The Ultimate Guide to Automated Email Sequencing with Waves 

Why Automated Email Sequences Matter More Than Ever 

Let’s face it: blasting out generic emails just doesn’t cut it anymore. Inboxes are full, attention spans are short, and customers expect more than one-size-fits-all communication. That’s where automated email sequencing comes in—it’s a smarter, more personal way to stay connected with your audience without having to hit “send” every single time.

At its core, an automated email sequence is a string of emails triggered by user behavior. Someone signs up for your newsletter? They get a welcome email. Abandon their cart? They get a gentle nudge. It’s all about sending the right message at the right time. 

And with SwaysEast’s Waves platform, setting these up is surprisingly easy. 

Meet Waves: Your Behind-the-Scenes Marketing Workhorse 

Waves is part of the SwaysEast suite—a toolkit built to help brands grow smarter. While SwaysEast covers everything from content creation to analytics, Waves focuses specifically on email campaign automation. Think of it as your email marketing autopilot.

What makes Waves powerful isn’t just the ability to schedule emails. It’s the way it ties into the rest of the SwaysEast ecosystem. Pair it with tools like Riptide (which tracks email engagement), and you’ve got a complete, data-driven loop that helps you send better emails every time. 

What Makes a Great Email Sequence? 

A good email sequence doesn’t just happen—it’s designed. Here are the key building blocks: 

  • Smart Triggers: These are the actions that set your sequence in motion. Signing up for a list, clicking a product link, or just not opening emails for a while—each one can spark a different series of follow-ups. 
  • Meaningful Personalization: Good personalization goes beyond “Hi, [First Name]”. Waves lets you tailor content based on behaviors, preferences, and past interactions. 
  • Clear Goals: Are you welcoming a new customer? Nudging a sale? Re-engaging someone who went cold? Setting a clear purpose helps guide every email you write. 
  • Value-Driven Content: Don’t just fill inboxes. Every email should offer something—tips, insights, exclusive offers, or just a little personality. 
  • CTAs That Work: Each message should have a next step. Whether it’s clicking a link or replying to a question, your CTA should feel natural and useful. 

Why Businesses Love Email Automation (and Why You Will Too) 

If you’re still doing things manually, here’s what you’re missing out on: 

  • More Engagement: Personalized, timely emails get opened—and clicked—more often. 
  • Saved Hours: Stop repeating the same tasks. Automate once, reap the benefits daily. 
  • Higher Conversions: Good timing = better results. Period. 
  • Stronger Retention: Keep the conversation going even after the first purchase. 
  • Solid ROI: Email automation remains one of the most cost-effective marketing tools around. 

With Waves, all these benefits are baked in. You don’t need to be a tech whiz to launch complex campaigns. Its drag-and-drop tools, smart workflows, and AI-powered insights do the heavy lifting for you. 

Email Sequences You Can Set Up in Waves 

Let’s break it down. Here are some of the most valuable email sequences, and what they can do for your business: 

Sequence What It Does When It Triggers 
Welcome Series Makes a great first impression When someone subscribes 
Onboarding Teaches new users how to get started After sign-up or purchase 
Abandoned Cart Reminds people what they left behind When a cart is abandoned 
Lead Nurturing Builds trust over time After a download or inquiry 
Re-engagement Wakes up inactive contacts After a long period of silence 
Cross-sell/Upsell Recommends related items After a recent purchase 
Renewals Keeps subscriptions going Before a plan expires 
Feedback Requests Gathers reviews and insights After a service or delivery 

Waves handles all of these with ease—plus gives you analytics to tweak and improve every step. 

How to Launch Your First Automated Sequence with Waves 

Step 1: Know Your Audience 
Before you write a single line, figure out who you’re talking to. Segment your list based on location, interests, behavior—whatever helps you send more relevant messages. 

Step 2: Write Like a Human 
Your audience can spot a robotic email from a mile away. Use natural language, ask questions, share value, and keep it conversational. 

Step 3: Set Triggers and Timing 
Waves lets you choose what kicks off each sequence and how long to wait between emails. For example, you might send a follow-up two days after a product view. 

Step 4: Optimize (Then Optimize Again) 
Use Waves’ built-in A/B testing and real-time analytics to see what’s working—and what’s not. From subject lines to send times, small tweaks can make a big difference. 

Track What Matters: KPIs to Watch in Waves 

Not all metrics are created equal. Here’s what you should keep an eye on: 

  • Open Rate – Are your subject lines pulling people in? 
  • Click-Through Rate (CTR) – Are readers engaging with your content? 
  • Conversion Rate – Are emails driving action (like purchases or sign-ups)? 
  • Unsubscribe Rate – Are you emailing too often, or missing the mark? 
  • Bounce Rate – Are your emails even getting delivered? 
  • List Growth – Is your audience growing? 
  • Spam Complaints – Red flag alert—something needs fixing if this is high. 

Waves presents all these metrics (and more) in a clean, easy-to-read dashboard—so you can make data-backed decisions in real time. 

Why Waves Is Built for the Modern Marketer 

What really sets Waves apart is its blend of ease and intelligence. Here’s what you get: 

  • Drag-and-drop email builder (no coding needed) 
  • Smart segmentation and personalization at scale 
  • Built-in A/B testing 
  • Real-time reporting powered by AI 
  • Seamless integration with signup forms, lead ads, and more 
  • Re-sending tools to boost open rates 
  • API and Google Analytics support for deeper insights 

It’s not just a tool—it’s your marketing co-pilot. 

Get Started with Waves—No Strings Attached 

Ready to give it a try? Waves offers a free 60-day trial, so you can test the waters without any risk. Whether you’re a small business or scaling fast, there’s a plan that fits.Ready to give it a try? Waves offers a free 60-day trial, so you can test the waters without any risk. Whether you’re a small business or scaling fast, there’s a plan that fits. 

Visit the Waves product page to get started, request a demo, or explore pricing options. With email automation finally off your plate, you’ll have more time to focus on what matters: building real relationships and growing your business. 

Final Thoughts 

Marketing isn’t about shouting louder—it’s about showing up at the right moment with the right message. Automated email sequencing does exactly that, and Waves makes it easy. Whether you’re welcoming new subscribers, nurturing leads, or bringing back old customers, Waves helps you do it all—smarter, faster, and with real impact. 

Start today and turn your email list into one of your most powerful marketing assets. 

SwaysEast offers a suite of smart digital marketing tools to help brands create innovative solutions and experience their very own AI digital marketing success stories. Book a FREE APPOINTMENT today