Sequences - Best Practices

🌟 Why Sequences Matter

Sequences are one of the most powerful tools in your Recess Dashboard. When set up correctly, they automate your communication so every active member, new clients, and internal teams gets the right message at exactly the right time.

Before diving in, make sure you've read the foundational article first:

Sequences - Automations

🎬 How to Install a Sequence from the Recess Library

Watch the walkthrough below to see how to navigate to the Recess Library, install a sequence, and make edits to personalize it for your business.

How To Install:

Navigate To Growth Suite > Sequences > Recess Library
Once inside, set the filter to "All" under "Verified" to see the full list.
Search for the Sequence you are looking for and select Install
The sequence will be ready for editing under "Draft"

🔍 Walkthrough: Class Booking: Confirmation, Reminder, and Follow Up

Let's walk through one of the most commonly used sequences so you can see exactly how it's structured.

What It Does:

This sequence is triggered automatically when a client books a class. It does these 4 things:

Confirms the booking: so the client knows their spot is locked in
Reminds them before class: reducing no-shows and keeping attendance high
Confirms Check In: Thanks them for coming
Confirms No Show: Missed you email sent to client to encourage attendance

How It's Set Up:

Trigger: Client books a class

Action 1: Booking Confirmation (Immediate) An email fires right away confirming the booking. It includes the class name, date, time, and location.

Action 2: Reminder (2 Hours Before Class) A follow-up message reminds the client of their upcoming session. A great place to include what to bring, what to expect, and your cancellation policy.

Condition: Checked In? This Node will check if a client was checked in or not and then follow either action 4 or 5.

Action 4: If Yes, Thank You Email The client will receive a thank you email for attending the class.

Action 5: If No, We Missed You Email (4 hours after the class) An email will be sent to the client letting them know you missed them in the class.

Action 6: End

📚 Sequences Every Business Should Have

We recommend implementing these sequences that are all located and available in the Recess Library, ready to install and customize in minutes.

Template: Class Booking: Confirmation, Reminder, and Class Follow Up: Sends a booking confirmation, pre-class reminder, and post-class follow-up to keep clients engaged throughout their experience.
Template: Account Creation: Waiver + Trial: Triggered when a new account is created; delivers the liability waiver and introduces a trial offer to convert new contacts into paying clients.
Template: Class Cancellation: Customer Cancellation: Acknowledges when a client cancels their spot and encourages them to rebook or stay engaged.
Template: Class Cancellation: Studio Cancellation: Notifies clients when the studio cancels a class and provides next steps or rebooking options.
Template: Comms Center App Notifications: Delivers in-app notifications to keep clients informed of updates, reminders, and announcements.
Template: Client: First Booking, 2 Week Trial Offer: Sent after a client's first booking to welcome them and present a 2-week trial offer to encourage continued attendance.
Template: 2 Week Trial Booked: Confirms enrollment in the 2-week trial and sets expectations for what's ahead.
Template: Notification: Gift Card: Notifies a client when they've received or purchased a gift card.
Template: Membership Cancellation: Confirms a membership cancellation and may include a win-back message or offboarding information.
Template: Membership Freeze: Confirms a membership has been successfully frozen and communicates reactivation details.
Template: Notification: Client Bought a Package/Membership: Celebrates the purchase and delivers onboarding info to help the client get started.
Template: Payment Failure: Alerts a client that a payment didn't go through and prompts them to update their billing information.
Template: Purchase: Client Buys a Retail Item: Confirms a retail purchase and may include care instructions, upsells, or a thank-you message.
Template: Remove Tag: "Pending Customer Activation": Cleans up the contact record by removing the pending tag once a client has completed activation.
Template: Waitlist: Client Notification for Opening: Notifies a waitlisted client that a spot has opened up and prompts them to book quickly.
Template: Waitlist: Added to the Waitlist: Confirms a client has been added to the waitlist and sets expectations for how they'll be notified.
Template: Waitlist Cancellation Notice: Informs a waitlisted client that the class has been cancelled so they're not left waiting.

✅ Pro Tips

Search "Template" in the Recess Library for all of these sequences will populate.
Keep confirmation messages short. Clients just need to know: what, when, and where. Save the storytelling for nurture sequences.
Use variables to personalize. Use the envelope icon in the message editor to insert personalized fields. Small touches that make a big difference.