Email Automation Checklist

Operational steps a lifecycle or email marketer runs to launch and maintain an automated email program — from segment build through deliverability authentication, send QA, and post-send analytics review.

5 sections 26 steps Collects data
1

Audience Segmentation

  1. Define the segment criteria and ICP
  2. Pull the segment from the MAP or CDP
  3. Separate EU and Canada audiences for consent
  4. Suppress against the global unsubscribe list
  5. Confirm the segment audience type
2

Content & Creative

  1. Draft subject line and preheader variants
  2. Build the email in the MAP template
  3. Apply UTM parameters to every link
  4. Add the physical address and unsubscribe footer
  5. Configure the A/B subject line split
3

Automation Workflow Build

  1. Map the trigger, branches, and exit criteria
  2. Set the entry trigger and goal event
  3. Configure suppression and re-entry rules
  4. Send a seed test to the QA inbox group
  5. Render-check in Litmus or Email on Acid
4

Compliance & Deliverability

  1. Verify SPF, DKIM, and DMARC alignment
  2. Confirm consent basis for the audience
    Collects list
  3. Run the list health and bounce check
    Collects list
  4. Run a re-engagement campaign before broad send

    • Dormant lists tank sender reputation on a broad send. Run a 2-3 email re-engagement series, then sunset non-responders before the main campaign. Send from a sub-domain isolated from your primary sending IP if reputation is already shaky.

  5. Capture separate consent flow for EU and Canada

    • GDPR and CASL require express opt-in — a US-style cookie banner accept does not count as marketing consent. Confirm the EU and Canada cohorts came in through a double opt-in or express-consent form, not from a list import or US-only signup.

  6. Sign off on legal and brand review
    Collects list Collects paragraph Collects signature
5

Launch & Performance Review

  1. Schedule the send in the MAP
  2. Verify GA4 conversion events fire on test

    • Click a tracked link from the seed test, complete the goal action, and confirm the conversion event lands in GA4 DebugView with the expected source/medium/campaign UTMs. Mis-mapped events are a common reason reported ROAS diverges from reality.

  3. Monitor 24-hour bounce and complaint rate

    • Hard bounce rate above 2% or complaint rate above 0.1% is a deliverability red flag. Pause the next wave, isolate the offending segment, and remediate before continuing.

  4. Review opens, CTR, and conversion at 7 days
  5. Publish the campaign report to stakeholders
    Collects file

Use this template

Copy it to your account, customize the steps, and run it with your team in minutes.

Use this workflow Start free trial
Sections 5
Steps 26
Category Marketing
Price Free to start
Need a different process

Browse hundreds of free templates across every team and industry.

Back to template library

Related templates

More workflows your team can run.

Marketing

Marketing Performance Review Checklist

View
Marketing

Social Media Content Calendar Checklist

View
Marketing

Marketing Team Employee Onboarding Checklist

View
Marketing

Off-Page SEO Checklist

View

Run Email Automation Checklist with your team

Customize the steps, assign roles, set a schedule, and keep a complete record for every run.

Use this workflow Start free trial