Free trial check-in email templates
A trial check-in should help the person get value before the trial ends, not ask whether they're ready to buy. This email points to the one setup step that matters most, offers a short call to help, and asks what they wanted to get done. The stuck-user version is for people who signed up and haven't come back.
;sl-trial-checkin;sl-trial-checkin in any app.Variations
The same message for a different channel or tone. Copy the one that fits.
For trial users who signed up and haven't returned.
For trial users who are clearly using it. Moves toward the team conversation.
When to use it
- Two to four days into a trial.
- A trial user signed up and hasn't come back.
- A trial user is active and could bring in their team.
What to avoid
- Don't ask "are you ready to upgrade?" mid-trial.
- Don't list every feature. Point to the one that matters most.
- Don't send the stuck-user version to someone who's actually using the product.
The fields in this template
Retext fills these in when the snippet expands. In plain text they become [brackets] to replace by hand.
- First name
{fill:First name} - The trial user's first name.
- Product
{fill:Product} - Your product's name.
- Key setup step
{fill:Key setup step} - The one step that best predicts success, e.g. "importing your contacts".
- Guide link
{fill:Guide link} - A link to a short how-to.
- ;sig-work
{snippet:sig-work} - Pulls in your ;sig-work snippet, so a change to that snippet updates every reply that uses it. Create a snippet with that trigger first (any template in the email signatures pack works), or the field stays as typed.
- Company
{fill:Company} - The trial user's company.
- Cursor
{cursor} - Where your cursor lands after the snippet expands, so you can start typing the personal part straight away.
- Trial end date
{fill:Trial end date} - When the trial ends.
Tips
- •Pick {fill:Key setup step} from what your most successful trial users do first.
- •Use {cursor} in the active version to mention what you can see they've done.
- •Check their account before you send the stuck version. Telling an active user they haven't set up is worse than not writing.
Works in Gmail, Outlook, Intercom, HubSpot and every other app
Retext types the snippet wherever your cursor is. To use a different version in one app, give it the same trigger and limit it to that app with per-app snippets. They go by app, not website, so every tab in your browser counts as one app.
If sales and success both talk to trial users, keep the check-in in a shared team pack so users don't get two different messages on the same day.
See Retext for TeamsQuestions
When should I check in during a free trial?
Within the first few days, while the user still remembers why they signed up. Point to the one step that matters and offer help.
What should a trial check-in email say?
Point to the most important setup step, offer quick help, and ask what they hoped to achieve. Save the upgrade conversation for nearer the end of the trial.
Related templates
Trial ending
;sl-trial-endSales
Hi [First name], Your [Product] trial ends on [Trial end date]. After that, [What happens to their data]. To keep going,…
Upsell email
;sl-upsellSales
Hi [First name], I noticed [Usage signal]. That usually means a team is getting close to the limits of [Current plan]. O…
Inbound lead response
;sl-inboundSales
Hi [First name], Thanks for reaching out about [What they asked about]. You mentioned: "[clipboard]" The quickest way to…
Type ;sl-trial-checkin, get the whole reply
Retext expands your snippets in every Mac app and fills in names, dates and order numbers for you.
Free to start. No account required on the Mac.