How to build a flow
Let's run through how to create a Klaviyo flow, using a welcome series as an example. We'll dive into how to use a Klaviyo pre-built template, and demonstrate how each flow component functions to automate your marketing.
Action steps
To build a flow from scratch or to better understand the overall flow setup process, follow along with the steps below.
Pick a flow trigger and add optional filters
- Choose a flow trigger
Choose to trigger your flow based on a list, segment, metric, date property, or price drop. For instance, to message someone after they place an order, use a metric-triggered flow. - Apply a trigger filter (optional)
If you use a metric or price drop trigger, you can also apply a trigger filter to further refine who can enter your flow. These filters are only checked when an individual first enters the flow. - Add flow filters (optional)
Filter people out of your flow based on properties about them or actions they’ve taken. Flow filters will evaluate whether someone can continue through your flow at each point during the flow path. Filters are available for all types of flows in Klaviyo.
Drag in flow components
Next, add any messages and key components to your flow. More specifically, you can include:
- Actions
Email, text message, WhatsApp, push notification, or updating a profile property. - Timing
Add a time delay between events within a flow to span out messages to subscribers. - Logic
Conditional and trigger splits split your flow into different pathways, making the experience relevant based on specific recipient behaviors or interests.
Set your flow live
Once your flow is ready, it’s time to start sending! In order for your messages to begin sending, you must update the status to Live.
For reference, the 3 flow statuses are:
- Draft
Nobody will receive a flow or individual message that’s in Draft mode. Use this status when you’re building or editing content. - Manual
You will need to manually review and send these messages; they will not send automatically. Use this status to test a message yourself before you set it live to all recipients. - Live
Live messages will send automatically. Set your whole flow or individual flow messages live once you've confirmed the content is accurate and on-brand.
(Optional) Add past profiles to your flow
Adding past profiles allows you to add recipients to the flow retroactively, so they can still receive those automated messages.
Say you just set up a post-purchase flow and want those who purchased before you set your flow live to receive the flow messages. You can add these past profiles, so that anyone who already purchased and is still within the timeline of the flow can begin receiving relevant messages.
To do so, open your flow and follow these steps:
- Set your flow messages to Manual or Live.
- Click Manage Flow.
- Select Add Past Profiles.
Visit the Help Center to learn how adding past profiles works in Klaviyo.