If you’re tired of chasing prospects who ghost you after the first email, you’re not alone. Automated drip email sequences can help — if you set them up right. This guide is for people who want to actually nurture leads using AtozEmails, not just send spammy “touching base” messages into the void.
Let’s skip the buzzwords and get into how to set up a drip sequence that doesn’t waste your time (or your prospects’).
Why bother with drip email sequences?
Drip email sequences are just scheduled emails that go out automatically to people on your list. They’re useful for:
- Keeping your name in front of prospects who aren’t ready to buy yet
- Building trust by sharing useful stuff, not just sales pitches
- Saving you from writing the same follow-up 100 times
But let’s be real: most drips are ignored because they’re generic, annoying, or try too hard. The goal is to avoid that.
What you need before you start
Before you dive into AtozEmails, make sure you’ve got:
- A clean list of prospects: Don’t just dump random emails. Make sure these people actually want to hear from you (or at least won’t mark you as spam).
- A value-first mindset: If every email screams “buy now,” you’re wasting everyone’s time.
- Some patience: Good sequences take a bit of trial and error.
Step 1: Plan your sequence (Don’t skip this!)
AtozEmails makes it easy to automate, but it won’t fix a bad plan. Take 15 minutes to sketch out:
1. Who are you emailing? - Segment your list. Cold leads? Warm referrals? Former customers? Tailor your sequence.
2. What’s the end goal? - Book a call? Download a guide? Don’t just “keep in touch.” Be specific.
3. What’s in it for them? - Each email should give them something: an insight, a tip, a resource. If you can’t answer “why would they care?” — don’t send it.
4. How many emails? How often? - 3–5 emails is plenty for most prospecting. - Space them a few days apart. Daily emails are a fast track to the spam folder unless you’re providing real value.
Pro tip: Write your emails in plain text, like you would to a real person. Fancy HTML templates rarely convert better, and they often look like obvious automation.
Step 2: Set up your list in AtozEmails
Head into AtozEmails and:
- Import your contacts.
- Use the CSV import tool if your list is big.
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Check for formatting issues. Nothing says “I don’t care” like a “Hi {FirstName}” fail.
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Create a segment for this sequence.
- You don’t want to accidentally email your whole database. Target only the folks who should get this drip.
What to skip: Don’t overthink tags and custom fields unless you actually need them. You can always add more later.
Step 3: Write your emails (the right way)
Here’s where most people mess up. They write long, boring, or salesy emails. Instead:
- Keep it short. Aim for 3–6 sentences.
- Use a real sender name. “From: Sarah at Widgets Inc.” not “no-reply@widgets.com.”
- Personalize, but don’t fake it. If you don’t know someone’s company, don’t use a placeholder that could backfire.
Example sequence: 1. Email 1: Quick intro and one piece of genuinely useful info (not a sales pitch). 2. Email 2 (3 days later): A question related to their challenges, or a link to a helpful resource. 3. Email 3 (5 days later): Gentle nudge—“Any thoughts?”—and a clear CTA, like booking a call. 4. Email 4 (Optional): Last check-in, wish them well if no response.
What works: Being direct, honest, and useful.
What doesn’t: Gimmicks, over-the-top urgency, or pretending this is a personal 1:1 email when it’s clearly automated.
Step 4: Build the drip sequence in AtozEmails
Now you’re ready to make it happen:
- Go to “Sequences” in AtozEmails.
- Create a new drip sequence. Name it something obvious (“Prospect Nurture June 2024”).
- Add your emails.
- Paste in your drafts.
- Set delays (e.g., Email 2 sends 3 days after Email 1).
- Choose your segment.
- Double-check you’re not blasting your entire list.
- Set sending rules.
- Most people should only get the sequence once.
- Stop the sequence if someone replies or takes your desired action.
Pro tip: Send a test to yourself before launching. You’ll catch weird formatting, typos, or awkward phrasing you missed.
Step 5: Launch (but start small)
Don’t blast your whole list on day one. Instead:
- Start with a small segment. Maybe 20–30 prospects.
- Monitor replies and unsubscribes. If you get a bunch of angry responses, stop and tweak.
What to watch:
- Deliverability: If your open rates tank, your content or sending domain might be flagged as spam.
- Replies: Actual responses matter more than open or click rates. (Most opens are tracked poorly anyway.)
Step 6: Review and tweak
No sequence is perfect the first time. After your first batch:
- Check what worked: Which emails got replies? Where did people drop off?
- Kill what flops: If an email gets no opens or responses, rewrite or remove it.
- Keep it honest: If you’re not getting real replies, your emails probably aren’t useful enough.
Ignore: Vanity metrics like “reach” or “impressions.” They don’t pay the bills.
Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
- Sending too often: People get annoyed fast. Three to five emails, spaced out, is usually enough.
- Sounding like a robot: Write like a human. Automated doesn’t mean impersonal.
- Not making it easy to reply: Always include a clear question or CTA.
- Ignoring unsubscribes: If people are opting out in droves, you’re missing the mark.
Quick FAQ
Do I need fancy personalization?
Not really. “Hi [First Name]” is enough. Don’t waste hours pulling in company names or job titles unless your list is perfect.
What about A/B testing?
Worth trying once you’ve got a working sequence, but don’t get lost in the weeds early on. Focus on actually getting replies.
Should I use attachments or images?
Skip them for prospecting. They trigger spam filters and look like marketing blasts.
Wrapping up: Keep it simple, iterate often
The best drip sequences are the ones you actually send — and tweak as you go. Don’t get bogged down trying to make it perfect. Set up your sequence in AtozEmails, start small, watch what happens, and keep improving. Most importantly, stay useful and respectful. Your prospects (and your future self) will thank you.