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Welcome to Better Systems & Operations, THE newsletter for micro-businesses who are ready to run their business without it running them into the ground. When I have something worth sharing, you'll get practical tips on systems for tiny teams, operations that actually make sense, and keeping your business in its place. Because your real life is the center of the universe, not your business.

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Pre-P.S. This email may contain affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase, I may make a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I trust and truly believe in.

Heyyy {{first_name}}!

I’ve said repeatedly throughout 2026 that this is the year of experiments for me.

So if you keep seeing strange things and changes, it’s not you, it’s me.

This month, I’m trying a little mini email series here to help me with planning content and giving you something tangible to work with.

We’re starting with “Future You Systems” or what you can do today that future you will be thrilled about.

Save Time & Use Canned Responses

Canned responses give a lot of people the ick, but they don’t have to.

For example, 30 minutes after you have a call with me, you’ll receive an email that says something to the effect of “thanks for meeting me, I’m getting my kids a snack right now, but I’ll send over what I was supposed to shortly.”

And has that saved my ass?

ABSOLUTELY.

And is it boring?

I’d like to think not. In fact, I’ve had several people comment on how funny and cute it was.

And while that’s an automation and not technically a canned or saved response… it’s the same damn thing.

Saved/Canned responses can be full of personality and on brand, but only if you create them.

Canned Responses Everyone Should Have

Need a list of common canned responses everyone should have?

I don’t like giving generic advice, so my first tip is to keep a running list of questions you are asked more than once a month or more than once a quarter and create 1-2 canned responses for that.

But if you need a list, here are a few starting points.

It’s a good idea to have canned responses for these common questions:

  • How do we work together?

  • Where's the link?

  • What happens next?

  • Can I reschedule?

  • When will I hear from you?

How to Keep Canned Responses from Sounding, Well, Canned

Add some personality, bro.

Make it sound exactly how you’d say or send it in the moment and add a little flair to match your brand.

My brand is slightly snarky (you know, former middle school teacheresque) with a lot of relatability and less formality.

So if I sent this response: “Hello! We can work together by booking a meeting. Here is the link.”

I’d get no one doing what I wanted.

First of all, you can’t have been in my world for more than 2 seconds without noticing my go-to is “heeeyyyyy.”

So that would be a terrible canned response for me.

Here would be a more appropriate & on-brand canned response:

“Heyyy! I’m so excited you’ve reached out and I’m thrilled you’re asking how we can work together. There are a few different ways to work with me and I’d hate to tell you which is best without talking to you first. It wouldn’t just be irresponsible, but also, unethical. I think the best thing would be to have a chat about your business and what you need. Then at the end of the call, I can tell you more about the services I offer that would fit with what you specifically need. If you’re ready, here’s the link to book.”

I timed myself. That took me just under a minute to write. I’m gonna save that response and share it every time someone asks about my services or how I work with clients.

To someone else, it’s going to seem like I took the time to write that out. I’m the only one who knows that I didn’t.

Worried About Always Sending the Same Response?

I get this. Like, what if someone sees the same message more than once and knows you didn’t personally write it and you just copied and pasted???

Got anxiety?

Me too.

Also…

  1. No one cares as much as you do.

  2. If it’s personalized and branded to begin with, they’ll totes understand.

  3. Do you have enough time in the day to care that much?

  4. If you’re still worried (and I get it because, me too!), then create 3-5 canned responses for each of your common questions and rotate which ones you send.

    1. OMG… do I have a plan for everything?

      1. No. Just for world domination.

        1. Just Kidding…or am I?

This Week’s Challenge

Take 1 hour this week and write some canned responses.

Save them somewhere you’ll use them.

  • If you use Google Workspace, you can use this video to show you how to create & use templates.

  • If you use something else, I don’t have a direct answer, but I save them in a document that I can easily access (usually my SOPs).

Speaking of SOPs…

SOP Bank Starter Kit

WTF is it? It’s 20+ SOPs that are 75% done and the system to keep track of them in either ClickUp, Airtable, or Google Sheets. It’s not fully built yet, but you’re not going to want to miss it. As of when this email was written, the going cost was $6, but it could be more now. You’ll never get it at this price again. The pre-sell offer goes away on 10/31 and the price goes up each time someone buys. It’ll be $197 when it officially launches.

The New Rules of Online Visibility

Your customers are searching in places your strategy doesn’t reach.

So before your business is buried and left behind, you need to understand the new rules of SEO.

BELAY's SEO in the Age of AI report explains how search is changing, what AI means for your visibility, and the practical steps small businesses like yours can take to stay visible.

BELAY’s U.S.-based Marketing Assistants turn strategy into execution, helping your business stay visible, credible, and competitive in every search.

Thanks for allowing me to make your operations simple. You’re the best and I’m here should you need anything.

If you enjoyed this email or found it helpful, would you be willing to leave me a testimonial?

Sammy Bohannon

I lead operations for micro-business owners who want a business that works...AND one that actually supports the life you built it for.

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