Wait and Jump To actions

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How to schedule automated emails using 'Wait' and 'Jump To' actions

Introduction

In the realm of email marketing, automation is a key feature that enhances communication and engagement with contacts. ActiveCampaign offers two pivotal actions within its automation: Wait and Jump To. Understanding how to effectively use these actions allows you to create time-sensitive and sequential email campaigns tailored to your audience's specific needs.

The Jump To action is primarily used to **skip steps** in an automation, enabling contacts to jump directly to specified actions once certain conditions are met. In contrast, the Wait action requires contacts to **remain** at a specific step until predefined conditions are fulfilled. In this article, we will delve into both of these actions, how to utilize them effectively, and provide practical use cases and troubleshooting tips.

How to access this feature

You can access the Wait and Jump To actions by navigating to your automation workflows in ActiveCampaign. To reach this section, log in to your ActiveCampaign account and select the Automations option from the main menu. Here, you can either create a new automation or edit an existing one to incorporate these actions.

Step-by-step instructions

Setting Up a Jump To Action

1. Open your desired automation in ActiveCampaign. 2. In the automation builder, click on the '+' icon to add a new action. 3. From the action menu, choose Jump To. 4. Specify the conditions using the segment builder to define when contacts should jump to this action. 5. Position the Jump To action appropriately in your automation flow to ensure it meets the needs of your campaign.

Setting Up a Wait Action

1. Open your desired automation in ActiveCampaign. 2. Click on the '+' icon within the automation builder. 3. Select Wait from the action options. 4. Choose the type of Wait action:

  * Wait for a set period of time
  * Wait until a specific day and/or time
  * Wait until a custom date field matches
  * Wait until specific conditions are met

5. For any options that require conditions, configure these using the segment builder. 6. Save your changes to ensure the wait conditions are properly applied.

Configuration options and settings

There are several configuration options available for both the Wait and Jump To actions:

• Jump To Action:

  * Can be configured to determine when a contact skips steps based on specific conditions.
  

• Wait Action:

  * **Wait for a set period of time**: Specify a duration that contacts will remain in the wait action before proceeding.
  * **Wait until a specific day and/or time**: Choose a date and time for contacts to advance.
  * **Wait until a custom date field matches**: Match a date in a custom field to determine when contacts can proceed.
  * **Wait until specific conditions are met**: Set behavioral or data collection criteria for contacts to advance. This includes the option to enforce a time limit for how long they may wait.

Using these configurations correctly can enhance the effectiveness of your email marketing campaigns significantly.

Best practices and tips

1. **Use Jump To for Time-Sensitive Emails**: When scheduling emails that are contingent on specific dates, using the Jump To action ensures that irrelevant emails are skipped. 2. **Leverage the Wait Action for Sequential Emails**: If your emails are not time-sensitive, the Wait action is ideal for ensuring contacts receive each message in order, regardless of when they enter the automation. 3. **Utilize Conditions Wisely**: Employ the segment builder to create effective conditions that ensure contacts progress through your automation in a meaningful way. 4. **Test Your Automations**: Always preview and test your automations to ensure that conditions are functioning as expected and that contacts receive the appropriate emails. 5. **Monitor Engagement**: Keep an eye on how contacts respond to automated emails and adjust conditions or timing as necessary to optimize engagement.

Common use cases with examples

• **Event Reminder Automation**: Use the Jump To action to ensure contacts who enter close to an event only receive the most relevant reminders (e.g., jumping to reminders one week or one day prior).
• **Nurture Series**: Implement a Wait action in a series of nurturing emails that educates prospects. Each email can be sent in sequence regardless of entry time, allowing for a consistent delivery of content.

Troubleshooting

If contacts are not receiving emails as expected:

• Ensure that conditions applied to both Wait and Jump To actions are configured correctly.
• Verify that the automation is active and that there are no issues in the email sending setup.
• Check if contacts have been placed correctly in the automation flow, and that triggers are functioning effectively.

FAQ

What is the main difference between Wait and Jump To actions?

The main difference is that the Jump To action allows contacts to skip directly to a designated action based on conditions, while the Wait action keeps contacts at a step until certain conditions are met.

When should I use a Jump To action?

A Jump To action should be used when dealing with emails linked to specific dates that may not be relevant depending on when a contact enters your automation.

How long can I set a contact to wait in a Wait action?

You can configure a Wait action to hold contacts until conditions are met, with options to specify time limits for waiting if you desire.

Can I combine Wait and Jump To actions in the same automation?

Yes, you can use both actions in the same automation to create a dynamic email flow that accommodates different scenarios.

Will contacts receive emails while they are waiting on a Wait action?

No, contacts will not receive the next email until they fulfill the conditions set in the Wait action.

How do I know if a contact has skipped an action using Jump To?

You can review the automation report to see the paths contacts have taken and identify whether they have jumped to specific actions.

Can I modify the conditions of a Wait or Jump To action after it has been set?

Yes, you can edit the conditions of both actions at any time as long as the automation is in edit mode.

For more information about automation actions, see the ActiveCampaign guides on [1] and [2]. ```