Every great relationship — personal or professional — starts with a warm introduction. The same rule applies to your email list. When someone subscribes to your newsletter, downloads your free guide, or joins your learning community, they’re not just giving you permission to email them — they’re trusting you with their attention.

And the way you use that first interaction determines whether they’ll stay for one email… or a lifetime. That’s where Welcome Series Automation comes in — a sequence of emails that helps you educate, engage, and earn trust from the start. It’s not just about saying “Welcome!” It’s about showing them who you are, what you teach, and how you can help them grow.

Today, we’ll explore how platforms like Brevo, Mailchimp, ConvertKit, ActiveCampaign, and HubSpot help creators and educators turn new subscribers into loyal learners — step by step.

1. What Is a Welcome Series Automation?

A welcome series is an automated flow of 3–5 emails sent to new subscribers after they join your list. Its goal? Not to sell, but to set expectations and build educational rhythm.

Example:

• Day 0 → Welcome & Introduction
• Day 2 → Share Your Story or Mission
• Day 4 → Teach Something Small
• Day 6 → Recommend Next Step or Resource
• Day 10 → Invite to Community / Newsletter

Every message acts like a lesson — short, clear, and helpful. At EmailSchool, we call it your subscriber’s “orientation class.”

2. Why It Matters — The Science of the First Impression

Research shows subscribers are 60% more likely to engage with your future emails if the welcome experience feels human. Email tools report 3–5x higher open rates for welcome emails compared to regular newsletters. But more than numbers — it’s your first opportunity to teach them how your emails work, what they’ll receive, and why they should stay.

3. How to Set Up Your Welcome Series (Step-by-Step)

Let’s explore setup examples using different tools so you can pick the one that fits your workflow best.

1. Using Brevo (Simple, Visual Builder)

Trigger: When contact joins a specific list.

• Step 1: Send “Welcome to EmailSchool” with introduction + free resource.
• Step 2: Wait 2 days → Send “How to Get the Most from Our Lessons.”
• Step 3: Wait 3 days → Send “Top 3 Tutorials for Beginners.”

✅ Use personalization tokens for {first_name}.
✅ Add a “Start Learning Now” button linked to your course/blog.

2. Using Mailchimp (Pre-Designed Templates)

Choose “Welcome New Contacts” automation. Add 3 emails:

• Email 1: Thank You & Resource
• Email 2: Meet the Community
• Email 3: Learn with Confidence (add testimonials or quotes)

✅ Keep tone warm and brand-colored.
✅ Use “Educational CTA” like “Discover More Lessons.”

3. Using ConvertKit (Story-Driven Sequences)

ConvertKit’s strength is storytelling. Use it for building emotional connection with learners.

• Email 1: Welcome + share your story (“Why EmailSchool Exists”).
• Email 2: Teach something small (“3 Myths About Email Automation”).
• Email 3: Invite engagement (“Reply and tell me your biggest challenge”).

✅ ConvertKit supports conditional content — great for segmenting interests.

4. Using ActiveCampaign (Advanced Learning Paths)

ActiveCampaign allows multi-branch workflows. If a subscriber clicks “Automation” content → Move them to the “Automation Learning Track.” If they click “Design” → Move to “Creative Track.”

✅ Perfect for platforms offering multiple educational topics.
✅ You can score user interest automatically.

5. Using HubSpot (CRM-Based Education)

HubSpot’s workflows can send emails based on page visits or download history. So if someone downloads your “Email Templates eBook,” HubSpot automatically starts a welcome + follow-up sequence around design tutorials.

✅ Best for larger educational organizations or business academies.

4. The 5 Emails Every Welcome Series Should Have

1. Welcome & Orientation
   Subject: “Welcome to EmailSchool — Your Learning Journey Starts Here”
   Include: gratitude, expectations, and link to your first resource.
2. The Story Behind the Brand
   Subject: “Why We Built EmailSchool”
   Include: your mission and promise (“We don’t just send — we teach.”).
3. Teach Something Small
   Subject: “Your First Lesson — The Secret to Email Engagement”
   Include: a tip, strategy, or downloadable guide.
4. Show What’s Next
   Subject: “What You’ll Learn Next Week”
   Include: preview of categories, course path, or upcoming series.
5. Invite to Connect
   Subject: “Join the Community — Learn, Share, Grow”
   Include: link to newsletter, community forum, or free event.

Each email is a building block — together, they create learning momentum.

5. How Tools Compare (Educationally)

EmailSchool Note: “Tools differ, but the teaching principle stays the same — welcome first, sell later.”

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• 🚫 Sending Just One Email: A single “Welcome” message isn’t enough — learners need guidance, not a greeting.
• 🚫 Making It About You: Turn focus from “our brand” to “your journey.”
• 🚫 Skipping Education: Every welcome series should teach something. Even a 3-line insight builds authority.
• 🚫 Forgetting Visual Consistency: Use your brand palette and tone. A consistent design = professional trust.
• 🚫 Not Tracking Engagement: Every platform (Brevo, Mailchimp, ConvertKit, etc.) gives data. Track open rates, click paths, and unsubscribes to improve your flow.

7. Real-World Case Study — “From Welcome to Weekly Learner”

Case: “Learnly,” an online marketing school, had 2,000 new subscribers per month but low retention. They introduced a 5-part Welcome Series using ActiveCampaign.

Results:

• Open Rate (Email 1): 78%
• Click Rate (Email 2): 41%
• Engagement on Lesson 3: 65%
• Weekly Newsletter Signups: +52%

Why it worked: The tone was teacher-like, not transactional. Each email built on the last — just like a classroom lesson.

8. Educational Best Practices (EmailSchool Style)

• ✅ Focus on education before engagement.
• ✅ Add one small “aha moment” in every email.
• ✅ Use subtle animation (GIF, SVG) to express warmth.
• ✅ Add social proof (student quote or progress bar).
• ✅ Personalize but don’t over-automate — balance data with humanity.

Conclusion

A Welcome Series isn’t just automation — it’s the foundation of educational trust. Whether you’re using Brevo, ConvertKit, or ActiveCampaign, your job is to teach, guide, and inspire — not just inform. If your first email feels like a conversation, your next hundred will feel like a connection.

And that’s how EmailSchool defines success: “Automation is technology; education is the relationship that drives it.”