Build Guide

In this article, you’ll learn how to:

• Create an in-app message with a self-serve education CTA
• Track user intent with a button click
• Create a Workflow from scratch
• Send a personalized follow-up email
• Set finish criteria and optional re-enrollment

Step 1. Add an in-app message with a self-serve CTA

Use a Slideout, Tooltip, or Pin to highlight something helpful—like advanced tips, documentation, or next steps.

In the message, include a button labeled “Email this to me” or something similar.

This lets users opt in when they’re curious, but not ready to take action immediately.

Step 2. Track the button click

Make sure the button is set up to fire a track event—something like clicked_email_me_resource. This event is what you’ll use to kick off your Workflow.

Step 3. Create a new Workflow

Go to the Workflows tab in Appcues and click Create Workflow.

Name it something like “On-Demand Resource Follow-Up.”

Step 4. Set start criteria

Click the Start node and configure:

• Audience: Broad, or scoped to those who saw the in-app message
• Trigger: The track event from Step 2 (clicked_email_me_resource)
• Timing: Immediately—so the email lands while the ask is still fresh

Step 5. Add a follow-up email

After the Start node, add an Email node. This is where you deliver the content the user asked for.

What to include:

• The resource itself (link, doc, video, etc.)
• Optional tips or next steps
• A warm, personal tone—like:

“Hey {{first_name}}, here’s the info you asked for. Let us know if you want more like this!”

💡 Pro tip: Mention that they requested it in the subject line to boost open rates

Subject line idea: “Here’s what you asked for, {{first_name}}”

Step 6. Set finish criteria

If you'd like to continue sending follow up messages to your users until they have opened or clicked on the email resource, you can create a segment of and use that as our exit criteria.  If this is not something you are interested in simply set your Exit criteria to They reach the end of the Workflow.

Click the Finish node to define exit logic.

• Exit when: A user enters a segment
• Timeout threshold: Keep it short (e.g., 3–5 days)
• Re-enrollment: Leave on if users might request more resources later

Step 7. Publish Workflow

Once your follow-up email is ready, hit Publish and let it run.

👏 And that’s it! You’ve now got a way to support users when they’re ready—without flooding them with content they didn’t ask for.