What if there was a way to put many of your business-related tasks on autopilot? What if you could spend more time on the parts of your business that you LOVE, and less on the parts you don’t?
I have one word for you: systems!
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A business system is simply an automated process or routine. To an extent, it’s a “set it and forget it” type of thing – meaning that once you’ve created it, it should run largely on its own.
Business systems are one of my favorite small business growth strategies…and I think they’re going to quickly become one of yours, too!
But…where do you start?
What types of business systems for growth are best for the small business owner who wants to grow his or her business fast? Keep reading!
Business Systems for Growth
You can create systems for just about any part of your business.
However, I’d suggest starting with the following 3 business systems for growth, as they’ll help you not just manage, but grow your business… all while resulting in more time and freedom for YOU.
1. A Lead Generation System
What if you could regularly wake up in the morning, only to find you’ve gotten several serious inquiries from potential clients… all while you slept?
This is the beauty of a lead generation system!
Once you set up the system, you can spend less time looking for clients, and more time working with clients.
A basic lead generation system might look like this:
- Create an opt-in page where people sign up for a free guide or checklist
- Set up a Facebook Ad to promote this page to your target market
- Once people have signed up for your freebie, they get a series of 3 emails…one of which offers a free 30-minute introductory consult
And that’s it!
As with most business systems, it will take some work to get it set up. You’ll need to create your freebie, the opt-in page, a Facebook ad, and the 3 emails…but once that’s done, you can simply sit back and wait for your consult calendar to start booking up!
2. A Content Marketing System
Content marketing is a marketing strategy that uses the creation of materials like blog posts, videos, social media posts, for example, to help build brand awareness, demonstrate authority and assert expertise. Its purpose is to attract the right people to you using content that offers value.
If you're generating any type of content, like 82% of marketers out there, you'll need a system to manage it all. A content marketing system is a process that will help you automate the process of creating, publishing, and promoting your content.
Here’s an example of a basic content marketing system:
- Hire a ghostwriter to create 4-8 blog posts for you each month. Have this person write the posts directly in WordPress and save them as drafts
- Once each month, log in to your WP dashboard and approve and schedule the posts
- At the same time, create and schedule social media posts to promote the blog posts. Better yet, hire a VA who can do all of this for you
While you’re still involved in this type of system, you’ll get to spend 80-90% less time creating and promoting content…meaning you have much more time to focus on the stuff that directly makes you MONEY!
3. A Scheduling System
Nothing quite wastes time like playing phone tag or emailing back and forth endlessly trying to set up an appointment with someone. If you've been doing that, you need to set up a client scheduling system.
This is a completely automated system where clients can book a call with you themselves online based on the times that you’re available.
It completely eliminates the need to check your calendar multiple times a day, go back and forth with clients, or send appointment reminders. Simply send them your calendar link. They book their appointment and it appears on your calendar. This takes you completely out of the booking process.
There are TONS of options out there, both free and paid, but the one we use is Calendly (pictured above). We use this tool to not only automate the entire process, including asking specific questions that help us prepare for calls in advance. It's a HUGE time saver and what I'd say is a must-have system in your small business.
Make Sure to Use the Systems You Create
Business systems are great…but in order for them to work, you actually need to put them in place.
Business systems are great…but in order for them to work, you actually need to put them in place. Click To TweetI recommend starting small. Choose one system listed above, and commit to putting it in place over the next 7-10 days.
Once you start to see how this business system frees up your time and brings success, you’ll realize just how amazing business systems for growth can be!
Learn more on how to have a business mindset in my post How to Have a Growth Mindset for Success in Your Business and Your Life.
I’d love to know: Which business system are you going to try in the next 7-10 days? Let me know in the comments below!
UPDATED on June 6, 2022
4 thoughts on “3 Business Systems that Automate Growth and Create Freedom”
Calendly for scheduling appointments
Awesome, Nancy.
I use 2 calendar systems. Calendly for 30 min appointments and Calendar Hero for longer appointments. Both are no cost to me.
Cool, Mike. I love Calendly. Never heard of Calendar Hero though. What’s the benefit of using both tools?