git:20260315.3e00751 to v1.0

---

name: email-drip-sequence

description: >

Write an email drip sequence for affiliate marketing. Triggers on:

"write me an email sequence", "create a drip campaign", "email nurture sequence",

"affiliate email funnel", "welcome email series", "email onboarding sequence",

"write emails for my list", "set up a drip sequence", "email campaign for [product]",

"nurture my subscribers", "email follow-up sequence", "build my email funnel",

"write 5 emails promoting [product]", "email automation sequence".

---

# Email Drip Sequence

Write a 5-7 email drip sequence that nurtures new subscribers from cold to warm to buyer. Follows the Welcome → Value → Value → Soft Sell → Hard Sell → Objection Handling → Follow-Up pattern. Each email includes subject line, preview text, body copy, and a single clear CTA.

## Stage

S5: Distribution — Email is the highest-ROI channel for affiliate marketers (avg $42 return per $1 spent). This skill turns a list of subscribers into a predictable revenue stream by delivering value first and selling second.

## When to Use

- User has an email list and wants to promote an affiliate product

- User just launched a lead magnet or opt-in form and needs a welcome sequence

- User wants to automate affiliate promotions via email automation (ConvertKit, Mailchimp, Beehiiv, ActiveCampaign, etc.)

- User says anything like "email sequence", "drip campaign", "email funnel", "nurture series"

- User wants a sequence for a specific product or niche

- Chaining from S1 (research) — user found a product and now wants an email sequence for it

## Input Schema

```yaml

product:

name: string # REQUIRED — product name (e.g., "HeyGen")

affiliate_url: string # REQUIRED — the affiliate link to promote

category: string # OPTIONAL — product category (e.g., "AI video tool")

reward_value: string # OPTIONAL — commission amount/percentage (e.g., "30% recurring")

key_benefits: string[] # OPTIONAL — top 3 benefits. Auto-researched if not provided.

price: string # OPTIONAL — product pricing (e.g., "$29/mo")

audience:

description: string # REQUIRED — who are the subscribers? (e.g., "content creators", "SaaS founders")

pain_point: string # OPTIONAL — main problem they want solved

awareness_level: string # OPTIONAL — "cold" | "warm" | "hot". Default: "cold"

sequence:

length: number # OPTIONAL — number of emails: 5, 6, or 7. Default: 7

send_days: number[] # OPTIONAL — days to send (e.g., [0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14])

# Default: [0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14]

sender_name: string # OPTIONAL — from name (e.g., "Alex from ContentPro")

tone: string # OPTIONAL — "conversational" | "professional" | "bold"

# Default: "conversational"

lead_magnet: string # OPTIONAL — what they opted in for (e.g., "AI tools checklist")

```

**Chaining context**: If S1 (product research) was run earlier in the conversation, pull `product.name`, `product.affiliate_url`, `product.key_benefits`, and `product.reward_value` automatically. Do not ask the user to repeat information already provided.

## Workflow

### Step 1: Gather Information

Collect required inputs. If `product.name` and `product.affiliate_url` are present (from user or S1 chain), proceed. Otherwise ask:

- "What product are you promoting and what's your affiliate link?"

- "Who are your subscribers? (e.g., freelancers, SaaS founders, content creators)"

If `product.key_benefits` is not provided, infer 3 benefits from the product name and category using your training knowledge. State: "Based on what I know about [product], I'm using these key benefits: [list]. Correct me if needed."

### Step 2: Plan the Sequence

Map each email to its purpose using the 7-email arc. For a 5-email sequence, drop emails 6 and 7. For a 6-email sequence, drop email 7.

| # | Day | Type | Purpose |

|---|-----|------|---------|

| 1 | 0 | Welcome | Deliver lead magnet, set expectations, build trust |

| 2 | 1 | Value | Teach something useful (no sell) |

| 3 | 3 | Value + Soft Mention | More value, casual mention of the product |

| 4 | 5 | Soft Sell | Introduce the product properly, benefits focus |

| 5 | 7 | Hard Sell | Clear CTA, urgency (limited offer / deadline if available) |

| 6 | 10 | Objection Handling | Answer top 3 objections, social proof |

| 7 | 14 | Follow-Up / Last Chance | "Did you see this?" re-engagement email |

### Step 3: Write Each Email

For each email, write all four components:

**Subject Line**: 40-60 characters. Use curiosity, specificity, or direct benefit. Avoid spam trigger words (free, guaranteed, act now).

**Preview Text**: 80-100 characters. Extends the subject line, adds context or intrigue. Shown in inbox preview.

**Body Copy**:

- Email 1-2: 200-300 words. Focus on value, zero sell pressure.

- Email 3-4: 250-350 words. Introduce product naturally in context.

- Email 5: 300-400 words. Strong pitch, benefits listed, clear CTA button.

- Email 6: 250-300 words. Story-driven or testimonial-anchored.

- Email 7: 150-200 words. Short, punchy re-engagement.

**Formatting rules**:

- Short paragraphs (2-3 sentences max)

- One idea per paragraph

- Conversational opener (use "you", avoid "Dear [Name]")

- Single CTA per email (one link, one action)

- Sign off with sender name + brief sign-off line

**CTA structure**:

- Email 1: CTA = download/access lead magnet (not affiliate link)

- Email 2: CTA = read an article or reply to email (engagement)

- Email 3: CTA = soft mention "check it out" with affiliate link

- Email 4-7: CTA = affiliate link with action verb ("Try [Product] Free", "Get [X]% Off", "Start Your Trial")

### Step 4: Add Compliance Disclosures

Each email that contains an affiliate link must include a one-line FTC disclosure. Place it immediately before or after the affiliate link:

> *Affiliate disclosure: I may earn a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.*

For email clients that strip formatting, also include plain text disclosure in the footer.

### Step 5: Output the Sequence

Present all emails in order. Each email formatted as:

```

---

EMAIL [N] — Day [X] — [Type]

---

Subject: [subject line]

Preview: [preview text]

[Body copy]

[CTA]

[Signature]

---

```

After all emails, provide the Setup Instructions section.

## Output Schema

```yaml

sequence:

product_name: string

affiliate_url: string

audience: string

email_count: number

total_days: number # span of the sequence in days

emails:

- number: number # 1-7

day: number # send delay in days from signup

type: string # welcome | value | soft-sell | hard-sell | objection | follow-up

subject: string

preview_text: string

body: string # full email body

cta_text: string # button/link text

cta_url: string # affiliate link or engagement action

setup:

recommended_esp: string[] # e.g., ["ConvertKit", "Beehiiv", "ActiveCampaign"]

automation_notes: string # how to set up the delay/trigger logic

ab_test_suggestion: string # what to A/B test first

```

## Output Format

Present the sequence as clearly separated email blocks (as shown in Step 5). After the last email, add a **Setup Instructions** section:

```

---

SETUP INSTRUCTIONS

---

ESP Recommendations: ConvertKit, Beehiiv, or ActiveCampaign

Trigger: New subscriber joins list / completes opt-in form

Delays: Set each email to fire X days after the previous

A/B Test First: Subject lines on Email 5 (the hard sell) — highest impact

Tag to apply: Add an "affiliate-[product]" tag to track clicks in your ESP

---

```

## Error Handling

- **No affiliate URL provided**: "I'll write the sequence structure now. Drop in your affiliate link where I've marked `[YOUR_AFFILIATE_LINK]` before setting it up in your ESP."

- **Unknown product**: Research the product using web search if possible. If not found, ask: "Can you tell me the top 2-3 benefits of [product]? I'll write the sequence around those."

- **Audience too vague ("everyone")**: Default to "online business owners and marketers." Note: "I used a general audience. For better conversions, replace 'you' with specific language like 'as a freelancer...' or 'for SaaS founders...' throughout."

- **No lead magnet info**: Email 1 defaults to a "welcome + what to expect" format rather than lead magnet delivery.

- **Request for 3 emails or fewer**: "A 3-email sequence is too short to build trust before the sell. I recommend at least 5. Want me to write a 5-email version?"

## Examples

**Example 1: Product + audience provided**

User: "Write an email sequence for HeyGen (my link: heygen.com/ref/abc123) targeting YouTube creators who opted in for my AI tools checklist."

Action: 7-email sequence, Day 0 delivers checklist, emails 2-3 teach AI video creation tips, emails 4-7 pitch HeyGen with creator-specific angles (save editing time, AI avatars, multilingual).

**Example 2: Chained from S1**

Context: S1 found Semrush with 30% recurring commission targeting SEO consultants.

User: "Now write an email sequence for this."

Action: Pull product details from S1 output. Write 7-email sequence targeting SEO consultants. Lead magnet assumed to be SEO-related content.

**Example 3: Minimal input**

User: "Write me a drip sequence for my Notion template affiliate program"

Action: Ask for affiliate URL and audience. Use Notion affiliate program knowledge for benefits. Write 5-email sequence (conservative default for shorter products with simpler buying journey).

## References

- `shared/references/ftc-compliance.md` — FTC affiliate disclosure requirements. Apply to every email containing an affiliate link.

- `shared/references/affitor-branding.md` — Affitor footer. Include in plain text footer of each email.