Use automation with emails

You can use simple workflows to automate follow-up tasks for marketing emails. For example, a simple workflow could add contacts to a segment after they clicked a link in an email. 

Understand limits and considerations

• You can add up to 10 actions per simple workflow. 
• You can create one simple workflow per enrollment trigger. 
• You can only use the following actions: 

• • Delay: delay for a set amount of time or until a day or time.
  • Communication: send internal email notification or another marketing email.
  • Task management: create a new task.
  • Segment management: add to or remove from a static segment.
  • Ads management: add to or remove from an ads audience.

Understand simple workflows

In the email editor, you can create simple workflows on the Automate tab. You select an enrollment trigger - an event or condition associated with that email - that causes the simple workflow to activate. You then select actions that will take place every time a contact meets the enrollment trigger. 

The following enrollment triggers are available for simple workflows in marketing emails:

• Email bounced when sent to contact
• Contact clicked a link in email
• Contact marked email as spam
• Contact opened email
• Contact received email
• Contact replied to email
• Contact was sent email
• Contact unsubscribed from email

Create a simple workflow in the email editor

1. In your HubSpot account, navigate to Marketing > Email.
2. In the top right, click Create email.
3. In the dialog box, select Regular.
4. In the email editor, click the Automate tab.
5. Select Create this workflow to use the recommended workflow or Create new workflow to start from scratch. For new workflows, select an enrollment trigger in the right panel, then click Save.
6. To add a workflow action click the add plus icon. For example, you can add delays, send marketing emails, send internal notifications, or create tasks. 
7. In the left panel, click a workflow action. 
8. Customize the workflow action, then click Save. 
9. To delete the workflow, click the Actions dropdown menu and select Delete workflow. In the dialog box, click Delete workflow. 
10. To add additional simple workflows, click Add new simple workflow. This option is only available in accounts with a Marketing Hub Professional or Enterprise subscription. 
11. When you're finished editing your workflow, toggle the switch in the top right on.
12. In the dialog box, click Got it. 
13. Finish editing your email, then click Review and schedule, Review and publish, or Review and send in the top right. 
14. Resolve any errors then, click Publish, Schedule, or Send.

Your simple workflow will begin running as soon as the email is published or sent.