Let’s start with the obvious: not everyone gets excited about automation.
Some people hear “workflow automation” and instantly picture blinking dashboards, error codes, and a migraine that smells faintly of burnt toast.
But automation doesn’t have to be techy, complicated, or soul-draining. When done right, it’s basically outsourcing the boring stuff to a well-behaved robot that never needs a coffee break or a motivational pep talk.
So if the word “tech” makes your eyelid twitch — don’t run.
Here are five workflows you can automate right now that will save you time, sanity, and probably a few swear words.
1. The Lead Capture & Follow-Up Workflow 🧲
Problem: You get enquiries from ten different places (your website, DMs, random emails, your mum’s cousin) — and half never get followed up.
Solution:
- Set up a single, automated form on your website or link-in-bio that drops all leads into your CRM or Google Sheet.
- Trigger an instant email reply: “Got your message! Here’s what happens next…”
- Tag them automatically — “hot lead,” “interested,” or “just being polite.”
Now you’ll never lose a lead in the chaos again. You’ll also look weirdly organised, which is a bonus.
2. The “Content Without Tears” Workflow 🪄
Problem: You post once on Instagram and then ghost your audience for a month because you “just can’t even.”
Solution:
- Write one pillar piece of content — like a blog, podcast, or video (sound familiar?).
- Use automation to slice and repurpose it into snippets for socials, emails, and YouTube shorts.
- Schedule it all in one hit with a tool like Metricool, Publer, or Zapier connected to Google Drive.
Voilà. Your content now works while you sleep, eat biscuits, or deal with actual clients.
3. The CRM Workflow That Doesn’t Make You Cry 😭
Problem: You keep forgetting who you spoke to, what you promised, or when you’re supposed to follow up.
Solution:
Set up a simple pipeline (start with three stages: New Lead → Active → Won/Lost).
Then…
- Auto-add new enquiries from your forms.
- Auto-assign follow-up dates.
- Auto-email the “checking in” message if you forget.
Suddenly, your business starts to feel like a business — not a guessing game.
4. The “Get Paid Without Chasing” Workflow 💸
Problem: You send invoices, then spend weeks wondering if your client’s gone into witness protection.
Solution:
- Use accounting tools (like QuickBooks, Xero, or even Notion + Stripe) that send automatic payment reminders.
- Tag paid invoices and automatically trigger “thank you” emails and receipts.
- Bonus: automate a feedback request or testimonial form right after payment.
Because automation isn’t just about getting paid faster — it’s about building momentum with zero awkward “just following up” emails.
5. The Inbox Detox Workflow ✉️
Problem: Your inbox has 14,000 unread emails, and most are from that one software you trialled in 2018.
Solution:
- Create filters that automatically sort newsletters, client comms, and receipts into folders.
- Use canned responses for common replies.
- Sync Gmail to your task manager (like ClickUp or Trello) so important emails turn into action items automatically.
Your future self will thank you — mostly because she’ll finally be able to see her inbox background again.
The truth about automation (that no one tells you)
Automation isn’t about robots taking over your job — it’s about giving you your time back so you can actually do the work that matters.
It’s not for “techy people.” It’s for clever people who realise that clicking the same button 12 times a day is, frankly, beneath them.
Digital transformation doesn’t start with servers or code — it starts with you saying,
“There must be a better way to do this.”
And guess what? There always is.
Ready to automate to the full extent of what’s possible?
If you’re ready to dip your toe in the automation pool without drowning in jargon, keep your eyes peeled for the next Clickerbell post:
“From Chaos to Clicks: How to Build a CRM That Doesn’t Hate You.”
Until then — take one of these five workflows, implement it this week, and enjoy that rarest of small-business luxuries: a free hour that doesn’t involve admin.
🎧 Audio Version: “The 5 Workflows Every Small Business Should Automate” — available soon
🎥 Video Version: Watch Eloise demo how to set these up without losing your mind (coming next week)