You know automation could help. But is it worth it?
Is it worth the time to set up?
Is it worth the money to invest?
Will it actually pay off, or is it just another shiny tool?
Have you hesitated to invest in automation because you're not sure it's worth it?
Do you struggle to calculate the actual value of time saved?
Are you worried about investing in something that won't deliver results?
Have you been burned by tech investments before?
These are legitimate concerns. Let's address them with actual math.
The Simple Automation ROI Formula
Here's the formula I use with every client:
That's it. Let's break it down with real numbers.
Ex Real Example: Lead Follow-Up Automation
The Task: Manually sending follow-up emails to new leads
Time Spent: 5 hours per week
Your Hourly Value: $50/hour (what you could bill or earn with that time)
Automation Setup Cost: $1,500 one-time + $50/month tools
| Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual time value saved (5 hrs × $50 × 52 weeks) | $13,000 |
| Annual tool cost ($50 × 12 months) | $600 |
| Setup investment | $1,500 |
| Year 1 Net ROI | $10,900 profit |
| Year 2+ Net ROI | $12,400/year |
But What's Your Time Actually Worth?
This is where people get stuck. "I'm not billing that time anyway."
Wrong. Here's how to think about it:
Use your hourly rate. Time saved = time you can bill to clients.
Calculate: What's the value of strategic work you COULD be doing?
Use their fully loaded cost (salary + benefits + overhead ÷ hours worked).
Stress reduction, faster response times, happier clients—harder to quantify but very real.
Quick ROI Check: Your Numbers
Grab a pen. Let's do this for ONE task you're considering automating:
Hours spent per week on this task
Be honest. Include context-switching time.
Multiply by your hourly value
What's your time worth? $30? $75? $150?
Multiply by 52 weeks
This is your annual cost of NOT automating.
Compare to automation cost
If annual time cost > automation investment, you have positive ROI.
The result: If automating 3 hours/week at $50/hour costs $2,000 to set up...
You break even in less than 4 months.
Everything after that is pure profit.
When Automation Doesn't Make Sense
I'll be honest: automation isn't always the answer.
Skip automation if:
The task takes less than 30 minutes per week
The process changes constantly (unstable workflows)
Human judgment is genuinely required every time
The task happens once a year (not enough volume)
For everything else? The math usually works.
Want Help Calculating Your Automation ROI?
I'll analyze your current workflows and show you exactly where automation delivers the biggest returns.
No guesswork. Just numbers.
Free 20-minute ROI assessment.
Get Your ROI AssessmentYou'll leave with a clear picture of your automation opportunities.