Hey Lena,

Let’s play a game.

Which email would you rather get?

Email A:

“You’ve been tagged as a new subscriber. Please expect future emails on Tuesdays. This message was triggered by your opt-in. Click here to adjust your preferences.”

or...

Email B:

“Hey Lena —

I saw you grabbed the Seasonal Promo Guide 👀
I think you’re gonna love what’s coming your way.

If you’re planning a launch or just trying to email more consistently, this next email might be your new secret weapon.

Talk soon —
Lena (yep, I’m also named Lena 😄)”

Both emails were technically automated.
Both were triggered by an action.
Both used a tag.

But only one feels like it came from a human. 💌

Today’s lesson?
👉 Automation tools don’t break trust. Tone does.

Let’s fix that.

Before we dive in, let’s clear up the nerdy stuff:

·       Tags are like digital post-its.
They label subscribers based on what they do (downloaded X, clicked Y, bought Z).

·       Triggers are the “if this, then that” magic.
If someone signs up for your free guide → send email sequence.

·       Segments group people together based on shared data (like “all subscribers who opened a launch email” or “people who haven’t bought yet”).

When used with intention?
These tools let you deliver exactly the right message to the right person at the right time.

When used without heart?
They create a cold, impersonal inbox experience that feels like spam in sheep’s clothing.

Here’s how to think about it:

✨ Automation should start the conversation — not end it.

Let’s say someone signs up for your “Client-Attracting Email Templates” freebie.

With tags + triggers, you can:

·       ✅ Send a warm welcome email immediately

·       ✅ Automatically follow up with tips that deepen the value

·       ✅ Segment them into a “new to email” group

·       ✅ Offer a paid upgrade only if they’re engaged

Now you’ve done three things:

1.     Served with generosity

2.     Honored their time

3.     Created space for actual connection (not just data points)

And you didn’t have to “manually” follow up 100 times. 🙌

Too many people automate without intention.

Before setting up anything, ask yourself:

💭 “What would I say to this person if we were on a Zoom call?”

Then… write that.

Automation tools are only as soulful as the inputs you give them.

If you load your system with salesy scripts?
You get salesy outputs.

If you load it with honesty, heart, and your actual voice?
You get connection at scale.

Here’s a cheat sheet Lena will love (and probably print out):

Use your energy for the real-time moments that matter.
Let tags and triggers handle the rest.

Here’s a client fave automation:

·       You send an email with three links:

1.     I want help with email

2.     I want help with client onboarding

3.     I want help selling my services

Each link adds a different tag.

Each tag triggers a single, relevant follow-up email.
No funnel. No overwhelm. No weirdness.

Just:

“Hey — saw you clicked about onboarding.
I wrote this short guide because I used to spend hours onboarding new clients… and I wanted to cry.
Maybe it’ll help you too.”

Magic. ✨

It’s not just “personalization.”
It’s personalization with personality.

Want to add more you into your automations?

Add this as a follow-up email 2–3 days after someone clicks or downloads:

Subject: “Still thinking about what you clicked…”

Hey [First Name] —

I saw you grabbed [resource name] the other day.
Made me wonder: What made that topic stand out to you?

If you’re stuck or swirling, hit reply and tell me what’s going on.
I’m all ears (and I actually read every reply).

No bot. Just me.

— Lena

Use this once and you’ll never go back.

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

Subscribe to 1440 today.

The real power of automation isn’t speed or scale.
It’s specificity.

When someone feels like you’re talking just to them — and not your whole list — they lean in.

Use tags and triggers to show you’re paying attention.
Then show up like you care.

Because you do.

📜 “Let your system send. Let your heart respond.”

Are your current automations feeling too stiff, too cold, or too robotic?

Reply and drop the word "Audit" — I’ll take a peek at your welcome or promo sequence and share 1 soulful upgrade you can make today.

📥 Save this to your “Automation Ideas” folder
📣 Share it with a friend who thinks segments are scary (they’re not 👻)

1.     Tags, triggers & a human touch
Pre-header: Because you’re not a machine.

2.     Let your system do the work. You bring the soul.
Pre-header: A better way to do automation.

3.     The soulful segmentation cheat sheet.
Pre-header: Automate this. Stay human here.

Meet AI Scale Stack—an opinionated system that helps solopreneurs ship more, sell more, and save 10+ hours a week.

Load a workflow, follow the checklist, and turn one idea into a newsletter, three posts, and a clear CTA—without tool overload. Ready for momentum?

Send me the Stack. https://aiscalestack.com/new

(Affiliate link — I only recommend tools I personally use and love.)