How to Create a Welcome Email Sequence in Flodesk

In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to create an automated welcome email sequence for your new subscribers using Flodesk.

If you haven’t heard of Flodesk before, it’s fairly new option in the email marketing world, joining other options like MailChimp and ConvertKit. Flodesk is known for it’s beautiful email templates, and how easy it makes email automation.

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(Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I only share about companies that I truly believe in!)

Why send a welcome email sequence?

Sending welcome emails to your subscribers is a great way to provide value and engage with your email audience while you are still fresh in their mind. Sending new subscribers emails right away, invites them to connect with you and your business right away, building the foundation for a better relationship.

So, how do you set up an automated welcome sequence?

I’m so glad you asked! Let’s dive into the good stuff. In this tutorial, we’ll be creating an email sequence that’s composed of 3 separate emails: 

1. Welcome – Introduction + How to Connect with Me Further
2. Resources for Subscribers
3. How Subscribers Can Work with Me for a Paid Offer (My Services)

I got the ideas for the content to share in a welcome email sequence from Elizabeth McCravy, who has an awesome podcast episode on the topic.

STEP 1: Start the workflow for your welcome sequence. 

1. Log in to your Flodesk account.
2. Click the Flodesk logo in the top left corner to go to the Home screen if you are brought to a page with templates.
3. From the Emails screen, click the Workflows tab
4. Click “Create new”
5. If you’re going to follow my tutorial step-by-step, choose “Start from scratch” on the left sidebar. (Otherwise, you can choose a pre-made workflow from the workflow templates)
6. After choosing to start from scratch, give your email workflow a name. I called mine “Welcome Sequence.”
7. Now, click save.

STEP 2: Choose a trigger for your workflow.

Choosing a trigger lets Flodesk know when to start sending your workflow, and what subscribers to send the emails to. 

To set a trigger: 

1. Click “Add trigger”
2. Click the “Begin this workflow when” drop-down and select “A subscriber is added to segment(s).” Segments are different groups of subscribers within your email list. For example, if you are a photographer, you might have subscribers segmented into those who need family photography, wedding photos, newborn photos, etc. so that you can make sure they are getting the emails that best serve them.
3. Now, choose your segment from the next drop-down, or start typing a segment title in the box and click the “Create…” option to create a new one. I’m going to create a segment called “Web Design.”

STEP 3: Add Email #1 to the Workflow

To add a new email to the workflow: 

1. Click the + button underneath the trigger
2. Choose the Email option.

STEP 4: Create Email #1 (Introductory Email)

1. Choose “Create new email.”
2. Choose a template to customize, or click Start from Scratch. I used the Jenna Kutcher – Welcome new subscribers template, but what you use is totally up to you! 
3. Create your email! Click on any textbox/image placeholder to bring up editing options.

It’s time to create your first email! Here are some tips for what to include in Email #1 (Introductory Email)

• Use the automation {{ subscriber.firstName | default(‘Friend,’) }} to address a subscriber by his/her first name for a personal touch. (Feel free to change the default to a phrase that matches your brand, mine is “Friend.” This will be used if a subscriber’s first name can’t be found). 
• Introduce yourself + say what you do (Consider including a picture of yourself!)
• Tell how often subscribers can expect to hear from you (ex: one a week, twice a month, only when you have something important to share, etc.)
• Tell how you serve your audience outside of your paid offer (what do you share helpful tips/advice about)
• Include links to other places where they can connect with you (ex: Facebook, Insta, Podcast, etc.) – try to stick with your two or three main platforms.
• At the end of your email, invite new subscribers to reply and introduce themselves.  Just like with Instagram, you want to invite your email subscribers to engage/have a conversation with you.

• Don’t forget to customize your social links and business address at the bottom of your email. You’ll only have to do this for your first email, then Flodesk will automatically add the information to future emails.

STEP #5: Change the subject line for your first email

1. Once you have your first email ready, click “Finish” in the top right.
2. In the email preview on the right sidebar, scroll down until you see the Subject Line area and customize your subject line. (Tip: I like to use on-brand emojis to help my email subjects stand out in the inbox!)

STEP #6: Add a Time Delay to Your Workflow (optional)

Now, it’s time to add a time delay to our workflow. I’d like Flodesk to wait 2 days before sending the next email. To do this:

1. Click the + button under Email #1
2. Choose Time Delay
3. Enter your preferred amount of time that Flodesk should wait before sending the next email.

STEP #7: Create Email #2 (Resources email)

1. Click the + button under the time delay, and choose Email.
2. Click “create new email,” then choose an email template or (start from scratch). I used the Jenna Kutcher – Share your news template. 
3. Create your resources email!

Here are some tips for what to include in Email #2 (Resources Email)

• Share links to your content that the audience in this segment might find helpful/interesting (ex: blog posts, podcast episodes, YouTube tutorials).
• The goal with this email is to serve your audience by providing value that is true to your brand. 
• Make some of your content related to your offer in some way, without actually pitching your offer (we’ll do that in the next email!)
• Below your resource links, suggest encourage your audience to take action with what they learn from your resources. You could even invite them to reply to your email and tell you what their action step is so that you can cheer them on/hold them accountable.

*Don’t forget to change your subject line after you’ve finished Email #2!

STEP #8: Add another time delay

Now, it’s time to add another time delay to our workflow. I’d like Flodesk to wait 2 days before sending the next email. To do this:

4. Click the + button under Email #2
5. Choose Time Delay
6. Enter your preferred amount of time that Flodesk should wait before sending the next email. (I choose 2 days again)

STEP #9: Create Email #3 (Share Your Paid Offer)

This is the last email in my 3-part welcome sequence. In this email, tell your new subscriber how they can work with you for a paid offer (ex: buying your product or course, booking your services).

In case you were curious, I’m a Brand + Showit Web Designer. My paid offer will talk briefly about my design services.

We’ll add the 3rd email using the same steps we used to add the 2nd:

1. Click the + button under the time delay, and choose Email.
2. Click “create new email,” then choose an email template or (start from scratch). I used the Jenna Kutcher – Share your offer template. 
3. Create your offer email!

Here are some tips for what to include in Email #3 (Your Paid Offer Email)

• Keep this email brief, your goal is to get the reader to click the button with your call to action. 
• Be authentic! Tell them how your product/service will solve their problem and provide value. 
• Make some of your content related to your offer in some way, without actually pitching your offer (we’ll do that in the next email!)
• Consider including 1-2 customer testimonials in this email. (Make sure you ask for permission!)
• Consider including a picture of yourself, especially if you have a personal brand. 

*Don’t forget to change your subject line after you’ve finished Email #3!

STEP #10 – Publish Your Finished Workflow

1. Once you’ve finished your 3rd email and are back in the workflow area, click Publish in the top right corner.
2. Click Publish again to publish your welcome sequence!

Let’s Review the Welcome Email Sequence We’ve Created:

1. Trigger: When a subscriber is added to a specifies segment.
2. Flodesk automatically sends Email #1 (Introductory Email)
3. Time delay – 2 days
4. Automatically send Email #2 (Resources)
5. Time Delay – 2 days
6. Automatically send Email #3 (Share Your Paid Offer)

A Note About Editing an Existing Workflow

To edit an existing workflow, hover over the preview in the Workflows area and click edit. Flodesk will notify you that it must pause (temporarily stop sending) the workflow so that you can edit it.

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