How to Create an Automated Email Sales Funnel? (Step-by-Step Guide)

I’d hear words like automation and nurture sequence, and my brain would just… shut down.

But after burning out from writing the same pitch emails over and over (and forgetting to follow up with leads—oops), I realized I needed something smarter. Something that could sell for me while I worked on other parts of my biz—or let’s be honest, took a nap.

Enter the automated email sales funnel.

If you’re new to all this, don’t worry. I’ll walk you through how I built mine, what I learned the hard way, and how you can set yours up even if you’re not techy (I still Google how to embed a form sometimes, no shame).

Let’s go step-by-step, yeah?

What Even Is an Email Sales Funnel?

Picture this: someone signs up to your email list. Instead of ghosting them (like I used to do), they start getting a series of friendly, helpful emails that:

• Show them you know your stuff

• Give them a few quick wins

• Introduce them to your product or offer

• And make it easy (even exciting) to buy

That’s a sales funnel. And when you automate it, it becomes a 24/7 sales machine that never takes a day off.

Here’s how it usually flows:

• Lead Magnet – Give ‘em a reason to sign up

• Welcome Sequence – Warm them up

• Sales Sequence – Present your offer and close the deal

Once I understood that, everything clicked.

Step 1: Create a Lead Magnet That Doesn’t Suck

I messed this up the first time. I offered a “newsletter” and… nobody signed up. Shocking, right?

Your lead magnet needs to solve a specific problem for your audience—and do it fast.

Here’s what finally worked for me:

• A one-page cheat sheet with my 5 best email subject lines

• A Notion template I used to track my launches

• A free 3-day mini-course via email

If you sell something like a course, coaching, or digital download, your lead magnet should feel like a taste-test of the real thing.

Tips:

• Keep it simple. PDF, Google Doc, video—whatever’s fastest to make.

• Make the value obvious (like “Get 10 Canva templates for your Instagram Stories”).

• Slap that signup form right on your homepage or landing page using your email platform.

Want to build your list faster? Learn how to build an email list on Payhip in 5 easy steps.

Step 2: Build the Email Sequence (This Is Where the Magic Happens)

This part made me sweat the first time. What do I say? How many emails? What if I sound like a robot?

Turns out, it’s not that deep. Think of it like a conversation. I started with these:

• Email 1 – Deliver the lead magnet + say thanks. Keep it short.

• Email 2 – Share a personal story or struggle. Make it real.

• Email 3 – Solve a small problem. Teach something helpful.

• Email 4 – Introduce your offer. Soft pitch.

• Email 5 – FAQ or customer testimonial.

• Email 6 – Hard pitch + time-sensitive bonus or deal.

• Email 7 – Final call. Create urgency.

That’s it. Seven emails, spread over 10–14 days, totally changed how I ran my business.

If you’re unsure what to write, start with these 7 proven email sequence strategies for boosting course sales. They’ve helped me structure every funnel since.

Bonus Tip: Add a P.S. in your emails. People weirdly love reading them.

Step 3: Set It on Autopilot

Now that your emails are ready, it’s time to automate. I use ConvertKit, but MailerLite and ActiveCampaign work too.

Most tools have visual automation — drag-and-drop flows that feel more like playing a puzzle game than setting up tech.

Here’s what I did:

• Set up the automation to trigger when someone signs up via the lead magnet form.

• Added delays between emails (usually 1–2 days).

• Tagged subscribers based on clicks (like “interested in product A”).

You can get super nerdy with this later, like branching paths if someone clicks vs. doesn’t — but start simple. A basic linear flow works great.

I also track how well each email performs. Using email analytics to improve open rates helped me fix dead spots in the funnel fast.

And don’t forget to test! I once had a broken link in my final pitch email… yeah, that was fun.

Pro Tips I Learned the Hard Way

• Don’t sell too early. If your first 2 emails are just “buy this,” people bounce.

• Make it feel like a conversation. Use “you” more than “I,” and write how you talk.

• Use urgency sparingly. I only add timers or bonuses in the final 2 emails.

• Keep subject lines clear, not clever. Check out these tips for writing high-converting subject lines.

• Always preview/test your emails. Even if it feels tedious. Broken links = sad conversions.

Also… don’t stress if people unsubscribe. That’s actually a good thing. You want the right people sticking around.

And speaking of right people, segmenting your email list for better targeting will make sure your funnel hits the mark every time.

Final Thoughts

Creating an automated email sales funnel changed everything for me.

Before? I was chasing leads, forgetting to follow up, and burning out.
Now? I wake up to sales from emails I wrote weeks ago. It’s honestly wild.

It’s not perfect. Sometimes my open rate tanks. Sometimes a funnel flops. But the freedom it gives me? 100% worth the learning curve.

So if you’ve been putting this off because it feels “too techy” or “not urgent,” trust me, it’s the most impactful system you can build into your business.

Set it up once. Let it work forever. Start today.