Sequences - Automations
🔁 Sequence Automations Overview
Recess’ Sequence Automations feature allows you to build powerful, visual workflows that enhance communication with your leads and members. Whether you're nurturing new prospects, onboarding new clients, or re-engaging inactive members, Sequences give you the tools to automate communication based on behavior—so no one slips through the cracks.
⚙️ Enabling Sequence Automations
Before you begin, make sure the feature is turned on in your account:
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Navigate to Tools > Profile Settings
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Scroll down to Sequences
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Toggle the feature ON
🧩 Key Concepts
Here’s what you’ll use when building a sequence:
Triggers: The action that starts the sequence Example: A client signs up, books a class, or submits a form
Actions: What the system does in response Send email, send SMS, apply tag, assign task, etc.
Conditions: If/Then logic used to branch the flow Example: "Did the client book a class within 3 days?"
Delays: Add pauses between actions Example: "Wait 2 days before sending the next email"
Variables: Variables are personalization snippets you can insert into emails and texts to automatically pull in specific details. Here's a breakdown of what's available:
Package/Membership Details
{{app_url}}— URL to the package/membership in the app{{dashboard_url}}— Staff-only link to view the membership on the dashboard{{description}}— Long description of the package{{end_date}}— Package end date in UTC{{end_date_formatted}}— End date formatted to the recipient's timezone{{formatted_price}}— Package price (e.g., $14.00){{local_price}}— Price in local currency{{name}}— Name of the package{{page_url}}— URL of the package/membership page{{start_date}}— Package start date in UTC{{start_date_formatted}}— Start date formatted to the recipient's timezone{{class__appointment_service_type_name}}- name of the appointment's service type (appointments only).
Global (Studio-Wide)
{{global__email}}— Main email contact{{global__iframe_website}}— iFrame website URL{{global__url_homepage}}— Recess profile page URL{{global__url_subbing_request_list}}— Subbing request list page{{global__avatar_media_jpg_html_50px}}/{{global__avatar_media_jpg_html_150px}}— Studio avatar HTML (50px or 150px){{global__avatar_media_url_50px}}/{{global__avatar_media_url_150px}}— Studio avatar URL (50px or 150px){{global__hero_media_jpg_html_50px}}through{{global__hero_media_jpg_html_1000px}}— Studio banner/hero image HTML in various sizes{{global__hero_media_url_50px}}/{{global__hero_media_url_150px}}— Studio hero image URL
Instructor
{{instructor__first_name}}/{{instructor__last_name}}/{{instructor__full_name}}— Instructor's name{{instructor__email}}— Instructor's email{{instructor__display_name}}— Instructor's nickname{{instructor__birthday}}— Instructor's birthday{{instructor__home_location}}/{{instructor__home_location_email}}— Instructor's home location and its email{{instructor__created_at}}— Date the instructor account was created{{instructor__dashboard_url}}— Staff-only link to the instructor's dashboard profile{{instructor__url_web_client_profile}}/{{instructor__url_web_instructor_profile}}— Web profile URLs{{instructor__url_dashboard_comms}}/{{instructor__url_studio_comms}}— Links to the comms center{{instructor__embed_url_subscriptions}}/{{instructor__app_url_subscriptions}}— Subscription management links (30-day expiry){{instructor__checkin_code_jpg_html}}/{{instructor__checkin_code_jpg_url}}/{{instructor__checkin_code_svg_url}}— Check-in QR code (must be scanned by a camera-equipped device){{instructor__avatar_media_jpg_html_50px}}/{{instructor__avatar_media_jpg_html_150px}}— Instructor avatar HTML{{instructor__avatar_media_url_50px}}/{{instructor__avatar_media_url_150px}}— Instructor avatar URL{{instructor__userAddress__city}}/{{instructor__userAddress__country}}/{{instructor__userAddress__state}}/{{instructor__userAddress__street}}/{{instructor__userAddress__zipcode}}— Instructor's address fields{{instructor__userAddress__phone_number}}— Instructor's phone number{{instructor__userAddress__emergency_contact}}— Instructor's emergency contact name and phone number
Recipient (Client)
{{recipient__first_name}}/{{recipient__last_name}}/{{recipient__full_name}}— Client's name{{recipient__email}}— Client's email{{recipient__display_name}}— Client's nickname{{recipient__birthday}}— Client's birthday{{recipient__home_location}}/{{recipient__home_location_email}}— Client's home location and its email{{recipient__created_at}}— Date the client account was created{{recipient__dashboard_url}}— Staff-only link to the client's dashboard profile{{recipient__url_web_client_profile}}/{{recipient__url_web_instructor_profile}}— Web profile URLs{{recipient__url_dashboard_comms}}/{{recipient__url_studio_comms}}— Links to the comms center{{recipient__embed_url_subscriptions}}/{{recipient__app_url_subscriptions}}— Subscription management links (30-day expiry){{recipient__checkin_code_jpg_html}}/{{recipient__checkin_code_jpg_url}}/{{recipient__checkin_code_svg_url}}— Client's check-in QR code{{recipient__avatar_media_jpg_html_50px}}/{{recipient__avatar_media_jpg_html_150px}}— Client avatar HTML{{recipient__avatar_media_url_50px}}/{{recipient__avatar_media_url_150px}}— Client avatar URL{{recipient__userAddress__city}}/{{recipient__userAddress__country}}/{{recipient__userAddress__state}}/{{recipient__userAddress__street}}/{{recipient__userAddress__zipcode}}— Client's address fields{{recipient__userAddress__phone_number}}— Client's phone number{{recipient__userAddress__emergency_contact}}— Client's emergency contact name and phone number
Organization
{{organization__name}}— Studio name{{organization__slug}}— Studio's URL slug{{organization__dashboard_url}}— Staff-only link to the dashboard
Subbing Requests
{{subbing_requests_list_open}}— List of open subbing requests{{subbing_requests_list_closed}}— List of closed subbing requests (last 7 days){{subbing_requests_list_pending}}— List of pending subbing requests
🧠 What Makes Sequences Different from Automations?
While automations are simple, one-step trigger-action flows, Sequences allow for multi-step, conditional, and branching workflows. Think of it like building a decision tree based on member behavior—visually.
Every automation you’ve previously built can be migrated into a Sequence (just remember to disable the original).
✍️ Best Practices
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Plan First: Draft your workflow in a Google Doc or whiteboard before building it in Recess.
👉 Click here for a template — File > Make a Copy
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Use Personalization: Add variables to your messages to make them feel human. Envelope icon in the top right corner of the editor
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Monitor Performance: Check metrics like open rates, clicks, and flow completions to improve results over time.
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Leverage Templates: The Recess Library has prebuilt Sequences you can install and customize quickly.
⭐ Recommended Sequences (Templates Available!)
Here are examples you can build—or install from the Recess Network:
1. 🧲 Lead Nurture Sequence
Trigger: Lead submits a form
Flow:
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Condition: “Did they purchase a package?”
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Yes → Encourage class booking
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No → Wait 1 hour, send reminder email
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No action after 24 hours → Send second reminder
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Still no action after 3 days → Notify staff to follow up
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2. ✨ New Client Onboarding
Trigger: Client purchases a package
Flow:
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Welcome email (instant)
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Delay 1 day → Send intro to the studio
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Delay 3 days → Share membership tips
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Delay 7 days → Check-in message
3. 🔁 Win-Back Flow
Trigger: Client inactive for 30 days
Flow:
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Send “We Miss You” email with offer
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Delay 3 days → “Did they return?”
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Yes → Send welcome-back message
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No → Delay 7 days, send stronger incentive
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Still no response after 14 days → Notify staff
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4. 🎉 Personal Milestone Sequence
Trigger: Client’s birthday, anniversary, or milestone
Flow:
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Send celebratory email
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Optional: Apply complimentary class or discount
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Optional: Tag client so front desk can give a shoutout
🔍 Performance & Tracking
Once your sequence is live, you can:
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View how many users are at each step
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See open rates, click-throughs, bounces, unsubscribes
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Dive into detailed stats for each message or action
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Monitor who is in what stage and what’s next
🛠️ Advanced Features
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A/B Testing: Split flows to test subject lines, offers, or timing
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Tag-Based Triggers: Start sequences when a tag is applied
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Looped Sequences: Run sequences annually (e.g. birthdays, anniversaries)
🧭 Troubleshooting & FAQs
Q: Can a client be in multiple sequences?
Yes—but make sure they aren’t receiving duplicate or conflicting messages. Also, If you are replacing a sequence that was previously built in the Automations tab, please disable the automation version, or they will receive both messages.
Q: Why didn’t a message send?
Check the conditions in your sequence and ensure the client meets all criteria. Check to see if there are any timing delays.
Q: What happens if a client’s behavior changes mid-sequence?
They will follow the path defined by your logic (e.g., “Yes” or “No” branches).
Q: Can I pause or edit a live sequence?
Yes, you can pause it and make changes at any time.
Q: What happens when I install a sequence from the Recess Library?
It won’t go live until you review and edit it—giving you a chance to personalize.