Here's how I do it (I'll do a masterclass on this soon, so it's very top level).
1. Start with the GOAL
Ignore all the “create a welcome flow” templates.
Start here instead:
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What are we trying to do?
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Who are we trying to target?
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What’s the business impact?
That becomes your north star.
2. Then go to the WHO
Find your biggest pot of opportunity, the people most likely to engage and make a difference.
- Where did they come from?
- What do you know about them?
- Why are they here?
Then go deeper:
- What are they thinking, feeling, saying, doing?
- What questions or objections do they have (even the unspoken ones)?
You need to PERSONIFY them to get your message right.
3. Understand the STAGE they’re in
Awareness? Consideration? Nurture? Learning?
This changes everything about what you say, how you say it, and when.
Your message has to meet them where they are, not where you wish they were.
Group these segments together - you'll need to create different messaging for each persona & stage.
4. Decide what to SAY
Now you know who they are and what they need, build your message:
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What questions need answering?
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What objections need busting?
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What reassurance or guidance do they need?
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How do you build trust here?
- Are they learning? Teach them
- Are they researching?
Use proper copy frameworks (PAS, AIDA, PPPP, BAB).
One goal & one message per email - always.
5. Plan the flow + logic
Forget the “send every 3 days” rule. Think about:
Map exclusions at every step.
You want fewer people left in the flow than went in, because they’ve taken the action or self-removed. That’s a win.
6. Review + optimise
You can’t “set and forget” an email journey - it's alive, like you you.
It’s a system. You have to come back to it.
Build journeys around real people, real opportunities, and real business goals.
Everything else is noise - forget what you see on Google pls.