How to send automated follow up emails from Tallyso after form submission

So, you’ve set up a slick form with Tally.so, people are filling it out, and then… nothing. The leads just sit there. No friendly “thanks for reaching out,” no follow-up, nothing that keeps the conversation going. If you want to send automated follow-up emails (think: confirmations, reminders, or even a nudge to book a call), you’re in the right place.

This guide is for anyone who wants to actually do something with the info coming in from their Tallyso forms, without hand-coding or spending hours on setup. Whether you’re running a small business, handling event sign-ups, or just tired of copy-paste drudgery, let’s get your follow-up sorted.

The Honest Truth Upfront

There’s no “one-click” way to send follow-up emails directly from Tallyso itself. Tallyso is fantastic for making forms, but it doesn’t have built-in email automation—yet. The good news? It works smoothly with tools like Zapier, Make, or even free options like Google Apps Script.

Here’s what you’ll learn: - How to connect Tallyso to an email automation tool (with real-world tools, not just theory) - What you should watch out for (like sending limits and spam traps) - Which steps are worth your time, and which are just shiny distractions

Let’s get into it.

Step 1: Decide How You’ll Send Emails

Before you start clicking around, figure out which tool fits your workflow and budget. Here are your top options:

  • Zapier: Super easy, works with Tallyso, but gets pricey if you have a lot of submissions.
  • Make (formerly Integromat): Cheaper at scale, a little more fiddly, but powerful.
  • Google Apps Script: Free, but involves a bit of coding. Good for tinkerers or if you’re only sending a few emails per day.
  • Native integrations: If you use MailerLite, Mailchimp, or ConvertKit, Tallyso has direct integrations for simple automations—but these are limited compared to Zapier or Make.

Pro tip: If you’re just starting out, Zapier is the easiest. If cost matters and you’re not afraid of a learning curve, Make is solid. If you have a developer background, Apps Script is basically free.

Step 2: Connect Tallyso to Your Automation Tool

Option 1: Using Zapier (Most Popular)

  1. Create a Zapier Account
    Sign up at zapier.com if you haven’t already. The free plan is fine for testing.

  2. Start a New Zap
    Click “Create Zap.”

  3. Set Tallyso as the Trigger

  4. Search for “Tallyso” and select the New Submission trigger.
  5. Connect your Tallyso account (you’ll need your API key from Tallyso—find it in your Tallyso dashboard under ‘Integrations’).

  6. Pick the form you want to use.

  7. Test the Trigger
    Zapier pulls in a recent submission so you can see what data you’ll work with.

Option 2: Using Make (Integromat)

  1. Create a Make Account
    Go to make.com.

  2. Set Up a Scenario

  3. Add Tallyso as the trigger (it’s also called “Watch Responses”).

  4. Connect your Tallyso account and select the form.

  5. Run a Test
    Make sure it pulls in example data.

Option 3: Google Apps Script (Advanced, Free)

  1. Set Tallyso to Post to Google Sheets

  2. Set up a native integration in Tallyso to send new submissions to a Google Sheet.

  3. Write a Script to Send Emails

  4. In your Google Sheet, click Extensions > Apps Script.
  5. Write a function that triggers on form submission and sends an email (see the Google Apps Script docs).

Bottom line: Zapier or Make will get you going faster, especially if you’re not a coder.

Step 3: Set Up the Email Action

Now, the meat of the process: automatically sending the email.

Zapier Example

  1. Add an Email Action
  2. Click the “+” and choose an action step.

  3. You’ve got a few choices:

    • Gmail (if you want to send from your own account)
    • Zapier Email (quicker, but less “personal”)
    • Mailchimp/MailerLite/etc. (for newsletters or drip sequences)

  4. Customize the Email

  5. Map the fields from your Tallyso form into the email body (e.g., use their name: “Hey {{Name}}!”).
  6. Set the recipient to the email field from the form.
  7. Write your subject line and body.

  8. Test the action.

  9. Turn Your Zap On
    That’s it—the next submission will trigger an email.

Make Example

  1. Add an Email Module
  2. After the Tallyso trigger, add a Gmail or SMTP module.

  3. Set up authentication.

  4. Map Form Data

  5. Use the fields from the Tallyso response in your email.

  6. Save and Activate

Google Apps Script Example

  1. Script Sample javascript function sendEmailOnFormSubmit(e) { var email = e.values[1]; // adjust index for your sheet var name = e.values[2]; var subject = "Thanks for your submission!"; var body = "Hi " + name + ",\n\nThanks for filling out our form!"; MailApp.sendEmail(email, subject, body); }

  2. Set Trigger

  3. In Apps Script: Triggers > Add Trigger > select your function, set to “On form submit.”

Heads up: Google limits the number of emails you can send per day. If you’re sending more than a few dozen, use a real email service.

Step 4: Test Everything (Seriously)

  • Submit a test entry to your Tallyso form.
  • Check your email (and your spam folder).
  • Make sure:
  • The right fields show up
  • The message isn’t flagged as spam
  • Attachments, if any, are included

What to avoid:
Don’t skip testing or assume it “just works.” Mistakes here mean angry contacts or worse, emails going straight to spam.

Step 5: Handle the Edge Cases

Before you call it done, look for these common pain points:

  • Multiple follow-ups: If you want to send a series of emails (like reminders or a drip campaign), use a real email tool like Mailchimp or ConvertKit. Zapier can only send one-off emails unless you get fancy.
  • Attachments: Not all email actions support attachments. Check your tool’s docs if you need this.
  • Personalization: Use their name, reference what they submitted—basic, but makes a difference.
  • Unsubscribe links: If you’re sending anything “marketing-y,” include a way to opt out. It’s the law in many places.
  • Deliverability: Using Gmail or Zapier Email is fine for small batches. For bigger sends, use a real email service (Mailgun, SendGrid, etc.) to avoid spam filters.

What Actually Works (And What Doesn’t)

Works well: - Quick one-off emails (confirmations, instant replies) - Small-scale reminders or notifications - Simple personalization

Not great for: - Full-scale newsletters or multi-step drip campaigns (use a real email platform) - Sending more than 100–150 emails/day from your own Gmail (you’ll hit limits or spam filters) - Fancy HTML emails—most Zapier/Make email steps are minimal. If you need beautiful templates, use a real marketing tool.

Ignore:
- Overcomplicated “all-in-one” automation tools that don’t actually support Tallyso. Stick to the basics and you’ll save time.

Keep It Simple, Iterate as Needed

Don’t overthink it. Start with a basic follow-up email—just a quick “thanks for submitting” with a human touch. Once you see what works, you can always add fancier stuff later (like reminders or a link to book a call).

Automations are supposed to make life easier, not more complicated. If you get stuck, strip things back to the essentials and build from there. Good luck, and don’t forget to test!