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Onboarding

Welcome Sequence Builder

Turn new subscribers into buyers before they forget who you are

Beginner
2-3 hours

Overview

Most welcome emails are trash. They say "Thanks for subscribing!" and then... nothing. No value, no personality, no reason to stick around. Your welcome sequence has ONE job: prove you're worth their inbox space before they ghost you. You've got maybe 48 hours before they forget why they signed up. This playbook gives you 3 emails that turn strangers into engaged subscribers who actually want to hear from you. No fluff, no 7-day "nurture sequences" that bore people to death.

When to Use This

Every. Single. Time. Someone. Subscribes. Seriously, if you're not sending a welcome sequence, you're leaving money on the table. This is the highest-engagement window you'll ever get with a subscriber. Use it.

Objectives

  • Get subscribers to actually read your emails (not just archive them)
  • Establish your voice and what makes you different
  • Move them toward a purchase or next step within 3 days
  • Set expectations so they don't unsubscribe later

The Email Sequence

EMAIL 1

You're in (here's what happens next)

Preview: No fluff. Here's exactly what you signed up for.

Timing

Immediately after signup

Why This Email

They just raised their hand. Strike while they actually remember who you are.

Email Template

Subject: You're in (here's what happens next)

Hey [First Name],

You just signed up for [what they signed up for]. Smart move.

Here's what happens next:
→ You'll get [frequency] emails with [specific value]
→ No spam, no "just checking in" BS
→ Unsubscribe anytime if it's not for you

First thing you should know about me: [Your unique opinion/approach that makes you different].

Most people in [your industry] will tell you [common advice]. I won't. Because [why that advice is wrong/incomplete].

Tomorrow, I'm sending you [specific thing they'll get]. It's [what makes it valuable].

For now, do me a favor: reply to this email and tell me your #1 challenge with [topic]. I read every response.

[Your Name]

P.S. If you want [fast result], check out [your offer/resource]. [Why it works].

MODULR Elements

MESSAGE: You're in (here's what happens next)
OPINION: Your unique stance on how you do things differently
DATA: Specific frequency, specific value promises
UPSIDE: They know exactly what to expect and why it matters
LINK: Soft CTA in PS to your offer or best resource
REVENUE: Early positioning of your offer while they're hot
EMAIL 2

The thing nobody tells you about [topic]

Preview: This is why most people fail at [thing]

Timing

24 hours after Email 1

Why This Email

Deliver immediate value and show your expertise. No more "getting to know you" fluff.

Email Template

Subject: The thing nobody tells you about [topic]

[First Name],

Yesterday you signed up because you want [outcome they want].

Here's why most people never get there:

They [common mistake]. Then they [another common mistake]. Then they wonder why [bad result happens].

I see it constantly.

The fix? [Your specific approach/framework].

Here's how it works:
1. [Step 1 with specific action]
2. [Step 2 with specific action]
3. [Step 3 with specific result]

I used this exact approach to [your result with numbers]. My clients use it to [client results with numbers].

It works because [why it works - the mechanism].

Want to implement this yourself? [Link to resource/blog post/guide]

Or if you want me to do it for you, [link to your service/product] is the fastest way.

Either way, you now know the real problem. Most people don't.

[Your Name]

P.S. Tomorrow I'm sending you [next value piece]. It builds on this.

MODULR Elements

MESSAGE: The thing nobody tells you about [topic]
OPINION: Calling out the common mistakes everyone makes
DATA: Your results and client results with actual numbers
UPSIDE: They get a clear framework they can use immediately
LINK: Two options: DIY resource or done-for-you service
REVENUE: Direct mention of paid offer as the fast path
EMAIL 3

Quick question about your [goal]

Preview: This determines everything...

Timing

48 hours after Email 1

Why This Email

Create engagement and segment your list. Find out who's serious.

Email Template

Subject: Quick question about your [goal]

[First Name],

Quick question: what's stopping you from [achieving their goal] right now?

Is it:
A) You don't have a clear strategy
B) You don't have the time to execute
C) You've tried before and it didn't work
D) Something else

Just hit reply and let me know.

I ask because most people think they need [surface-level solution], but the real issue is usually [deeper problem].

For example:
→ If you picked A, you need [specific solution]
→ If you picked B, you need [different solution]
→ If you picked C, you probably need [third solution]

I've been sending you [topic] advice this week. But advice doesn't matter if it's not solving YOUR specific problem.

So tell me - A, B, C, or D?

I'll send you something specific based on your answer.

[Your Name]

P.S. If you're thinking "I just need someone to handle this for me," that's option E. We should talk → [Link to book a call/see your offer]

MODULR Elements

MESSAGE: Quick question about your [goal]
OPINION: Most people think they need X but really need Y
DATA: Specific problem categories based on real client patterns
UPSIDE: Personalized help based on their actual situation
LINK: Book a call or see your offer (for people ready to buy)
REVENUE: PS directly addresses people ready to pay for help

Before & After Example

Before (Boring)

Subject: Welcome to our newsletter!

Hi there,

Thanks so much for subscribing to our newsletter! We're thrilled to have you as part of our community.

You can expect to receive weekly updates about industry trends, helpful tips, and company news.

We're looking forward to connecting with you!

Best regards,
The Team

After (MODULR)

Subject: You're in (here's what happens next)

Hey Sarah,

You just signed up to learn how to actually make money from your email list. Smart move.

Here's what happens next:
→ You'll get 2 emails/week with revenue-focused email strategies
→ No "engagement tactics" or vanity metrics BS
→ Unsubscribe anytime if it's not for you

First thing you should know about me: I don't care about your open rates.

Most email marketers will tell you to optimize for opens and clicks. I won't. Because opens don't pay your bills.

Tomorrow, I'm sending you the exact 3-email sequence my client used to generate $47K from a list of 890 people. It works.

For now, do me a favor: reply and tell me your #1 challenge with email. I read every response.

[Your Name]

P.S. If you want the fastest path to revenue, check out the MODULR Method. It's how we turn newsletters into money.

The Results

3.2x higher click-through rate, 62% reply rate vs. 4% industry average, and positioned paid offer in first touchpoint

Customization Tips

  • Replace [First Name] with actual personalization tags from your ESP
  • The "reply to this email" CTAs in Email 1 and 3 are crucial - they boost deliverability and help you segment engaged subscribers
  • Adjust timing based on your audience: B2B might need 48-72 hour gaps, B2C can go faster
  • Email 2 should link to your best free content - your most valuable blog post, video, or resource
  • In Email 3, track which responses you get most - this tells you what content to create next
  • If your list is cold or opted in passively (contest, pop-up bribe), add a 4th email with pure value before selling
  • For e-commerce: Email 3 can be a direct discount code for first-time buyers
  • For services: Email 3 should drive to a call or application

What to Measure

  • Open rate on Email 1 (should be 40-60% - if lower, your signup flow is attracting the wrong people)
  • Reply rate on Email 1 (aim for 10%+ - this tells you if your voice resonates)
  • Click rate on Email 2 (should be 15-25% - if lower, your offer or content isn't relevant)
  • Response rate on Email 3 (aim for 5%+ - these are your hottest leads)
  • Conversion to paid offer within first 7 days (benchmark: 0.5-2% for cold traffic, 5-10% for warm)
  • Unsubscribe rate across sequence (under 2% is healthy - if higher, you're attracting wrong people or being too salesy)

Want Us to Implement This For You?

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