17 Welcome Email Templates to Engage New Subscribers

Once people join your email list, it’s time to send some eye-catching welcome emails to start things off on the right foot and engage your new subscribers. In this article, we’ll share different email templates to choose from, along with some of the best welcome email examples we’ve seen. Let’s get started. 

With the right advice and tools, anyone can write an engaging welcome email that gets your audience excited. These tips will help you hit the ground running.

Consider your type of business and the goal of your emails as you look through these welcome email examples and templates. This will help you narrow down the choices to find the welcome message that best suits your needs. 

We’re going to kick this off with a snippet from one of our very own welcome messages for subscribers. We like to welcome new Flodesk members with helpful information on how to make the most of their account. 

In our first welcome email, we break down the three steps to setting up your account with branding, templates, and more with links to follow each step within the product. The welcome email copy is short and simple with complementary images. 

Create your own welcome email with our range of beautiful, pre-made templates.

Subject: Get started with [company name] using these simple steps

Preview: We’re thrilled to have you on board…

Body copy:

Dear [name],

Welcome to [company name]. We are thrilled to have you on board and excited to embark on this journey together. This email will guide you through the initial steps to get started and make the most out of our platform. Let’s dive in!

With this type of new subscriber email template, you’re just sending a quick, personalized note to say thank you for subscribing. 

Because you’re not asking them to do anything at the end of the email, subscribers won’t feel sold to, helping you establish trust right off the bat. 

An especially nice touch, as you can see in the example below, is to use a handwritten font, which feels refreshingly personal. You can find these specialty fonts within Flodesk’s email builder to make your message stand out, or even upload your own custom brand fonts. 

Add your personal brand touch to this template

Subject: Thank you for subscribing to [business name]!

Preview: I’m so glad you’re here! 

Body copy:

Hey [name] 

Thanks so much for your support. It means the world to [me/us/this small business owner]! 

[Personalized closing like “Take care,” “Xoxo,” “All the best,” “Talk soon,” etc.]

[Your name]To learn more about crafting a brilliant welcome sequence, check out How to Write a Workflow Email Funnel.

This type of welcome email template for subscribers lets readers know what they can expect by subscribing to your list. For example, you might let them know how many emails they’ll receive from you, or that they’ll get monthly newsletters or weekly round-ups. 

It’s also a good idea to let new email subscribers know exactly how your future emails will help them, so they’ll be interested in staying tuned. Will you be sending coupons? Helpful tips? Insider access? Industry information? Make this clear so that when they see your emails, they’ll be excited to open them. 

In the example below, you can see how Jessica from Indigo Day does this. She lets subscribers know right away what to expect: exclusive content, missed posts, and practical tips—delivered straight to their inbox.

Experiment with layouts & colors in this welcome template

Subject: You’re here! Now what?

Preview: Early-bird access, exclusive content, and more…

Body copy:

Hi [name]

I’m thrilled you’re here!

Now that you’re an official subscriber, you’ll get [list your specific benefits here like exclusive content, early access to deals, priority registration, sneak peeks at new arrivals, helpful tips, and inside information.] 

I’ll be sending [insert the frequency of emails to expect, like a weekly round-up of things you may have missed on the blog, a monthly newsletter, and daily tips for the next few weeks.] 

Feel free to reply directly to this email if you have any questions! 

[Personal closing]

[Your name]

This type of welcome message is straightforward. It includes a discount code or coupon for a product or service (somewhat like a thank-you gift for subscribing). It’s also a great lead nurturing email to try. 

If you have an online store or offer any type of paid service, this type of welcome email is a good choice. After all, welcome emails that include an offer can boost revenue by 30% compared to those without one. 

If audience members are just subscribing out of interest, they’ll be pleasantly surprised by your offer. It could be the nudge they need to transform from subscribers into new customers. Unexpected offers can also generate loyalty and are a good first step in building customer relationships.

Customize this template with eye-catching product images

Subject: There’s an X% discount code inside this email!

Preview: You won’t want to miss this…

Body copy:

Hi [name]

Thanks so much for signing up for the [company name] newsletter!

As a token of our appreciation, use the code [WELCOME] to get 15% off your first purchase. 

[Personal closing],

[Your name]

This type of welcome email is similar to the discount code email above. Both give your audience a tangible reward for signing up. In this case, subscribers can immediately download the freebie, providing instant gratification. 

This creates an immediate sense of value and shows the reader that it’s worth opening your emails, especially if they weren’t expecting the freebie or if the freebie was really helpful for them. If you can tick both of these boxes, they’ll be more likely to open future emails from you. 

Need help making a good freebie? Learn The Exact Steps to Create a Lead-Generating Freebie Download.

Add a gift for your subscribers to this template

Subject: Enjoy this free download on us

Preview: A special thanks from us to you

Body copy:

Hi there [name]

I’m so psyched you’re here!

As a special thank you, I’m throwing in [name of your freebie]. Just click the button below to download it for FREE.

Thanks for joining, 

[Your name]

Here’s the thing: When someone signs up for your newsletter or mailing list, they’re interested in your brand. They’ve taken the first step. 

An onboarding welcome email is your chance to respond and capitalize on that interest, without being overly salesy. One way to do that is by plugging your social media channels. This lets subscribers continue to connect with you outside of the inbox and gain a better idea of your brand and what you’re offering. And you can continue to nurture your relationships slowly and organically, like you would in real life. 

Personalize this template with your social media plugs

Subject: Let’s connect on [social media platform]

Preview: I’d love to keep the conversation going

Body copy:

[Personalized greeting]

Thanks for subscribing—I’m so excited to share [company name] updates with you!

In the meantime, connect with us on [social media platform of choice] and join our amazing community. 

Looking forward to getting to know each other.

[Your name]

[Call-to-action button]

Did you know 82% of consumers feel more positive about a business after they receive personalized content from them? That’s a big number. 

One way to personalize your content is by making your welcome email sound like it’s from an actual human. According to Adobe, “Humanizing email experiences can help make your brand come alive as genuine and trustworthy, thus creating an opportunity for you to evolve your email marketing into something meaningful and increasing the business impact of your email efforts over time.”

And as Sobrina Pies Crawford explains, “The more personalized your content is, the more likely you are to convert.”

Use this template to design the perfect personalized message

Subject: It’s nice to meet you, [Name]

Preview: Get ready for my fav tips, resources, and more

Body copy:

Hi there [subscriber name], 

Welcome to my newsletter! I’m thrilled you’re here. I can’t wait to start sharing [type of content here] with you.

Talk soon friend, 

[Your name, preferably in a script-like font]

This type of welcome email lets subscribers know that by joining the mailing list, they’ll be the first to know about upcoming deals, new product arrivals, flash sales, registration dates for programs, new webinars, and more. 

Not only does it let your audience know what to expect, but it also sets you up for a better open rate in the future. By using FOMO to your advantage—like with the freebie email—your subscribers won’t want to miss out on the inside scoop. 

Show appreciation for your subscribers with this customizable template

Subject: Welcome to the club!

Preview: Get first access to exclusives and updates

Body copy:

Hi [name]

Thanks so much for joining our mailing list. 

Now you’ll be the first to know about [whatever you offer—new product arrivals, flash sales, open registration, and webinars]. Hooray for the inside scoop!

Until next time, 

[Your name]

This type of welcome email opens a dialogue with your subscribers, letting them know that you’re available and ready to respond if they have any questions. 

Now that consumers are available 24/7 via email and social media, they expect brands to be as well. But they’re not calling customer service lines or sending scathing letters in the mail anymore—they’re sending emails or messages on social media or tagging companies directly in posts.

This especially applies to younger consumers. In fact, a recent study shows that nearly 60% of Gen Zs and millennials have contacted companies through private social messaging or email. 

Design the perfect welcome email with this template

Subject: Welcome, [Name]!

Preview: Let’s get to know one another 

Body copy:

Hi [name], 

Welcome to [company name]. I’m so glad we can connect! 

[Set expectations for what your newsletter/mailing list will deliver.]

And remember, emails are a two-way street. If you have any questions or just want to share something with me, my inbox is open. 

I’d love to hear from you. 

Until next time, 

[Your name]

A waiting list welcome email thanks subscribers for subscribing but lets them know they’ll have to join a waiting list to get whatever product or service you offer. This is an incredibly useful tool to build demand and spur some buzz about your offers. 

Adweek goes so far as to call waitlists a “secret weapon.”

And if you think about it, it makes sense. After all, people often want what they can’t have. Plus, waitlists can feel exclusive, like subscribers are getting access to a special VIP club. 

Customize this waitlist template to get the buzz going

Subject: You’re on the list!

Preview: Be the first in line to gain access

Body copy:

Hey there [name], 

Thanks so much for visiting my site and joining the community. 

I’m so excited you’re interested in [your product or service]. 

[Insert description of what’s waitlisted—out of stock, not able to take on new clients, or the class is full.] 

But you can join the waiting list to make sure you’re the first to know as soon as it’s available! Just click below to add your name. 

All the best, 

[Your name]

This type of welcome email lets your pictures do most of the talking. And it works. Humans actually process images faster than words. In fact, research shows that we process visuals 60,000 times faster than text, so an image-focused welcome email can help you make a strong first impression. 

In the example below from Everything Just Baked, the images inside the letters actually move and change, grabbing the reader’s attention instantly. Plus, the bold red color stands out against the white background—ensuring the CTA pops. 

Add stunning brand visuals to this customizable template

Subject: Thanks for joining the list!

Preview: Enjoy 15% off your next order

Body copy:

Hi there [name]

We’re so excited you subscribed! 

As a token of our appreciation, here’s a code for 15% off your next order [insert code]. 

Until next time, 

[Your name]

When someone signs up for a trial on your website, you might choose to send them a tutorial welcome email. This email aims to educate subscribers on how to use your product or service. After all, you want to make sure they have a good experience during their free trial so they sign up for the paid version. 

Even if you have help sections set up within your trial, people sometimes ignore or miss them.

Sending a helpful tutorial straight to their inbox makes it easy for your audience to get comfortable with your products or services, reducing their likelihood of churning. 

Welcome subscribers in style with this customizable template

Subject: Help is on the way!

Preview: A special tutorial just for you

Body copy:

Hi [name],

Welcome! Your free trial with [your product] starts today. 

To help you make the most of your trial, we’ve put together this quick tutorial video. 

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions! We’re here to help. 

[Personalized closing]

[Your name]

When someone signs up for your newsletter, they probably haven’t seen your previous email content. You can repurpose previous content while learning more about your audience by sending new subscribers a roundup of what recent newsletter exclusives, blogs, social posts, and more. 

This will provide new subscribers with instant value while priming them to look forward to your next newsletter. And by analyzing their clicks, you can gauge what type of newsletter content new subscribers are most interested in.

To do this, regularly measure the effectiveness of your welcome email to find inspiration and insights for what content to include.

Subject: New this month 

Preview: Our top content and resources

Body copy:

Hey there [name],

We’re delighted to see you’ve signed up for our newsletter! And we’ve got a lot of great content coming your way soon. In the meantime, check out our most popular content from the last month:

[Insert either a list or links to newsletters with images and preview text]

Stay tuned for more!

[Your name]

People love personalization. And you can show that you’re all about delivering unique and tailored experiences by start your email sequence with an interactive email that contains a quiz or poll. This lets subscribers self-segment based on the type of content that they’re most interested in receiving. 

If you send out different types of newsletters, this information will allow you to customize who gets what. If you generally only send out one newsletter, it still allows you to create content that’s more optimized for what people would like to see. Don’t forget to include an option for people to respond in their own words—you might get some great newsletter ideas from your subscribers.

Subject: 🤨 Quick question, [Name]… 

Preview: We’d love to hear your thoughts

Body copy:

Hey [name]!

I’m thrilled to see that you’ve signed up for our newsletter. To give you the best experience possible (because that’s my thing) I’d love to know what type of content you’re looking forward to most.

[Insert poll or quiz highlighting different options.]

If you have any specific questions that you would love to see answered, don’t hesitate to reply to this email and ask away. I’m here to help.

Appreciate your opinion!

[Your name]

If you run an online community alongside your newsletter, your welcome email is the best time to let your subscribers know how to join. 

You’re catching them in a moment of excitement and interest—make it clear how joining the community adds value on top of the newsletter, and maybe even highlight examples of things happening in your community to give them a taste of what’s to come.

Hinting at special community access in your subject line (instead of the standard “Welcome to the list”) is one way to make sure your email stands out. Check our guide to welcome email subject lines for more ideas.

Subject: Join our online community

Preview: Connect and share ideas with industry experts

Body copy:

Hi there, [name]

We’re thrilled you’re here. While our newsletters are packed with [your newsletter content], that’s not all we offer.

If you want to connect with like-minded people and learn more about [your industry or expertise area], join our amazing community of [number] people on [channel]!

In this community, you can ask, answer, share, and learn alongside others on a similar journey.

Join our community here [link].

I hope to see you there soon, [name]!

[Your name]

If someone leaves their email to gain access to a trial or product, they’re likely looking for tips to hit the ground running. You can turn your welcome email into a powerful resource for those who are new to your brand. 

Share content, tutorials, or different channels that might be useful.

Subject: 3 steps to get started

Preview: Everything you need to make the most of your account

Body copy:

Hi [name],

Welcome to [brand]!

To help you get familiar with our products, we’ve gathered a list of our top tools and resources.

[Include a list with tools, contact, channels, and contact information]

If you’re looking for something else or need help, reply to this email and we’ll reply as soon as possible.

Have a great day!

[Your name]

Similarly to the welcome email that inquires about what type of content people are most looking forward to, you can also ask what they’re specifically interested in regarding your product, service or business. You could use this first email to get to know your latest audience member. A quick quiz would be the easiest way for everyone involved: simply present some categories and ask what they feel fits them best. 

When you automate your welcome email to start with asking questions, you’ll gather data that help you tailor your email sequences, but it can also help you optimize your products and services by getting to know your followers better.

Subject: Welcome to [brand/business name]. 

Preview: Fancy a pop quiz?

Body copy:

Hi there [name]

We’re happy to see you want to be in-the-know when it comes to [company]. And we’d love to get to know you better, too!

To make sure we’re sending you the best tips and tricks, tell us a bit about yourself. It’ll only take four quick clicks.

[insert quiz or link to quiz]

Keep an eye out for our next newsletter!

[Your name]

The best welcome emails for new subscribers are optimized for the right sending times. But how can you figure out the best time for emailing your audience? You can start by looking at your analytics. Within Flodesk Analytics, take a look at your “Best days to send emails” and “When subscribers open your emails” charts. You can also optimize your email sends by:

You’ll want to ensure your welcome email is sent as soon as someone hits the subscribe button—which you can easily automate by setting up a workflow to send your welcome email instantly upon opt-in.

If you don’t send your welcome email quickly enough, new subscribers might think their information hasn’t been submitted or that you’re not interested in actively engaging with them—both of which hurt the brand experience.

When creating a welcome email, it should be personalized to match your brand: from the color palette to your fonts, images, logo, and content. You might not get it right the first time around, which is why you should iterate to continuously improve your welcome emails.

One way to do this is by leveraging insights from Flodesk Analytics. By understanding how your welcome emails are performing, you’ll be able to make informed decisions and test what works (or doesn’t). You can experiment by:

A/B testing is a process that tests two different versions of your email, helping you quickly learn what resonates with your audience. Each email will have a single differentiating element. 

For your welcome emails, you could test:

For the best outcomes, ensure that your welcome email strategy is grounded in data. Two essential data points for any email marketing campaign are open rates and click-through rates. 

These are indicators of how your emails are performing with your audience. A strong open rate usually points to an effective subject line strategy. Higher click-through rates indicate that your readers are interested in the content within your welcome email. Play around with these elements and analyze results to optimize your welcome emails.

Personal touches can make a big difference when it comes to welcome email campaigns. For example, using the subscriber’s first name in the email subject line might be more effective in capturing their interest.

Your email content can also be personalized based on audience segments. By including more relevant content in your welcome email based on each segment’s interests, you can boost engagement and leave a memorable first impression. 

“Tailor your content to resonate with their interests and needs, emphasizing the benefits they’ll gain from being a part of your community or using your product or service.”—Jas Banwait Gill, Growth Manager at SwagMagic 

A powerful welcome email is a great way to engage new subscribers and start building a meaningful relationship. With a library full of welcome email templates to choose from, there’s no stopping what you can create with Flodesk. Start your free trial—no credit card required. 

The first step in creating an automated welcome email is to determine your end goal. And not just for the first email, but for your email list as a whole. Do you want subscribers to read popular blog posts, purchase an item from your website, or sign up for a class? Let your goals fuel your entire strategy. 

Then, you can use a tool likeFlodesk to automate a single welcome email or an entire welcome series. Create a workflow to automatically send your welcome email or welcome email series to new subscribers.

Lastly, don’t forget to measure your welcome email performance so you can quickly adjust and optimize for even greater results.

Start automating a welcome email campaign with Flodesk. Start free.

There are many different types of welcome emails, but the good ones have a few things in common. First, they’re personalized, friendly, and humanized. Second, they provide value to the reader immediately. This can be in the form of discounts, freebies, information, or community.

Good welcome emails also grab attention quickly—from the subject line to the email’s sign off. Good welcome email subject lines are hyper-relevant to the reader, often hinting at the value they can expect from opening the email.