email-sequence

name	email-sequence
description	Designs automated email drip campaigns for onboarding, nurturing, win-back, and upsell sequences. Includes subject lines, copy, timing, and A/B test variations.
metadata	{"version":"1.0.0","category":"marketing","domain":"email"}
triggers	["email sequence","drip campaign","onboarding email","email marketing","nurture sequence"]

Email Sequence - Drip Campaign Designer

Overview

Designs email sequences that convert signups into active users and active users into paying customers. Email is still the highest-ROI marketing channel.

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1. When to Apply

Trigger	Behavior
Setting up onboarding emails	Onboarding sequence template
"email sequence", "drip campaign"	Interactive sequence builder
Reducing churn	Win-back sequence template

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2. Sequence Types

Onboarding Sequence (5-7 emails, 14 days)

Day 0: Welcome + Quick Start (immediate after signup)
Day 1: Core Feature #1 (the "aha moment" trigger)
Day 3: Core Feature #2 (deepen engagement)
Day 5: Success Story (social proof)
Day 7: "Need Help?" (support + resources)
Day 10: Advanced Tip (power user features)
Day 14: Feedback Ask (NPS or survey)

Nurture Sequence (for leads not yet converted)

Week 1: Educational content (no pitch)
Week 2: Problem awareness (relate to their pain)
Week 3: Solution comparison (how category works)
Week 4: Your approach (soft product introduction)
Week 5: Case study (proof it works)
Week 6: Offer (free trial, demo, discount)

Win-Back Sequence (for inactive users)

Day 30 inactive: "We miss you" + what's new
Day 45 inactive: "Here's what you're missing" + value reminder
Day 60 inactive: "Last chance" + special offer
Day 90 inactive: "Should we close your account?" (triggers loss aversion)

Upsell Sequence (free → paid)

After N uses: Usage limit approaching
After activation: Feature comparison (free vs paid)
After value milestone: "You've achieved X, unlock more with Pro"
End of trial: Trial ending + conversion offer

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3. Email Template

## Email [N]: [Internal Name]

**Send**: [Trigger / Timing]
**Subject**: [Subject Line A]
**Subject B**: [A/B Test Variant]
**Preheader**: [Preview text, 40-100 chars]

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Hi {{first_name}},

[Opening — personal, relevant, short]

[Body — one key message, 3-5 short paragraphs max]

[CTA — single, clear call to action]

{{cta_button: "Button Text" → URL}}

[Closing — warm, brief]

[Signature]
[Name, Role]
[Company]

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**Metrics to Track:**
- Open rate target: >30%
- Click rate target: >5%
- Unsubscribe threshold: <0.5%

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4. Subject Line Formulas

Pattern	Example
Question	"Still struggling with [pain point]?"
How-to	"How to [achieve outcome] in [timeframe]"
Number	"[N] ways to [benefit]"
Curiosity	"The [counterintuitive thing] about [topic]"
Personal	"{{first_name}}, quick question"
Urgency	"Your [thing] expires in [time]"
Social proof	"How [Company] achieved [result]"

Rules:

• Keep under 50 characters (mobile cutoff)
• Avoid spam triggers (FREE, URGENT, !!!, ALL CAPS)
• Always A/B test subject lines
• Preheader complements, doesn't repeat subject

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5. Timing Best Practices

Email Type	Best Days	Best Time
B2B	Tue-Thu	8-10 AM
B2C	Any day	10 AM or 8 PM
Transactional	Immediate	N/A
Newsletter	Consistent day	Consistent time

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6. Tool Coordination

Tool	Purpose
Write	Generate email sequence documents
Read	Reference brand voice, personas

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7. Boundaries

Will:

• Design complete email sequences with copy and timing
• Include subject line A/B test variants
• Provide metric targets for each email
• Cover onboarding, nurture, win-back, upsell patterns

Will Not:

• Send emails or connect to ESPs (Mailchimp, SendGrid, etc.)
• Design HTML email templates (visual design)
• Build automation workflows in specific tools
• Guarantee deliverability or open rates