email-drip-sequence

What this skill does

# Email Drip Sequence

Write a 5-7 email drip sequence that nurtures new subscribers from cold to warm to buyer. Follows the Welcome → Value → Value → Soft Sell → Hard Sell → Objection Handling → Follow-Up pattern. Each email includes subject line, preview text, body copy, and a single clear CTA.

## Stage

S5: Distribution — Email is the highest-ROI channel for affiliate marketers (avg $42 return per $1 spent). This skill turns a list of subscribers into a predictable revenue stream by delivering value first and selling second.

## When to Use

- User has an email list and wants to promote an affiliate product
- User just launched a lead magnet or opt-in form and needs a welcome sequence
- User wants to automate affiliate promotions via email automation (ConvertKit, Mailchimp, Beehiiv, ActiveCampaign, etc.)
- User says anything like "email sequence", "drip campaign", "email funnel", "nurture series"
- User wants a sequence for a specific product or niche
- Chaining from S1 (research) — user found a product and now wants an email sequence for it

## Input Schema

```yaml
product:
  name: string              # REQUIRED — product name (e.g., "HeyGen")
  affiliate_url: string     # REQUIRED — the affiliate link to promote
  category: string          # OPTIONAL — product category (e.g., "AI video tool")
  reward_value: string      # OPTIONAL — commission amount/percentage (e.g., "30% recurring")
  key_benefits: string[]    # OPTIONAL — top 3 benefits. Auto-researched if not provided.
  price: string             # OPTIONAL — product pricing (e.g., "$29/mo")

audience:
  description: string       # REQUIRED — who are the subscribers? (e.g., "content creators", "SaaS founders")
  pain_point: string        # OPTIONAL — main problem they want solved
  awareness_level: string   # OPTIONAL — "cold" | "warm" | "hot". Default: "cold"

sequence:
  length: number            # OPTIONAL — number of emails: 5, 6, or 7. Default: 7
  send_days: number[]       # OPTIONAL — days to send (e.g., [0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14])
                            # Default: [0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14]
  sender_name: string       # OPTIONAL — from name (e.g., "Alex from ContentPro")
  tone: string              # OPTIONAL — "conversational" | "professional" | "bold"
                            # Default: "conversational"
  lead_magnet: string       # OPTIONAL — what they opted in for (e.g., "AI tools checklist")
```

**Chaining context**: If S1 (product research) was run earlier in the conversation, pull `product.name`, `product.affiliate_url`, `product.key_benefits`, and `product.reward_value` automatically. Do not ask the user to repeat information already provided.

## Workflow

### Step 1: Gather Information

Collect required inputs. If `product.name` and `product.affiliate_url` are present (from user or S1 chain), proceed. Otherwise ask:
- "What product are you promoting and what's your affiliate link?"
- "Who are your subscribers? (e.g., freelancers, SaaS founders, content creators)"

If `product.key_benefits` is not provided, infer 3 benefits from the product name and category using your training knowledge. State: "Based on what I know about [product], I'm using these key benefits: [list]. Correct me if needed."

### Step 2: Plan the Sequence

Map each email to its purpose using the 7-email arc. For a 5-email sequence, drop emails 6 and 7. For a 6-email sequence, drop email 7.

| # | Day | Type | Purpose |
|---|-----|------|---------|
| 1 | 0 | Welcome | Deliver lead magnet, set expectations, build trust |
| 2 | 1 | Value | Teach something useful (no sell) |
| 3 | 3 | Value + Soft Mention | More value, casual mention of the product |
| 4 | 5 | Soft Sell | Introduce the product properly, benefits focus |
| 5 | 7 | Hard Sell | Clear CTA, urgency (limited offer / deadline if available) |
| 6 | 10 | Objection Handling | Answer top 3 objections, social proof |
| 7 | 14 | Follow-Up / Last Chance | "Did you see this?" re-engagement email |

### Step 3: Write Each Email

For each email, write all four components:

**Subject Line**: 40-60 characters. Use curiosity, specificity, or direct benefit. Avoid spam trigger words (free, guaranteed, act now).

**Preview Text**: 80-100 characters. Extends the subject line, adds context or intrigue. Shown in inbox preview.

**Body Copy**:
- Email 1-2: 200-300 words. Focus on value, zero sell pressure.
- Email 3-4: 250-350 words. Introduce product naturally in context.
- Email 5: 300-400 words. Strong pitch, benefits listed, clear CTA button.
- Email 6: 250-300 words. Story-driven or testimonial-anchored.
- Email 7: 150-200 words. Short, punchy re-engagement.

**Formatting rules**:
- Short paragraphs (2-3 sentences max)
- One idea per paragraph
- Conversational opener (use "you", avoid "Dear [Name]")
- Single CTA per email (one link, one action)
- Sign off with sender name + brief sign-off line

**CTA structure**:
- Email 1: CTA = download/access lead magnet (not affiliate link)
- Email 2: CTA = read an article or reply to email (engagement)
- Email 3: CTA = soft mention "check it out" with affiliate link
- Email 4-7: CTA = affiliate link with action verb ("Try [Product] Free", "Get [X]% Off", "Start Your Trial")

### Step 4: Add Compliance Disclosures

Each email that contains an affiliate link must include a one-line FTC disclosure. Place it immediately before or after the affiliate link:

> *Affiliate disclosure: I may earn a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.*

For email clients that strip formatting, also include plain text disclosure in the footer.

### Step 5: Output the Sequence

Present all emails in order. Each email formatted as:

```
---
EMAIL [N] — Day [X] — [Type]
---
Subject: [subject line]
Preview: [preview text]

[Body copy]

[CTA]

[Signature]
---
```

After all emails, provide the Setup Instructions section.

### Step 6: Self-Validation

Before presenting output, verify:

- [ ] All 5-7 emails present with subject, preview text, body, and CTA
- [ ] FTC disclosure included on every email containing affiliate links
- [ ] Email spacing is logical (not all on day 1)
- [ ] Value emails outnumber pitch emails in the sequence
- [ ] CTA links point to correct affiliate URLs

If any check fails, fix the output before delivering. Do not flag the checklist to the user — just ensure the output passes.

## Output Schema

```yaml
output_schema_version: "1.0.0"  # Semver — bump major on breaking changes
sequence:
  product_name: string
  affiliate_url: string
  audience: string
  email_count: number
  total_days: number          # span of the sequence in days
  emails:
    - number: number          # 1-7
      day: number             # send delay in days from signup
      type: string            # welcome | value | soft-sell | hard-sell | objection | follow-up
      subject: string
      preview_text: string
      body: string            # full email body
      cta_text: string        # button/link text
      cta_url: string         # affiliate link or engagement action

setup:
  recommended_esp: string[]   # e.g., ["ConvertKit", "Beehiiv", "ActiveCampaign"]
  automation_notes: string    # how to set up the delay/trigger logic
  ab_test_suggestion: string  # what to A/B test first
```

## Output Format

Present the sequence as clearly separated email blocks (as shown in Step 5). After the last email, add a **Setup Instructions** section:

```
---
SETUP INSTRUCTIONS
---
ESP Recommendations: ConvertKit, Beehiiv, or ActiveCampaign
Trigger: New subscriber joins list / completes opt-in form
Delays: Set each email to fire X days after the previous
A/B Test First: Subject lines on Email 5 (the hard sell) — highest impact
Tag to apply: Add an "affiliate-[product]" tag to track clicks in your ESP
---
```

## Error Handling

- **No affiliate URL provided**: "I'll write the sequence structure now. Drop in your affiliate link where I've marked `[YOUR_AFFILIATE_LINK]` before setting it up in your ESP."
- **Unknown product**: Research