15 Trigger Email Examples That Drive Results

Triggered emails sent based on specific actions or events consistently outperform batch campaigns. They're timely, relevant, and feel personal because they respond to what each subscriber actually does. Here are 15 trigger email examples with strategies for maximum impact.

1. Welcome Email

Trigger: New subscriber joins list or creates account

The welcome email is often your highest-performing automated message, with open rates regularly exceeding 50%. Use it to:

• Thank them for subscribing
• Set expectations for future content
• Deliver any promised lead magnet
• Provide a clear next step or CTA

Pro tip: Send immediately - within minutes, not hours. The subscriber is most engaged right after signing up.

2. Onboarding Kickoff

Trigger: User completes registration or starts trial

The onboarding email helps new users get started with your product. Focus on:

• One key action to take first
• Link to getting started guide or video
• How to get help if stuck
• What success looks like

Pro tip: Don't overwhelm with features. Guide them to one quick win first.

3. Feature Activation Reminder

Trigger: User hasn't used a key feature after X days

When users skip important features, automated nudges can drive adoption:

• Highlight the specific feature they're missing
• Explain the benefit in outcome terms
• Provide a direct link to try it
• Offer to help or answer questions

Pro tip: Focus on features correlated with retention - the ones that predict long-term success.

4. Abandoned Cart Recovery

Trigger: Items added to cart but purchase not completed

Cart abandonment emails recover significant revenue. A typical sequence:

• Email 1 (1 hour): Reminder with cart contents
• Email 2 (24 hours): Address objections, add urgency
• Email 3 (72 hours): Final reminder, possibly with incentive

Pro tip: Include product images and clear "Complete Purchase" button. Make returning to cart effortless.

5. Browse Abandonment

Trigger: Viewed product pages but didn't add to cart

Catch interested browsers before they forget:

• Show the products they viewed
• Suggest similar alternatives
• Include social proof or reviews
• Consider a small incentive for first purchase

Pro tip: Don't be creepy - one or two emails is enough. Excessive follow-up feels invasive.

6. Purchase Confirmation

Trigger: Order placed successfully

Transactional but valuable for relationship building:

• Confirm order details clearly
• Set delivery expectations
• Provide tracking information
• Offer relevant upsells or cross-sells

Pro tip: This email has near-100% open rates. Include value beyond just the receipt.

7. Post-Purchase Follow-up

Trigger: X days after purchase/delivery

Build relationship and gather feedback:

• Ask how they're enjoying the product
• Request a review if appropriate
• Provide usage tips
• Suggest complementary products

Pro tip: Time this after they've had chance to use the product - not too soon, not too late.

8. Trial Expiration Warning

Trigger: Trial ending in X days

Convert trial users before they lose access:

• Remind them trial is ending
• Highlight value they've received
• Make upgrading easy
• Address common objections

Pro tip: Send multiple reminders - 7 days, 3 days, 1 day, and day-of. Different people convert at different points.

9. Subscription Renewal Reminder

Trigger: Subscription renewing in X days

Reduce surprise charges and support ticket volume:

• Confirm renewal date and amount
• Summarize value received
• Link to manage subscription
• Offer to help with any issues

Pro tip: This transparency builds trust. Customers appreciate not being surprised.

10. Failed Payment Alert

Trigger: Payment declined or failed

Recover revenue from involuntary churn:

• Explain what happened
• Provide easy way to update payment
• Clarify urgency without being aggressive
• Offer to help if there are issues

Pro tip: This is a sensitive moment. Be helpful and understanding, not demanding.

11. Win-Back Campaign

Trigger: Customer churned X days ago

Attempt to recover lost customers:

• Acknowledge they've been gone
• Share what's new since they left
• Offer incentive to return
• Make it easy to reactivate

Pro tip: Timing matters. Too soon feels desperate; too late and they've moved on. Test to find your sweet spot.

12. Re-engagement Campaign

Trigger: No email engagement for X days

Reactivate dormant subscribers:

• Acknowledge the absence
• Remind them why they subscribed
• Offer something valuable
• Give option to update preferences or unsubscribe

Pro tip: Clean your list after re-engagement. Remove those who don't respond to maintain deliverability.

13. Milestone Celebration

Trigger: Customer reaches usage milestone

Celebrate achievements to build loyalty:

• Acknowledge the milestone
• Show their progress or stats
• Provide shareable achievement
• Suggest next goal

Pro tip: Make them feel good about their progress. This increases emotional connection to your product.

14. Birthday/Anniversary Email

Trigger: Customer's birthday or account anniversary

Personal touches that build relationship:

• Wish them well on their special day
• Offer a birthday discount or gift
• Keep it personal and warm
• Make any offer time-limited for urgency

Pro tip: This works because it's personal. Don't make it too salesy - lead with the celebration.

15. Feedback Request

Trigger: Support ticket closed, or significant interaction completed

Gather insights and identify promoters:

• Ask for feedback at the right moment
• Keep surveys short (one question is ideal)
• Act on negative feedback quickly
• Thank positive respondents and ask for reviews

Pro tip: NPS surveys work well here. Identify promoters for referral requests and detractors for immediate outreach.

Implementing Trigger Emails

Most email automation platforms support these trigger types. The key is starting with a few high-impact triggers and expanding as you learn. For SaaS businesses, Sequenzy makes implementation easier with AI-powered workflow generation and native billing integration for subscription-specific triggers.

Remember: triggered emails work because they're timely and relevant. Focus on providing value at the right moment, and results will follow.