Stop Doing Repetitive Tasks: Automation for Non-Technical SMBs
You spend 2 hours every day on tasks like: copying data between apps, sending the same emails, updating spreadsheets, creating the same reports. This is robot work, and you're not a robot.
Key Takeaways
- Workers spend 40% of time on repetitive tasks
- No-code automation is accessible to everyone
- Start small: automate one thing, then expand
- ROI is usually 10x within weeks
Identifying Tasks to Automate
The Automation Checklist
A task is automatable if:
- Done repeatedly (daily/weekly)
- Follows consistent steps
- Doesn't require creative judgment
- Involves digital tools
Common Automation Candidates
| Task | Manual Time | Can Automate? |
|---|---|---|
| Data entry between apps | High | Yes |
| Sending reminder emails | Medium | Yes |
| Creating reports | High | Mostly |
| Scheduling meetings | Medium | Yes |
| Following up on tasks | Medium | Yes |
| Social media posting | Medium | Yes |
| Invoice creation | Medium | Mostly |
| Lead assignment | Low | Yes |
Automation Levels
Level 1: Templates
Not technically automation, but reduces work:
- Email templates
- Document templates
- Proposal templates
- Checklist templates
Time saved: 30-50% per task
Level 2: Simple Triggers
"When X happens, do Y"
Examples:
- New form submission → Create CRM contact
- Deal closed → Send onboarding email
- Invoice overdue → Send reminder
- Task due tomorrow → Slack notification
Tools: Zapier, Make, native integrations
Time saved: 70-90% per task
Level 3: Multi-Step Workflows
Complex sequences with logic:
Example: New lead comes in
- Create contact in CRM
- Enrich with company data
- Score based on criteria
- If score > 50, assign to sales
- If score < 50, add to nurture campaign
- Notify relevant team member
Tools: Zapier, Make, DewFlow
Time saved: 90%+ per task
Getting Started with Automation
Step 1: List Your Repetitive Tasks
For one week, note every time you:
- Copy-paste data
- Send a similar email
- Do the same steps in sequence
- Wish you could "just click once"
Step 2: Prioritize by Impact
| Task | Frequency | Time per Instance | Annual Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copy leads to CRM | Daily | 10 min | 40 hrs/year |
| Send follow-up emails | 20/week | 5 min | 85 hrs/year |
| Update spreadsheets | Weekly | 30 min | 26 hrs/year |
Start with highest annual time.
Step 3: Build One Automation
Pick one task. Build the automation. Get it working.
Don't try to automate everything at once.
Step 4: Monitor and Refine
Automations need maintenance:
- Check they're running
- Fix when things break
- Optimize over time
Step 5: Expand
Once one works, add another. Build your automation library.
No-Code Automation Tools
| Tool | Best For | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Zapier | Connecting apps | Easy |
| Make (Integromat) | Complex workflows | Medium |
| IFTTT | Simple triggers | Very easy |
| Native integrations | Built-in connections | Easy |
| DewFlow (Dewx) | Business workflows | Easy |
Automation Examples for SMBs
Sales
- Lead form → CRM contact + assign + notify
- Meeting booked → Send prep email + create task
- Deal closed → Send welcome email + create project
Operations
- Invoice sent → Calendar reminder for follow-up
- Expense receipt → OCR → Categorize → Log
Marketing
- Blog published → Share on social media
- Email opened 3x → Alert sales rep
Support
- Support email → Create ticket + auto-respond
- Ticket resolved → Send survey
How Dewx Automates Your Business
Dewx DewFlow is a built-in automation engine:
- Visual builder - Drag-and-drop workflow creation
- Hub triggers - Connect to CRM, projects, inbox
- External actions - Google, Slack, email, webhooks
- AI steps - Let Dew make decisions in workflows
- Execution logs - See what ran, debug issues
Automate your business without coding.
FAQ
What if automation breaks?
Build monitoring. Get notified when workflows fail. Fix promptly.
Is automation expensive?
Usually cheap. Zapier starts free. Time saved > cost within weeks.
Can I automate too much?
Yes. Keep human touch where it matters (complex decisions, relationship moments). Automate the mundane.
Conclusion
Repetitive tasks are costing you hours every week. Hours that could go to growing your business, serving customers, or living your life.
Start automating:
- List your repetitive tasks
- Prioritize by time impact
- Build one automation
- Monitor and expand
Ready to automate your business? Join the Dewx beta and let DewFlow handle the repetitive work.