How to Set Up Email Automation for Your Craft Newsletter
Are you tired of spending hours crafting the perfect crochet pattern, only to realize that you still have to manually email every subscriber with updates, offers, and tips?
What if there was a way to have all your emails sent automatically, without you lifting a finger?
Imagine reclaiming that time and using it to focus on what you love: creating.
Email automation for your crafting business it’s a game changer. Automating your newsletters can help you grow your audience, keep your community engaged, and build deeper connections, all while saving you time and energy.
In this post, I'll walk you through exactly how to set up your own email automation for your craft newsletter.
From choosing the right platform to crafting the perfect sequence, I'll break it all down, step by step.
Ready to take your email marketing to the next level?
Let’s dive in.
Why Email Automation?
Email automation takes the repetitive work off your plate, freeing up your time to focus on what matters: creating.
By automating your crafting newsletters, you can ensure that every subscriber receives the right content, at the right time, without you having to lift a finger. It's like having a virtual assistant that sends personalized emails to your community, while you focus on your craft.
The beauty of email automation is that it allows you to nurture relationships with your audience without overwhelming yourself. You can set up a welcome email for new subscribers, send follow-up emails with new content or offers, and even create automated sequences that guide your subscribers through a journey of getting to know your brand.
You Might Also Like:
If you’re looking for more tips on finding balance while running your craft business, check out How to Find a Balance Between Work and Happiness.
Set Up a Simple Welcome Sequence
Start with a friendly "Welcome" email as soon as someone subscribes to your list. This is your first opportunity to make a great impression, so make it personal and warm. Thank them for subscribing, introduce your brand or mission, and give them a sneak peek into what they can expect from your emails. To truly add value right off the bat, offer them something special—like a free pattern, a discount, or an exclusive resource. This not only shows appreciation, but it also encourages them to engage with your content immediately.
How Many Emails?
Your welcome sequence doesn’t have to be long and drawn out. A good rule of thumb is to start with 2–3 emails in the sequence:
Email 1: The welcome email (sent immediately after they subscribe).
Email 2: A follow-up email, which could be 1–2 days later, offering more value (like a crafting tip or an exclusive download).
Email 3: A final email in the sequence, perhaps sent a week later, that offers a special discount or introduces them to your best-selling crochet kits or patterns.
How Often?
The timing is key. You don’t want to overwhelm your subscribers, but you also don’t want them to forget about you. Generally, the first email should be sent immediately after they subscribe, with follow-up emails spaced a few days apart. After the welcome sequence, you can settle into a regular rhythm with your newsletters—maybe once a week or bi-weekly, depending on how much new content you have to share.
Use Automation for Follow-Ups
Once your welcome sequence is set up, automation becomes your best friend for sending follow-up emails. You can craft a series that guides your new subscribers through your content, product offerings, and community. For example, one email could introduce them to a beginner crochet tutorial, while another could showcase your most popular products or blog posts.
How Many Emails?
For follow-up sequences, aim for at least 3–5 emails over the course of a month. These emails should educate, nurture, and engage:
Email 1: A helpful crafting tip or tutorial link.
Email 2: A round-up of your best crochet patterns or kits.
Email 3: An exclusive offer, like a discount or free shipping for their first purchase.
This helps build trust and keeps them coming back for more.
Test Your Emails
Before you go full throttle with your automation, test everything. It’s crucial to review your emails to ensure they are visually appealing, clear, and effective. Send test emails to yourself or a colleague to check for any errors, broken links, or formatting issues. Ensure that your emails are optimized for both desktop and mobile devices, as many subscribers will likely open them on their phones.
How Often to Test?
When you first launch your email automation, you’ll want to test each email in the sequence. After that, continue to test periodically, especially after making updates or tweaks to your content. Small changes can sometimes impact deliverability or the user experience, so regular testing is key.
Tips for Implementing Email Automation:
Set up a simple welcome sequence: Start with a friendly "Welcome" email as soon as someone subscribes to your list. Offer them something valuable (like a free pattern or a discount) to make them feel appreciated.
Use automation for follow-ups: Plan out a sequence of emails to send after a subscriber joins your list. For example, you could send them helpful crafting tips or showcase your best-selling crochet patterns.
Test your emails: Before you fully commit to your automation, send test emails to yourself to make sure everything looks and feels right. It’s always better to catch mistakes early on.
Choosing the Right Email Platform
Picking the right platform for automating your emails is like choosing the right yarn for your project – you want something reliable and easy to work with. There are a lot of options out there, but it’s crucial to choose a platform that suits your needs as a crafter and small business owner.
Platforms like AWeber, Moosend, and GetResponse are all fantastic options. They each offer unique features, but all three have powerful email automation tools that make it easy to set up your crafting newsletters.
AWeber’s drag-and-drop builder is great for beginners, Moosend offers super customizable templates, and GetResponse has advanced analytics that can help you track your success.
They all offer free trials, so you can test them out and see what works best for you.
Tips for Choosing the Right Email Platform:
Take advantage of free trials: All three platforms offer a free trial. Use this to explore the features and see which one feels most intuitive for your needs.
Check automation features: Ensure the platform has an easy-to-use automation builder that lets you create sequences of emails with simple triggers.
Look for email templates: Crafting beautiful emails doesn't have to take a lot of time. Choose a platform with ready-to-use templates that align with your brand and aesthetic.
Setting Up Your First Automation
Setting up your first email automation is a lot easier than it seems. Once you have your email platform chosen, it’s all about creating a sequence of emails that will be sent automatically to your subscribers.
For example, let’s say someone subscribes to your newsletter after downloading a free crochet pattern.
The first email they receive could be a thank-you note and a quick introduction to your brand. From there, you can send them a series of emails that guide them through your best content – maybe a beginner’s guide to crochet, or a roundup of your most popular blog posts.
The key is to map out the journey you want your subscribers to take.
By breaking it down into smaller steps, you'll be able to create a personalized and engaging experience for them.
Tips for Setting Up Your Automation:
Start with a welcome email: The first email should be welcoming and offer something of value. Make it clear what they can expect from your emails moving forward.
Create a sequence: Think of a natural flow of emails. What would your subscribers want to hear after they’ve received the welcome email? A crafting tip? A new product announcement? A reminder of your free pattern?
Use triggers: Set triggers to automatically send emails based on subscriber actions. For instance, if a subscriber clicks a link to your crochet kit page, you can send them a follow-up email with more details.
You Might Also Like:
If you’re looking to take your crochet business to the next level, check out How To Start A Successful Etsy Crochet Shop.
Content Planning for Automations
Content is the heart of any email sequence. It's what keeps your subscribers engaged and looking forward to your next message. Think of your emails as mini-stories or experiences. Each one should have a purpose and give something meaningful to your audience.
You don’t want to overwhelm your subscribers with too many emails, but you also want to make sure you’re offering valuable content consistently. By thinking ahead about what you want to share, you can easily create a content plan that resonates with your subscribers.
For example, you could send a series of emails introducing different aspects of your craft – one email about crochet tips, one about your work in progress, and one about your products.
You can also promote new blog posts, special offers, or exclusive discounts for subscribers.
Tips for Content Planning:
Break it down into categories: Organize your emails into categories (e.g., tips, updates, offers, stories). This way, your subscribers always know what type of content to expect.
Make it personal: Share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your crafting process or personal stories that help build a deeper connection with your audience.
Keep it brief: Your subscribers are busy people, so keep your emails concise and easy to digest. A short, snappy email is often more effective than a long one.
Testing and Fine-Tuning Your Automation
Testing is an essential part of the process. While you can set up automation to run on its own, that doesn’t mean you should ignore it entirely. In fact, testing your emails is one of the most powerful things you can do to make sure they are performing at their best.
Start by checking your open rates and click-through rates.
These metrics can tell you if your subject lines are compelling enough, and whether your content is engaging. If your open rates are low, try experimenting with different subject lines or adjusting the timing of your emails.
Remember, email marketing is a process of constant improvement. Even after your automation is up and running, there’s always room for optimization.
Tips for Testing and Fine-Tuning:
Run A/B tests: Try testing two different versions of an email (for example, two subject lines) to see which one gets a better response.
Check your metrics regularly: Look at your open rates, click-through rates, and unsubscribe rates. These numbers can guide your next steps.
Ask for feedback: Occasionally, ask your subscribers what they’d like to see in your emails. This direct feedback can provide valuable insights.
Tracking Success
Once your emails are automated and running smoothly, it’s time to track and analyse your success. Email marketing isn't a "set it and forget it" kind of thing. The truth is, you should be checking in on your metrics regularly to ensure you're hitting your goals.
The beauty of platforms like AWeber, Moosend, or GetResponse is that they provide detailed analytics. This means you can track exactly how well your emails are performing, which emails are getting the most clicks, and even which products your subscribers are most interested in.
Personally, I check my email metrics at least once a week to get a snapshot of how things are going. I look at open rates, click-through rates, and subscriber engagement. The insights I gather help me adjust and improve my future campaigns.
The beauty of platforms like AWeber, Moosend, or GetResponse (yes I tried an tested them all!) is their detailed analytics dashboards. These tools allow you to track how well your emails are performing and gain deeper insights into your audience’s behavior.
For example, you can see:
Which emails are getting the most opens (this helps you know what subject lines or content are catching their attention).
Which links are being clicked most (this tells you what your subscribers are most interested in).
Which products or offers are generating the most engagement (giving you valuable data on what your audience wants to buy or learn more about).
You can even dive deeper into subscriber demographics to understand where your readers are located, what devices they’re using, and more. This kind of data is invaluable because it helps you tailor your content and offers to better meet your audience's needs.
So, don't just let your automation run in the background.
Track and tweak.
It's the only way to ensure that your email campaigns are evolving with your audience’s interests and staying as effective as possible.
Tips for Tracking Success:
Focus on key metrics: Open rates, click rates, and conversions are the most important metrics to track. These give you a clear idea of what’s working and what needs adjustment.
Adjust based on data: If certain emails aren’t performing well, make changes. Perhaps your subject line needs tweaking, or maybe the timing of your email is off.
Keep experimenting: Success doesn’t happen overnight. Continue to test and experiment with your emails until you find a formula that resonates with your audience.
You Might Also Like:
If you're a craft lover looking for some inspiration, check out 11 Must-Read Books Every Craft Lover Needs Right Now. These books are perfect for sparking creativity and taking your crafting journey to new heights!
Create an Email Automation System That Works for You
With these insights and tips, you can set up an email automation system that works for you, your audience, and your business. Take the time to experiment with different email platforms, content types, and strategies, and you’ll soon see the benefits of crafting email marketing campaigns that run on autopilot, allowing you to focus on what you love most – crafting!
What’s Next?
Pin this post: Save this post to your Pinterest boards so that you can come back to it later.
Leave a comment: We love to hear your feedback. Tell me in the comments below!
More inspiring post
Email automation can revolutionize your craft business by saving you time and helping you connect with your audience. In this step-by-step guide, I'll walk you through setting up an automated email sequence, crafting the perfect welcome emails, and tracking your success. Ready to automate your crafting business? Let's dive in!