Hey everyone!
Today, I’m sharing a simple welcome sequence formula that works for any freebie or offer. This sequence is just three emails in length and is designed to simplify the process of inviting people to your email list without feeling overwhelmed by creating an entire funnel.
I’ve heard from students in Email Insiders, clients, and friends in online business who want to create more invitations to join their email lists but get stuck because they feel like they need a big funnel or an email sequence behind every freebie. This stops people from making those invitations, and I don’t want that to happen to YOU.
Let’s simplify it.
This three-email welcome sequence ensures your new subscribers hear from you, get the value they signed up for, and feel connected without requiring a huge time investment.
Why You Need This Sequence
When you invite people to your list, they shouldn’t just join and never hear from you again—or be dropped straight onto your newsletter list without context. They’ve just met you, and this sequence helps them get to know you while moving them into your regular email content.
This sequence works for any freebie every time, and ensures you’re doing important things like building trust and engagement.
Let’s break it down!
Email Number 1: Deliver the Freebie
Send this email immediately after someone opts into your list.
This email has two jobs:
- Delivers the lead magnet or freebie they signed up for.
- Ask them to reply to your email. This reply ensures that you stay out of their spam and it gets your new subscriber engaging with you right away building a relationship. Encourage them to reply with something simple, like a thumbs-up emoji, to confirm they received the freebie.
Subject line examples:
- Free [name of freebie] inside
- Free guide for parents of preschoolers: Open now!
What to write:
- Greet them, thank them for downloading the freebie, and include the link.
- Ask them to reply with a quick thumbs-up to confirm they got it.
That’s it! Short, simple, and effective.
Email Number 2: Welcome to My List
Send this email at the same time as email number 1…
YES…you read that right! You are going to send two emails at the same time…or even 30 minutes later if you prefer.
The purpose of this email is to introduce yourself, explain what to expect from your emails, and invite them to reply again.
You’re sending this email so you’re not overwhelming them in email number one with too much information. Let them consume the free thing in email number one and then welcome them to your list with the second email at the same time or around the same time as the first one.
Subject line:
- Welcome to my list, [First Name]
What to write:
- Introduce yourself and explain why they’re receiving the email (they joined your list through a freebie).
- Reassure them that you’re a real person and let them know what to expect, such as how often you’ll email them and the topics you’ll cover.
- Share why you do what you do, and ask them to reply with their reasons for wanting to achieve the goal your freebie addresses.
In the PS section, link to one of your best pieces of evergreen content that introduces your story or expertise.
Email number 3: Invite Them to Engage
Send this email 24 hours after Email number 2.
The goal of email number 3 is have them clicking onto one of your best pieces of evergreen content such as a blog post, podcast episode or video.
Subject line examples:
- How to [achieve a goal]
- Three steps to [desired outcome]
- Behind the scenes of my [process]
What to write:
- Start with a simple statement like, “If you want [goal], then it’s no secret that [topic] is a big deal.”
- Reassure them: “No worries if you’re unsure where to start—I’ve got your back.”
- Invite them to click a link to your evergreen content where you break it down for them.
Include a PS encouraging them to screenshot the content and tag you on social media for a free gift, such as an email audit or another resource related to your offer.
After these three emails, your new subscriber will feel connected, know what to expect, and be ready to receive your regular emails. You’ll have delivered value, asked them to engage, and directed them to meaningful content—all without overwhelming yourself or your subscribers.
You can use this three part sequence behind any freebie you put out. All you have to customize is the freebie name and link that you deliver in email number one. Everything else is repurposable no matter the freebie you send out.
I hope this email sequence helps you confidently create more invitations to join your list. Let me know how it works for you! Send an email to hello@jennyrothcopywriting.com or tag me in IG @jennyrothcopywriting with your insights or questions!
As always, if you want to explore relationship-based email marketing strategy in more depth, check out my FREE email marketing strategy and template collection.
This is a bundle of six email templates that you can rotate through every month, plus a calendar showing you when to send each to start more conversations, build better relationships, and make more sales with your email list.
Get the FREE Email Marketing Strategy & Template Collection HERE.
Listen to the Email Marketing Podcast on this topic below!
