Automation = Your Business Working While You Sleep 😴
Imagine this: Someone discovers your content at 2 AM on a Saturday. They sign up for your list. And boom – they immediately get a warm welcome email from you, followed by your best content over the next few days. All while you're literally sleeping (or binge-watching Netflix, no judgment).
That's the magic of email automation. Let's set up your first one in the next 15 minutes!
What We're Building Today
A simple 5-email welcome sequence that:
- Welcomes new subscribers warmly
- Delivers your lead magnet or freebie
- Builds trust and connection
- Introduces your paid offer naturally
- Converts subscribers into customers
Step 1: Navigate to Email Automation
From your dashboard, click on Email Marketing in the left sidebar, then select Automation Flows. Click the big purple "Create New Automation" button.
Step 2: Choose Your Trigger
For your welcome sequence, select "When someone subscribes to a list" as your trigger. Choose the list you want this automation to run for (probably your main list).
Name your automation something clear like "Welcome Sequence - Main List" (you'll thank yourself later when you have multiple automations).
Step 3: Build Your 5-Email Sequence
Email 1: The Instant Welcome (Sends immediately)
Subject: "Welcome! Here's your [freebie name] 🎁"
Purpose: Deliver what you promised + warm welcome
What to include:
- Warm, personal greeting
- Link to download/access their freebie
- Quick intro about who you are
- What to expect from your emails
- One action step they can take right now
Example opening: "Hey [Name]! I'm so pumped you're here! As promised, here's your [freebie]. I created this because I wish I had it when I started..."
Email 2: Your Story (Sends 1 day later)
Subject: "Why I started this journey (personal story inside)"
Purpose: Build connection through vulnerability
What to include:
- Your "before" situation
- The struggle or problem you faced
- Your breakthrough moment
- Where you are now
- Why you're helping others
Key insight: People buy from people they trust. Your story builds that trust faster than anything else.
Email 3: Quick Win (Sends 2 days after Email 2)
Subject: "Try this 10-minute trick today"
Purpose: Give them a result fast
What to include:
- One specific, actionable tip
- Exactly how to implement it
- What result they can expect
- A small case study or example
Why this works: When people get a quick win from your free content, they think "If the free stuff is this good, the paid stuff must be amazing!"
Email 4: Social Proof (Sends 2 days after Email 3)
Subject: "How Sarah went from [problem] to [result]"
Purpose: Show that your methods work for others
What to include:
- Customer success story
- Specific results they achieved
- What they struggled with before
- The transformation they experienced
- Soft mention of your paid offer
Don't have testimonials yet? Share your own transformation in more detail, or results from beta testers/friends.
Email 5: The Gentle Pitch (Sends 3 days after Email 4)
Subject: "Ready to take the next step?"
Purpose: Introduce your paid offer naturally
What to include:
- Recap the value you've already given
- Acknowledge they might want more
- Introduce your paid offer as the next step
- Clear benefits (not just features)
- Special offer for new subscribers (optional)
- No pressure - "when you're ready"
Key phrase: "If you've found value in these free tips, you might be ready for [your offer]..."
Step 4: Set Your Timing
Click on the gaps between emails to set delays:
- Email 1 → Email 2: 1 day
- Email 2 → Email 3: 2 days
- Email 3 → Email 4: 2 days
- Email 4 → Email 5: 3 days
This spacing gives people time to consume your content without overwhelming them. Adjust based on your audience's preferences!
Step 5: Test Your Automation
Before going live:
- Click "Save as Draft"
- Click "Test Automation"
- Enter your email address
- Check that all emails arrive correctly
- Click all links to ensure they work
Step 6: Activate Your Automation!
Happy with everything? Click that "Activate Automation" button and celebrate! 🎉 You now have a salesperson working 24/7 for your business.
Advanced Automation Ideas (For Later)
Once you master the welcome sequence, try these:
- Cart Abandonment: Email people who added to cart but didn't buy
- Re-engagement: Win back subscribers who haven't opened in 30 days
- Post-Purchase: Onboard new customers and reduce refunds
- Birthday/Anniversary: Send special offers on special dates
- Segmented Sequences: Different emails based on interests
Automation Best Practices
- Keep it conversational: Write like you're emailing a friend
- One goal per email: Don't try to do everything at once
- Mobile-friendly: 50%+ will read on phones
- Clear CTAs: Tell them exactly what to do next
- Test everything: Small tweaks can double conversions
Your Automation Success Metrics
After 30 days, check these numbers:
- Open rate: Aim for 30-40% (welcome emails get higher opens!)
- Click rate: 7-10% is solid
- Conversion rate: 2-5% buying from the sequence is great
- Unsubscribe rate: Under 1% is healthy