So what are email sequences?
In short, they are a series of emails that are created to be whatsapp number database sent automatically to a contact or group of contacts. These emails are usually either time-based or trigger-based. In the case of Vtiger, our email sequences can be set up in stages, where after the first email is sent, the emails in later stages are based on whether the previous email was opened and the time period chosen after that trigger.
There are specific situations for these sequences, some professionals have long lists of sequences that can be used. In the case of Vtiger, we want to help the sales team save time and maintain a consistent tone with their email. It’s no secret that maintaining consistent contact with prospects can be difficult, especially if you have dozens or hundreds of prospects you reach out to on a weekly basis. I believe there are four main problems that email sequences can help with in Vtiger:
Context can be lost over time, so a lot of time is wasted searching through previous email conversations. This becomes more apparent as follow-up is needed for the lead. This can be addressed with email sequences, as emails are already written and ready to be sent in a specific sequence.
Follow-ups can often be forgotten. This is a very common problem for anyone in sales. With so many conversations happening in a day, it can be easy to miss an email that should have been sent. Email sequences automate this process so that follow-ups are not forgotten.
The quality of follow-up can deteriorate over time. Time and effort are often given to more active leads if others do not initially respond. This can have detrimental effects and ultimately lead to lost sales. As mentioned in the first issue, with sequences, emails can be written in advance, ensuring that the content and quality of each email is impeccable.
The fourth point seems more obvious to me, but it’s worth noting. A lot of time is spent each day simply tracking and sending follow-up emails to leads. With sequences, this process is automated and frees up time to focus on more pressing matters.
Before I dive into how this process can be used in Vtiger, I first want to give you some examples of sequences you can use for your business. I want to focus on three that I find most useful:
1. The leading sequence of education
This sequence is a bit obvious from the name. Keeping in touch with leads, whether they are hot or cold, is vital to the sales process. It is often helpful to create a sequence for each industry the client deals with. This may mean creating separate sequences for leads in real estate, healthcare, government, etc.
Automating your customer service can help you and your product stay top of mind with your customer. With many emails, especially emails from email campaigns or sequences. Email sequences allow you to automatically send follow-up emails based on whether previous emails have been opened. This can increase the likelihood that the lead will open the email since more messages will be sent.
2. Switch-on sequence
I know this is especially helpful for us here at Vtiger. We want to make sure that customers are using the software we offer to its fullest and most effective potential. Emails that help direct customers to our online support resources and contact information can help us connect, better understand their business needs, and help them with any setup needs.
3. Repeat the sequence of clients
Why is it important to reach out to existing customers? Smallbiztrends.com shared some statistics that give some insight into this, but I found the most important one to be this: “The probability of selling to an existing customer is 60-70 percent. The probability of selling to a new prospect is 5-20 percent.”
These statistics highlight how important it is to stay in touch and retain loyal customers. These emails can be as simple as mentioning a new product release or a discount being offered. This can help increase sales and show that you care about your existing customers as much as your potential ones.
How to create sequences in Vtiger
Email sequences differ from email campaigns in that they offer a more personalized, automated process for sending emails to contacts. We took this into account when structuring email sequences for Vtiger.
Before creating your first email sequence in Vtiger CRM, there are two prerequisites that need to be met.
Set up your inbox with your work-related email address
Check your email address
Once these two steps are complete, you can begin creating your sequence. First, you will want to access the Email Sequences module. This can be found by first going to the Sales dropdown and then selecting Email Sequences under the Sales Enablement section.
This should take you to the screen below with one example sequence that was created for the CRM. We'll ignore this sequence and instead click the "New Sequence" button in the top right corner.