Jan 9, 2025 
Right now, lead generation often involves a mix of manual tasks: cold calling, sending emails, social media outreach. Once you’ve made contact, you’re analyzing and segmenting the leads, and then manually inputting all that information into your CRM.
But that’s not all – a lot of follow-ups to come, more emails, calls, or messages and as your list grows, it becomes more and more difficult to keep track of who needs what, when to follow up, and how to personalize your outreach without losing track.
This is where workflow automation can step in and save the day.
By setting up automated lead generation workflows, you can eliminate repetitive tasks like data entry, lead segmentation, and follow-up reminders. Sounds like a dream come true? Let’s get right to it then, this is your guide to automated lead generation!
What is Workflow Automation?
Workflow automation is when you use technology to automate repetitive tasks and processes that are typically done manually. So you create a series of actions or steps that are triggered automatically based on predefined rules, eliminating the need for constant human input.
What Would Automated Lead Generation Look Like?
In the context of lead generation, workflow automation could look like this from Lead Capture to Closing a Deal.
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Lead Capture:
Your automated lead generation workflow can start with capturing leads from various sources, whether that’s through your website form, social media, paid ads, or webinars. Instead of manually entering this information, automation tools can instantly collect details like name, email, and interests from forms or chatbots, and add them directly into your CRM. -
Lead Scoring & Segmentation:
Once a lead is captured, the system can analyze and score them based on predefined criteria (such as how likely they are to convert). For example, if a lead visits your product page multiple times, they might be assigned a higher score. Based on this, leads can be automatically categorized into different segments (e.g., hot, warm, cold), ensuring that you target the right leads with the right messages. -
Automated Follow-ups:
After segmenting the leads, the system can automatically send personalized emails or messages. Let’s say, someone signs up for your newsletter, they might receive an automated welcome email with a special offer. If they download your whitepaper, they might get an email with a related case study or an invitation for a demo. The follow-ups are personalized and timed, without you needing to manually send each one. -
Engagement Tracking:
As leads interact with your emails or website, automation tools track their behaviours, like email opens, click-throughs, and content downloads. Based on this data, the system can trigger the next steps in the workflow. For example, if a lead clicks on a specific product link, they might automatically receive more information about that product, or be prompted for a sales call. -
CRM Integration:
The best part is that all the data, who clicked, who didn’t, who replied, who booked a demo, it all gets logged into your CRM automatically. This ensures that every lead’s journey is tracked in real-time. -
Ongoing Nurturing:
For leads that aren’t ready to buy yet, automated drip campaigns can continue nurturing them with relevant content over time. This can include emails, social media content, or retargeting ads that automatically adjust based on the lead’s past actions. -
Conversion Trigger:
When a lead reaches a certain threshold, such as replying to an email or booking a call, the system can alert your sales team or even assign the lead to a specific salesperson, making it super easy to continue the conversation and close the deal without missing a beat.
5 Tools to Automate Lead Generation
1. Use Form Builders
A well-designed landing page paired with forms that collect information and tie into your CRM is essential for lead generation.
Form Tools: Platforms like MakeForms, Jotforms offer fantastic form builders that can automate workflows for landing pages.
- Automation Features: Your forms can integrate with CRMs and automatically segregate and organize lead data. They can further trigger assignment of leads to salespeople, welcome emails, and other conversations with potential customers too.
2. Leverage Email Marketing
Email remains a powerful tool for workflow automation and nurturing leads. By automating your email campaigns, you can guide potential customers through the sales funnel seamlessly.
- How to Automate:
- Use email marketing platforms like Mailchimp or ActiveCampaign.
- Set up drip campaigns that deliver relevant content based on the lead’s actions.
- Segment your audience to personalize emails.
3. Adopt Lead Scoring
Not all leads are created equal, and automating lead generation means prioritizing high-value leads. Lead scoring assigns a numerical value to each lead based on predefined criteria.
- Sample Criteria:
- Engagement level (e.g., opened emails, clicked links).
- Demographics (e.g., fits ideal lead profile).
- Website behavior (e.g., visited pricing page).
- Tools: CRMs like Salesforce or Zoho offer lead scoring features.
4. Use Social Media Automation
Social media platforms are a treasure trove for lead generation. Automating your social media efforts ensures consistent engagement and maximizes reach.
- How to Automate:
- Use tools like Hootsuite or Buffer to schedule posts.
- Run targeted ad campaigns on platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram.
- Integrate lead generation forms into your ads with your CRM.
5. Implement Chatbots and AI Tools
Chatbots are becoming increasingly popular for automated lead generation. They engage website visitors in real time, answer queries, and collect lead information.
- Tools: Chatbot platforms like Drift, Intercom, or ManyChat.
- Automated Features:
- Qualify leads by asking targeted questions.
- Schedule appointments or route leads to the appropriate sales rep.
- Provide 24/7 engagement, ensuring no opportunity is missed.
Best Practices for Automating Lead Generation
To get the most out of automated lead generation, follow these best practices:
- Focus on Value: Ensure that your offers (e.g., free trials, resources) are valuable and relevant to your audience.
- Personalize Communications: Automation doesn’t mean impersonal. Use data to tailor messages to individual leads.
- Stay Compliant: Follow data privacy laws like GDPR or CCPA to maintain trust when collecting data. The easiest solution to this is to use compliant form builders like MakeForms.
- Regularly Update Your Automation: Keep your workflows up-to-date with the latest tools and strategies.
Collect Leads While You Sleep
Automating lead generation is such an underrated strategy for businesses looking to scale efficiently. By combining tools like form builders, CRMs, email marketing platforms, and social media automation you can create a seamless workflow automation system that attracts, qualifies, and nurtures leads even in your sleep!
FAQs
Automated lead generation uses technology to streamline and optimize the process of attracting and nurturing potential customers. By setting up automated workflows, you can capture, score, segment, and follow up with leads without manual intervention.
Tools like form builders (MakeForms, Jotforms), email marketing platforms (Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign), CRM systems (Salesforce, Zoho), social media automation tools (Hootsuite, Buffer), and AI-powered chatbots (Drift, Intercom, ManyChat) can help automate different aspects of lead generation.
Form builders like MakeForms and Jotforms allow you to seamlessly integrate with CRMs. When a lead fills out a form, the information is automatically transferred into your CRM, where it can be further segmented, scored, and followed up with.
Absolutely! Automation tools exist for businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re a small startup or a larger enterprise, implementing automated lead generation can save time, improve lead quality, and scale your operations without additional manual effort. Start here with MakeForms.
