What tasks can you automate?
<p>Managing your business alone requires you to wear several hats at once: customer service, administration, marketing... and the list goes on! This is what makes time management so crucial for self-employed workers. Luckily, some repetitive processes can be automated so you can focus on what really matters: your customers and your expertise.</p>
<p>Automating key actions in your daily life will save you valuable hours each month and reduce the risk of forgetting. Doing this will provide a smoother and more professional experience for your customers. It's also a great way to avoid burnout and reduce your mental load.</p>
<p>In this article, check out some examples of tasks you can easily automate to save time, stay organized, and grow your business, without having it all on your shoulders.</p>
<h2><strong>Sending invoices</strong></h2>
<p>A good invoicing system is a valuable resource for automating certain tasks in your accounting. If you work with a client who has recurring needs, you can schedule their invoices to be sent automatically at the interval of your choice with invoicing software like Momenteo. The invoice is sent automatically, without you having to lift a finger! This automation not only saves you time, but also frees you from having to worry about forgetting to send an invoice.</p>
<p>Did you know that your customers can also pay you directly from the invoice you send them? Yes, you can do this if you connect your PayPal, Stripe or Square account to Momenteo. No more managing Interac e-Transfers or checking your bank account daily. This saves you valuable time each month, while also looking more professional.</p>
<h2><strong>Expense tracking</strong></h2>
<p>As a self-employed person, you probably have to categorize many expenses. A tedious task, especially if you do it by hand! Luckily, if you have recurring expenses, Momenteo allows you to schedule them in just a few clicks. They will be automatically added to your list according to the time interval you have chosen.</p>
<p>With apps like Shoeboxed, you can also take a picture of your receipts and get detailed reports of your expenses. This financial data is then centralized, classified and easily exportable, which will save you a lot of time! This will ensure that you avoid transcription errors and make it easier to file your tax returns.</p>
<h2><strong>Scheduling appointments</strong></h2>
<p>Setting up meetings with clients can quickly become a headache and involve lengthy email exchanges. You can automate this appointment scheduling with a tool like Calendly. Your calendar is updated in real time according to your availability, and your customers can only book the time slots when you are free. These meetings are then automatically added to your calendar without you having to get involved. You can also set up automatic reminders to avoid forgetting at the last-minute. The result: fewer emails to manage to organize meetings and more time to focus on your projects. A well-functioning system also allows you to provide a more pleasant and smooth experience for your customers.</p>
<h2><strong>Welcoming new customers</strong></h2>
<p>If you often receive the same questions when your potential clients first approach you, you can save time by automating your responses. Using a contact form that asks for specific information will allow you to send relevant information to each potential customer, personalizing their experience. For example, submitting this form can automatically trigger sending a welcome email, in which you will share your terms and conditions, your usual deadlines or a link to an FAQ. You can also provide a link to an appointment calendar or a more detailed form to gather additional information before your first discussion. This structured reception system saves you time while enhancing the human aspect of your service. </p>
<h2><strong>Social media posts</strong></h2>
<p>Posting regularly is essential to maintaining your visibility on social media, but this task can quickly eat up a lot of time. Automating posts also reduces the chances that you find yourself scrolling through your News Feed without really understanding how you got there. Prepare multiple posts at once and use a tool like Meta's Business Manager or Hootsuite to schedule weeks of content in advance. This will allow you to post to social media at optimal times without having to interrupt the task at hand, even during your busiest times. This will help you maintain your presence effortlessly every day and stay in the minds of your potential customers.</p>
<h2><strong>Collecting customer reviews</strong></h2>
<p>Customer testimonials and <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/blog/the-importance-of-customer-reviews-when-you-are-a-freelancer">reviews </a>are essential to building your reputation. But it is not always easy to obtain them. Once the project is complete, your clients often move on without taking the time to give their impressions. This is not out of bad faith, but simply out of forgetfulness or because they don't realize how much of an impact their feedback can have on your business. Using automation to send an email at the end of each job to remind your client to leave a review will help you get more. You can then display them on your website and social media or integrate them into your service offerings. You can also invite your customers to share their experience on your Google Business listing, which will boost your online credibility.</p>
<p>Tools such as Senja or Endorsal make it easier to collect testimonies, bringing them together in one place.</p>
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<p>Automating certain administrative and marketing tasks is a simple solution to regain control of your time and lighten the load in your life. Whether it's to send invoices, schedule appointments or collect customer feedback, you now have several ways to optimize your workflow as well as your team's. While we have discussed the automations that apply to the vast majority of entrepreneurs, you should know that there are more possibilities specific to each profession.</p>
<p>Would you like to discover more tips on how to simplify your company's accounting? Take a look at <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/">Momenteo</a>'s features and see how they can save you even more time!</p>
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<p>Roxane has always written and dreamed of making a living from her pen. Now a web editor, proofreader and author, we can say that it's mission accomplished!</p>