Trigger Based Email Marketing and How to Use Them: 9 Examples

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trigger based email marketing

Last Updated: February 2025

Trigger based email marketing has emerged as a powerful strategy for businesses aiming to engage their audience effectively. By sending automated emails that respond to specific actions taken by subscribers, marketers can deliver personalised content at the optimal moment. This method not only enhances user experience but also fosters loyalty and trust.

trigger based email marketing

The average open rate of triggered email campaigns is 35.64%, the CTR is 2.02%, and the click-to-open rate is around 9.94%. This guide will delve into trigger-based email marketing and how it works, providing nine compelling examples of its implementation. Additionally, we’ll explore how Saufter optimises trigger-based email strategies through advanced AI capabilities.

What is Tigger Based Email Marketing?

Trigger based email marketing involves sending automated emails that are initiated by specific user actions or events. These emails can vary from welcome messages when a user subscribes to an email list to reminders about abandoned shopping carts. Compared to traditional bulk emails, which are sent to all contacts at once, trigger emails are personalised and relevant, leading to higher engagement rates.

Key Benefits 

  • Improved Engagement: Tigger emails achieve open rates that can be significantly higher than traditional marketing emails. This is largely due to the relevance and timing of the messages delivered to recipients. 
  • Higher Conversion Rates: Personalisation content based on user behaviour increases the likelihood of conversions, as messages resonate more with individual needs and interests.
  • Enhanced Customer Experience: By delivering timely and relevant content, brands can create a seamless communication experience, increasing customer satisfaction.
  • Efficiency: Once set up, trigger-based systems run automatically, allowing marketing terms to focus on creating new content or campaigns instead of manually updating their lists.

9 Effective Types of Triggered Emails

To demonstrate the power of trigger-based email marketing, here are nine practical examples:

1. Welcome Emails

Triggered when a user subscribes to your mailing list, welcome emails help to set the tone for future interactions and introduce the brand’s value.

Template

Subject: Welcome to [Brand Name]!

Dear [First Name],

Thank you for subscribing to our mailing list! We are thrilled to have you with us. At [Brand Name], we strive to provide you with the best experience possible. Here’s what you can expect from us:

Exclusive offers straight to your inbox

Updates on our latest products and services

Tips and tricks to make the most out of your experience

Looking forward to serving you!

Best regards, 

[Brand Name] Team

2. Abandoned Cart Emails

Prompted when a user leaves items in their shopping cart without completing the purchase, these emails gently remind them of their potential purchases, often including incentives to finalise their order.

Template

Subject: Don’t Forget Your Cart at [Brand Name]!

Hi [First Name],

We noticed you left something behind! Your items are still waiting for you in your cart. Complete your purchase within 24 hours and enjoy a special [X]% discount.

[Button: Complete My Purchase]

Best, 

[Brand Name] Support Team

3. Purchase Confirmation Emails

Once a customer completes a transaction, these emails confirm the purchase details, providing reassurance and enhancing the buying experience by including shipping information.

Template

Subject: Your Order Confirmation – [Order Number]

Hello [First Name],

Thank you for your order! We’re excited to confirm your purchase from [Brand Name]. Here are the details:

Order Number: [Order Number]

Items Purchased: [List of Items]

Total Amount: [Total]

Your order will be shipped to [Shipping Address]. You can track your order [here].

Thank you for shopping with us!

Sincerely, 

[Brand Name] Team

4. Event Reminders

Ideal for businesses hosting webinars or events, these emails remind registrants of upcoming dates and details, ensuring higher attendance rates.

Template

Subject: Reminder: Upcoming Event at [Brand Name]!

Dear [First Name],

This is a friendly reminder for our upcoming event: [Event Name] on [Date] at [Time]. 

Here’s what you need to know:

Topic: [Event Topic]

Duration: [Duration]

Platform: [Zoom/Google Meet, etc.]

Join us and enhance your knowledge with expert insights! 

Best regards,  

[Brand Name] Events Team

5. Feedback Requests

Following a purchase or service interaction, these emails ask customers for their opinions, which helps to improve product offerings and client satisfaction.

Template

Subject: We Value Your Feedback!

Hi [First Name],

Thank you for choosing [Brand Name]! We would love to hear your thoughts on your experience.

Please take a moment to fill out our quick survey [here] and help us improve!

As a token of our appreciation, you will receive a [Discount/Coupon] for your next purchase.

Thank you, 

[Brand Name] Team

6. Re-Engagement Emails

Aimed at lapsed subscribers, these messages serve to rekindle interest. By highlighting new products or offering exclusive deals, businesses can convert inactive subscribers back into engaged customers.

Template

Subject: We Miss You at [Brand Name]!

Hi [First Name],

It’s been a while since we’ve seen you! We’d love to welcome you back with a special [X]% off your next order.

Explore our latest products [here] and rediscover what you’ve been missing.

Warm regards, 

[Brand Name] Marketing Team

7. Account Activity Alerts 

These emails notify users about significant changes to their accounts, such as password resets or unusual logins, thereby improving security and trust. 

Template

Subject: Important: Account Security Alert

Hi [First Name],

We noticed some unusual activity on your account.

Change detected: [Description of Change]

If this wasn’t you, please reset your password immediately.

Your security is our priority.

Best, 

[Brand Name] Security Team

8. Birthday or Anniversary Emails

Send personalised greetings during customers’ special occasions. These emails can include special offers or discounts, making customers feel valued.

Template

Subject: Happy Birthday, [First Name]!

Dear [First Name],

Happy Birthday from all of us at [Brand Name]! We hope you have a fantastic day. As a special gift, here’s a [X]% discount just for you, valid for the entire month!

[Button: Redeem My Gift]

Best wishes, 

[Brand Name] Team

9. Time-Sensitive Promotions

Triggered by a user’s particular actions, these emails can offer limited-time discounts based on browsing habits, enhancing urgency and prompting immediate action.

Template

Subject: Exclusive Offer Just for You!

Hi [First Name],

You’ve shown interest in [product/category]! You can enjoy [X]% off your next purchase for a limited time. Don’t wait, this offer ends soon!

[Button: Shop Now]

Best,

[Brand Name] Marketing Team 

These examples demonstrate how trigger-based emails can enhance customer engagement and drive sales by delivering personalised, timely, and actionable content.

How Saufter Enhances Trigger Based Email

Source

Saufter provides AI-driven email marketing solutions enabling businesses to harness trigger-based emails’ full power. With advanced customer journey tracking, Saufter detects engagement patterns and automatically sends tailored messages when customers interact with given touchpoints.

  • Real-Time Notifications and Campaign Suggestions: Saufter’s branching technology monitors customer behaviour, immediately alerting teams to engagement opportunities and challenges. This allows marketers to remain proactive in their communications.
  • AI-Powered Campaign Customisation: With AI features that suggest campaign types and content, Saufter helps streamline the process of creating effective trigger-based emails tailored to user behaviour.

Best Practices for Implementing Trigger-Based Email Marketing

  • Segmentation: Categorise your email list based on user behaviour to ensure that emails are sent to the right people. Proper segmentation enhances relevance and engagement. 
  • Personalisation: Leverage data to customise emails for each user, incorporating their name and past interactions to foster a more personalised experience.
  • Automation: Invest in an email marketing platform like Saufter that allows you to set up automated trigger campaigns. This way, you can continuously engage without constant manual input.
  • Simplicity: Make emails concise while focusing on one clear call to action to avoid overwhelming recipients.

What is Email Automation Triggers?

Email automation triggers are specific actions or behaviours that prompt automated email responses to recipients. These triggers can significantly enhance the effectiveness of email marketing campaigns by ensuring timely and relevant communication with subscribers. Below is an overview of email automation triggers.

How to Implement Email Automation Triggers

To harness the power of email automation triggers effectively, follow these steps:

  1. Identify Key Triggers: Determine which actions or events you want to base your email automation on, such as sign-ups, purchases, or inactivity.
  2. Segment Your Audience: Group your subscribers based on their behaviours and preferences to tailor the messages sent with your triggers. This increases the relevance of your emails and the likelihood of engagement.
  3. Create Compelling Content: Craft engaging and personalised email content that resonates with the trigger event. Effective content should include a strong call to action (CTA) and be visually appealing.
  4. Select an Email Marketing Platform: Choose a platform that supports automation and offers tools for setting up triggers. Look for features such as workflow builders and performance analytics to monitor the effectiveness of your campaigns.
  5. Test Your Campaigns: Before launching, conduct A/B testing to identify which variations of your emails perform better, such as different subject lines or CTAs.
  6. Monitor and Adjust: After your automation triggers are live, constantly monitor their performance metrics, including open rates and conversion rates. Use this data to refine your strategies and improve future campaigns.

Benefits of Using Email Automation Triggers

Implementing email automation triggers provides several advantages, including:

  • Enhanced Personalisation: Automated emails can be tailored according to user behaviour, fostering more personal relationships with customers.
  • Improved Engagement: By reaching users when they take action or show interest, automated emails can significantly increase engagement rates.
  • Increased Conversion Rates: Timely follow-up messages, such as cart abandonment emails, can help recover potentially lost sales by nudging customers toward conversion.
  • Better Efficiency: Automation reduces the need for manual email campaigns, allowing marketing teams to focus on other strategic initiatives while maintaining consistent communication with customers.

By understanding and implementing various email automation triggers, businesses can create effective email marketing strategies that lead to stronger customer relationships, higher engagement, and improved sales performance.

Trigger Emails vs Drip Campaigns:  A Strategic Comparison

When comparing trigger emails to drip campaigns, it’s essential to understand their unique functionalities and how they can be utilised to complement each other in a comprehensive email marketing strategy. While both approaches aim to engage customers and drive conversions, they differ significantly in execution and purpose.

Trigger Emails

Trigger emails are automated messages sent in response to specific user actions or behaviours. Common examples include welcome emails, cart abandonment reminders, or purchase confirmation messages. These emails are highly relevant since they are tailored to the individual’s recent interactions with the brand, thereby increasing the likelihood of engagement.

Drip Campaigns

In contrast, drip campaigns involve a series of pre-scheduled emails sent over a period, irrespective of specific user actions. These campaigns aim to nurture leads through consistent messaging that gradually builds customer relationships. They often feature educational content, promotional offers, or product updates, designed to guide recipients through the buying journey.

Key Differences 

1. Timing and Triggers 

Trigger emails respond to specific behaviours in real-time, while drip campaigns operate on a set schedule regardless of user actions.

2. Personalisation VS Education

Trigger emails are generally more personalised as they relate directly to user behaviour. Drip campaigns, while they can be personalised to some extent, focus on delivering a sequence of content to educate and nurture leads over time.

3. Engagement Goals

Trigger emails are highly focused on immediate actions, such as completing a purchase or returning to the site, making them more direct in their approach. Drip campaigns aim to build long-term engagement and steady relationships with users, often leading to gradual conversions.

Strategic Integration

To maximise effectiveness, businesses can integrate trigger emails and drip campaigns within their marketing strategies.

  • For example, a drip campaign can introduce new subscribers to the brand and provide valuable content over several weeks. In parallel, trigger emails can be implemented to respond to specific behaviours, such as sending a discount code to new subscribers who engage with the initial welcome email.

By combining both strategies, brands can create an effective, personalised experience that drives engagement and ultimately increases conversions. In summary, understanding the distinct roles of trigger emails and drip campaigns allows marketers to utilise both strategies effectively, aligning them with their specific objectives to foster engagement throughout the customer journey.

Conclusion

trigger based email marketing

Trigger based email marketing is a potent tool for fostering engagement and driving conversions. By implementing personalised, timely emails, businesses can communicate more effectively with their audience, leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty. Utilising platforms like Saufter enhances these efforts through AI automation and customer journey insights.

Trigger emails generate over 31% of all email orders, despite making up only 1.8% of all email sends. As marketers navigate the evolving digital communication landscape, leveraging trigger-based strategies will position them for success in competitive email marketing. Make the most of each interaction by ensuring your communications are relevant, timely, and tailored to meet your audience’s needs.

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Can you create an email for showcasing features? highlighting three
features from our website OR
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Please create a welcome email that introduces new users and highlights
the benefits of each plan. The plan details can be referenced from our
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Can you generate a 3-step email sequence for a discount campaign?
Day
0: Introduce the offer and highlight its value. Use an engaging tone
to capture attention and create urgency.
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email as a gentle reminder of the ongoing discount, reinforcing the
value of the offer.
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the discount ends soon. Include a strong call-to-action to encourage
immediate action.


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Please generate an email announcing the Fall Discount. The sale offers
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while the most upgraded plan offers a 25% discount. Plan details can
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Please create a webinar welcome email. The webinar topic is ‘How to
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