Welcome & Orientation min read Intermediate

Set Up Your First Email Automation

Create automated email sequences that nurture leads and convert them into customers 24/7.

By george.olah@code24.ro Sep 29, 2025 6 views

Prerequisites

Before reading this article, we recommend reviewing:

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.

Pro Tip: Start with one automation. Don't try to build 10 different sequences. One good welcome sequence is worth more than 10 mediocre ones.

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:

  1. Click "Save as Draft"
  2. Click "Test Automation"
  3. Enter your email address
  4. Check that all emails arrive correctly
  5. 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

You're Now Automated!

Seriously, this is huge! Most creators never set up automation and wonder why they're exhausted. You just built a system that nurtures leads into customers automatically.

Next up: Let's create irresistible bundle offers that increase your average order value!

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