How to Set Up an Email Automation Sequence for Beginners

Last updated on October 15, 2025 · Comprehensive breakdown, <10 min read

You’ve got a killer lead magnet, the traffic’s trickling in, and your email list is finally growing. But now what? If you’re just collecting emails and letting them sit there cold, you’re leaving a ton of opportunity on the table. This is where an email automation sequence steps in to do the heavy lifting.

TL;DR: How Does a Good Email Automation Sequence Work?

An email automation sequence is a series of pre-written emails sent automatically to new subscribers. A solid 7-day sequence should welcome your audience, build trust with valuable content, and end with a clear call to action.

Start with a strong lead magnet: Offer something genuinely helpful like a niche list or quick-win guide to get people on your list.
Use a 7-day structure: Send one email per day to guide your subscriber from “just browsing” to “interested buyer.”
Write like a human: Use storytelling, stay personal, and make each email feel like a natural conversation.
Include value before the pitch: Educate, entertain, or inspire before asking for the sale.
Pick the right email tool: Platforms like AWeber, MailerLite, and ConvertKit make automation easy, even if you’re just starting out.

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What’s In This Article? (Quick Jumps)

Why Email Sequences Matter
The Foundation: Your Lead Magnet
The 7-Day Email Sequence Blueprint
Writing Tips to Keep Emails Engaging
Email Platforms to Use: AWeber, MailerLite, ConvertKit
Common Email Automation Mistakes to Avoid
Final Thoughts
FAQs

Why Email Sequences Matter

Building a successful email list can literally bring you thousands in revenue. So think about just how important your email sequences are.

Think of your email sequence like a friendly hello. Outside of your normal content, this is your first real introduction and chance to say, “Hi! Thanks for joining! Here’s something cool for you.”

That first message is important. It shows new people who you are and helps them decide if they want to hear more from you. When you do it right, it makes them trust you, want to learn more, and maybe even buy something later on based on your recommendation.

And the best part is that once you set it up, your emails go out automatically to every new subscriber who joins. That means you don’t have to send each one yourself. The system does it for you. It saves you time, helps more people get to know you, and keeps your business growing without a lot of extra work.

The Foundation: Your Lead Magnet

If you don’t have a high converting lead magnet you won’t be getting email signups. It’s that simple. If you don’t give people a good reason to join your list, they won’t.

You need to offer something that delivers real value and is helpful. As an example, I’m getting ready to create a lead magnet in the form of a free PDF with 25 profitable niches to build an online business around.

Why is this a good fit for me and my audience? Because it directly solves a problem that my specific target audience has, which is figuring out which where to start when it comes to building their own online business.

On top of that, with any good lead magnet you want it:

quick to read (don’t give them some massive novel they’ll never even open)
easy to understand (never use technical jargon)
delivering a ton of value (deliver actionable easy steps your audience can take to get to their solution)

That’s what makes it a great lead magnet. People like to get something helpful right away, and that builds trust.

But you can’t just throw the offer anywhere on your site. You have to make it easy to find and nice to look at. Put your opt-in form where people will see it, like at the top of your page or in a pop-up. Use a headline that says exactly what they’ll get and why it matters. You can also show a picture of the PDF to make it more real.

Also, remember that a ton of people are on your site via their smartphones or tablets. This means your form needs to work well on mobile devices. Check that it looks good and loads fast both on desktop and mobile.

When someone signs up, your email tool (called an email service provider or ESP) automatically takes over. It should send the free PDF automatically. This part is really important. If people don’t get what you promised, they might think you’re not reliable. So always test your form and your email before going live to make sure everything works right.

The 7-Day Email Sequence Blueprint

Email marketing isn’t hard. The K.I.S.S. principle definitely applies here. Here’s a simple framework you can follow. to build out your own email sequence. It’s exactly what I use. Each email builds on the one before it, moving your audience from curious to committed.

Day 1: The Welcome Email

Subject: Welcome + Here’s Your Free Gift!
This is the email that goes out immediately after they give you their email address.
Thank them for signing up
Deliver the PDF link (I use PDFs for lead magnets, but it can be whatever you like)
Give a short intro about who you are and what to expect
Keep it warm, friendly, and brief! Don’t scare them off!

Day 2: The Origin Story

Subject: Why I Do What I Do
Share a short story of how you got started or discovered something helpful
Tie it into the niche guide or problem your audience is facing
Build relatability. This is where they start realizing you’re cool.

Day 3: The Quick Win

Subject: A Tip That Could Make You $$$ This Week
Share one actionable tip related to your lead magnet. This should directly help them and further confirm that you’re in the business of delivering value and solving their problems.
Let them feel that small win fast
Ask them to reply and share their takeaway. Someone who engages and replies is someone who’s not only feeling comfortable with you, but ready to take action.

Day 4: The Value Bomb

Subject: This Strategy Changed Everything
Dive deeper into a tactic or mindset shift that made a big difference for you
You can link to a blog post or video here
This delivers even more authority and delivers even more value

Day 5: The Social Proof

Subject: Real People, Real Results
Share testimonials or case studies if you have them
Highlight how others have benefited from what you teach
Reinforce that this isn’t just theory
Don’t ask them to take action just yet. This is simply laying the foundation

Day 6: The Soft Pitch

Subject: Ready to Take It Further?
Introduce your product, service, or affiliate offer
Explain the benefit and value it delivers, not just the features
Use a light CTA (call to action), like “Check it out here if you’re curious”, but don’t be pushy about it
You can also take this opportunity to give another quick win, maybe a solid tip or strategy

Day 7: The Hard Pitch

Subject: Don’t Miss Out
This is where you go in with a clear offer
Add urgency or scarcity if it’s genuine (limited-time bonus, etc.)
Strong CTA: Tell them exactly what to do next
FOMO is a real thing. You’ve delivered value, so they know you’re not bluffing. This is where they almost can’t resist the value behind the offer.
This won’t be your last email to them. But your next one won’t talk about this offer.

Writing Tips to Keep Emails Engaging

Before you hit send on any email, think about how it’s going to land in someone’s inbox. You want your messages to feel personal, friendly, and worth reading. You don’t want them feeling like just another generic promo they’ll delete without opening.

Here are a few writing tips to help your emails connect and convert:

Write like you talk: No corporate speak. No technical jargon. Be casual. Use contractions, ask questions, keep it light.
Use short paragraphs: Easier to read on mobile.
Don’t be shy with bullet points and lists: As you can see, I use them all the time. They’re easy on the eyes and people love scanning lists.
Add personalized touches: First names, references to why they signed up, etc.
Tell stories: People remember stories more than facts. Storytelling can have your subscribers anxious to open the next email and see where the story’s going.
Include a P.S.: It’s often the most-read part of your email. Right now you’re thinking about all the email messages you’ve received and their sneaky p.s’s that got your attention aren’t you…

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Email Platforms to Use: AWeber, MailerLite, ConvertKit

There are several ESPs out there to choose from. Choose any that fit your style. I’ve narrowed it down to three. Any one of these tools will let you build your 7-day sequence with ease.

Here’s a quick peek at how beginner-friendly these platforms are:

AWeber

Drag-and-drop automation builder
Great email templates to save time
Super beginner-friendly for new users
Free plan includes basic automation tools
Excellent customer support and onboarding
Detailed reporting to track email performance
Easy integration with landing pages and sign-up forms

Related article: Check out my full AWeber review here.

MailerLite

Clean, simple interface that’s easy to navigate
Automation builder is very user-friendly
Strong email deliverability rates
Affordable pricing (free up to 1,000 subs)
Offers A/B testing for subject lines
Drag-and-drop editor for beautiful emails
Useful landing page builder included

ConvertKit

Specifically built for creators and solopreneurs
Visual automation builder is smooth and simple
Powerful tagging and segmentation features
Slightly pricier, but very effective
Easy integration with tools like WordPress and Shopify
Excellent for selling digital products and courses
Great for setting up subscriber funnels and opt-ins

Common Email Automation Mistakes to Avoid

Before you jump in and start building out your email sequence, it’s good to know where people usually trip up. Even the best intentions can fall flat if you’re not careful with how you structure and send your emails.

These are the most common issues that come up again and again. Thankfully, once you’re aware of them, they’re super easy to fix:

Too much, too soon: Don’t overload subscribers with info on Day 1. It’s tempting to show off everything you know right away, but giving too much too fast can overwhelm your readers. Start simple and build up the value over several emails. You want to leave room for curiosity and create a sense of progression.
Skipping the value: Always give before you ask. Subscribers join your list to get help or learn something, not to be sold to right away. Focus your first few emails on providing tips, insights, or resources that are genuinely helpful. Once you’ve earned trust, then it’s okay to introduce an offer.
Forgetting the CTA: Every email should guide the reader toward something. Whether it’s replying to a question, clicking a link, or checking out your latest blog post, your emails need purpose. A clear CTA (call to action) gives each message direction and gets your audience used to taking action.
Not testing links: Broken links kill trust fast. Always test your emails before sending them to your full list. Click every link to make sure it works, check the formatting, and send a test to your own inbox. It might seem small, but these details show you’re professional and trustworthy.
Ghosting after the sequence: After your 7-day automation ends, don’t go silent! Create a plan to continue engaging your list, whether it’s weekly updates, monthly tips, or new offers. Consistency keeps your audience warm and interested in what you’re doing.

Final Thoughts

Setting up a great email automation sequence doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right lead magnet, a thoughtful 7-day plan, and a solid email platform, you can start turning curious clicks into loyal customers on autopilot.

What do you think? Have you already created an email automation sequence, or are you just getting started? Share your experiences, what’s worked (or flopped), and feel free to ask questions in the comments. Let’s figure it out together.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best email automation tool for beginners?
MailerLite and AWeber are both great for beginners. They offer free plans, easy drag-and-drop builders, and plenty of templates to get started quickly.

How many emails should be in an automation sequence?
A 7-day sequence is a solid start. It keeps you top of mind without overwhelming your subscribers and gives you room to build trust before pitching.

When should I pitch my product or service?
Start softly on Day 6 by introducing the offer. Go harder on Day 7 with a clear, focused call to action. Always lead with value before the pitch.

How to Set Up an Email Automation Sequence That Actually Converts

TL;DR: How Does a Good Email Automation Sequence Work?

What’s In This Article? (Quick Jumps)

Why Email Sequences Matter

The Foundation: Your Lead Magnet