionality to enhance workflow, improve customer engagement, and implement targeted marketing strategies. Whether for small enterprises or larger corporations, Keap provides a reliable means of achieving a unified approach to CRM and marketing.

Here are some examples which shows how CRM and MA software, when combined, help the business:

Lead Scoring and Qualification:

Imagine a world where your marketing efforts are finely tuned to prioritize leads that have the highest potential for conversion. With MA software, you can assign scores to leads based on their interactions and behaviors, automatically updating your CRM system when they reach a predefined score. This enables your sales team to focus their efforts on leads that are more likely to convert, maximizing their efficiency and ultimately driving more revenue.

Automated Email Campaigns:

Gone are the days of generic email blasts that fail to resonate with your audience. With MA software, you can automate email campaigns that are tailored to specific customer segments. By leveraging the valuable customer information stored in your CRM system, you can ensure that each email feels personal and relevant to the recipient. This coordinated approach nurtures leads, strengthens customer relationships, and boosts your overall engagement.

Sales and Marketing Alignment:

Imagine a seamless collaboration between your sales and marketing teams, where real-time updates on lead interactions and campaign performance are readily available. Integration between your CRM and MA software makes this a reality. By empowering your sales team with timely and relevant information, you can optimize their strategies and ensure that your sales and marketing efforts are aligned towards achieving your business goals.

Customer Journey Tracking:

Understanding and managing the entire customer journey is crucial for building strong relationships and driving long-term loyalty. By combining the power of CRM and MA software, you gain a comprehensive view of each customer’s journey, from the initial touchpoints to post-purchase interactions. This depth of understanding enables you to deliver tailored experiences that resonate with your customers at every stage, ultimately fostering deeper connections and driving growth.

Closed-Loop Reporting:

As a savvy marketer, you know the importance of data-driven decision making. MA software provides detailed analytics on campaign performance, giving you insights into which strategies are driving results and which ones need adjustment. When integrated with your CRM system, this information becomes invaluable for assessing the effectiveness of your marketing efforts and understanding how they contribute to your sales and revenue growth.

Customer Segmentation and Personalization:

One-size-fits-all marketing is a thing of the past. Leverage the power of your CRM data with MA software to create highly targeted and personalized marketing campaigns. By dividing your customer base into distinct segments, you can deliver communication that is tailored to the specific needs and preferences of each group. This level of personalization ensures that your messages are relevant, resonating with your customers and driving better engagement.

Cross-Channel Integration:

In our interconnected world, a consistent and cohesive customer experience across channels is vital. Whether it’s social media, email, or other marketing channels, integration between your CRM and MA software enables a unified approach. This ensures that your messaging remains consistent and that your customers have a seamless experience, regardless of the channel they engage with. With this level of integration, you can strengthen your brand identity and create a memorable experience that keeps your customers coming back for more.

Summing Up: The Key Takeaways on Integrating CRM and Marketing Automation for Sales Success

Occasionally, a perception exists that a CRM system and marketing automation software operate in isolation with minimal overlap, with the CRM primarily focused on sales, and marketing automation exclusively dedicated to marketing functions.

Despite distinct differences between the two, they both contribute significantly to customer relationship management and the broader sales process. The crucial aspect is gaining a comprehensive understanding of the functionalities inherent in both a CRM system and marketing automation system, recognizing how they synergize to form a unified sales funnel spanning the entire customer journey.

By comprehending these applications and their convergence, you empower your sales team for optimal success while mitigating potential friction points in the customer interaction process. This strategic approach ensures a seamless and integrated workflow, fostering a more efficient and effective overall sales experience.

Founded by Jason Benedict and Therese Benedict, Automation Agency is a certified KEAP Partner. Specializing in marketing automation and client success, this agency offers extensive expertise to businesses aiming to maximize KEAP’s capabilities. Their dedication to assisting clients in streamlining processes, enhancing efficiency, and accomplishing marketing goals establishes Automation Agency as a reliable resource for those seeking to elevate their marketing and sales strategies through the capabilities of KEAP.

Contact the Automation Agency today to learn more about how KEAP can help your business grow! Request a FREE 14-Day Trial of Keap.

Unlock the full potential of your business growth with the game-changing advantages of Marketing Automation. Ready to elevate your marketing strategies to new heights? If you’re nodding in agreement, you’re not alone. The real dilemma, however, surfaces when choosing the perfect marketing automation platform. Picture this: a sea of over 100 software solutions, all promising similar benefits. The daunting question emerges – how do you sift through the options and pinpoint the one that aligns seamlessly with your unique business requirements? It’s time to unravel the mystery of selecting the ideal marketing automation companion.

Why Use Marketing Automation Software?

In the dynamic landscape of modern business, utilising Marketing Automation Software has become a strategic choice and a necessity for sustained growth and a competitive edge.

Imagine having the power to streamline repetitive tasks, nurture leads seamlessly, and deliver personalized content to your audience at scale – all while gaining valuable insights into your marketing efforts.

Marketing Automation Software empowers businesses to automate routine processes, from email campaigns to social media posts, allowing teams to focus on high-impact tasks that require human creativity and strategic thinking. It’s the catalyst for efficiency, ensuring timely and targeted interactions with your audience, ultimately fostering stronger relationships and driving conversions. With the ability to analyze and interpret data in real time, these platforms enable data-driven decision-making, optimizing marketing strategies for maximum impact.

In essence, Marketing Automation Software isn’t just a tool; it’s the engine that propels your marketing efforts into the future, enhancing productivity, personalisation, and overall success.

Things To Consider In Your Hunt For The Perfect Marketing Automation Platform

Considering some things can make your shortlisting process easy. The following are the things you should consider while choosing Marketing Automation Software:

1. What features are most important to you?

You would rather choose a platform that meets your needs. So you should first find out what features you want for your business and which platform can provide you with those features.

Determine which features are most important and non-negotiable for your business and which features can be useful. Following are the features and attributes that you should consider:

• Ease of implementation
• Customizability
• Affordable and Flexible Pricing
• Analytics and Reporting
• AI Assistance
• Low Learning Curve
• Range of integrations
• ability to scale as your business grows

Additionally, when you start your research, you will learn each software’s disadvantages. Determine whether those limitations affect your goals or you can ignore them. Also, have communication with the software’s developers or support team and know if they are going to consider those limitations.

2. Is it affordable?

The key consideration when seeking the ideal software for your needs should be affordability. For many small and new businesses, budget constraints make it challenging to invest in expensive marketing automation platforms. Begin by calculating your budget and then research platforms that offer all the desired features at an affordable price.

3. Is It Customizable?

Each marketing automation platform provides templates for creating workflows and some degree of customization. Verify the level of customizability and assess whether you can seamlessly integrate data sources, marketing channels, and analytics tools that are integral to your operations. It’s beneficial to create sample workflows and attempt to edit templates within the software to analyze how effectively you can tailor them to meet your specific needs.

4. Does it have reliable customer support?

Absolutely, seeking assistance when you encounter challenges is crucial. Picture yourself stuck in a workflow, unsure about a specific action, and your only recourse is to reach out for support. Consider reaching out to the support team before making a purchase. Check if they offer live chat support, ask questions about pricing plans and features, and observe how they respond to assess the level of assistance you can expect.

5. Does it integrate well with your tools?

You likely already have some tools in your CRM arsenal, such as forms, analytics tools, social media marketing channels, and data sources. It’s essential to review the software and confirm whether the software can integrate with multiple marketing tools and channels, especially the ones you already own. This step can help minimize the risk of incurring additional expenses and ensure a smoother integration process.