As we wrap up another year, we have a special holiday message for you! 🎅 From Automation Made Easy’s holiday hours to some holiday insights and personal inspiration for 2025, I share a story about making real changes (and what lanes have to do with it).

Whether you're gearing up for big goals or taking time to rest and recharge, this message will leave you motivated to hit the ground running in the new year.

Watch the video below now and get set for an amazing 2025:

Festive Season Closure Dates

Hey, it's Jason Buckner here from Automation Made Easy, the Follow-Up Formula, ClinicKonnect, i-Convert Summit and i-Convert Pro and lately Flow Chat Pro as well. So if you've worked with me on any of those brands... hi, how are you going?

Just reaching out to wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Just the technical stuff… the technical or the administration stuff, Automation Made Easy is closed from close of business on Friday the 20th of December, and we open on Monday the 6th of January.

During that time we'll have a very, very, very limited skeleton staff on. So if you need anything, pop through an email and we'll see how we go at how fast we get back to you. I hope that's okay.

For me, this time is spending time with family and enjoying the season as well as spending a lot of time doing some swimming, some open water swimming.

I will be straight in there on Boxing Day down at Point Leo in Victoria, spending some time there and I hope there's something that you enjoy that you get to do during this period as well.

2025 Plans... The Solution For Failed New Year's Resolutions

Now for 2025, I want to come back in one of these three lanes. Actually only in this one of these three lanes, and you'll see what I mean in a moment.

I used to be a smoker and so I would think about quitting. That's lane number one. And then lane number two is trying it on. It's like trying on some clothes, isn't it? I tried on quitting smoking by not smoking during the week. And then every Friday night I'd go out for a drink with my mates and I'd have a smoke then. And so I'd smoke all weekend and then I'd try quitting again on Monday and trying it on.

And then it wasn't until something clicked in my head and I became a non-smoker, and it was actually my little sister, Alicia. She turned to me one day – she was visiting me in Sydney at the time – and she said, “Jason…”, she was looking up at me. “Jason, why do you smoke? It's so bad for you. I think you should quit.”

And I said, “Alicia, I think you are right.”

And from that moment on in my brain, it clicked and I became a non-smoker. So there's the thinking about it lane, there's the trying it on lane, and then there's the actual being it lane. Then I became a non-smoker rather than someone trying to quit smoking.

And so in business in 2025, I need to make sure I'm in that lane, but you all need to make sure you are in the lane as well. If you're thinking about it, if you're trying it on, now that I know there's quite a few ‘trying it on’ kind of people out there – let's jump out of that ‘trying it on’ lane.

Let's get that shift in our brain over the holidays so we can be in the ‘doing’ lane and making things happen lane rather than just that ‘trying it on’ lane. Because if we sit in that lane for another year, we're probably not going to be any further ahead than we are right now.

Anyway, that's enough from me. Happy holidays. Have a great holiday season and I look forward to seeing you in 2025.

Getting people to open your emails can feel like a mystery at times, but it doesn’t have to be! 

In this video, we reveal a simple yet powerful strategy to boost your email open rates, keep your emails out of the spam folder, and get better results from your campaigns.

Watch the video below to learn how to get those emails opened and protect your email reputation:

Understanding Email Open Rates

Jason Buckner here from Automation Made Easy. 

Did you know average email open rates fall between 17% and 28%?

BUT... if yours are hovering around that average range, you might be unknowingly damaging your sender reputation—and your ability to land in inboxes.

That's why it's so critical that you make an effort to boost email open rates.

Why Google’s Rules Matter for Your Emails

Google leads the charge in email deliverability standards. When you send emails to a large number of people who don’t open them, Google flags your domain, lowering your reputation. This can make it harder for all your emails to reach inboxes.

The solution is simple: focus on your engaged subscribers. Email only those who’ve opened your emails in the last four months.

Follow this simple formula:

• Five emails to your engaged audience.
• One email to your full database.

This improves open rates and boosts your sender reputation.

Reactivating Your Inactive Subscribers

Not everyone’s lost! Use creative campaigns to re-engage inactive subscribers. Consider:

• SMS campaigns.
• Facebook ads.
• Other targeted re-engagement strategies.

Bring them back into the fold and onto your active list.

Content Is Still King

It’s not just who you email—it’s what you send. Always provide valuable, problem-solving content your subscribers will love.

Whether it’s newsletters or marketing emails, aim to train your audience to expect (and click on) quality.

Your Simple Plan for Email Success

Here’s the game plan:

1. Email your engaged subscribers from the last four months.
2. Run re-engagement campaigns to win back inactive subscribers.
3. Send only high-value content to keep your audience opening and clicking.

Follow these steps to see your open rates soar and your reputation thrive.

Want to know how you can use this strategy to boost email open rates for your specific business? Great! Book a free strategy session with me today and let's map it out. 

Simply click the button below and select the time that best suits you, then book it in.

Have you ever wondered if a sales pipeline could work for your business? 

Spoiler alert: it can! In this post, Jason Buckner from Automation Made Easy and i-Convert Summit explains why pipelines aren’t just for big-ticket sales.

Watch the video below to see how you can track leads, qualify them, and boost conversions without the stress:

What’s a Sales Pipeline, and Why Should You Care?

Jason Buckner here from Automation Made Easy and I-Convert Summit. Now, I want you to think about this:

Have you ever used a sales pipeline? 

Should you be using a sales pipeline?

Most people think sales pipelines are only for large-ticket sales. If you’re a smaller operator, you might feel like you don’t need one. But let me tell you, you should think differently about that.

The Secret to Tracking Your Leads

A sales pipeline is an amazing way to see exactly what your leads are doing in your business. If you're running any kind of marketing campaign, tracking your leads’ actions is a must.

Now, imagine you have a lead generation campaign that leads to a call to action—say, booking a sales consult or strategy session. What are the steps in that journey where people engage with you?

Every time someone takes an action, like opting in or downloading your lead magnet, they’re becoming a slightly more qualified lead.

Mapping Out the Lead Journey

Picture this:

• A lead opts in to your list.
• They land on your thank-you page.
• They download your freebie and are added to a trust-building series.

Each time they interact with your content—like watching a video in your series—they’re warming up to your offer. By the time they book a call, they’re a highly qualified lead.

Following Up Like a Pro

After you’ve handled all your booked consults, go back to your pipeline:

• Start with the people who watched all your videos.
• Then move on to those who only watched some.
• Finally, re-engage those who didn’t take any action.

A simple follow-up can turn cold leads into new opportunities.

Let’s Break Down The Pipeline

Here’s how a simple sales pipeline works:

When a lead comes in, it’s automatically added to the pipeline.

If they book an appointment, they’re moved to the “Appointment Booked” stage.

After the appointment, they’re marked as “Won” or “Lost.”

But you can customize it to match your journey! For example, add stages like:

• Watched a video
• Watched all videos
• Booked an appointment

Each stage reflects their progress and engagement.

Automating Your Sales Journey

Automation takes the stress out of managing a pipeline. With the right tools, you can:

• Automatically move leads through each stage.
• Track engagement seamlessly.
• Focus on converting leads instead of organizing them.

Go Beyond Automation To Seal The Deal

Even with automation, don’t forget the personal touch. Call those leads who’ve been engaging with your content! A simple phone call can make all the difference.

“Hey, I noticed you’ve been watching our videos—can I help you book a strategy session?”

Once you’ve worked through the warm leads, reach out to the rest. Use SMS or creative follow-ups to re-engage those who need a little nudge.

Stand Out To Win More Customers

When leads don’t convert immediately, think outside the box to grab their attention. A personal touch or unique follow-up can help you stand out and bring more customers into your business.

Got questions? Drop me a comment or reach out directly—I’m always here to help. In fact, why not book a free strategy session with me today. Just click the button below and select the time that best suits you, then book it in. 

Do you know how to personalize your automated messages (and why it’s so crucial for your brand)?

Automation can feel like magic. With a few clicks, you’ve got a system sending messages, reminders, and nurturing leads while you focus on other things—like actually growing your business. Pretty cool, right?

Right... but let’s face it, there’s nothing magical about an automated message that feels... well, robotic. You know the type—bland, generic, and just a little too cookie-cutter to be genuine.

So, let’s flip the script and talk about making your automated messages feel more like you and less like a spammy robot. Trust me, your brand will thank you.

Why Personalization Matters More Than Ever

First things first—why is personalization such a big deal? 

Well, we’ve all been there: an inbox flooded with automated emails that make you roll your eyes faster than you can hit delete. But when a message feels like it’s speaking directly to you? That’s gold. Personalization makes your audience feel valued, boosts engagement, and ultimately helps you connect on a human level.

And no, it’s not just fluff. According to recent studies, 80% of consumers are more likely to buy when brands offer a personalized experience.

Which means, personalization can be the key to boosting sales, building loyalty, and becoming the “go-to” brand for your audience.

Subtle (But Mighty) Ways to Add a Personal Touch

Now, let’s dive into how you can work some personalization gold into your automated messages:

1. Use Their Name (But Don’t Overdo It) The quickest way to grab someone’s attention is by using their name. “Hey, [First Name],” goes a long way toward making a connection. But don’t sprinkle it like confetti throughout your message—it can start to feel forced. Use it sparingly and genuinely.
2. Segment Your Audience One-size-fits-all messaging is out. Segmenting your audience allows you to send targeted messages based on their interests, behaviors, or where they are in your sales funnel. For example, if a customer has shown interest in a specific product or service, tailor your messages to focus on it.
3. Timing Is Everything Sending messages at the right moment is a powerful way to show you understand your audience’s needs. Birthday wishes? Anniversaries? A timely discount when they’re most likely to buy? Automated triggers make it possible to show up like you planned it all along.

Make Your Brand Voice Shine

Ever received an automated email that sounded nothing like the brand you signed up for? It’s confusing and disengaging. Your automated messages should sound like you—fun, friendly, and on-brand. Here are a few tips:

• Write Like You Talk: Use a conversational tone, ditch overly formal language, and have a little fun.
• Inject Humor or Playfulness (If It Fits): This isn’t for everyone, but a lighthearted comment or cheeky line can make a difference—especially if it fits your brand’s personality. Just make sure to stay authentic. 

Personalization in Action: Real-Life Examples

Sometimes, seeing it in action makes it click. Here are two examples of personalized messages done right:

1. Netflix’s Tailored Recommendations: Ever noticed how Netflix seems to know what you’d love to watch next? They don’t just guess—they use your viewing history to make personalized recommendations.
2. Spotify Wrapped: At the end of each year, Spotify sends users a personalized playlist based on their listening habits. The result? Users feel seen, and they often share it, amplifying the brand’s reach.

Don’t Forget Behavioral Triggers

Behavioral triggers are another handy way to personalize your messaging.

Did someone abandon their cart? Use an automated reminder with a personal touch to bring them back.

Or maybe they just downloaded your free guide? Follow up with an email tailored to their next likely steps.

Practical Tips to Get Started

Let’s get down to basics for a moment. Here’s how to get your personalization started:

1. Data Is Your Friend: The more data you have, the better you can tailor your messages. Pay attention to user preferences, purchase history, and engagement patterns.
2. Test, Test, Test: What works for one group may fall flat for another. Experiment with different personalization strategies and see what gets the best reaction.
3. Keep It Real: Don’t go overboard with automation or try to be something you’re not. The best personalization is genuine and feels like it’s coming from a real person—not an algorithm.

When Not To Personalize (Yes, It’s Not Always The Way To Go)

Not every message needs to be super-personalized. Sometimes, overdoing it can come off as creepy or insincere. If the context doesn’t warrant it or if the message would feel natural without hyper-targeting, it’s okay to keep things simple.

Personalization Isn’t A “Nice-to-Have”

Personalization isn’t a fluffy extra that you do if or when you have time (which, let's face it, is hardly ever!). It’s crucial to connecting with your audience and growing your brand.

Take the time to make your automated messages feel real, authentic, and tailored. Trust me, your subscribers will notice—and they’ll thank you with their loyalty.

Want to know how we can help you personalize your messages? Book a free strategy session with us today.

Are you making the biggest mistake in lead generation? If you’re sending one welcome email and calling it a day, you might be!

Hey folks, Jason Buckner here from Automation Made Easy.

Most businesses lose thousands because they aren’t following up effectively. In this video, we’ll walk through a simple three-phase strategy that ensures your leads don’t slip away.

Spoiler alert: It’s not hard, and you can double your sales when you stop making this huge lead generation mistake and instead use this strategy. Just ask Pauline and Belinda—this system helped them turn webinars into $49,000 in EXTRA revenue! 🥳

Watch the video below now to learn how you can do the same:

The BIGGEST Mistake:

The literal biggest lead generation mistake—the hugest mistake—is that people don’t have any follow-up from their lead generation campaigns.

Say they’ve got an ebook, yeah? They have an ebook, and they put it in place. They send one ebook email, and here’s what happens: the leads just disappear. Someone opts in, they send an email with the ebook, and they think, “Oh, the links in the ebook will make the sales for me. Everything will be fine.”

It’s not. It’s the biggest lead generation mistake. Hands up if you’re guilty of this. 

Why One Email Isn't Enough

What do you think will happen with just one email? Do you think something magical is going to happen from that one, half-a**ed attempt?

I don't think so.

As we discussed before, by not following up, you’re letting thousands of dollars slip through your fingers. Most businesses either don’t follow up or don’t do it effectively.

Here’s the thing: 95% of sales are made in the follow-up—and they usually happen after seven interactions.

The Three Phases of Follow-Up

1. Action Phase
   • We reward people for taking action when they opt in for our freebie or offer.
   • We send them what they signed up for and ask them to take the next step.
2. Trust Phase
   • This is where we build trust. Most people don’t know us yet—they saw something shiny online and clicked.
   • We need to stand out and build trust with them through consistent, focused content.
3. Conversion Phase
   • Once trust is built, we guide them toward the action we want them to take.

Action Phase: Rewarding Their First Step

The first mistake is not following up.

In the action phase, we reward people for taking action.

• We send them the ebook or free report.
• But we also ask them to take the next step.

For example, if the freebie is an ebook about the three biggest mistakes businesses make when paying for leads, the next step might be to:

• Create videos around the same content.
• Split the ebook into three short videos—and send these videos by email.

Trust Phase: Building Connection Through Value

In the trust phase, we need to deliver more than just the ebook. But it should still align with what we initially promised—don’t dilute your message by saying, "Here’s a bit of this and a bit of that."

For example:

• If your ebook is about the three biggest mistakes, create videos on the same topic—one video per mistake.
• Focus your follow-up on the same core content, ensuring it’s clear and aligned.

This way, you’ll stand out, build trust, and guide them step by step.

Example: Pauline's Webinar Strategy

Let’s talk about Pauline's webinar.

She had some sales but not enough. People just didn’t trust her yet.

Here’s what we did:

1. We sent action-based emails to encourage people to engage.
2. We created three trust-building videos from her webinar content. Each video addressed one problem, one solution, and the next step.

The result?

• 2 sales directly from her webinar.
• 5 more sales from the trust-building emails.

That’s $15,000 in revenue just from building trust!

The Power of Consistent Follow-Up

77% of the sales wouldn’t have happened without follow-up.

For Pauline’s campaign, we:

• Delivered action-based emails to encourage people back to the webinar.
• Sent three trust-building videos to nurture them.

Conversion Phase: Turning Trust into Action

After building trust, we move to the conversion phase.

This is where we directly guide people to the action we want them to take. For Pauline, it was booking a call.

Belinda’s $30,000 Success

We followed the same process for Belinda:

1. Action emails.
2. Trust emails.
3. Conversion emails.

The result?

• $30,000 in sales from the conversion emails alone.

Follow-Up in Practice

The mistake most businesses make is only sending one email.

Here’s what we should do instead:

1. Action Phase: Send the welcome email and tell people what to do next.
2. Trust Phase: Send five trust-building video emails.
3. Conversion Phase: Use automation to adjust messaging based on engagement:
   • If someone watches your videos, follow up with targeted conversations.
   • If they don’t engage, adjust your messaging accordingly.

Using Automation for Personalization

With marketing automation platforms, you can:

• Track engagement and adjust follow-ups.
• Make conversations more personal and relevant.

Automation makes your business run better and helps people feel like they matter. They're not just another number.

Final Thoughts

The key to doubling your sales is consistent follow-up.

Most businesses aren’t doing this—they send one email, then wonder why their lead generation isn’t working. The reality is: this is never enough.

Here’s the process to follow:

• Action: Reward the opt-in and provide the next step.
• Trust: Build connection with focused, consistent content.
• Conversion: Guide them toward the desired action.

When you follow these three phases, you’ll see a huge difference.

That’s how Pauline and Belinda made thousands of dollars by simply following up. You can too.

If you're keen to know more about how to implement this in your specific business, why not book a no obligation FREE strategy call with us? 

Simply click the button below and choose a time that suits you.

Hey folks, Jason Buckner here from Automation Made Easy and I-Convert Summit. Today, I want to share a story about a little marketing oops that ended up costing a small business thousands in lost revenue… and handed it all over to a competitor. Fingers crossed you're not making the same mistake!

The Incident: A Long-Lost Customer And A Surprise SMS

I was all set to go on a mini-rant about this, but instead, let’s just call it a learning moment from something that happened to a friend of mine. At first, I was a bit frustrated on behalf of the business concerned, but then I realized… not everyone knows the ins and outs of following-up with SMS like I do. So, consider this a valuable tip for you and your business.

Here’s what went down…

My friend took her son to a local optometrist about 4.5 years earlier for an eye issue. As part of the booking process, she handed over her name and phone number—pretty standard stuff, right?

Unfortunately, the optometrist couldn’t help, so they went elsewhere and haven’t been back since. End of story, right? Or so you’d think.

Fast forward to 4.5 years later and she suddenly gets a marketing SMS from that same practice, announcing a sale with 10% off all frames during the following month.

It took her a few minutes to figure out who this message was even from and why she was getting it. After some online sleuthing, she realized it was from that optometrist she visited 4.5 years earlier! Naturally, she replied with a big “STOP” to opt out of any more messages. I mean, they hadn't been in touch for years and she couldn't even remember who they were! Why did they feel it was okay to suddenly start marketing to her?

The Follow-Up Fail: Where It All Went Wrong

Now, here’s the thing…

Following up with your customers via SMS is crucial, especially for small businesses. BUT… you’ve got to do it the right way, or it can turn into a classic follow-up fail, just like in this example.

So, points to this practice for understanding the value of SMS in their business. But this was not the way to go about it. You can’t just pop up out of the blue years later and expect your clients to remember you—or even care—if you haven’t kept in touch. Not even a “Hey, how’s it going?” for all that time.

I really wish they had chatted with me first, because there’s a simple SYSTEM they could’ve used that would have made all the difference. I’m guessing my friend wasn’t the only one who hit the “STOP” button.

The Competitor’s Win: How a Follow-Up Fail Cost Thousands

A little side note: The new optometrist my friend took her son to after that first one couldn’t help? They’ve been nothing short of amazing.

Their service, customer care, and follow-up game have been so on point that my friend and her son have spent literally thousands of dollars with them over the last 4.5 years on eye treatments, glasses, prescription sunglasses, and more. Plus, they’ve sent a bunch of new customers their way.

Oh, and did I mention they’re a bit pricey? But their clients are more than happy to pay for the quality service and the personalized (yet automated!) follow-ups they get.

Avoiding a Follow-Up Fail: The Simple Solution

SMS marketing is an incredibly valuable tool for small businesses, offering a direct line to your customers. But as we’ve seen, there are a few pitfalls to watch out for, and one wrong move can turn into a costly follow-up fail.

That’s where Automation Made Easy comes in. We’re here to help you set up your SMS marketing so it’s personalized, timely, and most importantly, effective... without the risk of those embarrassing mistakes. 

Not sure exactly how to use SMS marketing in YOUR business?

If you're keen to find out more about how you can use SMS marketing in your specific business - and how to use it the RIGHT way - why not book your free, no obligation, no hard sell SMS strategy session today.

This 45-Minute Strategy Session may likely be the catalyst for taking your business to the next level.