How to use automation to make your marketing truly relevant

06 Jun 2026
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Marketing
How to use automation to make your marketing truly relevant

The majority of consumers are satisfied with the marketing messages they receive from businesses. Indeed, 61% of customers think the marketing they receive is "just right" in terms of customisation.

Why, then, do 49% of consumers believe marketing messages are just "somewhat relevant"? Shouldn't communications be "very relevant" if customisation is working "just right"?

However, only 15% of consumers in the United States, Singapore, Australia, and the United Kingdom say marketing is "very relevant" to them.

Naturally, being "somewhat relevant" is preferable to not being relevant at all, but marketers have an excellent opportunity to close the relevancy gap. You may set yourself apart from brands that are only doing okay by offering your consumers with highly relevant information.

What do you mean by relevance, and how is it different from personalization?

Many people are pleased with the marketing messages they receive from firms. According to research, 61% of respondents believe the personalized service they receive is "just right."

However, there is still a significant difference between personalization and actual relevance. While tailored marketing may use consumer information, just 15% of shoppers in Australia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States consider the marketing they receive to be "very relevant." Nearly half say it's just "somewhat relevant."

Although being slightly relevant is preferable to being irrelevant, brands have enormous room for improvement. Delivering truly meaningful and timely information differentiates firms from competitors who rely solely on basic personalization.

Personalization and relevance are sometimes considered as synonymous, yet they serve distinct functions.

  • Personalization involves identifying a customer's name, location, purchasing history, and preferences.
  • Relevance focuses on the customer's present demands and intent.

When a customer's name appears in the subject line of an email, they receive a personalized message. That message becomes important when the company contacts them around the time their shoes may need to be replaced, providing useful advice or recommendations.

In this post, we'll look at automation tactics that can help organizations go beyond simple personalization and deliver memorable customer experiences through timely, relevant communication.

5 automation flows that meet customers in the moment

Flow 1: Abandoned browse (not just abandoned carts)

Abandoned cart campaigns are one of the most popular automation methods since they regularly generate cash. However, abandoned browse ads can pique customers' curiosity much earlier in the buying process.

Unlike abandoned carts, which require a customer to add an item to their cart, abandoned browse flows require only a site visit. Page visits can become lucrative marketing opportunities when properly tracked and integrated with your automation software.

Consider initiating communications depending on:

  • Repeat visits to the same page.
  • Visited pages with high intent, such as price or product demonstrations.
  • Views on premium or high-value product pages.

Including customer evaluations and product recommendations can dramatically boost these ads. AI-powered recommendations might suggest related products or items that are frequently purchased together, making the content more personalized and valuable. Businesses wishing to strengthen their tactics might look at top digital marketing agencies for automation and consumer engagement expertise.

Reviews also serve to increase trust and eliminate hesitancy. A message like "Are you still deciding?" "See what other customers are saying" can entice visitors to return and make a purchase.

Email example from brand Fellow: Browse Abandonment.

Flow 2: Replenishments, renewals, and reminders

Replenishment, renewal, and reminder automations are very effective yet frequently underutilized. These ads demonstrate to clients that your business understands their needs and is ready to assist at the appropriate time.

Sending alerts before a product runs out or a membership expires exemplifies relevancy at its best. Instead of responding to recent behavior, these ads anticipate client wants.

To create successful campaigns, marketers must understand the intended life cycle of their products or services. Timing is everything, whether it's for a 30-day supply of vitamins, a quarterly membership, or an annual contract.

A reminder delivered 10 days before a consumer runs out of vitamins gives them enough time to reorder. A renewal letter issued a month before a membership expires presents an opportunity to reinforce value and introduce enhancements.

These initiatives do more than just earn revenue. They improve client loyalty by reducing friction and making life easier. Customers love brands that assist them anticipate their wants.

Apple email example: subscription renewal automated flow.

Flow 3: Back-in-stock notifications

Out-of-stock merchandise can lead to frustration and missed sales opportunities. Back-in-stock messages help to recover demand by reconnecting with highly interested customers.

When clients request a stock alert, they are plainly indicating a purchasing intent. This makes back-in-stock signals among the most important communications a brand can deliver.

These notifications function particularly well in channels other than email. SMS, MMS, WhatsApp Business, and mobile push alerts frequently have higher visibility since they reach clients immediately.

Effective messages should be succinct and action-oriented. Examples include:

  • "Go, go, go!" Align Leggings are now back in stock.
  • It's back, but selling quickly!
  • "Jenna, get your Trip Gummies now."

Adding urgency and scarcity can encourage shoppers to act swiftly before the things sell out again.

NY&C email automation example for back-in-stock emails.

Flow 4: Birthday and anniversary moments

Some of the most memorable marketing experiences happen when clients least anticipate them. Birthdays, loyalty anniversaries, and membership milestones provide excellent opportunity to develop relationships.

According to research, 43% of shoppers prefer brand gifts and recognition on special occasions.

Brands can celebrate more than just birthdays.

  • Half birthdays.
  • Anniversaries for loyalty program enrollments.
  • Important purchase anniversaries.

To make these campaigns feel truly relevant, marketers should incorporate personalization, targeted recommendations, localized discounts, and dynamic content.

While discounts are still popular, the most successful ads provide meaningful experiences that promote loyalty and encourage repeat purchases. Customers remember brands that mark significant milestones in creative ways.

Man City Birthday automation email example

Flow 5: Post-purchase care sequences

Many brands place a high value on customer conversion but pay little attention to the post-purchase experience. Customers are frequently re-enrolled in conventional marketing programs after receiving an order confirmation.

Post-purchase care sequences serve to sustain momentum and strengthen the relationship after the sale.

Instead of instantly promoting another purchase, these efforts provide value by providing instructional content, usage recommendations, and product care instructions.

For example, a florist may send a message stating "4 tips to make your Cassie Bouquet last longer," which provides practical advice that improves the customer's experience.

AI-powered predictive insights can enhance these sequences by recognizing expected future purchases and recommending relevant products at the right times.

When customers repeatedly receive thoughtful and helpful communication following a purchase, they grow to view the business as a valued partner rather than just a vendor. This trust promotes long-term loyalty and advocacy.

Rituals launches post-purchase upselling campaign

The right message in the right place

The message's relevance is determined not only by its content, but also by the channel via which it is delivered. Successful marketing reaches customers using the platforms that best suit the scenario.

  • Email abandoned browse marketing effectively persuade customers to return to your website.
  • Messages for replenishment, renewal, and reminders can be seamlessly integrated into ongoing conversations on platforms like WhatsApp.
  • Back-in-stock notifications can be sent via SMS or mobile app.
  • Birthday and anniversary campaigns can combine email with personalized website experiences for greater impact.

Email is perfect for post-purchase sequences, which typically include extensive and instructive content.

Customer preferences differ by market and demographic. For example, in Singapore, 45% of consumers prefer to interact with brands via mobile applications. Similarly, 44% of Generation Z consumers in the United States often connect with brands via apps. Meanwhile, 47% of customers in Australia and the United Kingdom prefer to communicate by email.

Cross-channel marketing enables firms to meet clients right where they are and provide the most relevant experience possible. Many organizations use Mailchimp for marketing automation to manage email, automation, and consumer communication across numerous media.

Why being “very relevant” really matters

Brands that want to enhance loyalty, advocacy, and repeat purchases should prioritize "very relevant" marketing efforts.

Brands that remain relatively relevant do enough to keep awareness but may not be making real customer connections. True relevance indicates an awareness of the customer's requirements and timeliness.

These moments, whether they are reminding someone to reorder a product, celebrating a milestone, or informing them that a requested item is back in stock, help to develop trust and deepen relationships.

Customers are more inclined to pick your brand over competitors when they are confident that it regularly understands and anticipates their demands.

If your marketing is now in the "somewhat relevant" category, introducing a few well-designed automated flows may be enough to close the relevancy gap.

Want to know what your customers are really thinking?

Relevant marketing is merely one aspect of understanding customer behavior. The Customer Trend Index polled 4,000 customers in four areas to learn how they discover businesses, what drives engagement, and what encourages long-term loyalty.

The whole report contains significant information about preferred communication methods, client expectations, reward preferences, and the factors that drive purchasing decisions. Understanding these trends can help brands provide more relevant experiences and build greater consumer relationships.

How to use automation to make your marketing truly relevant
Amit Patel Content Creator
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