Colossus is a self-hosted email marketing solution built with Django and Python. It automates email campaigns, manages mailing lists, and integrates with existing marketing workflows. Ideal for marketing teams seeking control over their email infrastructure.
git clone https://github.com/vitorfs/colossus.githttps://colossus.readthedocs.io
1. **Install and Configure Colossus:** - Deploy Colossus on your server using the [official installation guide](https://colossus.readthedocs.io/). Ensure you have Python 3.8+ and Django 4.0+ installed. - Configure your SMTP settings in Colossus to connect to your email server (e.g., Postfix, SendGrid, or AWS SES). - *Tip:* Use a dedicated IP address for better email deliverability. 2. **Set Up Your Mailing Lists:** - Create segments in Colossus for different audiences (e.g., "New Subscribers," "Engaged Subscribers," "Past Customers"). - Import existing contacts via CSV or integrate with your CRM (e.g., HubSpot, Salesforce) using Colossus’s API. - *Tip:* Clean your list before importing to avoid bounces (use tools like [NeverBounce](https://neverbounce.com/)). 3. **Design Your Emails:** - Use Colossus’s built-in email editor or import HTML templates. Ensure templates are mobile-responsive and include: - Clear subject lines (A/B test variations). - Personalization tokens (e.g., `[FIRST_NAME]`). - Unsubscribe links and physical address (required for compliance). - *Tip:* Test emails in tools like [Litmus](https://www.litmus.com/) before sending. 4. **Build Automation Workflows:** - In Colossus’s automation dashboard, create triggers for your campaign (e.g., "New Subscriber Joins List" → Send Welcome Email). - Set up conditional branches (e.g., "If opened, send Email 4; if purchased, send Email 5"). - *Tip:* Start with a small test group (e.g., 100 subscribers) to validate the workflow before scaling. 5. **Monitor and Optimize:** - Track performance in Colossus’s analytics (open rates, click rates, conversions). - Adjust subject lines, send times, or content based on data. For example, if the welcome email has a low open rate, test a different subject line. - *Tip:* Use Colossus’s A/B testing feature to compare email variants. **Pro Tip:** Schedule a monthly review to clean inactive subscribers (e.g., those who haven’t opened an email in 6 months) to maintain list health.
Automate the process of importing email lists from CSV files or other providers.
Schedule email campaigns to be sent at specific dates and times.
Track and analyze email open rates and click-through rates for better engagement insights.
Create customized sign-up pages for new subscribers to enhance user experience.
No install command available. Check the GitHub repository for manual installation instructions.
git clone https://github.com/vitorfs/colossusCopy the install command above and run it in your terminal.
Launch Claude Code, Cursor, or your preferred AI coding agent.
Use the prompt template or examples below to test the skill.
Adapt the skill to your specific use case and workflow.
Set up and configure a self-hosted email marketing campaign using Colossus for [BUSINESS_NAME]. The campaign should target [TARGET_AUDIENCE] with the goal of [CAMPAIGN_GOAL]. Include a welcome series for new subscribers, a promotional email for [PRODUCT/SERVICE], and a follow-up sequence based on engagement. Use [BRAND_TONE] for all communications and ensure compliance with [REGULATORY_REQUIREMENTS, e.g., GDPR, CAN-SPAM]. Provide the campaign structure, email templates, and automation rules in Colossus-compatible format.
Here’s a complete Colossus-compatible email marketing campaign for **GreenEarth Organics**, a sustainable home goods retailer targeting eco-conscious millennials with the goal of driving first-time purchases of their new bamboo toothbrush line.
**Campaign Structure:**
1. **Welcome Series (3 emails):**
- **Email 1 (Day 0):** Subject: *Welcome to GreenEarth—Your Journey Starts Here!*
*Content:* Thank subscribers for joining, introduce the brand’s mission, and offer a 10% discount on their first order. Include a CTA to shop the bamboo toothbrush collection.
*Automation Trigger:* Sent immediately upon subscription.
- **Email 2 (Day 3):** Subject: *Meet Your New Bamboo Toothbrush!*
*Content:* Highlight the benefits of bamboo toothbrushes (biodegradable, plastic-free) with a short video demo. Include a comparison table vs. plastic toothbrushes and a CTA to purchase.
- **Email 3 (Day 7):** Subject: *Limited-Time Bonus: Free Bamboo Toothbrush Holder!*
*Content:* Announce a free bamboo toothbrush holder for orders over $25. Include a countdown timer for urgency and a CTA to shop now.
2. **Promotional Email (Day 10):**
- **Subject:** *Your Sustainable Smile Starts Here—20% Off Bamboo Toothbrushes!*
*Content:* Feature the bamboo toothbrush bundle (5-pack) with a 20% discount. Include customer testimonials, sustainability stats, and a prominent CTA button.
3. **Follow-Up Sequence (Engagement-Based):**
- **If opened but not purchased:** Send Email 4 (Day 14): Subject: *Did You Forget Something?* with a reminder of the discount and a personalized recommendation (e.g., "You might also love our bamboo floss!").
- **If purchased:** Send Email 5 (Day 17): Subject: *Thank You + Your Impact!* highlighting the environmental benefit of their purchase (e.g., "You’ve saved 5 plastic toothbrushes from landfills!") and inviting them to join the brand’s sustainability community.
**Automation Rules in Colossus:**
- **Segmentation:** Tag subscribers as "New Subscribers" (Day 0), "Engaged" (opened any email), or "Purchased" (completed a purchase).
- **Unsubscribes:** Automatically remove unsubscribed users from all future campaigns.
- **Compliance:** Include an unsubscribe link in every email and honor opt-out requests within 24 hours.
- **Metrics Tracking:** Monitor open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates for each email in Colossus’s analytics dashboard.
**Brand Tone:** Warm, informative, and slightly playful (e.g., "Brush guilt-free with our bamboo toothbrushes!").
**Deliverables:**
- JSON-formatted campaign structure for Colossus import.
- HTML email templates with inline CSS for compatibility.
- Step-by-step instructions for setting up the automation in Colossus.
This campaign is designed to nurture leads, drive conversions, and build long-term customer loyalty while ensuring full control over data and compliance.Take a free 3-minute scan and get personalized AI skill recommendations.
Take free scan