If you’re tired of juggling email blasts and chasing leads by hand, setting up automated campaigns is a no-brainer. This guide is for anyone who wants to actually get automated email campaigns working in AtozEmails—without a bunch of vague theory or jargon. Whether you run a small shop, consult, or just drew the short straw on “marketing stuff,” you’ll get the steps you need, plus a few hard-earned lessons on what to skip.
Let’s dive in and get your emails working for you (not the other way around).
Step 1: Get the Basics Sorted in AtozEmails
Before you even think about automation, make sure your AtozEmails account is set up. If you’re not past the “free trial” screen, go do that first.
Checklist: - You’ve signed up and confirmed your email. - You can log in and see your dashboard. - Your sender email is verified (if not, find the “Sender Settings” in your profile and do it now—most deliverability problems start here).
Pro tip:
Don’t use a free Gmail or Yahoo address as your sender. Use your own domain. If you skip this, your emails will probably land in spam.
Step 2: Import or Build Your Email List
Automation’s no good without an audience. You need a list of real people who’ve actually agreed to hear from you.
You can: - Import a CSV file of contacts (find “Lists” > “Import” in the sidebar) - Manually add emails (slow, but fine for very small lists) - Set up signup forms (AtozEmails has basic ones; embed on your site or link directly)
What matters: - Make sure you have permission to email these folks—if you bought a list, don’t bother. You’ll get flagged as spam, and AtozEmails will shut you down. - Double-check fields on import. At minimum, you want: email, first name, last name. If your data is messy, fix it before importing.
Skip this:
Don’t try to get fancy with “custom fields” unless you have a real use for them. You can always add later.
Step 3: Map Out Your Automation (on Paper!)
This is where most people get stuck. Before you touch the software, sketch out your flow. Seriously, grab a sticky note or a Google Doc:
Ask yourself:
- What do you want to happen after someone signs up?
(e.g., Welcome email, then a follow-up offer, then a newsletter)
- How many emails?
(Don’t overthink it—start with 2-3)
- What triggers the automation?
(Signup, clicking a link, making a purchase?)
Simple starter flow: 1. Someone signs up → immediate welcome email 2. Wait 2 days → send product tips 3. Wait 3 more days → send special offer
That’s enough for most businesses starting out.
Pro tip:
Don’t build a 10-email “nurture sequence” your first try. You’ll never finish it. Start simple, then add steps as you see what works.
Step 4: Set Up Your Automation in AtozEmails
Now you’re ready to build the actual automation.
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Go to the Automations tab
It’s usually on the main sidebar. Click it and hit “Create Automation” or “New Workflow.” -
Choose a trigger
For most people, it’s “when someone joins a list.” Pick the right list you set up earlier. -
Add your first email
- Drag the “Send Email” action into your workflow.
- Create a new email or pick a template.
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Write your subject line and message. Keep it clear and personal—skip the fancy graphics unless you know your audience expects them.
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Set delays between emails
- Use the “Wait” or “Delay” action to space out your messages (e.g., wait 2 days).
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Don’t bombard people—1-3 days between emails is a safe starting point.
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Add more emails (if needed)
- Repeat: add a “Send Email” action, then maybe another delay.
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Each step is visible in a flowchart. If you’re lost, hit “Preview” to see the logic.
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(Optional) Add conditions
- If you want to get fancy, you can add “If/Else” branches (like if someone clicks a link, send a different email).
- For your first automation, skip this unless you have a clear reason.
Watch out for:
- Broken links or missing images in your emails—AtozEmails won’t always warn you.
- Typos in subject lines. Preview and send a test to yourself before going live.
Step 5: Write Your Emails (Keep It Human)
Don’t let templates lull you into writing like a robot. People want to hear from you, not a “brand voice.”
What works:
- Write like you talk. If you wouldn’t say “Greetings valued subscriber” to a real person, don’t put it in your email.
- Personalize with their first name (AtozEmails uses tags like {{first_name}}).
- Keep it short. Most people read emails on their phone.
- Have one clear call to action per email (e.g., “Try this tip,” “Reply with your question,” “Check out this offer”).
What doesn’t: - Jargon, buzzwords, or big graphics that don’t load on mobile. - Cramming three offers into one message.
Pro tip:
Write all your emails in a Google Doc first. Copy-paste into AtozEmails after you’re happy.
Step 6: Test Everything Before Going Live
Don’t trust the preview. Send test emails to yourself (and ideally a coworker with a different email provider).
Checklist:
- Do the links work?
- Does the subject line make sense?
- Does it look good on both your phone and desktop?
- Are your merge tags (like {{first_name}}) working?
What to ignore:
Don’t get sucked into testing twenty color schemes. Focus on clarity. If your email looks “good enough,” you’re ready.
Step 7: Turn On the Automation
You’re almost there.
- In the Automation builder, look for “Activate” or “Start.” Flip the switch.
- New signups from your trigger point (like a form or list) will now get your sequence.
Important:
- Existing contacts might not get the sequence, depending on your settings. If you want them to, check the “Include existing contacts” option, or manually add them to the trigger.
Step 8: Monitor and Tweak (But Don’t Obsess)
After a week or two, check your stats in AtozEmails.
Look for: - Open rates (above 30% is good for most lists) - Click rates (2-5% is normal) - Unsubscribes (if more than 1% per email, something’s off)
If you see bad numbers: - Check if your subject lines are boring or misleading - Make sure you’re not sending too often - Maybe your audience isn’t right—don’t panic, just adjust
Pro tip:
Don’t try to “optimize” every day. Give changes time to work. Most automations just need a little attention every month or so.
Step 9: Add More Automations (When You’re Ready)
Once your first workflow is running, you can add:
- Post-purchase follow-ups (“How was your order?”)
- Cart abandonment emails (if you sell online)
- Re-engagement sequences for inactive contacts
But again: only add what you actually need. More automations mean more to manage, and more ways things can break.
Keep It Simple—And Iterate
Automated email campaigns can save you a ton of time, but only if you start simple and avoid overengineering. Get one automation working in AtozEmails, make sure people are getting value, and build from there.
Don’t fall for the myth that you need a 20-step workflow or a library of templates to see results. Most of the magic is in clear writing, a clean list, and actually hitting “activate.” Tweak as you go, and let your emails do their job—so you can get back to yours.