Automation & Workflows

Overview

CloudCusp Mailer provides a powerful automation system that enables you to build sophisticated workflows triggered by user actions, emails, or schedules. Design complex automation sequences with conditional logic, delays, and multi-step workflows to nurture subscribers and drive engagement.

Automation Basics

What is Automation?

Automation workflows are series of actions triggered by specific events and executed based on defined conditions. Build subscriber journeys without manual intervention.

Key Benefits:

Save time with automated processes
Improve consistency in subscriber communication
Increase engagement through timely messages
Nurture leads automatically
Reduce manual task workload

Trigger Types

Triggers are the starting point for automation workflows. Available triggers include:

Subscriber Events

Subscriber Added

Triggered when new subscriber added to list
Use for welcome sequences
Ideal for first contact engagement

Subscriber Added to List

Triggered when subscriber added to specific list
Different workflows per list
Setup list-specific welcome sequences

Subscriber Removed from List

Triggered when subscriber removed from list
Cleanup operations
Win-back campaigns

Subscriber Status Changed

Triggered when subscriber status changes (confirmed, unsubscribed, etc.)
Different actions per status
Compliance tracking

Tag Added to Subscriber

Triggered when tag applied to subscriber
Segment-based automation
Behavior-triggered workflows

Tag Removed from Subscriber

Triggered when tag removed from subscriber
Negative action tracking
Status change automation

Subscriber Updated

Triggered when any subscriber data changes
Field-specific workflows
Data synchronization

Email Events

Email Sent

Triggered when email successfully delivered
Send follow-up emails
Track delivery confirmation

Email Opened

Triggered when subscriber opens email
Send follow-up content
High-engagement workflows
Re-engagement sequences

Email Link Clicked

Triggered when subscriber clicks link in email
Send relevant follow-up
Interest-based routing
Track interest level

Email Bounced

Triggered when email delivery fails
Attempt resend with different method
Update subscriber information
List cleanup

Email Complained

Triggered when subscriber marks as spam
Automatic unsubscribe
Logging and monitoring
Reputation protection

Campaign Events

Campaign Created

Triggered when campaign is created
Auto-populate default data
Setup notifications

Campaign Sent

Triggered when campaign sending completes
Generate reports
Trigger follow-up workflows

Campaign Completed

Triggered when all campaign emails sent
Archive emails
Send summary reports

Post/Content Events

Post Published

Triggered when WordPress post published
Auto-send to subscribers
Newsletter campaigns
Notification emails

Post Updated

Triggered when post updated
Notify subscribers of changes
Content update campaigns

Time-based Triggers

Scheduled Time

Trigger at specific date/time
Recurring schedules
Daily, weekly, monthly triggers
Setup nurture sequences

Subscriber Birthday

Trigger on subscriber's birthday
Send birthday offers
Personalized campaigns

List Subscription Anniversary

Trigger yearly on subscription date
Loyalty rewards
Re-engagement campaigns

Custom Webhooks

Incoming Webhook

Trigger from external system
CRM integration
Third-party service events
Custom application logic

Workflow Builder

Visual Editor

The automation workflow builder provides an intuitive visual interface:

Features:

Drag-and-drop workflow design
Node-based visual representation
Automatic line bridging between nodes
Zoom and pan capabilities
Cloning and duplication
State persistence
Blueprint system for templates

Workflow Structure

Components:

Trigger Node: Starting point (event that initiates workflow)
Action Nodes: Steps to execute (send email, add tag, etc.)
Condition Nodes: Decision points (if/then logic)
Delay Nodes: Wait periods between actions
Flow Control: Connect nodes to build sequence

Step Types

Send Email

Send email to subscriber:

Configuration:

Select email template
Use merge tags for personalization
Set send delay (immediate or timed)
Conditional sending based on criteria

Email Template:

Hi {first_name},

Thank you for subscribing to {site_name}.

Check out our latest content...

Best regards,
{site_name}

Add Tag

Apply tag to subscriber:

Configuration:

Select tag to add
Immediate or conditional
Workflow-specific tags
Track workflow progression

Remove Tag

Remove tag from subscriber:

Use Cases:

Mark step completed by removing "needs_welcome" tag
Segment management
Cleanup after workflow completion

Update Subscriber

Modify subscriber fields:

Updatable Fields:

First/last name
Phone number
Address information
Custom fields
Preferences
Timezone

Add to List

Subscribe to additional lists:

Use Cases:

Move subscriber to secondary list
Add to nurture sequence list
Segment-based list management

Remove from List

Unsubscribe from list:

Use Cases:

Cleanup after workflow
Prevent duplicate sends
Move to different list

Change Status

Update subscriber status:

Available Statuses:

Subscribed (activate subscriber)
Unsubscribed (opt-out)
Pending (await confirmation)

Use Cases:

Auto-unsubscribe bounced email
Mark as confirmed
Reactivate subscriber

Delay

Pause workflow execution:

Delay Types:

Fixed duration (hours, days, weeks)
Until specific date/time
Until next business day
Until subscriber timezone time

Examples:

Wait 2 days before follow-up email
Delay until 9 AM subscriber time
Pause until date field value

Condition

Branch workflow based on conditions:

Condition Types:

Subscriber Field: Check subscriber data
List Membership: Verify list subscription
Tag Status: Check if tag applied
Email Engagement: Track opens/clicks
Date Range: Time-based conditions
Custom Logic: Complex conditions

Examples:

IF subscriber location = "United States"
THEN send US-specific email
ELSE send generic email

IF email opened
THEN send follow-up content
ELSE send reminder

IF subscriber lifetime_value > 500
THEN send VIP offer
ELSE send standard offer

Send Push Notification

Send push notification to subscriber:

Features:

Select notification template
Browser push notifications
Mobile app notifications
Merge tags for personalization

Webhook Call

Send data to external system:

Configuration:

Select webhook endpoint
Map subscriber data to payload
Handle responses
Error handling

Workflow Examples

Welcome Sequence

Nurture new subscribers:

Trigger: Subscriber Added
│
├─→ [IMMEDIATE] Send Welcome Email
│
├─→ [DELAY 2 days]
│
├─→ Send First Content Email
│
├─→ [DELAY 3 days]
│
├─→ Condition: Did subscriber open previous email?
│   ├─ YES: Send Advanced Content
│   └─ NO: Send Different Content
│
└─→ [DELAY 5 days]
    └─→ Send Special Offer

Re-engagement Sequence

Win back inactive subscribers:

Trigger: Scheduled Time (Weekly)
│
├─→ Condition: Last activity > 90 days?
│   ├─ YES: Continue
│   └─ NO: Stop
│
├─→ Add Tag "re_engagement_inprogress"
│
├─→ Send Re-engagement Email
│
├─→ [DELAY 7 days]
│
├─→ Condition: Email opened or clicked?
│   ├─ YES: Add Tag "re_engaged" & Stop
│   └─ NO: Continue
│
├─→ Send Second Attempt Email
│
├─→ [DELAY 7 days]
│
├─→ Condition: Email opened or clicked?
│   ├─ YES: Add Tag "re_engaged" & Stop
│   └─ NO: Unsubscribe

Lead Scoring Workflow

Score leads based on engagement:

Trigger: Email Opened / Link Clicked
│
├─→ Add Tag "[engagement_step_1]"
│
├─→ Update Subscriber "engagement_score" +10
│
├─→ Condition: engagement_score > 50?
│   ├─ YES: Add Tag "hot_lead"
│   └─ NO: Continue monitoring
│
├─→ [Webhook] Send to CRM
│
└─→ Notify Sales Team

Birthday Campaign

Send personalized birthday offers:

Trigger: Subscriber Birthday
│
├─→ Condition: Birthday is today?
│   ├─ YES: Continue
│   └─ NO: Stop
│
├─→ Send Birthday Special Offer Email
│
├─→ [DELAY 2 days]
│
├─→ Condition: Email opened?
│   ├─ YES: Send Follow-up Offer
│   └─ NO: Send Last Chance Email
│
└─→ Remove "birthday_campaign" Tag

Conditional Logic

Condition Builder

Create complex conditional branches:

Condition Operators:

Equals: Field = value
Not Equals: Field ≠ value
Contains: Text contains substring
Greater Than: Numeric comparison
Less Than: Numeric comparison
Is Empty: Field has no value
Is Not Empty: Field has value
In List: Value in predefined list

Logical Operators:

AND: All conditions must be true
OR: At least one condition must be true
NOT: Condition must be false

Nested Conditions:

IF (List = "Newsletter" AND Status = "Subscribed")
  OR (Tag = "VIP")
THEN Send Premium Content

Automation Management

View Automations

List all active automations:

Go to CloudCusp Mailer → Automation
View all automations with status
Sort by name, trigger, or date
Search for specific automation

Automation Status:

Active: Currently running
Paused: Temporarily disabled
Completed: All executions finished
Draft: Saved but not active

Create New Automation

Build new workflow:

Click Create Automation
Name the automation
Select trigger event
Add workflow steps
Configure conditions
Test before publishing
Publish/Activate

Edit Automation

Modify existing workflows:

Go to CloudCusp Mailer → Automation
Click automation to edit
Modify trigger or steps
Test changes
Save and republish

Note: Editing affects only new runs, not active subscriptions

Pause/Resume

Control active automations:

Pause: Stop new subscribers from entering
Resume: Reactivate workflow
Keep History: View past runs

Delete Automation

Remove workflow permanently:

Archive instead of delete (recommended)
Delete with or without history
Cannot be recovered

Automation Analytics

Workflow Performance

Monitor automation effectiveness:

Metrics:

Total subscribers entered workflow
Current active subscribers
Completed workflows
Step-by-step execution stats
Conversion rates
Error tracking

Detailed Logs

View workflow execution details:

Subscriber progression through workflow
Step execution timestamps
Condition results
Error messages
Retry attempts

Best Practices

Workflow Design

Clear Triggers: Choose specific, relevant triggers
Meaningful Steps: Each step should have purpose
Test Thoroughly: Test workflow before publishing
Monitor Performance: Check analytics regularly
Optimize Delays: Balance engagement and frequency

Compliance

Respect Preferences: Honor subscriber preferences
Limit Frequency: Don't over-send
Provide Value: Send relevant content
Easy Unsubscribe: Always provide opt-out
GDPR Compliant: Respect data rights

Performance

Start Simple: Build complexity gradually
Use Conditions: Filter subscribers efficiently
Monitor Resources: Watch system performance
Archive Old: Clean up completed workflows
Test Changes: Validate before publishing

Automation & Workflows ​

Overview ​

Automation Basics ​

What is Automation? ​

Trigger Types ​

Subscriber Events ​

Email Events ​

Campaign Events ​

Post/Content Events ​

Time-based Triggers ​

Custom Webhooks ​

Workflow Builder ​

Visual Editor ​

Workflow Structure ​

Step Types ​

Send Email ​

Add Tag ​

Remove Tag ​

Update Subscriber ​

Add to List ​

Remove from List ​

Change Status ​

Delay ​

Condition ​

Send Push Notification ​

Webhook Call ​

Workflow Examples ​

Welcome Sequence ​

Re-engagement Sequence ​

Lead Scoring Workflow ​

Birthday Campaign ​

Conditional Logic ​

Condition Builder ​

Automation Management ​

View Automations ​

Create New Automation ​

Edit Automation ​

Pause/Resume ​

Delete Automation ​

Automation Analytics ​

Workflow Performance ​

Detailed Logs ​

Best Practices ​

Workflow Design ​

Compliance ​

Performance ​

Automation & Workflows

Overview

Automation Basics

What is Automation?

Trigger Types

Subscriber Events

Email Events

Campaign Events

Post/Content Events

Time-based Triggers

Custom Webhooks

Workflow Builder

Visual Editor

Workflow Structure

Step Types

Send Email

Add Tag

Remove Tag

Update Subscriber

Add to List

Remove from List

Change Status

Delay

Condition

Send Push Notification

Webhook Call

Workflow Examples

Welcome Sequence

Re-engagement Sequence

Lead Scoring Workflow

Birthday Campaign

Conditional Logic

Condition Builder

Automation Management

View Automations

Create New Automation

Edit Automation

Pause/Resume

Delete Automation

Automation Analytics

Workflow Performance

Detailed Logs

Best Practices

Workflow Design

Compliance

Performance