Automate in this order: capture every lead, follow up in minutes, then nurture the ones who aren’t ready. Run it inside your CRM so every message lands on the contact record.
- 1Lead capture: forms, calls and ads create contacts automatically.
- 2Follow-up: an instant text and a task for a rep.
- 3Nurture: a slow drip for leads who say “not yet”.
What marketing automation is
Marketing automation is a set of rules that send the right message when something happens: a form is filled in, a lead goes quiet, a deal changes stage. Every rule has the same three parts.
The 6 automations every small team should run
Instant lead response
New lead → text within a minute and a call task for the assigned rep.
Lead assignment
Route by territory, source or round-robin so no lead sits unowned.
Missed-call text-back
Missed inbound call → automatic text so the caller doesn’t call a competitor.
Appointment reminders
Reminder texts 24 hours and 1 hour before a booked meeting.
“Not yet” nurture
Monthly useful email to leads who aren’t ready, so you’re first when they are. See the drip campaign guide.
Review request
Deal won → ask for a review a few days later, while the experience is fresh.
Marketing automation tools compared by type
Tools fall into three groups. The right one depends on whether marketing and sales are the same people on your team.
A real estate example
A buyer enquires about a new listing at 8:14 pm. Here’s what happens without the agent lifting a finger. Tap a step to see the messages.
Setting it up in Conduyt
Connect your lead sources
Forms, phone numbers and imports create contacts with the source attached.
Build the instant-response automation
In Automations, start from a new-contact trigger, then add a text action and a call task for the rep. Paste the text into our free text message checker before you switch it on.
Add a drip for “not yet” leads
Drip campaigns are included on the Professional plan ($499/month, unlimited users).
Check the results weekly
Check replies and meetings booked on each contact and in your reports, then adjust the wording and timing.
Frequently asked questions
What should a small business automate first?
Instant response to new leads. A text within a minute and a call within five is usually the single automation that saves the most deals.
What is the best marketing automation software for small teams?
If the same people do sales and marketing, a CRM with built-in automation usually beats a separate email tool, because every message and reply lands on the deal.
What is the best email marketing for real estate agents?
One that also texts and tracks showings. Buyers reply faster to texts, so agents get more from a CRM that handles both than from email alone.
Is marketing automation worth it for a team of 3?
Yes. Small teams benefit most, because automation covers the hours nobody is at their desk, like evenings and weekends.
Will automated texts feel impersonal?
Not if they’re short, use the lead’s details and stop as soon as a person replies. Most buyers just want a fast, relevant answer.
Start a free trial
Set up your first automation in an afternoon and stop losing after-hours leads. 20 days free, unlimited users.