Welcome Email Series
Learn how to create a welcome series of automated emails sent to new customers right after they subscribe
What is a Welcome Email Series
A welcome series is a sequence of emails sent to new subscribers after they sign up or make their first purchase. These emails introduce your brand, establish a connection, and encourage further engagement.
The series typically begins with a thank-you message and an introduction to your products or services. To maintain interest, you can strategically include incentives like discounts or special offers.
Including an offer in the first email creates a strong first impression and shows appreciation. Adding it to the second email helps reinforce your brand and keep the subscriber engaged. Placing it in the third email acts as a final push, motivating them to take action, such as making a purchase or exploring your products further.
What is the Benefit of the Welcome Series?
Make a Strong First Impression Your welcome email series introduces your brand and makes new subscribers feel valued. It’s a great way to showcase your brand’s personality and uniqueness.
Build Awareness and Trust Use your emails to share your story, values, and how your products or services can help. This builds trust and credibility with your new subscribers.
Encourage the First Purchase Guide new customers toward making their first purchase by offering incentives like discounts or special offers. This motivates them to take action.
What Does a Typical Welcome Email Series Look Like?
A well-executed welcome series typically includes 3 to 5 emails spaced out over several days or weeks. Each email should serve a specific purpose
Examples
Email 1: Welcome and Thank You
Acknowledge their signup or purchase and thank them for joining.
Provide a warm introduction to your brand and its values.
Share a brief overview of what they can expect from your emails.
Email 2: Highlight Your Value Proposition
Showcase the unique benefits of your products or services.
Share testimonials, success stories, or awards that build credibility.
Include a clear call-to-action, such as visiting your website or exploring your catalog.
Email 3: Educate and Onboard
Provide helpful resources like guides, FAQs, or tutorials.
Highlight key features, tools, or best practices for using your product.
Encourage them to take small steps, like completing their profile or watching a demo.
NOTE Kindly make sure that you have at least 3 emails in the sequence.
Why Sync Your List Before Setting Up the Workflow?
Before setting up your welcome series, ensure that your list is properly synced with the automation you plan to use. This means making sure your signup forms are integrated with the list.
Video on creating signup forms
To learn more about retainful welcome popup Welcome Popup
Syncing the automation with your list is essential for sending dynamic coupon codes and delivering personalized messages based on subscriber actions. This helps make your emails more relevant and engaging, improving conversion rates.
NOTE After publishing the welcome popup, the next step is to sync the signup form list with the automation, which will take care of sending messages to the subscribing customers.
How to Set Up a Welcome Email Series in Retainful
Ready to create your first welcome email series? Let’s walk through it step by step:
Retainful comes with a pre-built workflow template for the welcome series—welcome new customers with unique coupons.
Go to the Retainful dashboard -> Automation and create a new workflow
Click pre-built Workflow and select the Welcome Email Series template.
Give your workflow a name like “Welcome Series” so it’s easy to find later.
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1. Setting Up Workflow - Trigger & Rules
To customize when your welcome email series is sent, set the trigger option based on your preferences.
Choose a Trigger Block
Select or Create a List: After choosing the trigger event, select an existing list or create a new list of subscribers that will receive the email series.
2. Generating a Unique Coupon Code
Set up coupon generation within your welcome email series to offer new customers a personalized discount.
Choose the type of coupon you want to generate, such as:
Percentage discount (e.g., 10% off).
Fixed amount discount (e.g., $5 off).
Free shipping or other special offers
You can also set specific conditions for coupon usage, according to your preferences.
This ensures that each new subscriber receives a unique and tailored offer through your welcome email series.
3. Customizing Your Email Template
Once you’re done with the customization, click the “Edit content” button.
After you’re done, click “Save” at the top-right corner of the page.
NOTE Configure Coupon Code In Email Template Add a Coupon: Click "Configure" in the email template to generate a dynamic coupon code.
Bind Across Emails: The same coupon code will automatically attach to all emails in the series (e.g., 1st, 2nd, and 3rd emails).
NOTE You can use the “Send test email” button to preview how your email will look in your recipients’ inboxes
NOTE The values shown are for illustration purposes only.
4. Sending the First Email
Email 1: Welcome and Introduction
Timing: Send immediately after sign-up.
What to Say: Thank the customer for signing up! Introduce your brand and let them know how excited you are to have them as part of your community. Include their personalized coupon code as a thank-you for joining.
CTA: Encourage them to explore your website, check out your top products, or use the personalized discount you’ve provided.
5. Adding a Time Delay for the First Email
Wait blocks in your welcome email automation help control the timing between emails, ensuring a smooth and engaging subscriber journey.
Wait Block #1: Set a delay of 2 days after the first email to allow subscribers time to engage before receiving the next email.
Wait Block #2: Set a delay of 3 days after the first email to give subscribers ample time to engage before receiving the next email.
You can customize the timing of these wait blocks by clicking on them in the workflow and adjusting the delay settings as needed.
6. Conditional check for Coupon Use:
Create different paths based on subscriber actions.
Select the Rule: Choose a rule like “Coupon is not used” to target subscribers who haven’t redeemed their coupon yet. This way, you can send a follow-up email to encourage them to complete their purchase.
NOTE Place this conditional check block before the email block. This way, the system can evaluate whether the coupon has been used, ensuring the customer receives a relevant and non-redundant email.
7. Send the Second Email in the Sequence
Email 2: Brand Story and Values
Timing: Send 2 days after Email 1.
What to Say: Share the story behind your brand—why you started, what you stand for, and what sets you apart. Reinforce your brand values and invite subscribers to connect on a deeper level.
CTA: Encourage them to learn more about your story, explore your products, or take advantage of their personalized coupon code before it expires.
8. Adjust the second wait block timing.
Wait Block #2: Add a 3-day delay before the final email to maintain balanced pacing and maximize engagement opportunities.
9. Second Conditional check for Coupon Use:
Create different paths based on subscriber actions.
Select the Rule: Choose a rule like “Coupon is not used” to target subscribers who haven’t redeemed their coupon after receiving the first email. You can then send a second follow-up email to remind them to complete their purchase.
NOTE Place this conditional check block before the email block. This way, the system can evaluate whether the coupon has been used, ensuring the customer receives a relevant and non-redundant email.
10. Send the Third Email in the Sequence
Email 3: Best-Selling Products
Timing: Send 3-4 days after Email 2.
What to Say: Showcase your best-selling or most popular products. Highlight the features and benefits that make them stand out, and remind the subscriber of the personalized coupon code they've received.
CTA: Invite them to browse your top products and use their coupon code to make their first purchase.
11. Test Your Workflow
Send yourself a test email to ensure everything looks perfect on both desktop and mobile.
Double-check your timing and triggers.
12. Go Live
Once everything looks good, hit Start Workflow and watch your emails work magic.
Best Practices for the Welcome Series
TrackPersonalize the Emails: Tailor your messages to match the customer’s behavior and preferences.
Timing is Key: Send the first email immediately after signup and space the other emails strategically.
Offer Value: Provide helpful information, discounts, or exclusive deals to keep the subscriber engaged.
Track & Optimize: Continuously track performance and optimize your workflow for better results.
Summary
Retainful’s welcome email automation workflow allows you to create personalized email sequences that engage new subscribers. You can set triggers, add dynamic coupon codes, and use wait blocks to space out emails for optimal timing.
With split conditions, you can target specific actions, like coupon usage, to send tailored follow-up emails.
This workflow helps improve retention, drive conversions, and create a strong first impression with relevant offers and personalized content.
Need More Help?
We’re here to make things easier for you!
Email Us: Reach out anytime at support@retainful.com.
Schedule a Call: Still stuck or need a hands-on walkthrough? Book a quick session with our support team, and we’ll guide you step-by-step.
The next automation is Abandoned Cart Recovery Automation, which helps convert abandoned carts into completed purchases.
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