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Set up your first reply automation

Turn a single keyword into an instant, personal reply — the moment a subscriber responds. Here's the whole thing in six steps.

1

Decide what you'll incentivize with

Pick the one thing worth replying for — a freebie, template, guide, video, or podcast — and have the link or file ready. This is what you'll deliver automatically, so make it genuinely useful.

💡Ask for the reply in your broadcast: “Reply welcome and I'll send you the guide.” The word you ask for becomes your keyword in step 4.
2

Open Reply Automation → New automation

In SendGauge, go to Reply Automation in the sidebar and click New automation in the top-right. The setup panel slides open.

3

Enter the campaign subject line

Type the subject line of the email you asked people to reply to. SendGauge matches the Re: … replies to it — so it only listens for responses to that broadcast.

Campaign subject linewhat people replied to
e.g. My 5 favorite recipes+ Subscriber name
4

Set your keyword & match

Trigger on a specific keyword, type your word (e.g. welcome), and pick how strict the match is. Reply contains it is recommended — it still fires if someone writes “welcome!” or “yes, welcome”.

Trigger on
A specific keywordAny reply
Keyword
welcome
Match
Reply contains it Recommended
5

Write the auto-reply & drop your link

Under Then, choose Send an auto-reply and write your message. Personalize it with {{first_name}} and paste the link to your freebie. It sends from your real mailbox, in-thread.

Then
Send an auto-replyJust monitor
BI🔗{ } First name
Hi {{first_name}}! Thanks for replying — here's the link…
✉️Sent in-thread from your mailbox. Use the First name button to personalize, and the toolbar for links, bold, and lists — no HTML needed. Prefer to watch without replying? Choose Just monitor.
6

Test, then publish

Hit Test to send yourself a preview and confirm it looks right. When you're happy, Publish — your automation goes live and starts replying instantly.

Tested ✓● Live

Ready to set up your first automation?

Start your free trial of SendGauge and turn your next reply into an instant, personal follow-up.

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SENDGAUGE · REPLY AUTOMATION