Definition of Automation
Automation is the process of setting up rules that trigger specific actions in your email system without manual intervention. It's like teaching your newsletter to respond to subscriber behavior on its own, handling routine tasks while you focus on creating great content.
Why you should care
Automation helps newsletter creators save time by handling repetitive tasks and creating personalized subscriber journeys. You can use it to:
- Tag new subscribers based on signup source
- Move inactive readers to re-engagement campaigns
- Deliver targeted content based on link clicks
All without lifting a finger after setup. The main obstacle is knowing which automations to set up first. Many creators get overwhelmed by complex possibilities and end up using none.
Starting with simple, high-impact automations like welcome sequences and engagement tracking will give you quick wins before tackling more advanced flows.
Don't wanna mess with automations?
Yeah, we get it. We can help! We've built hundreds, maybe thousands of email automations. Let us take care of yours too.
Some resources we rely on
Ask Claude for help with Automation
Copy and paste this prompt into Claude or the AI of your choice. Be sure to tweak the context for your situation.
<goal>
Help me set up essential beehiiv automations for my new newsletter that will save time and improve subscriber engagement from day one.
</goal>
<context>
* Just starting a [FREQUENCY] newsletter on beehiiv
* Currently have 0 subscribers but expect growth from [SOURCES]
* No automations currently set up
* Want to establish smart systems before scaling
* Prefer simple but effective automations
</context>
<o>
Please provide:
* 3 essential beehiiv automations to implement immediately using available triggers
* Clear explanation of each automation's purpose and expected impact
* Suggested timing/spacing for multi-email sequences
* How to measure if each automation is working
</o>
<example>
beehiiv Automation Example:
TRIGGER: "Signed up"
AUTOMATION SERIES: Welcome Series (3 emails)
- Email 1: Immediate - Introduction and promise delivery
- Email 2: Day 3 - Best content highlights and what to expect
- Email 3: Day 7 - Value-add resource and invitation to share
WHY: Establishes relationship, sets expectations, and encourages early engagement
</example>
<guardrails>
* Only use beehiiv's actual trigger types: Signed up, Email submitted, Survey/Form Submission, Upgraded, Downgraded, or Manual
* Focus on proven automation series types: Welcome Series, Re-engagement Campaign, Content Series, etc.
* Keep sequences short enough to create quickly (3-5 emails max)
* Prioritize automations that work with minimal existing content
</guardrails>