How to automate emails in GoHighLevel - My 4 Step Guide

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4 Minutes

Written by

Brad Smith

POST PUBLISH DATE

August 21, 2024

How to automate emails in GoHighLevel - My 4 Step Guide

4 Simple steps to automate your emails in GoHighLevel

  1. Navigate to the Automate tab and create a new automation: Access the Automate tab in GoHighLevel and click on 'Create New Automation'. This opens a blank canvas where you'll design your email sequence.

  2. Set up a name and delay for your automation:
    Give your automation a descriptive name and set up delay steps to determine when each email will be sent. This helps organize your automations and control the timing of your email sequence.

  3. Create triggers for specific actions like scheduling:
    Set up triggers that respond to user actions, such as scheduling an appointment or clicking a link. This allows you to create more personalized and relevant email sequences based on user behavior.

  4. Plan for what happens after the automation funnel:
    Decide on a strategy for leads who complete your initial automation, such as moving them to a long-term nurture sequence. This ensures continuous engagement with your leads, even after the initial sequence ends.

Automating your follow-up emails is a crucial step in maintaining consistent communication with your leads and customers. In this blog post, we'll dive into how you can set up automated follow-up emails using GoHighLevel, a powerful CRM software that can save you time and money. As Brad Smith, owner of Automation Links, I've been in the marketing game for a while, and I'm excited to share these tips with you.


Step 1. Navigating to the Automate Tab

The first step in setting up your automated emails is to navigate to the Automate tab in your GoHighLevel account. Once there, you'll see the Automation option. Click on it, and you'll be able to create a brand new automation. This is where the magic happens - it's the control center for all your email automation needs.


When you click to create a new automation, you'll be presented with a blank canvas. This is where you'll build out your entire email sequence. You'll notice an option to set a trigger right away. However, I usually prefer to wait on setting the trigger until I've built out the automation itself. This allows for more flexibility in designing your email sequence and ensures that you have a clear picture of your entire funnel before deciding what should kick it off.


It's important to note that while we're focusing on GoHighLevel today, these principles can be applied to other CRM software like HubSpot or Active Campaign. The interface might look different, but the core concepts remain the same. The key is to find the automation or workflow section in your CRM and start from there.


Step 2. Setting Up Your Automation

Once you've created your new automation, it's time to give it a name. This might seem like a small detail, but trust me, it's crucial for an organization, especially as you create more automations over time. For example, if you're setting up a newsletter automation, you might simply call it "Newsletter." Or if it's a follow-up sequence for a specific product, you might name it "Product X Follow-up." This naming convention helps you easily identify and manage your automations later on.


Next, you'll want to set up a delay step. This is where you can fine-tune the timing of your emails. Let's say someone joins your newsletter – you might want to set a delay so that the first newsletter is sent every Sunday at 5:00 PM. This ensures that your email lands in their inbox at a time when they're likely to read it.


You can also set up an immediate welcome email that goes out as soon as someone fills out the form on your website. This is a great way to make a strong first impression and set expectations for future communications.


Here's an example of how this might look:

  • Someone signs up for your newsletter
  • They receive an immediate welcome email (no delay)
  • There's a delay until 5:00 PM on Sunday
  • The first newsletter email is sent


You can continue this pattern, setting delays between each subsequent email in your sequence. Maybe you want to send emails every three days, or perhaps you prefer a weekly cadence. The beauty of automation is that once you set it up, it runs like clockwork without any further input from you.


Remember, always name your automations properly. This will make it much easier to find and manage them later, especially as you set up multiple automations to keep following up with your leads.

Step 3. Setting Up Triggers

Triggers are a powerful way to create more targeted follow-up sequences. They allow your automation to react to specific actions taken by your leads, making your communication more relevant and timely. For instance, if someone schedules an appointment with you, you might want to send them down a different email funnel than someone who hasn't scheduled yet.


Here's how you might set this up:

  • If they don't schedule, they continue receiving your general automated follow-up emails
  • If they do schedule, they enter a "schedule automation" where they receive:
  •   A "thanks for scheduling" email immediately after booking
  •   A reminder email 24 hours before their upcoming appointment
  •   A follow-up email 2 hours after the appointment with the next call to action


To set this up in GoHighLevel, you'd create a new automation specifically for scheduled appointments. The trigger for this automation would be "Appointment Scheduled." Then, you'd build out the email sequence as described above.


You can get even more sophisticated with your triggers. For example, you might create different automations based on which service they've booked, or you could trigger a special sequence for repeat customers. The key is to think about the different paths your leads might take and create targeted sequences for each.


Step 4. Planning for After the Automation Funnel

It's important to think about what happens after a lead goes through your initial automation funnel. They've opted in from your website, received a welcome email, maybe scheduled an appointment, but what next? This is where many businesses drop the ball, but it's actually a crucial point in the customer journey.


One effective strategy is to add them to a newsletter automation. This allows you to continue staying top of mind and building relationships through regular, valuable content. To set this up, you'd create a new automation in GoHighLevel specifically for your newsletter. The trigger for this automation could be "Completed Previous Automation" or a specific tag you apply to leads who've gone through your initial sequence.


In your newsletter automation, you might set up a series of emails that go out on a regular schedule - perhaps weekly or bi-weekly. These emails should provide value to your subscribers, not just promote your products or services. Think industry insights, helpful tips, or interesting case studies.


Remember, not everyone is ready to buy immediately. By continuing to send newsletters, you're nurturing those leads who might be ready to buy in 6 months or even a year from now. This long-term approach to lead nurturing can significantly increase your conversion rates over time.


Conclusion

In conclusion, automating your follow-up emails is a powerful way to maintain consistent communication with your leads. With GoHighLevel, you can easily set up these automations to save time and ensure no lead falls through the cracks. Remember, it's recommended to follow up with leads at least 21 times or more. Not everyone is ready to buy right away, so build relationships with these emails, make them as personal as possible, and keep nurturing those leads.


The key to successful email automation is to always provide value. Your emails should be informative, helpful, and relevant to your audience. Don't just focus on selling - focus on building relationships and establishing trust. Over time, this approach will lead to more conversions and loyal customers.


As you implement these strategies, remember to regularly review and optimize your automations. Pay attention to metrics like open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates. Use this data to continually refine your email sequences, improving their effectiveness over time.


Automating your follow-up emails isn't just about saving time (although that's a significant benefit). It's about providing a consistent, high-quality experience for every lead that comes into your funnel. It's about ensuring that no opportunity slips through the cracks. And ultimately, it's about growing your business in a scalable, efficient way.


So, don't wait. Start setting up your email automations today. Your future self (and your bottom line) will thank you.


Do you need help with setting up your email automations? Click here to get in touch with someone from our team, or join our newsletter here.


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  • How often should I send follow-up emails?

    It's recommended to follow up with leads at least 21 times or more. The key is to provide value and build relationships, not just sell. The exact frequency can vary depending on your industry and audience preferences.


  • Can I use these automation techniques with other CRM software?

    Yes, while this guide focuses on GoHighLevel, similar principles can be applied to other CRM software like HubSpot or Active Campaign. The specific steps might differ, but the overall strategy remains the same.


  • What should I include in my automated emails?

    Your emails should provide value to the recipient. This could be useful information, tips related to your industry, or personalized content based on their interactions with your business. Mix educational content with soft promotional messages for the best results.



  • How do I avoid my automated emails feeling impersonal?

    Try to segment your audience and tailor your messages based on their actions or preferences. Also, use a conversational tone and include personalization where possible. Use the recipient's name and reference their specific actions or interests when you can.


  • What if someone doesn't respond to my automated emails?

    Don't give up! Continue providing value through your newsletter or other content. Some leads might take months before they're ready to engage or buy. Keep nurturing them with valuable content, and they may convert when the time is right for them.

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