Skip to main content

Creating Follow-Up Emails

Pro.svgALL PLANS

Overview

Follow-up emails are a great way to maintain engagement by automatically sending emails a specific number of days after someone subscribes to your list. This guide will walk you through setting up, editing, and managing follow-up emails.

For other email types, check out:

Accessing the Email Builder

You can access the Email Builder in two ways:

Via the Emails Manager

  1. Log in to ShortStack.
  2. Click Manage in the top navigation bar and select Emails.
  3. Click New Email in the Emails Manager.
  4. Select Follow-Up Email.

Via the Campaign Builder

  1. Open the campaign you want to attach a follow-up email to in the Campaign Builder.
  2. Click the email icon in the upper-right corner.
  3. Click New Email next to the list for which you wish to create the follow-up email.
  4. Select Follow-Up Email.

Note: If your campaign has multiple Form or Entry Widgets, you may see more than one list displayed.

Setting Up a Follow-Up Email

Step 1: Choose a Company Profile

The most recently used Company Profile will be selected by default. To change it, click the Company Profile name.

Learn more about Creating and Managing Company Profiles. 

Step 1a: Disable CAN-SPAM footer (Optional)

Available on Pro Plan

If your email is transactional, you may disable the CAN-SPAM footer by checking the box next to Disable the CAN-SPAM footer.

Step 2: Select a List

  1. Check the box(es) next to the list(s) you want to target.
  2. To deselect lists, uncheck the box(es).
  3. To select/deselect all lists, use the Select All Lists checkbox.
  4. Click Continue.

Note: If you begin the email in the Campaign Builder, the associated list(s) will already be selected.

Step 3: Add Codes (Optional)

Select one of the following options: 

  • No
  • Yes - One Code, I want to show the same discount code for every email recipient.
  • Yes - Instant Win, My campaign is using Instant Win and I want to display the result (win or lose) in my email.
  • Yes - Code List, I want to assign a different code for each email recipient and show that in my email.

If you chose Code List, follow these additional steps:

  1. Click the blue Connect to Code List button.
  2. Select an existing code list;
  3. Or upload a new list by clicking on Upload New List. 
  4. Click Select, then Save and Exit.

Click Continue.

Learn more about Using Unique Codes in Emails.

Step 4: Choose an Email Template

Email templates can save time. If you prefer not to use a template, click Continue to skip.

To use a template:

  1. Hover over the template thumbnail.
  2. Click Use This Template.

Step 5: Customize the Email

Use the WYSIWYG editor to edit text, images, and merge fields.

Add Text: Click the text box and start typing.

Add Images:

  1. Click the Insert/edit image icon.
  2. Upload or paste the image URL, adjust the dimensions, and click OK.

Add Merge Fields: Select fields from the Available Merge Fields section to personalize your email.

Add Custom HTML: Use the Source Code icon to input your HTML.

Click Continue when finished.

Step 6: Add Email Details

You can edit the following email details if you choose, otherwise, all of the information is pre-populated with your Company Profile information: 

  • Name the Email (only visible in ShortStack)
  • Email Subject
  • From Name (optional)
  • From Email Address 

Note: You cannot use @yahoo.com, @gmail.com, or similar addresses due to DMARC restrictions.

Click Continue.

Step 7: Set the Email Trigger

  1. In the Number of Days box, enter how many days after subscription the email should send (e.g., 2 for 2 days).
  2. If you want to change this to hours after submission, click the blue text change this unit to Hours. 
  3. Click Continue.

Step 8: Set the Start Date/Time

  1. In the Start at box, set the date/time for sending follow-up emails.
  2. Update the time zone if needed (default is UTC).
  3. Click Continue.

Step 9: Review and Schedule

Review Settings: Check your email settings and content.

Edit Content: Click on the section to make changes.

Send Test Email:

  1. Click Send Test Email.
  2. Enter the recipient’s email address and click Send Email.

Add Filters: Enable filters as needed for targeting. Filtering options include:

  • Exclude repeat Entries
  • Filter by Instant Win - Include ONLY or exclude Instant Winners
  • Filter by State/Province - Include or exclude specified states/provinces

When satisfied, click Save & Activate.

Managing Follow-Up Emails

Editing a Follow-Up Email

Changes will only affect subscribers who haven’t received the email yet.

  1. In the Emails Manager, click the email name.
  2. Update the desired content and click Continue.
  3. Click Save & Schedule.

Stopping or Deleting a Follow-Up Email

From the Emails Manager:

  1. Click the Emails link on the Dashboard.
  2. Find the email, click the down arrow, and select Delete.
  3. Confirm by clicking Delete.

From the Campaign Builder:

  1. Click the email icon in the top-right corner.
  2. Click the trash can icon next to the email.
  3. Confirm deletion in the pop-up.

Compliance with the CAN-SPAM Act

The CAN-SPAM Act requires commercial emails to include:

  • A valid business name and address (via the Company Profile).
  • An opt-out (unsubscribe) link.

Troubleshooting Spam Issues (DMARC)

If emails go to spam/junk folders:

  1. Update your DMARC policy to p=none to prevent quarantine.
  2. Use ShortStack’s default no-reply addresses:
    • no-reply@campgn.page
    • no-reply@lndg.page
    • no-reply@shortstack.page

 

Was this article helpful?