10 Email Automation Tips to Grow Your SMB Revenue Fast
Written by Hexwave Digital
Setting up email automation can feel overwhelming when you’re running a small business.
You’ve got jobs to manage, clients to serve, and probably 19 other things on your plate today alone. Adding “build automated email flows” to your list? Sounds like another headache.
But here’s the truth: email marketing still has one of the highest returns on investment in digital marketing—$42 for every $1 spent, on average.
And done right, email automation doesn’t just get results—it saves time, runs while you sleep, and actually helps you grow.
This article breaks down the top 10 automation practices that help small business owners get more leads, stay top-of-mind, and turn emails into revenue without burning out.
Best Practice One – Follow Up on Customer Behavior
One of the most effective B2B email automation strategies is behavior-based triggers.
Did someone view your pricing page? Visit your service page twice? That’s your cue.
Behavior-based emails make up over 75% of email revenue because they hit when intent is high [Instapage].
Best Practice Two – Don’t Stop at One Email
One email won’t do it. Follow-up is where the magic happens.
Set up 2–4 email sequences after someone contacts you, books a service, or signs up for something on your website.
Businesses using automated follow-ups see 451% more qualified leads.
Best Practice Three – Deliver Content That Builds Trust
Use automation to deliver more than sales emails. Send tips, testimonials, blog posts, or short videos that educate and build trust.
You’re not just promoting—you’re positioning yourself as the go-to expert in your space.
Plus, 67% of marketers say personalization and content boosts engagement [Statista].
Best Practice Four – Always Include One Clear Call-to-Action
Every email should do one thing: get the reader to take a step forward toward a sale.
That could be booking a call, claiming a discount, or replying to a question.
Emails generate 3x more revenue per order than social media [McKinsey]—if you ask clearly for the next step.
Best Practice Six – Personalize Without Being Weird
Personalization works—but don’t go overboard.
Use their name. Mention a service they looked at. Maybe include a location-based offer.
But keep it human. No one likes creepy or robotic-sounding emails.
Best Practice Seven – Segment for Maximum Relevance
Your first-time website visitors and repeat customers don’t need the same email.
Segment your list based on interest, behavior, or service history—and send emails that feel tailor-made.
Right message. Right time. Better and faster results.
Best Practice Eight – Improving Based on the Numbers
Regularly review your B2B email campaign performance.
Track key metrics like open rates, click-through rates, and conversions to understand what’s working and what’s not.
Email is one of the easiest marketing channels to measure and improve, and that’s why it keeps winning.
Best Practice Nine – Avoid Being Marked as Spam
No shady subject lines. No misleading offers. And always give people the option to unsubscribe.
This keeps your deliverability strong and protects your sender reputation—so your real customers actually see your emails.
Even more important: set up proper email authentication.
That means configuring SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records for your domain. These protect your emails from being spoofed and tell inbox providers, “Yes, this email is legit.”
Without these, your carefully written campaigns are more likely to land in spam—or not show up at all.
Talk to your web host or email platform support. It’s a 20-minute fix that can double your inbox placement overnight.
Best Practice Ten – Build Relationships, Not Just Sales
The best marketing emails feel like they came from a real person.
Offer value first. Teach something. Share a win. Then make your pitch.
Trust begets loyalty—and loyal customers buy more, stay longer, and refer more people.
Too Busy to Set All This Up?
We get it—between clients, projects, and everything else, email automation often gets pushed to “someday.”
But what if we built it for you?
If you want a team that can set up your email marketing to drive more leads and revenue without adding more to your plate…
Schedule your free consultation.
In the meantime,
Thank you for reading!
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