One of the problems with managing a growing business is the never-ending list of marketing tasks that need to be done and the seemingly never ending list of tools we need to position ourselves as trusted advisors, pre-sell our offerings, and help clients decide to buy. Then we need to stay top of mind, continue to nurture that relationship to encourage repeat business and referrals.

It can feel pretty overwhelming.

At some point – usually when you’re frustrated trying to get different systems to work together – you start thinking there’s gotta be a better way.

And that’s likely when you start wondering if a marketing automation tool is right for you.

I asked Robin Phillips on the show to help me solve that mystery.

As Director of Customer Relations for The Pule Network, Robin supports customer success by providing training and being responsive to customer questions, needs, and concerns. A testimony to his customer orientation is that testimonials on his LinkedIn profile praise his generous spirit.

The Pulse Network or TPNI provides a cloud-based platform to boost awareness, drive lead generation, and enhance client engagement through content marketing, campaign management and event registration with a social and digital backbone.

As a disclaimer here before we start, I’ve known Robin for several years and I was a past customer of his previous employer. That company was bought by TPNI and I think it’s a testimony to Robin that he survived the acquisition and is still delivering great service to his clients. If you've lived through an acquisition you know they're never easy no matter how well organized and friendly they are. So it's also a testament to TPNI that they recognized Robin's strengths and his dedication to the customer.

In this episode Robin will demystify…

• How marketing automation differs from a CRM or an email service provider
• How to decide if you’re ready for a marketing automation tool  
• What you need to know first before you start marketing  
• Tips for what to do when you get started and how to start without a list  
• How a marketing automation tool helps both the entrepreneur and the client
• The problem with integrating different services  to market and sell your offerings

Be sure to listen all the way to the end when I’ll share your cocktail exercise and action step for this episode.

Terms Used in This Episode That Might Be New to You

• Marketing Automation
• Opt-in
• SMS message
• MMS message
• Email service provider
• Video distribution
• Funnel  integration
• APIs
• Zapier
• Decision driver

Links and Resources

Robin on Facebook 

The Pulse Network's marketing automation platform, Engage 

Andy Falco -- who Robin mentioned on the show 

Take It Deeper with Additional Research
The Cure for Decision Fatigue

4 Steps to Choosing a Marketing Automation Platform That Works 

These 7 Mistakes Can Make Your Marketing Automation Investment Worthless 

7 Big Benefits of Marketing Automation for a Small Business 

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About Us

Winnie Anderson is an award-winning copywriter and brand strategist, a
best-selling author, and respected instructor. She writes books,
creates courses, and provides limited one-on-one consulting with
and for introverted entrepreneurs who are ready to get their
message out in a bigger way and who hate selling. Learn more about
her here or connect with her on social media including Facebook and Twitter.

Judy Jordan is a virtual production assistant who helps
entrepreneurs get their message out in a bigger way using live and
recorded virtual events like webinars, teleseminars, live moble
streaming, podcasts, and virtual conferences. Learn more about her
at her LinkedIn page or connect with her on Facebook.

Sue Brettell is brand developer and designer who acts as Winnie's creative director. Sue helps entrepreneurs communicate their brand essence by creating compelling visual brand elements and coordinating them into a strong, unified visual brand. Learn more about her at her LinkedIn page. Connect with her on Facebook.