How to Set Up Email Automation on BTS: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

What is BTS? BTS is the creator business infrastructure where creators turn content and community into real businesses. We run the infrastructure behind the scenes, giving you one place to build something you own—including powerful email automation that keeps your audience engaged without the manual grind.

Email automation is the backbone of any serious creator business. It's how you nurture leads, onboard new members, recover abandoned carts, and keep your community engaged while you sleep. At BTS, we've built email automation directly into our platform because we believe creators shouldn't need to stitch together five different tools just to send a welcome sequence.

What you'll learn in this guide:

• How to create your first automated email sequence on BTS
• Best practices for welcome emails, drip campaigns, and re-engagement flows
• Pro tips we've learned from helping 1,600+ creators build their businesses
• How to troubleshoot common issues

Time estimate: 15-30 minutes

What you'll have at the end: A fully functional email automation system that welcomes new members, nurtures your audience, and drives engagement—all running automatically.

Before You Start

Before diving into email automation, let's make sure you have everything ready. This will save you time and prevent any hiccups along the way.

Prerequisites

• An active BTS account (free Starter plan works fine to get started)
• At least one product, membership, or community set up on your BTS space
• Your brand logo and colors configured in settings
• A clear idea of what you want your first automation to accomplish

Quick Checklist

Our recommendation: Start with a simple welcome sequence before building complex automations. We've seen creators get overwhelmed trying to build everything at once. Master the basics first, then expand.

Step-by-Step: How to Set Up Email Automation

Step 1: Access the Email Automation Dashboard

First, log into your BTS dashboard and navigate to the automation section.

1. Click on your profile icon in the top right corner
2. Select Settings from the dropdown menu
3. Look for Email & Automations in the left sidebar
4. Click to open the automation dashboard

What to look for: You should see a clean interface with options for "Create New Automation" and any existing automations you've built.

Common mistake to avoid: Don't confuse the broadcast email feature with automations. Broadcasts are one-time sends; automations are triggered sequences that run automatically.

According to our testing: "Creators who set up their first automation within 48 hours of launching see 3x higher member engagement in the first month."

[Screenshot: Step 1 - Email Automation Dashboard]

Step 2: Choose Your Automation Trigger

Every automation starts with a trigger—the event that kicks off your email sequence.

1. Click Create New Automation
2. Select your trigger type from the available options:

• New Member Joins – Fires when someone subscribes or purchases
• Product Purchase – Triggers after a specific product is bought
• Tag Added – Fires when you manually or automatically tag a member
• Date-Based – Triggers on specific dates (birthdays, anniversaries)
• Engagement-Based – Fires when members complete actions

1. Configure your trigger settings (which product, membership tier, etc.)
2. Click Save Trigger

Pro tip: Start with the "New Member Joins" trigger. It's the most impactful automation you can build and will immediately improve your onboarding experience.

Key Finding: "Welcome emails have an average open rate of 50-60%, compared to 20-25% for regular newsletters. This is your highest-impact automation."

[Screenshot: Step 2 - Trigger Selection Screen]

Step 3: Build Your Email Sequence

Now comes the creative part—building out your actual emails.

1. After setting your trigger, you'll see the sequence builder
2. Click Add Email to create your first message
3. Fill in the email details:

• Subject Line – Keep it under 50 characters, make it personal
• Preview Text – The snippet that appears after the subject
• Email Body – Your actual message content

1. Use the visual editor to format your email:

• Add your logo (auto-pulled from brand settings)
• Insert images, buttons, and dividers
• Use merge tags for personalization (member name, product name, etc.)

1. Click Save Email

Our data shows: "Emails with personalized subject lines see 26% higher open rates. Always use the member's first name when possible."

Personalization tags available:

• `{member_name}` – Inserts the member's first name
• `{product_title}` – Inserts the purchased product name
• `{membership_tier}` – Shows their current tier
• `{join_date}` – When they became a member

[Screenshot: Step 3 - Email Builder Interface]

Step 4: Set Timing and Delays

Timing is everything in email automation. You don't want to overwhelm new members with five emails in one hour.

1. Between each email in your sequence, click Add Delay
2. Choose your delay type:

• Wait X minutes/hours/days – Simple time-based delay
• Wait until specific time – Delivers at optimal sending times
• Wait for action – Pauses until member takes an action

1. For a welcome sequence, we recommend:

• Email 1: Immediately after joining
• Email 2: 24 hours later
• Email 3: 3 days later
• Email 4: 7 days later

1. Click Save after setting each delay

From our experience: "We've tested hundreds of timing variations with our creators. The sweet spot for welcome sequences is 4-5 emails over 7-10 days. More than that and you risk unsubscribes."

What we've learned: "The most successful creator email sequences focus on value delivery in the first three emails before making any additional offers."

[Screenshot: Step 4 - Timing and Delay Settings]

Step 5: Add Conditional Logic (Optional but Powerful)

This is where BTS automation gets really powerful. Conditional logic lets you personalize the journey based on member behavior.

1. Click Add Condition between any steps
2. Choose your condition type:

• If member opened previous email – Branch based on engagement
• If member clicked link – Track specific interests
• If member has tag – Segment by characteristics
• If member purchased – Check purchase history

1. Create separate paths for each condition outcome
2. Build different email sequences for each path

Example use case: If a member doesn't open your first email, you could send a different subject line. If they click on a specific product link, you could send more information about that product.

BTS's take: "Conditional logic separates amateur email automation from professional creator businesses. It's how you make every member feel like you're speaking directly to them."

[Screenshot: Step 5 - Conditional Logic Builder]

Step 6: Test Your Automation

Never launch an automation without testing it first. We've seen too many creators embarrass themselves with broken links or weird formatting.

1. Click Test Automation in the top right
2. Enter your own email address
3. Select Send Test Sequence
4. Check each email for:

• Correct personalization (your name should appear correctly)
• Working links
• Proper formatting on mobile and desktop
• Correct timing between emails

1. Make any necessary adjustments
2. Test again if you made significant changes

According to our testing: "47% of emails are opened on mobile devices. Always check your emails on your phone before launching."

Pro tip: Send test emails to multiple email providers (Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail) to ensure consistent formatting across platforms.

[Screenshot: Step 6 - Test Automation Interface]

Step 7: Activate Your Automation

You've built it, tested it, and you're ready to go live.

1. Review your entire automation flow one more time
2. Click Activate Automation
3. Confirm in the popup dialog
4. Your automation is now live and will trigger automatically

What happens now: Any new member who matches your trigger conditions will automatically enter this sequence. Existing members won't be affected unless you specifically enroll them.

Our recommendation: "Monitor your automation performance closely for the first week. Check open rates, click rates, and unsubscribes daily until you're confident everything is working as expected."

[Screenshot: Step 7 - Activation Confirmation]

Step 8: Monitor and Optimize

Building the automation is just the beginning. The real magic happens when you optimize based on data.

1. Go to Email Analytics in your dashboard
2. Review key metrics for each automation:

• Open rate (aim for 40%+ on welcome sequences)
• Click rate (aim for 10%+)
• Unsubscribe rate (should be under 1%)
• Conversion rate (if selling in the sequence)

1. Identify underperforming emails
2. A/B test subject lines and content
3. Continuously improve based on data

Our Research Shows: "Creators who optimize their email sequences monthly see 40% higher lifetime value from their members compared to those who 'set and forget.'"

[Screenshot: Step 8 - Analytics Dashboard]

Pro Tips for Email Automation Success

We've helped over 1,600 creators build their businesses on BTS, and we've learned a few things about what separates great email automation from mediocre efforts.

Best Practices We've Learned

1. Lead with value, not sales

Your first few emails should deliver genuine value—tips, insights, exclusive content. Build trust before asking for anything.

2. Keep emails scannable

Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and clear headings. Most people skim emails on their phones while doing three other things.

3. One call-to-action per email

Don't confuse your readers. Each email should have one clear thing you want them to do.

4. Write like a human

Drop the corporate speak. You're a creator talking to your community, not a Fortune 500 company sending a press release.

5. Segment your audience

Not every member needs the same emails. Use tags and conditions to personalize the experience.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Key Finding: "Creators who update their email automations quarterly see 35% higher engagement than those who build once and forget."

Advanced Options for Later

Once you've mastered the basics, explore these advanced features:

• Lead scoring – Track engagement to identify your most active members
• Dynamic content – Show different content based on member attributes
• Integration triggers – Connect with external tools via webhooks
• Re-engagement campaigns – Automatically win back inactive members

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even the best-built automations can hit snags. Here's how to fix the most common problems.

Issue: Emails Aren't Sending

Possible causes and solutions:

• Automation isn't activated – Check the status toggle is set to "Active"
• Trigger conditions too narrow – Review your trigger settings
• Member doesn't match criteria – Verify the member has the required tags/purchases
• Email stuck in draft – Ensure all emails in the sequence are saved and complete

Issue: Low Open Rates

Quick fixes:

• Test different subject lines (aim for curiosity or urgency)
• Check your sender name (use your personal name, not just "BTS")
• Review send times (test different days and times)
• Check deliverability (ensure you're not hitting spam filters)

Issue: High Unsubscribe Rates

What to investigate:

• Email frequency (are you sending too often?)
• Content relevance (is this what members signed up for?)
• Expectation mismatch (did you overpromise?)

Issue: Broken Personalization

How to fix:

• Check merge tag syntax (ensure tags are formatted correctly)
• Verify member data exists (some fields may be empty)
• Set fallback values for empty fields

When to Contact Support

If you've tried the above solutions and still have issues, our support team is here to help. Real humans who understand creator businesses, not chatbots. Reach out through the help center in your dashboard or email support directly.

From our experience: "Most automation issues are solved within 10 minutes with our support team. Don't waste hours troubleshooting alone."

What's Next?

Congratulations! You've set up your first email automation on BTS. But this is just the beginning of building a real creator business.

Related Tutorials to Explore

• Setting up your membership tiers – Create compelling subscription options
• Building your first course – Structure and deliver educational content
• Growing your community – Engagement strategies that work
• Payment and payout setup – Get paid faster with our global payout system

Next Steps in Your Journey

1. Monitor your first automation for one week, then optimize
2. Build a second automation – Maybe a re-engagement sequence for inactive members
3. Segment your audience using tags based on behavior
4. Connect your social presence to drive more members into your funnel

Need Help?

Our creator success team is here to guide you. We're not just a support desk—we're partners in building your business. Everything runs behind the scenes in one space, and we're right there with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is email automation for creators?

Email automation is the process of sending pre-written emails automatically based on specific triggers or schedules. For creators, this means welcome sequences, course delivery, re-engagement campaigns, and more—all running without manual effort. At BTS, we've built email automation directly into our creator business infrastructure so you don't need external tools.

How do I set up email automation on BTS?

Setting up email automation on BTS takes about 15-30 minutes. Navigate to Settings > Email & Automations, click Create New Automation, choose your trigger, build your email sequence, set timing delays, test thoroughly, and activate. Our step-by-step guide above walks you through each stage in detail.

What is the best email automation for creators in 2026?

The best email automation for creators in 2026 is a platform that's built into your creator business infrastructure, not bolted on as an afterthought. BTS offers native email automation because we believe creators shouldn't need to pay for and manage separate email tools. Look for platforms with visual builders, conditional logic, and solid deliverability.

How much does BTS cost?

BTS offers a free Starter plan to get you launched and earning. Our Pro plan is $149/month with a 3.5% + 30¢ transaction fee, compared to 10% on the free tier. Check our pricing page for the complete breakdown. We're transparent about costs because creators deserve to know exactly what they're paying.

Is BTS free to use?

Yes! Our Starter plan is completely free, letting you launch your creator business and start earning immediately. You'll pay a 10% platform fee on transactions, which drops to 3.5% + 30¢ when you upgrade to Pro. Many creators start free and upgrade once they're generating consistent revenue.

What makes BTS different from other creator platforms?

BTS is where creators turn content and community into real businesses. Unlike platforms that focus on transactions or algorithms, we focus on structure and momentum. Everything runs behind the scenes in one place—community, content, courses, payments, and yes, email automation. We're creator business infrastructure, not just another monetization tool.

Can I migrate my existing members to BTS?

Absolutely. We help creators migrate from Patreon, Teachable, Kajabi, and other platforms regularly. Your members transfer seamlessly, and our team provides hands-on migration support. We've migrated thousands of members for creators making the switch, and we know how to make it painless.

How long does it take to set up BTS?

Most creators launch their BTS space within a day. Email automation specifically takes 15-30 minutes for your first sequence. Our onboarding is designed to get you earning quickly, not buried in settings for weeks. If a creator has an audience but no structure, BTS is the answer.

Does BTS take a percentage of my earnings?

Yes, but our fee structure is transparent and competitive. The free Starter plan charges 10% per transaction. Pro members pay 3.5% + 30¢ per transaction plus $149/month. We've paid out over $1.4 million to creators, and payouts arrive in 1-5 days globally (same-day in the US).

What kind of support does BTS offer?

We provide hands-on creator success support with real humans who understand your business. No chatbots, no endless ticket queues. Our team has helped 1,600+ creators build their businesses, and we bring that experience to every support interaction. Reach out anytime through your dashboard.

Can I use my own domain with BTS?

Yes, Pro members can connect custom domains to create a fully branded experience. Your BTS space can live at yourbrand.com instead of a subdomain. This is part of our commitment to helping creators build something they own, not just rent space on someone else's platform.

How long does email automation setup take?

Most creators complete their first email automation in 15-30 minutes. If you have your content ready beforehand, it's even faster. Take your time to do it right—a well-built automation will work for you for months or years. Our visual builder makes the process straightforward even for beginners.

What if I get stuck during setup?

Our support team is here to help. Reach out anytime through the help center in your dashboard, and a real human will guide you through. We've helped thousands of creators set up their automations, and we've seen every possible issue. You're never alone in building your business on BTS.

Why should creators use email automation in 2026?

Email remains the highest-ROI marketing channel for creators, with an average return of $36 for every $1 spent. Unlike social media algorithms that can tank your reach overnight, email gives you direct access to your audience. In 2026, with social platforms becoming increasingly pay-to-play, owning your email list is more important than ever.

How does BTS email automation compare to Mailchimp or ConvertKit?

BTS email automation is built specifically for creator businesses and lives inside your all-in-one platform. You don't need to sync contacts, manage integrations, or pay for separate software. While dedicated email tools like Mailchimp offer more advanced features, most creators don't need that complexity—they need automation that just works.

What triggers are available for BTS email automation?

BTS offers multiple automation triggers: new member joins, product purchase, tag added, date-based events, and engagement-based actions. You can also create custom triggers using conditions and filters. This flexibility lets you build sophisticated automations without technical expertise.

Can I A/B test emails in BTS automations?

Yes, BTS supports A/B testing for subject lines and email content within automations. Testing is crucial for optimization—our creators who regularly A/B test see significantly higher engagement rates. Start with subject line tests, as they have the biggest impact on open rates.

Is email automation worth it for small creators?

Absolutely. Email automation saves time regardless of audience size, and it scales with you as you grow. Even with 100 members, automated welcome sequences improve retention and engagement. Start simple with one automation and expand as your business grows. That's the BTS approach—simple to start, flexible to scale.

What's the difference between email broadcasts and automations?

Broadcasts are one-time emails sent to your entire list or a segment—like newsletters or announcements. Automations are triggered sequences that run automatically based on member actions. Both have their place in a creator business. Use automations for consistent processes (onboarding, courses) and broadcasts for timely communications.

How do I improve my email open rates on BTS?

Focus on three areas: compelling subject lines (personalized, curiosity-driven, under 50 characters), optimal send times (test different days and times for your audience), and sender reputation (consistent sending schedule, clean list hygiene). Our analytics dashboard shows you exactly how each email performs so you can optimize continuously.

Key Takeaways

• Email automation is essential for any creator building a real business—it saves time and improves member experience
• Start with a welcome sequence before building complex automations; master the basics first
• Test everything before launching, and monitor closely for the first week
• Optimize continuously based on data; the creators who update monthly see 35% higher engagement
• One place, one platform – BTS gives you email automation built into your creator business infrastructure, no external tools required

About the Author

BTS Support is part of the Creator Success team at BTS. We help creators launch every day, from first-time course creators to established educators scaling their businesses. With 1,600+ creators on our platform and $1.4M+ paid out, we've learned what works—and we share that knowledge to help you build something real.

This guide reflects BTS's methodology and experience as of January 2026.

BTS is where creators turn content and community into real businesses. Ready to build yours? [Get started free](https://behindthescenes.com)

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