Getting someone to sign up is easy, but getting them to actually use your product? That’s where the work begins. The best way to help them move forward is with walkthrough emails built into your onboarding flow, triggered right after key actions (or inaction). Which helps guide new users without overwhelming them.
The best ones are short, focused, and show just enough to get the user moving. Especially when they’re built into an onboarding flow that adapts to what each person needs.
In this post, I’m sharing 8 real SaaS walkthrough emails that make onboarding smoother. From first-click nudges to multi-step product tours, these emails help users see value faster — and stick around longer.
Let’s get into it.
Contents
What is a SaaS Walkthrough Email?
A SaaS walkthrough email is a message designed to guide users through a specific action, setup step, or feature inside your product—usually right after they sign up or try something new.
These emails are part of your onboarding flow, but they’re more than just instructions. They help users feel confident. Instead of guessing what to do next, the user gets a clear, timely email that removes confusion and shows them exactly how to move forward. That boost in clarity can make or break their first impression of your product.
Why Send Walkthrough Emails for Your SaaS?
Walkthrough emails help new users take action fast—without feeling lost or overwhelmed.
- Reduce early churn by showing users exactly what to do next
- Improve activation by prompting meaningful in-app actions
- Help users experience value within their first session
- Lower the number of basic support questions
- Make onboarding feel personal and helpful, not generic
If someone signs up but doesn’t know what to do, they’ll bounce. But if you send a clear walkthrough email at the right time, they’re much more likely to stick around and succeed.
When Should You Send Walkthrough Emails?
The best time to send walkthrough emails is when users hit a key moment—like sign-up, setup, or activation—where they’re likely to pause or get stuck.
- Immediately after sign-up to guide the first step
- When setup is started but not completed
- After enabling a new feature or integration
- When usage drops off during onboarding
- As part of a structured onboarding email series
Think of these emails as small nudges. You’re not sending tutorials—you’re giving momentum. One action at a time, delivered right when it matters most.
Listed: 8 SaaS Walkthrough Email Examples to Drive Activation
1. First Login – Start here
This email goes out right after someone signs up or logs in for the first time. You’re not asking them to explore everything — you’re pointing them to one clear first action. This builds confidence and gets them moving fast without overwhelm.
It’s the starting point of a good onboarding experience. Instead of dumping features, you’re offering a path. That’s what makes this type of email so effective at reducing drop-off.
Hey {firstName},
You’re in! To help you get started with {productName}, we’ve created a quick walkthrough of your dashboard.
It’ll show you how to set up your first {thing} in under 3 minutes.
Start the walkthrough here 👉 {ctaLink}
Let us know if you get stuck — we’re just an email away.
– {yourName}
Other subject lines:
- Let’s get you set up
- First step → first result
- Your account’s ready. Here’s what to do
- Let’s walk you through it
- Hit the ground running
Why it works: It meets users exactly where they are — day one — and gives them one simple thing to do.
2. First Task – Do this one thing
After they land in your app, don’t just let them wander. Point them to one specific action that will give them a quick win. That momentum is everything early on.
This email is simple, short, and focused on doing — not exploring. It’s all about activation.
Hey {firstName},
Want to get value from {productName} right away? Start by doing this: {quickAction}.
We’ve made a short walkthrough to show you how 👉 {ctaLink}
Most users complete this step in under 2 minutes — and it’s the fastest way to start seeing results.
– {yourName}
Other subject lines:
- One action to move forward
- This takes 2 minutes
- Step one = big unlock
- Just do this (real quick)
- Ready to take your first action?
Why it works: It removes friction. By focusing on one action, you guide users to an early win.
3. Feature Spotlight – Learn this tool
This email highlights one specific feature that can help the user save time, improve results, or just feel smarter. You’re showing them one powerful tool, not the whole kitchen sink.
Ideal for nudging users to explore a new part of the product they haven’t tried yet.
Hey {firstName},
If you haven’t played around with {featureName} yet, now’s a great time. It helps you {specificBenefit}.
We made a quick walkthrough to show you exactly how it works 👉 {ctaLink}
Give it a spin — it only takes a minute.
– {yourName}
Other subject lines:
- Try this one feature today
- Power move: {featureName}
- Unlock a new workflow
- You might’ve missed this
- Feature of the week: {featureName}
Why it works: It keeps your product top-of-mind and invites the user to explore without overwhelming them.
4. Stuck User Nudge – Need help finishing setup?
This is for users who signed up but didn’t finish onboarding. It’s not a guilt trip — it’s a kind reminder that help is just a click away.
You’re giving them a way to get unstuck fast. That alone can re-activate a stalled user.
Hey {firstName},
Noticed you haven’t finished setting up your {productName} account — no worries, it happens.
We made a quick walkthrough to guide you through the rest 👉 {ctaLink}
It’s easy to follow and only takes a couple minutes. Let us know if you want help along the way.
– {yourName}
Other subject lines:
- Want help finishing up?
- Didn’t finish? Here’s a quick walkthrough
- Need a hand getting started?
- Let’s get you unstuck
- Quick guide to wrap up setup
Why it works: It’s supportive and friendly — the tone makes it feel safe to return without shame.
5. Milestone Moment – Keep it going
Once a user hits a small milestone, use that moment to guide them to the next. This keeps them moving and turns one win into a habit.
It’s not just a congratulations email — it’s a momentum-builder with a walkthrough attached.
Hey {firstName},
You just completed a key step in your {productName} journey — love to see it.
Ready for your next milestone? We made a walkthrough to guide you through it 👉 {ctaLink}
One step closer to seeing real results.
– {yourName}
Other subject lines:
- You did it! Next step here
- Momentum = unlocked
- Let’s keep the streak going
- You’re one click away from more progress
- Next milestone: ready when you are
Why it works: It uses positive reinforcement to encourage deeper usage — right when motivation is high.
6. Inactivity Re-Engagement – Quick refresher
If a user signs up but doesn’t come back, this walkthrough gives them a path back in — without making them feel bad for disappearing.
You’re not pushing them. You’re just making re-entry easy.
Hey {firstName},
Haven’t seen you in a while — no big deal. If you’re ready to pick things up, we’ve got a quick walkthrough to help you get back on track.
It’ll remind you where to start and how to get set up 👉 {ctaLink}
Your account’s still here when you’re ready.
– {yourName}
Other subject lines:
- Need a reset? Start here
- It’s easy to jump back in
- Been away? This will catch you up
- Restart in one click
- Still curious about {productName}?
Why it works: It removes the guilt and replaces it with a useful next step. That makes it easier to re-engage.
7. Time-Saving Tip – Walkthrough of a shortcut
This is a walkthrough email that teaches a smart way to do something faster. It’s framed as a helpful trick, not a pitch.
Perfect for mid-stage users who are active, but not yet pros.
Hey {firstName},
Here’s a tip power users love — it helps you {smallWin} in just a few clicks.
We made a short walkthrough so you can try it today 👉 {ctaLink}
More speed, less stress.
– {yourName}
Other subject lines:
- One quick win to try
- Most users miss this trick
- This saves teams hours
- Shortcut: {featureName}
- Want to work faster?
Why it works: It delivers real value and makes users feel like insiders. Bonus: it often leads to deeper product usage.
8. Upgrade-Related – See what you’re missing
If someone is on a lower-tier plan or free account, this walkthrough gives them a peek at what’s behind the upgrade. There’s no pressure — just a clear invitation to explore.
The goal is curiosity, not conversion.
Hey {firstName},{featureName} is one of our most loved features — and it’s available on the {planName} plan.
We made a walkthrough so you can see exactly how it works 👉 {ctaLink}
If it looks useful, you can upgrade anytime. Just giving you a peek.
– {yourName}
Other subject lines:
- Sneak peek: {featureName}
- Curious what’s behind the next plan?
- This feature might be worth a look
- What you get on {PlanName}
- Explore more (no pressure)
Why it works: Makes the upgrade feel optional and interesting — not a pushy upsell. Curiosity converts
How to Improve Your SaaS Walkthrough Emails
Guide one step at a time
Trying to explain everything at once overwhelms users. A good walkthrough flow breaks the journey into small, clear actions — one email per step. That way, every message feels doable and moves them forward.
Make the product the star
Walkthrough emails should feel like part of the product experience. Add a quick GIF or image showing the exact step they need to take. Seeing it in action removes friction and builds confidence.
Match timing to user behavior
Don’t send Step 3 if they haven’t done Step 2. And don’t send reminders if they already completed something. Tools like Encharge let you trigger the right email based on what the user actually did.
Keep the tone helpful, not bossy
This isn’t a lecture — it’s coaching. Use simple, positive language that encourages action. A line like “You’re one step away from launching your first campaign” feels way better than “You still haven’t done this.”
Include a next step in every email
Even if it’s a small nudge like “Set this up now,” give them something to do. A walkthrough only works if users actually move forward — so the CTA needs to be clear, relevant, and frictionless.
Showing features isn’t the goal
→ Getting users to use them is. Encharge makes that happen.
Walkthrough emails are supposed to guide users to their first win — but most get skipped, ignored, or hit too late. Encharge fixes that by sending the right message at the right time, based on what your users have (or haven’t) done.
- Trigger walkthrough emails based on real product activity
- Send different steps to different users depending on behavior
- Track completion, usage, and drop-off in your onboarding flow
- Works with your CRM, product data, and email — all in one place
- Trusted by 1,000+ SaaS teams to drive product adoption
A good walkthrough email explains the feature. A great one helps users take action. Encharge helps you send the latter — automatically, and at scale.
FAQ for SaaS walkthrough email examples
1. How many walkthrough emails should I send?
Most SaaS products benefit from 3 to 5 walkthrough emails during the first week. Too few and users might get stuck, too many and it feels overwhelming. With Encharge, you can stagger the emails based on activity, so they never feel like a flood.
How to space them out:
- Start with a welcome or setup email on Day 1.
- Follow up with product tips or feature highlights every 1–2 days.
- Let Encharge control the pacing based on user engagement.
2. What should I include in a product walkthrough email?
Walkthrough emails should include one clear action—like “Create your first project” or “Add a teammate”—plus a quick reason why it matters. Keep it focused and frictionless. Encharge lets you customize these actions to match what each user has already done.
What to include:
- A single goal (like completing a setup step).
- A quick how-to or link to get it done.
- Optional tip or benefit to keep them motivated.
3. Can walkthrough emails improve activation rates?
Yes—walkthrough emails can significantly boost activation by nudging users through the setup process. Instead of leaving them to figure things out, you guide them step-by-step. Encharge gives you full visibility into which steps users take and lets you optimize the flow over time.
How to use emails to boost activation:
- Break the activation journey into simple milestones.
- Create a short email for each milestone.
- Track completions and drop-off with Encharge, then iterate.
4. Should I personalize walkthrough emails?
Yes — personalized walkthrough emails perform way better because they speak directly to the user’s context. Instead of generic tips, you can tailor emails based on role, plan, or actions taken. With Encharge, you can insert dynamic data and create custom flows for different user types.
How to personalize effectively:
- Segment users by industry, plan, or behavior.
- Customize the copy based on what they’ve done so far.
- Use Encharge’s dynamic tags and conditional flows to automate it.
5. What’s the difference between onboarding and walkthrough emails?
Onboarding emails usually welcome users and show them where to start, while walkthrough emails guide them through specific steps inside the product. They work together to help users find value faster. With Encharge, you can combine both into a seamless flow.
How to use both together:
- Start with a welcome + getting started email.
- Follow up with walkthrough emails tied to in-app actions.
- Build both sequences in Encharge so they work in sync.
