Customer disconnect is a major problem for many small businesses. You know you have customers. You also know you want to stay in touch with them. But for one reason or another, you’re missing out on the opportunity to do so.

Fortunately, there is a solution to this problem and here it is: marketing automation.

With the right approach to marketing automation, you can avoid the disconnect that’s plaguing your company and holding you back from maintaining a high level of engagement.

While there’s no limit as to what you can do through marketing automation, here are three of the best ways to use it to avoid customer disconnect:

1. Customer Messaging

Through the use of automated, data-driven chatbots, you’re able to engage with current and future customers at the exact right time.

Forget about hoping that your customers open your email messages. Forget about sending snail mail and crossing your fingers that a customer gets in touch.

With the right technology, you can directly engage with your customers in the most efficient environment available.

2. Customer Feedback

What are your customers saying about you online? All good? All bad? Nothing at all?

You’re confident your customers will share a positive review of their experience, but you’re finding it difficult to secure them.

With automated customer review requests and real-time response notifications, you can automatically request reviews when it makes the most sense to do so. This increases the number of reviews you receive, thus giving your online profile the boost you’re looking for.

3. Email Marketing

Streamline your email marketing campaign with automation. This saves you time, while still having the ability to share important messages with your audience at the perfect time.

For example, you can automatically send a personalized email if someone takes a specific action, such as signing up for your list or making a purchase.

Imagine sending emails, one-by-one, every time a person takes a specific action. It’s not sustainable. And that’s why email marketing automation is a must.

For more insights on marketing strategy that actually works for small business, connect with Jay Bean, Founder of FreshLime and Small Business Marketing Expert on LinkedIn and Twitter. If any of these tips have helped you or if you have anything to add, please comment below. We’d love to hear from you!