BUILD your tripwire funnel
What if every time someone signed up for your freebie, some of them became paying customers too? Automatically, without a launch, a sales call, or you having to do a thing.
That’s exactly what a tripwire funnel does. And once it’s set up, it works in the background 24/7.
This game plan walks you through the whole system from scratch. You’ll create your freebie, build your opt-in and tripwire pages, write your follow-up emails, and connect it all together inside FEA Create. Every step is mapped out, with our gorgeous templates and CarrieAI prompts and to help you with the copy along the way.
The result? A list that doesn’t just grow. A list that buys.
Nurture your AUDIENCE with newsletters
Your email list is the most valuable thing you own in your business. Unlike social media, where the algorithm decides who sees your content, your email list gives you a direct line to the people who’ve said “yes, I want to hear from you.”
So many business owners get stuck building their email list. They build the list and then have no idea what to send. So they don’t send anything. And that beautiful list of subscribers just… sits there.
Follow the steps below to create your weekly newsletters and start nurturing your audience consistently. You'll also set up a newsletter sign-up funnel, an easy way to keep growing your email list without needing to create a whole freebie. We'll help you set up your sign-up page, write your welcome email, and give you a set of newsletter templates so you always know exactly what to send. No more staring at a blank screen wondering what to write. ✨
Resources
CANVA TEMPLATES
FEA CReate TEMPLATES
Preview our 5 themes:
Guides
Step 1
Set Up Your Email Sign-Up Page
Give your dream audience an easy way to join your world, no freebie required.
Before you can nurture anyone, you need a way to get people onto your list! Your email sign-up page is a standalone page where people can join your newsletter or VIP list.
We’ve got a gorgeous sign-up page template ready for you inside FEA Create.
Here’s what you need to set up:
The sign-up section: Your list name, a short description of what they’ll get by joining, your call-to-action button text
The “what you’ll get” section: Three short descriptions of what subscribers receive. Think about the value you deliver.
The about section: Your name and title/role, a short bio, and your photo.
Testimonials (if you have them): Two short quotes from people who love your emails.
Action Steps:
Use the Carrie AI Prompt to create your sign up page copy
Set up your email sign up funnel in FEA Create
💡 Top Tip: Your freebie should deliver a quick win. Something your audience can use right away and get a result from. That quick win builds trust and makes them far more likely to say yes to your tripwire offer.
TRY THESE CARRIE AI PROMPTS:
🤖 Write your email list sign up page copy:
I need to write the copy for my email sign-up page. My business is [describe your business] and I help [describe your audience] with [describe what you help them with]. I send [weekly/fortnightly] emails. Write: 1) 5 creative name options for my newsletter/VIP list. 2) A short, compelling description (1-2 sentences) of what they'll get by joining. 3) A call-to-action button text that's more exciting than "sign up". 4) Three short "what you'll get" descriptions (one line each).
🤖 Write your bio:
I need a short, warm bio for my email sign-up page. My name is [your name], I'm a [your role/title], and I help [your audience] to [what you help them achieve]. My background includes [key credibility points]. Write a bio that's confident but warm, around 3-4 short sentences. Ask me clarifying questions to get all the information you need to help customise and personalise the copy to me, my business and my brand voice.
Step 2
Write Your Welcome Email
When someone joins your list, the very first email they receive sets the tone for your entire relationship.
When someone joins your list, the very first email they receive sets the tone for your entire relationship.
A great welcome email makes them feel excited they signed up. A generic one (or worse, no email at all) is a missed opportunity.
Your welcome email should go out immediately and automatically when someone signs up.
What to include:
A warm, excited subject line
A genuine welcome
Deliver what you promised
A little bit about you
Set expectations
One clear next step
Action Steps:
Use the Carrie AI Prompt to create your welcome email
Set up your automation workflow in FEA Create so that when someone joins your email list, they automatically get your welcome email
💡 Top Tip: If you have a visual mockup of your freebie (like a PDF cover or workbook preview), add it to the page. It makes the freebie feel more tangible and valuable.
TRY THESE CARRIE AI PROMPTS:
🤖 Write your welcome email:
I need to write a welcome email for new subscribers who join my [newsletter name/email list]. My name is [your name] and my business is [describe your business]. I email [how often] and I typically share [describe your content]. Write a warm, excited welcome email that: thanks them for signing up, tells them what to expect from my emails, shares a little about me, and gives them one clear next step to [describe your CTA, e.g., follow me on Instagram, reply and say hi]. Keep it warm, personal, and concise. Also suggest 5 subject line options. Ask me clarifying questions to get all the information you need to help customise and personalise the copy to me, my business and my brand voice.
Guides
CANVA TEMPLATES
CANVA TEMPLATES
Funnel Template
Funnel Template
FEA CREATE Tripwire funnel template
Preview our 5 themes:
Step 3
Newsletter Template 1: The Story Email
“One of the most powerful thing you can do in your newsletter is tell the truth about your own journey.”
Use this email template for building connection, showing your personality, and making your audience feel something.
Structure:
Open with a short personal story or experience (2-3 paragraphs)
Connect the story to a lesson or insight your audience can relate to
Share 1-2 practical takeaways from the story
End with a question, a call-to-action, or an invitation to reply
Example angle: "Last week I nearly quit on a launch halfway through. Here's what I did instead…"
Action Steps
Use the CarrieAI prompt to write this email
Schedule your newsletter campaign inside FEA Create
💡 Top Tip: If you have a visual mockup of your freebie (like a PDF cover or workbook preview), add it to the page. It makes the freebie feel more tangible and valuable.
TRY THESE CARRIE AI PROMPTS:
🤖 Write the story driven email:
I want to write a story-driven newsletter email. Here's the story or experience I want to share: [describe your story]. My audience is [describe your audience] and I want the takeaway to be about [describe the lesson]. Write a warm, engaging email that opens with the story, connects it to a relatable lesson, includes 1-2 practical takeaways, and ends with a call-to-action to [describe CTA]. Also suggest 5 subject lines for this email. Ask me clarifying questions to get all the information you need to help customise and personalise the copy to me, my business and my brand voice.
Templates and Resources
GUIDES
CANVA TEMPLATES
FUNNEL TEMPLATE
↗︎ FEA CREATE Tripwire funnel template
Preview our 5 themes:
↗︎ Big Leap
↗︎ Dreamy Days
↗︎ Power Moves
Guides
CANVA TEMPLATES
CANVA TEMPLATES
Funnel Template
Funnel Template
FEA CREATE Tripwire funnel template
Preview our 5 themes:
Step 4
Newsletter Template 2: The Tips Email
“One good tip, applied, is worth more than a hundred ideas left unread.”
Use this email template for delivering quick value, being genuinely helpful, and building authority.
Structure:
A short intro that sets up the topic and why it matters (2-3 sentences)
3-5 actionable tips, each with a short explanation
A closing line that encourages them to try one tip this week
A call-to-action (reply with which tip they'll try, check out a resource, etc.)
Example angle: "5 things I'd do this week if I was starting my email list from scratch"
Action Steps
Use the CarrieAI prompt to write this email
Schedule your newsletter campaign inside FEA Create
💡 Top Tip: You can also add a small bump offer on the checkout. This is a little add-on that people can tick to add to their order. It's a great way to increase the average order value.
TRY THESE CARRIE AI PROMPTS:
🤖 Write the tips email:
I want to write a tips-based newsletter email on the topic of [your topic]. My audience is [describe your audience]. Write an email that includes a short engaging intro, [3-5] actionable tips with short explanations, and a warm closing with a call-to-action to [describe CTA]. Keep it scannable with short paragraphs. Also suggest 5 subject lines. Ask me clarifying questions to get all the information you need to help customise and personalise the copy to me, my business and my brand voice.
Guides
CANVA TEMPLATES
CANVA TEMPLATES
Funnel Template
Funnel Template
FEA CREATE Tripwire funnel template
Preview our 5 themes:
Step 5
Newsletter Template 3: The Update/Behind-The-Scenes Email
“People don’t just buy what you do, they buy into who you are and the journey you’re on.”
Use this email template for sharing what you're working on, making your audience feel like insiders, and building anticipation.
Structure:
Open with a casual, chatty update about what's been happening in your business or life
Share something behind the scenes (a win, a challenge, something you're creating)
Give them a sneak peek or first look at something coming up
End with an invitation to reply or a soft call-to-action
Example angle: "I've been working on something for the last 3 weeks and I'm finally ready to share…"
Action Steps
Use the CarrieAI prompt to write this email
Schedule your newsletter campaign inside FEA Create ✨
💡 Top Tip: You can also add a small bump offer on the checkout. This is a little add-on that people can tick to add to their order. It's a great way to increase the average order value.
TRY THESE CARRIE AI PROMPTS:
🤖 Write your behind the scenes email:
I want to write a behind-the-scenes newsletter email. Here's what I want to share: [describe your update, what you're working on, or what's been happening]. My audience is [describe your audience]. Write a casual, chatty email that feels like I'm updating a friend. Include a behind-the-scenes detail, something they'd find interesting or exciting, and close with a soft call-to-action to [describe CTA]. Also suggest 5 subject lines. Ask me clarifying questions to get all the information you need to help customise and personalise the copy to me, my business and my brand voice.
Funnel Template
FEA CREATE Tripwire funnel template
Preview our 5 themes:
Step 6
Newsletter Template 4: The Content Share Email
“Every piece of content you create is an invitation for someone to go deeper with you.”
Use this email template for driving traffic to a blog post, podcast episode, video, or social media post.
Structure:
A hook that highlights the problem or question the content addresses
A teaser of what they'll learn or discover (2-3 bullet points or a short paragraph)
A clear call-to-action to go read/watch/listen
A short PS with something personal or a second link
Example angle: "I just dropped a new blog post on the 3 things killing your engagement (and what to do instead)"
Action Steps
Use the CarrieAI prompt to write this email
Schedule your newsletter campaign inside FEA Create ✨
💡 Top Tip: If someone DID buy the tripwire, they should receive a separate email sequence that welcomes them and helps them take action on the product they bought. People who take action get results. People who get results become raving fans who want to buy more from you.
TRY THESE CARRIE AI PROMPTS:
🤖 Write your content share email:
I want to write a newsletter email that drives traffic to my [blog post / podcast episode / video / social media post]. Here's a summary of the content: [describe or paste the content]. My audience is [describe your audience]. Write an email with a hook that makes them curious, a short teaser of what they'll learn, and a clear call-to-action to [read/watch/listen]. Add a PS with [something personal or a secondary link]. Also suggest 5 subject lines. Ask me clarifying questions to get all the information you need to help customise and personalise the copy to me, my business and my brand voice.
Step 7
Newsletter Template 5: The Value-Packed Curated Email
“Showing up consistently, even with something small, is how trust is built over time.”
Use this email template for weeks when you don't have a big story or new content to share, but still want to show up and deliver value to your list.
Structure:
A short personal note (1-2 sentences about how you're doing or what you've been thinking about)
3-5 curated items: things you've loved, learned, found useful, or want to recommend (tools, books, articles, podcasts, products, quotes)
A closing thought or question
Example angle: "5 things I'm loving right now (a book, a tool, a podcast, and two things that made me smile)"
Action Steps
Use the CarrieAI prompt to write your value-packed email
Schedule your newsletter campaign inside FEA Create
💡 Top Tip: If someone DID buy the tripwire, they should receive a separate email sequence that welcomes them and helps them take action on the product they bought. People who take action get results. People who get results become raving fans who want to buy more from you.
TRY THESE CARRIE AI PROMPTS:
🤖 Write the Value Packed Curated Email:
I want to write a curated "things I'm loving" newsletter email. Here are the items I want to include: [list your 3-5 items with a short note about each]. My audience is [describe your audience]. Write a warm email with a short personal intro, a curated list where each item has a short, enthusiastic description, and a closing thought. Also suggest 5 subject lines. Ask me clarifying questions to get all the information you need to help customise and personalise the copy to me, my business and my brand voice.
Step 8
Know Your Numbers
There are two key numbers to monitor so you know how things are going.
There are two key numbers to monitor so you know how things are going.
Open Rate: Aim for 30-50%.
If your open rate is low, try:
Testing different subject lines
Sending at a different time or day
Making sure your “from” name is recognisable
Cleaning your list by removing people who haven’t opened in 90+ days
Click-Through Rate (CTR): Aim for 2-5%, depending on your list size.
If your CTR is low, try:
Making your CTA clearer and more compelling
Using fewer links so there’s one clear action to take
Making sure your link text is descriptive
💡 Top Tip: Don’t obsess over one email’s numbers. Look at the trend over 4-6 emails. That tells you much more than any single send.
TRY THESE CARRIE AI PROMPTS:
🤖 Optimize your content:
I want to write a newsletter email that drives traffic to my [blog post / podcast episode / video / social media post]. Here's a summary of the content: [describe or paste the content]. My audience is [describe your audience]. Write an email with a hook that makes them curious, a short teaser of what they'll learn, and a clear call-to-action to [read/watch/listen]. Add a PS with [something personal or a secondary link]. Also suggest 5 subject lines.
🤖 Optimize your subject lines:
I struggle with writing subject lines that get people to open my emails. My newsletter is about [describe your topic] and my audience is [describe your audience]. Write 10 subject line options for a newsletter about [this week's topic]. Give me a mix of curious, direct, personal, and playful styles.
Step 9
Advanced Email Styling (Bonus!)
“Every piece of content you create is an invitation for someone to go deeper with you.”
💡 Top Tip: If someone DID buy the tripwire, they should receive a separate email sequence that welcomes them and helps them take action on the product they bought. People who take action get results. People who get results become raving fans who want to buy more from you.
If you’ve seen the updates we’ve made to our FEA emails recently (with custom HTML styling, branded layouts, and more polished designs) and you’d love to do the same with your newsletters, you absolutely can!
This kind of styling goes beyond what the standard email builder offers and requires some custom HTML and CSS code. The good news is that AI tools like FEA Create's Email AI Feature or Claude are brilliant at helping you create this.
Simply describe what you want your email to look like, share your brand colours and fonts, and let it generate the code for you.
⚠️ Please note: Custom HTML email styling is beyond the scope of FEA Create support. Our support team won’t be able to help with custom code.
YOU'VE GOT THIS!
Your newsletter is going to be amazing. Remember:
Done is better than perfect. Send the email, even if it’s not “perfect”.
Consistency beats perfection. One email a week, every week, is better than a perfect email once every three months.
Your audience signed up because they want to hear from you. Don’t leave them waiting!
CarrieAI is here to help you every step of the way.
Share your newsletter wins in the Facebook group so we can celebrate with you!
Now go send that newsletter!
TRY THESE CARRIE AI PROMPTS:
🤖 Prompt 1:
I want to write a newsletter email that drives traffic to my [blog post / podcast episode / video / social media post]. Here's a summary of the content: [describe or paste the content]. My audience is [describe your audience]. Write an email with a hook that makes them curious, a short teaser of what they'll learn, and a clear call-to-action to [read/watch/listen]. Add a PS with [something personal or a secondary link]. Also suggest 5 subject lines. Ask me clarifying questions to get all the information you need to help customise and personalise the copy to me, my business and my brand voice.
Step 7
Build Your Funnel in FEA Create
Once you've got all your copy and content ready, it's time to bring it all to life inside FEA Create!
HERE'S YOUR BUILD CHECKLIST:
Step 1: Create your freebie opt-in page in FEA Create
Step 2: Set up your form to capture name and email address
Step 3: Create your tripwire thank you page with the offer, countdown timer, checkout, and "no thanks" link
Step 4: Create your confirmation page (Version A for buyers, Version B for non-buyers)
Step 5: Set up your tripwire product and checkout
Step 6: Add a bump offer to your checkout (optional but recommended!)
Step 7: Set up your automated email sequence (delivery + offer emails)
Step 8: Connect all the pages so the flow works: opt-in → tripwire page → confirmation page
Step 9: Test EVERYTHING. Sign up yourself and go through the entire flow. Check every link, every email, every page.
Step 10: GO LIVE! 🎉
💡 Top Tip: If someone DID buy the tripwire, they should receive a separate email sequence that welcomes them and helps them take action on the product they bought. People who take action get results. People who get results become raving fans who want to buy more from you.
TRY THESE CARRIE AI PROMPTS:
🤖 Prompt 1:
I need to write a 3-email automated sequence for my tripwire funnel. My freebie is [describe your freebie] and my tripwire product is [describe product] which was offered at [special price] on the thank you page but will be offered at [slightly higher price] in the emails, normally [full price]. Write all 3 emails: 1) An immediate delivery email that welcomes them warmly and delivers the freebie. 2) An offer reminder email (sent 6-24 hours later) for people who didn't buy. 3) A final urgency email (sent the next day) letting them know it's their last chance. Keep the tone warm and encouraging, not pushy. Ask me clarifying questions to get all the information you need to help customise and personalise the copy to me, my business and my brand voice.
🤖 Prompt 2:
I also need a short welcome email for people who DID buy my tripwire product [describe product]. Write a warm, celebratory email that confirms their purchase, tells them how to access the product, and gives them one clear action step to take right away so they start getting results. Ask me clarifying questions to get all the information you need to help customise and personalise the copy to me, my business and my brand voice.
Templates and Resources
GUIDES
CANVA TEMPLATES
FUNNEL TEMPLATE
↗︎ FEA CREATE Tripwire funnel template
Preview our 5 themes:
↗︎ Big Leap
↗︎ Dreamy Days
↗︎ Power Moves
FEA Create Tripwire Funnel Tutorial Video
FEA Create Tripwire Funnel Tutorial Video
OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES
FEA Create Tripwire Funnel Tutorial Video
Step 8
Track & Optimise (Bonus Step!)
Once your funnel is live, these are the numbers to keep an eye on:
Opt-in rate: The percentage of visitors who sign up for your freebie. Aim for 30% on the low end, 50%+ on the high end. If you're not hitting this, test a new headline or tweak your bullet points.
Tripwire conversion rate: The percentage of new subscribers who buy your offer. Aim for 10-20%. If it's lower, test your headline, price point, or tweak your offer.
Email click-through rate: Aim for 2-5%. If it's lower, make your call-to-action clearer and your copy more compelling.
This is a process of testing and tweaking. Don't expect perfection on day one. Keep optimising until it's working beautifully.
Once your funnel is working, you can drive even more traffic to it by:
Running Facebook or Instagram ads to your freebie opt-in page
Promoting it on social media with regular posts
Setting up DM automations ("comment LOVE to get my free guide")
Adding it to your website so visitors can sign up
Mentioning it on your podcast or YouTube channel
Instead of running a freebie campaign where you're just getting subscribers, you're running a campaign where you're getting buyers. That is a game changer.
💡 Top Tip: If someone DID buy the tripwire, they should receive a separate email sequence that welcomes them and helps them take action on the product they bought. People who take action get results. People who get results become raving fans who want to buy more from you.
TRY THESE CARRIE AI PROMPTS:
🤖 Prompt 1:
I need to write a 3-email automated sequence for my tripwire funnel. My freebie is [describe your freebie] and my tripwire product is [describe product] which was offered at [special price] on the thank you page but will be offered at [slightly higher price] in the emails, normally [full price]. Write all 3 emails: 1) An immediate delivery email that welcomes them warmly and delivers the freebie. 2) An offer reminder email (sent 6-24 hours later) for people who didn't buy. 3) A final urgency email (sent the next day) letting them know it's their last chance. Keep the tone warm and encouraging, not pushy. Ask me clarifying questions to get all the information you need to help customise and personalise the copy to me, my business and my brand voice.
OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES
FEA Create Tripwire Funnel Tutorial Video
WOOHOO!
You're all set!
Woohoo, you did it! 🎉 You've got your newsletters set up and ready to nurture your audience week after week, that's such a powerful habit to have in your business.
Now let's make sure people are finding their way to you in the first place. Check out the Optimise Your Instagram Gameplan next so your profile is working just as hard as your inbox!
Here’s what you should do next.
Here's what to do next....
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Explore other game plans
FEA CREATE TUTORIALS
BUILD your tripwire funnel
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1. GET ALL SET UP
Set your business up for success
2. GROW VISIBILITY
From lead gen funnels to traffic campaigns
3. CREATE OFFERS
Create your offers: courses, memberships & beyond
4. SALES & LAUNCH
Build high converting sales funnels and pages
Build Your High Converting Website
Your website is your online home for your business. You can use your website to help your potential customers learn more about you, your business, your offers, and start their journey to becoming a customer. In this tutorial, we will walk you through how to set up your website using our beautiful website template.
Step One: Title Goes Right Here
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Step Two: Title Goes Right Here
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Step Three: Title Goes Right Here
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Here's what to do next....
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