Editing Create an automation from scratch (section)

== Step-by-Step Instructions ==
This section provides detailed instructions on setting up your automation.

=== Add a Start Trigger ===
To initiate your automation, you need to add a start trigger. We'll begin this automation whenever anyone is added to a list.

1. Click on the '''Add a start trigger''' action.
2. Select the '''Subscribes to a list''' trigger.
3. A modal window will appear. Choose the list from the dropdown that will begin the automation. In this example, we're choosing "Master List."
   * It's preferable to start this automation whenever someone is added to the list rather than having a separate trigger for each form.
4. Ensure this trigger action is configured to run '''Once'''. This means a contact will only enter your automation once through a specific trigger, regardless of how many times they meet the conditions.
5. Click '''Save''' to finalize the trigger configuration.

=== Add the "Send an Email" Action ===
Next, we will set up an action to send a welcome email to new subscribers.

1. Click the node (+) under the start trigger.
2. Click the '''Sending''' tab and select the '''Send an email''' option from the modal window.
3. Choose between '''Create a new email''' or '''Start from an existing email'''.
   * '''Create a new email''' allows you to generate an email with AI or a pre-designed template, or from scratch.
   * '''Start from an existing email''' uses a campaign (direct or automated) that you've previously created.
4. After selection, you'll be redirected to the campaign templates page. Use the dropdown menu under '''Or select a template''' to choose your preferred email designer.
5. Hover over your selected template and click the '''Select''' button that appears.
6. Configure the email details:
   * Create/edit the message name, subject line, preheader text, and sender information.
   * Enable/disable your email's tracking options by clicking on the '''Edit''' link in the Tracking section.
7. Click '''Done''' once you've made your selections.

=== Customize Your Welcome Email ===
To customize your email further:

1. Hover over the preview image and click '''Edit Design''' to open the email designer.
2. Click '''Blocks''' on the right pane to add new content blocks to your email layout.
3. To remove a block, mouse over it and click the ellipsis, then the trash icon that appears.
4. Click into a block to see various formatting options that will appear on the right pane or at the top of the campaign layout. 
5. After customization, click the '''Next''' button at the upper right corner to go to the email's summary page.

=== Review the Email Summary Page ===
From the email summary, you can:

* Confirm that all information is accurate.
* Send test emails to yourself or team members.
* Preview your message.
* See notifications of potential issues with your campaign that might trigger spam filters.

We recommend enabling '''Reply tracking''' for emails that contain calls to action. This data can be crucial for gauging engagement levels.

=== Adding a "Wait" Condition ===
To wait for contacts to interact with your email, you will use a '''Wait''' condition.

1. Click the node (+) under the '''Send an email''' action.
2. Click the '''Workflow''' tab and select the '''Wait''' option.
3. In the '''Add a Wait Condition''' window, choose between waiting for a '''set period of time''', '''Until a specific day and/or time''', or until conditions are met.
   * Select '''Until specific conditions are met''' to check for actions like clicking a link in your email.
4. Specify the conditions, such as '''Actions > Has clicked on a link''' in your welcome email.
5. You can choose to continue automation if conditions are not met within a specific time period.
6. Click '''Save'''.

=== Add "If/Else" Conditions ===
To apply tags based on the contact's actions, add an '''If/Else''' condition.

1. Click the node (+) below the '''Wait until conditions are met''' action.
2. Click the '''Workflow''' tab and select the '''If/else''' option.
3. Specify conditions based on your needs, such as whether they clicked a link.
4. Depending on whether contacts match the set conditions, they will follow the '''Yes''' or '''No''' path.
5. For the '''Yes''' path, add the action to '''Add a tag''' and specify a suitable tag for contacts who clicked the link.
6. For the '''No''' path, repeat this step for contacts who opened the email but didn’t click, and further tag those who didn’t engage at all.

This segmented tagging can help you structure different follow-up automations or campaigns tailored to user behavior.

=== Improve This Automation ===
To enhance the automation, consider adding actions such as increasing contact scores based on interactions. Changes in messaging should reflect whether the contact engaged or not; continuous following up with disinterested contacts may lead to higher unsubscribes or spam complaints.