By the end of this module, you should have:

ESP setup completed

• [ ]  Account created in MailerLite or Mailchimp
• [ ]  Domain verified (may take 24-48 hours)
• [ ]  Confirm SPF, DKIM, DMARC records are set up
• [ ]  Sender details configured (name, email, address)
• [ ]  Test email sent and received successfully
• [ ]  Main subscriber list created

Essential email flows in place

Transactional emails

Sent from a separate subdomain/domain:

• [ ]  Signup confirmation email working and branded
• [ ]  Password reset email working and branded
• [ ]  Any other automated emails your app sends

Onboarding sequence

• [ ]  Basic welcome email created (or completed in Onboarding module)
• [ ]  Sequence triggers set up in your ESP
• [ ]  Test emails sent to yourself

Win-back flow (only if 100+ users/month)

• [ ]  2-3 email sequence written using provided templates
• [ ]  Automation triggers set up (7-day, 14-day inactive)
• [ ]  Test sequence activated

Content created with templates

• [ ]  Subject lines written using Story System hooks
• [ ]  Email copy follows proven structure (Hook, Explanation, Proof, CTA)
• [ ]  CTAs match your standard language from Story System
• [ ]  Brand voice consistent across all emails

Tracking and measurement

• [ ]  UTM parameters set up for email links
• [ ]  Monthly review process scheduled in calendar
• [ ]  Baseline metrics recorded (deliverability, open rate, click rate)
• [ ]  List cleaning process understood

Quick troubleshooting guide

"My domain verification isn't working"

• Wait 24-48 hours after adding DNS records
• Double-check you added the records to the right domain
• Contact your domain provider's support if still stuck

"My emails are going to spam"

• Make sure you're using a verified domain
• Avoid spam trigger words in subject lines
• Send from a person's name, not "noreply"
• Keep your unsubscribe rate under 2%

"My open rates are terrible"

• Test different subject lines
• Check your sender name (use a real person)
• Clean your email list of inactive subscribers
• Send at different times

"I can't set up automation triggers"

• Look for "Automations" or "Workflows" in your ESP
• Start with pre-built templates if available
• Search "[your ESP] automation tutorial" on YouTube

Time investment: 4-6 hours total, spread over a week.

Next steps: Once this is working, get back to your main acquisition channels. Email will support your growth—it won't drive it at this stage.

Your email system is now professional, functional, and ready to scale when you are.