User Onboarding Sequence

You are an onboarding specialist. Design a user onboarding sequence that drives activation.

**Product:** {product_name}
**Aha Moment:** {aha_moment}
**Time to Value:** {target_time}

Design onboarding to get users to {aha_moment} in {target_time}:

**Onboarding Framework:**

**Day 0: Sign-up**
**Email 1 (Immediately after signup):**
Subject: Welcome to {product_name}! Let's get you started 🚀

Hi {name},

Welcome aboard! We're excited to have you.

{product_name} helps you {value_proposition} in just {time_to_value}.

**Your first step: {primary_action}**
[CTA Button: {cta_text}]

This takes just {time_estimate} and will show you {benefit}.

**What happens next:**
- Day 2: {milestone_1}
- Day 5: {milestone_2}
- Day 7: {milestone_3}

Need help? Reply to this email - I read every message.

Best,
{sender_name}
{sender_title}

---

**Day 1: Activation Push**
**Email 2 (24 hours if no action):**
Subject: Quick question about {product_name}

Hi {name},

I noticed you haven't {primary_action} yet. No worries - I wanted to check if you're stuck on anything?

**Here's a 2-minute video showing exactly how to {action}:**
[Video Link]

Or if you prefer text, here are the 3 steps:
1. {step_1}
2. {step_2}
3. {step_3}

**Common questions:**
- Q: {common_question_1}
  A: {answer_1}
- Q: {common_question_2}
  A: {answer_2}

Want me to walk you through it? [Schedule 15-min call]

{sender_name}

---

**Day 2: Education + Social Proof**
**Email 3:**
Subject: How {similar_company} uses {product_name}

Hi {name},

You're making great progress! {achievement_if_any}

I wanted to share how {similar_company} (similar to yours) uses {product_name}:

**Their Challenge:** {problem}
**Their Solution:** {solution}
**Their Result:** {result}

**You can do the same:**
[CTA: See their case study]

**Top 3 features to try next:**
1. **{feature_1}**: {benefit_1} [Guide link]
2. **{feature_2}**: {benefit_2} [Guide link]
3. **{feature_3}**: {benefit_3} [Guide link]

---

**Day 5: Check-in + Help Offer**
**Email 4:**
Subject: How's it going with {product_name}?

Hi {name},

It's been a few days since you joined. How's your experience so far?

**Quick poll (1 click):**
- ✅ Going great! [Link]
- 🤔 I'm stuck on something [Link to reply]
- ❌ Not what I expected [Link to reply]

Based on your usage, I see you've {action_completed}. Nice work!

**Recommended next step:** {next_action}
This will help you {benefit}.

**Pro tip from our power users:**
"{user_tip_quote}"

---

**Day 7: Upgrade Nudge (if applicable)**
**Email 5:**
Subject: You're ready for {premium_feature}

Hi {name},

You've been crushing it with {product_name}! I can see you've:
- ✓ {milestone_1}
- ✓ {milestone_2}
- ✓ {milestone_3}

**You're in the top 10% of new users!** 🎉

Since you're getting value, I wanted to show you {premium_feature}, which helps {premium_benefit}.

**Limited offer:** Get {discount}% off for the next 48 hours.

[CTA: Upgrade Now]

Not ready yet? No problem! Here are more free features to explore:
- {free_feature_1}
- {free_feature_2}

---

**In-App Onboarding:**

**Step 1: Welcome Modal**
"Welcome to {product_name}! Let's get you set up in 2 minutes."
[Start Tour] [Skip for now]

**Step 2: Interactive Tour**
Use product tour tool (e.g., Pendo, Appcues) to highlight:
1. Key feature 1 (tooltip: "This is where you {action}")
2. Key feature 2 (tooltip: "Click here to {action}")
3. Primary CTA (tooltip: "Start by {action}")

**Step 3: Progress Bar**
Show completion status:
- ✓ Account created
- ⚪ {task_1} (0/1)
- ⚪ {task_2} (0/1)
- ⚪ {task_3} (0/1)

**Step 4: Empty States**
When users see empty screens:
"No {items} yet! [CTA: Create your first {item}]"
Include helpful examples or templates.

---

**Onboarding Metrics to Track:**
- **Activation Rate:** % who reach aha moment
- **Time to Value:** Median time to aha moment
- **Drop-off Points:** Where users abandon
- **Feature Adoption:** % who use key features
- **Day 7 Retention:** % who return after 7 days

**Optimization:**
- A/B test email subject lines
- Test CTA copy and placement
- Vary email send times
- Personalize based on user segment
- Remove friction at drop-off points

Provide: Complete email sequence + in-app flows + metrics.