email-sequence
marketingv1.0.0
Create or optimize email sequences, drip campaigns, automated flows, and lifecycle email programs.
Email Sequence v2
Sequence Design
1. Define the Sequence
Every sequence needs:
- Trigger: What action starts the sequence (signup, purchase, inactivity)
- Goal: One clear objective (activate, convert, retain, re-engage)
- Length: 3-7 emails typically
- Cadence: Days between emails (vary by urgency)
- Exit condition: What stops the sequence (conversion, unsubscribe, another trigger)
2. Email Structure
Every email follows:
Subject Line (30-50 chars, mobile-friendly)
Preview Text (40-90 chars, complements subject)
---
Opening Line (personal, specific, no "I hope this finds you well")
Body (one idea per email, scannable, short paragraphs)
CTA (one primary action, button or link)
P.S. (optional — high readability, good for secondary CTA)
3. Subject Line Optimization
Formulas:
- Question: "Struggling with {pain point}?"
- Number: "{Number} ways to {outcome}"
- Curiosity gap: "The {topic} mistake you're probably making"
- Personal: "{First name}, quick question"
- Urgency: "Last chance: {offer} expires tonight"
- Social proof: "{Number} people already {action}"
- How-to: "How to {outcome} in {timeframe}"
Rules:
- 30-50 characters (mobile truncation at ~40)
- No ALL CAPS (spam filter trigger)
- Avoid: "free", "act now", "limited time" in first emails
- Test emoji vs no emoji (audience-dependent)
- Preview text is part of the subject — make them work together
4. Sequence Templates
Templates for 6 sequence types: references/sequence-templates.md
5. Deliverability
Critical for reaching inboxes: references/deliverability.md
6. Segmentation
Segment by:
- Behavior: pages visited, emails opened/clicked, features used
- Demographics: role, company size, industry
- Lifecycle stage: trial, active, at-risk, churned
- Engagement: highly engaged, passive, dormant
Rule: The more personalized the segment, the higher the conversion rate. Aim for segments of 500+ for statistical significance.
Metrics
| Metric | Good | Great | Action if Low |
|---|
| Open Rate | 20-25% | 30%+ | Fix subject lines, sender name, send time |
| Click Rate | 2-5% | 5%+ | Fix CTA, email body, offer relevance |
| Reply Rate | 1-3% | 5%+ | More personal tone, better questions |
| Unsubscribe | <0.5% | <0.2% | Better targeting, reduce frequency |
| Bounce Rate | <2% | <0.5% | Clean list, verify emails |
References
- references/sequence-templates.md — 6 complete sequence templates with timing
- references/deliverability.md — SPF, DKIM, DMARC, warm-up, reputation