Email automations: how to set up welcome emails, lead nurturing flows, and re-engagement campaigns

One of the most valuable aspects of email marketing is the ability to create automations so that some of your core marketing functions are running on autopilot, without the need for you to manage them each time.

In this article, we'll explore some of the most fundamental email marketing automations for your coworking space.

These automations: 

  • Nurture leads at different stages of their journey
  • Send timely and relevant content
  • Create meaningful touchpoints with both prospective and current members. 

We’ll also explore how you can tailor your automations based on different membership tiers, ensuring that your messaging feels personal and relevant at every stage.

1. Welcome Email Series: Setting the Tone from the Start

The most important email in any automation series is the welcome email. This is your first chance to make a strong impression and start building a relationship with your new subscribers. 

Whether they signed up for your newsletter, booked a tour, or downloaded a lead magnet, the welcome email should introduce them to your coworking space, highlight the value you offer, and invite them to take the next step.

Crafting the Perfect Welcome Email

Your welcome email should be warm and engaging, and it should set the tone for what subscribers can expect from future communications. 

It should include:

  • A personalized greeting
  • An introduction to your space
  • Next steps you want them to take, whether it’s booking a tour, attending an event, or taking advantage of a free trial

Remember: your welcome email will need to be tailored based on where the contact came from. Your welcome email for a newsletter subscriber will be different from one for someone who submitted a contact form.

You can also use this opportunity to solicit engagement or gather additional information.

​​Using Your Welcome Email to Solicit Deeper Data

Welcome emails are more than just introductions—they’re a chance to learn more about your subscribers.

The forms on your website often have to be simple, requesting minimal amounts of data in order to minimize the barrier to entry.

Once someone has subscribed, though, you have an opportunity to ask for more insight.

You can do this by simply asking them to respond. Or, if you want to get a bit more sophisticated about it, you can leverage link triggers—clickable links in an email that help gather insights about subscribers' preferences and behaviors based on what they interact with. 

In the context of a coworking space, these triggers can subtly collect data for segmentation without overwhelming the subscriber by asking things like:

  • What industry do you work in?
  • What is your role or title?
  • Where are you located?
  • What would you like to hear from us?
  • What are your workspace needs?

These insights can help you to better tag or segment your audience so that you can send them more specific communications. 

Just make sure your queries make sense given the context of the lead (newsletter, contact us, book a tour, etc).

Welcome Series

Your welcome email can also be the first in a welcome series, which spans several emails designed to nurture new leads over time. 

Here’s an example of how a welcome series might look for someone who submitted a “Contact Us” form:

  1. Email 1 (Immediately after sign-up): Welcome to the space, introduce what you offer, and invite them to book a tour or free trial.
  2. Email 2 (2 days later): Share success stories or case studies of members who have benefited from your coworking space.
  3. Email 3 (5 days later): Highlight specific amenities or features, such as private offices, meeting rooms, or networking events.
  4. Email 4 (7 days later): Offer a limited-time promotion to encourage a visit or sign-up (e.g., “Get 10% off your first month’s membership—book now!”).

2. Lead Nurturing Sequences: Keeping Potential Members Engaged

Not every lead will be ready to book a tour or sign up for a membership right away. This is where lead nurturing sequences come into play. 

These automated email series are designed to keep potential members engaged, educate them about the benefits of coworking, and guide them through the sales funnel until they’re ready to commit.

How to Identify Funnel Stages Through Lead Sources

Understanding where a lead is in the buyer’s journey is essential for creating a tailored nurturing sequence. Each lead enters your funnel with a different level of familiarity and intent, and their entry point often reveals which stage they’re in. By identifying this, you can craft messaging that meets them where they are.

Top of the Funnel (Awareness Stage)

At the top of the funnel, leads are just beginning to explore coworking. They may not fully understand what coworking is or how it can benefit them, but they’re curious. These leads are in the research phase and are looking for general information to help them decide if coworking aligns with their needs.

How They Entered:

  • Signed up for your newsletter to learn more about coworking.
  • Downloaded a beginner-focused guide like “What is Coworking?”
  • Clicked on a general ad about the benefits of coworking or flexible workspaces.

What It Means:

These leads are seeking education, not a hard sell. They need content that builds awareness and trust while introducing coworking as a solution.

Middle of the Funnel (Consideration Stage)

Leads in the middle of the funnel are actively evaluating coworking as an option. They’ve moved past initial curiosity and are now comparing coworking spaces to find the best fit for their needs.

How They Entered:

  • Filled out a “Contact Us” form to inquire about pricing or amenities.
  • Attended a webinar or downloaded a resource like “How to Choose the Right Coworking Space.”
  • Clicked on links in emails highlighting specific services or community benefits.

What It Means:

These leads are narrowing down their options and need content that highlights why your space stands out. They’re looking for detailed information to aid their decision-making process.

Bottom of the Funnel (Decision Stage)

At the bottom of the funnel, leads are ready to make a decision. They’ve likely narrowed their choices to one or two coworking spaces and need reassurance or a small nudge to commit.

How They Entered:

  • Booked a tour or claimed a free day pass.
  • Engaged with promotional emails offering discounts or incentives.
  • Clicked on ads or pages promoting membership tiers or exclusive offers.

What It Means:

These leads are highly engaged and close to converting. Your messaging should focus on removing barriers, addressing final concerns, and making the sign-up process seamless.

How to Build an Effective Lead Nurturing Sequence

Once you’ve identified where a lead is in the funnel, the next step is to craft an email sequence tailored to their specific stage. The goal is to deliver relevant, timely content that nurtures the relationship and guides them toward a decision.

Top of the Funnel (Awareness Stage)

For leads in the awareness stage, focus on providing educational content that introduces coworking and highlights its benefits. Your messaging should build trust and position your coworking space as a helpful resource.

Example Emails:

  1. “What is Coworking? Discover the Benefits of Flexible Workspaces”: Explain the concept of coworking and its advantages, such as flexibility, networking, and productivity.
  2. “Why Choose [Your Coworking Space]? Here’s What Makes Us Different”: Introduce your space with a high-level overview, focusing on your unique value proposition.

Middle of the Funnel (Consideration Stage)

In the consideration stage, your content should help leads evaluate your coworking space and showcase what makes it stand out. Focus on features, success stories, and the value your space provides.

Example Emails:

  • Take a Virtual Tour: Explore Our Private Offices and Hot Desks”: Share a video or interactive virtual tour to help leads visualize your space.
  • “Member Testimonials: How [Your Space] Helped [Member Name] Grow Their Business”: Highlight real success stories that demonstrate the impact of your coworking space.

Bottom of the Funnel (Decision Stage)

For leads at the decision stage, your emails should focus on driving action by removing barriers and offering incentives. Use clear, compelling calls to action to make it easy for them to commit.

Example Emails:

  • “Limited-Time Offer: Book a Free Tour and Get 10% Off Your First Month”: Create urgency with an exclusive discount to encourage quick action.
  • “Ready to Join Us? Claim Your Free Day Pass Today”: Offer a low-risk opportunity to try your space, making the decision process effortless.

4. Re-Engagement Campaigns: Bringing Back Inactive Leads

At some point, you’ll have leads who stop engaging with your emails. That doesn’t mean they’re a lost cause—it just means it’s time to re-engage them. 

Automated re-engagement campaigns can help bring inactive leads back into the fold, whether by offering a new incentive, sharing exciting updates about your space, or simply reminding them of the value you provide.

How to Run an Effective Re-Engagement Campaign

  • Start with a friendly reminder: “We’ve missed you! Here’s what’s new at [Your Coworking Space].”
  • Offer something new: “Come back and try a free day of coworking—no strings attached!”
  • Highlight community and benefits: “Join a vibrant community and unlock productivity with our coworking spaces.”

The goal here is to rekindle interest by showing them what they’ve been missing and giving them a reason to re-engage.

5. Event-Driven Automations: Timely Touchpoints for More Engagement

Event-driven automations are powerful because they allow you to send highly relevant emails based on specific actions or behaviors. For coworking spaces, some key event triggers might include:

  • Tour Bookings: When someone books a tour, send them a confirmation email with details about what to expect, followed by a post-tour email asking for feedback or offering a special promotion.
  • Meeting Room Bookings: After someone books a meeting room, automate a follow-up asking how their experience was and offering a discount on their next booking.
  • Membership Renewal: Set up automations to remind members when it’s time to renew their membership, highlighting any new features or benefits they’ll enjoy by continuing with your space.

Now that we’ve explored the nuances of welcome emails, lead nurturing, and re-engagement campaigns, you should have a clear understanding of how to build meaningful touchpoints and guide leads through the buyer’s journey. 

Remember, your coworking space is unique, and your email automations should align with your brand and your funnel. 

However, using these general techniques, you should be ready to create targeted, relevant, and impactful strategies. 

In the next chapter, we’ll build on this foundation by diving into how to craft an effective email marketing schedule for your coworking space. 

With your automated campaigns in place, consistency becomes key. In the next chapter, we’ll show you how to create a well-structured email marketing schedule that keeps your communication on track.

Learn to Grow Your Coworking Business with Email Marketing (Without Spending a Dime)

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