Working with Klaviyo at Beginner Level

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Topic summary

A Shopify store owner with no existing email list seeks beginner guidance on using Klaviyo for email flows, campaigns, and discount codes.

Core recommendations from respondents:

  • List building first: Add signup forms or popups offering incentives (e.g., 10% off first order) to capture emails from day one
  • Essential automated flows: Start with a Welcome Flow (2-3 emails introducing the brand + discount) and an Abandoned Cart Flow (recovery reminders after 24 hours)
  • Integration: Connect Klaviyo directly to Shopify to sync customer data automatically
  • Discount setup: Create codes in Shopify admin, then insert them into Klaviyo emails
  • Campaign cadence: Begin with simple weekly or bi-weekly newsletters featuring new products and brand stories

Additional suggestions:

  • Use Klaviyo’s pre-built templates and drag-and-drop editor for branding consistency
  • One respondent recommends adding SMS marketing (via TxtCart) for higher cart recovery rates
  • Another suggests Retentionly as a simpler, cost-effective alternative to Klaviyo as the list grows

Consensus centers on starting small with foundational flows while simultaneously building the subscriber base through incentivized signups.

Summarized with AI on October 27. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
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Hi Mary, welcome to the journey of email marketing and Klaviyo! Since you’re just starting out, here are some tips that might help you with Klaviyo and your Shopify store:

  1. Start by integrating Klaviyo with your Shopify store. This will allow you to easily sync your customer data so you can start building your email list as you get subscribers and customers.

  2. For flows, a great place to begin is with basics like a ‘Welcome Flow’ for new subscribers and an ‘Abandoned Cart Flow.’ These are key to engaging visitors and customers early on. Klaviyo has pre-built templates you can tweak to suit your brand.

  3. When setting up email campaigns, make sure your emails reflect your store’s branding (colors, fonts, logo) and offer value to readers. Start building trust by sending educational or inspirational content alongside any promotional materials.

  4. To build an email list, you can add sign-up forms to your store offering an incentive like a discount code (e.g., 10% off their first order). Klaviyo also makes it easy to create pop-ups and embedded forms for this purpose.

  5. Setting up discount codes can be done directly in Shopify. Once you create the code in Shopify, you can craft an email in Klaviyo to share this code with your subscribers or segment it for specific audiences later as your list grows.

Lastly, since you’re starting out with no list yet, focus on driving traffic to your site and converting those visitors into email subscribers. Good luck with Edgy Cat Designs, and feel free to ask if you have more questions!

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