Drip Campaign

What is a Drip Campaign?

A drip campaign is a series of pre-written emails sent automatically to prospects or customers over time, triggered by specific actions, schedules, or conditions. Unlike one-time broadcasts, drip campaigns nurture relationships through strategic, sequenced touchpoints.

Drip Campaign Types:

Type	Trigger	Purpose
Welcome Series	New subscriber signup	Introduce brand, set expectations
Onboarding	New customer activation	Drive product adoption
Re-engagement	Inactivity period	Win back dormant users
Nurture	Content download	Move through funnel
Abandoned Cart	Ecommerce action	Recover lost sales

Each email in the sequence builds on the previous one, creating a cohesive narrative that moves recipients toward a specific action.

Why Drip Campaigns Matter

Email automation generates 320% more revenue than broadcast emails. Drip campaigns allow you to scale personalized communication without manual effort for every message.

Strategic Advantages:

• Consistency: Every lead gets the same quality follow-up
• Scalability: One sequence serves thousands of prospects
• Timeliness: Automated triggers ensure right-time delivery
• Personalization: Content adapts based on recipient data
• Nurturing: Long-term relationship building without daily effort
• Conversion: Guided path toward desired outcomes

The 3-7-7 Framework: Proven cadence for cold outreach—email, follow-up after 3 days, final after 7 more days.

Benchmarks

Metric	Automated/Drip	Broadcast/One-time
Open Rate	45.38%	40.08%
Click Rate	5.02%	3.84%
Revenue Generated	320% higher	Baseline

Sequence Performance:

• Optimal length: 5-7 emails for most campaigns
• Engagement peak: Email 2-3 typically sees highest engagement
• Diminishing returns: After email 7, response drops significantly
• Timing: Space emails 3-5 days apart for B2B

Best Practices

1. Map the Journey: Design sequence around recipient's decision process
2. Start Strong: First email must capture attention immediately
3. Provide Value: Every email should offer something useful
4. Clear CTA: Each message has one specific next step
5. Test Timing: Experiment with spacing between emails
6. Segment by Behavior: Trigger different sequences based on actions
7. Monitor Engagement: Remove non-responders after 5-7 touches
8. Set Exit Rules: Don't email people who've converted or unsubscribed

Common Mistakes

• Making every email a sales pitch (prospects tune out)
• Too many emails in sequence (causes unsubscribes)
• Too few touches (doesn't give enough chances to respond)
• Ignoring list segmentation (one size doesn't fit all)
• Not setting clear stop conditions (harasses non-responders)
• Forgetting to update content (dated references kill credibility)
• Sending at bad times (ignores time zones and work schedules)
• No personalization beyond first name

Key Takeaways

• Drip campaigns are automated email sequences sent over time
• Automated emails generate 320% more revenue than broadcasts
• 5-7 emails with 3-5 day spacing is optimal for most B2B sequences
• Each email should provide value, not just pitch
• Set clear exit rules to avoid over-messaging
• Trigger sequences based on behavior, not just time
• The 3-7-7 cadence works well: email, 3-day follow-up, 7-day final
• Drip campaigns scale personalized nurturing without manual effort

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Sources:

• 12 Email Drip Campaign Best Practices That Work in 2025 - Instantly
• Drip Email Campaigns: Best Practices, KPIs, Examples - MoEngage