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How to use a custom date field in a “Wait” automation action

In ActiveCampaign, the Wait action is a powerful tool that allows users to determine if a contact should move to the next step in an automation based on a specified date. This feature is particularly useful when you want to trigger actions around important dates such as sending promotional codes prior to a contact’s birthday or sending follow-up emails after an event date. By leveraging custom date fields, users can create precise automation sequences that enhance engagement and ensure timely communication.

This article will guide you through how to use a custom date field in a Wait automation action, covering how to access this feature, providing step-by-step instructions, configuration options, best practices, and answering common questions.

How to Access This Feature

To use the Wait action within your automations, follow these steps: 1. Log in to your ActiveCampaign account. 2. Navigate to the Automations section from the main dashboard. 3. Select an existing automation or create a new one. 4. Within the automation builder, look for the option to add a new action and select Wait from the available action list.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to use a custom date field in a Wait action effectively:

Step 1: Create a Custom Date Field

Before you can use a custom date in a Wait action, you need to create a date-based custom field for your contacts. You can do this by: 1. Navigating to the Settings section in the ActiveCampaign dashboard. 2. Selecting Custom Fields and then clicking on Add Field. 3. Choose the type as Date field and provide a name that reflects the event (e.g., "Webinar Date").

For more detailed instructions, refer to the documentation on creating a custom contact field [1].

Step 2: Use “Wait Until Custom Date Field Matches”

The recommended method to utilize custom date fields in a Wait action is: 1. In the automation builder, click on the Wait action. 2. From the configuration options, select Wait until custom date field matches. 3. Choose the custom date field you created earlier and set the date condition (e.g., exactly on or before a specified date).

Step 3: Implement the Rolling Date Window Segment (if necessary)

As an alternative, you can use the rolling date window segment option if you wish to combine conditions. Here’s how: 1. Again, choose the Wait action in the automation. 2. Instead of waiting for a specific date, select Wait until specific conditions are met. 3. Here, use the segment builder to create conditions, such as when a contact has a specific tag or is active on a list alongside the custom date criteria.

Configuration Options and Settings

When configuring the Wait action for a custom date, pay attention to the following options: - Wait until custom date field matches is straightforward and most effective for most scenarios. - Wait until specific conditions are met allows for greater customization and can use conditions like tags or list status but is more complex to set up.

Additionally, ensure that the date-based custom field is set accurately, as only date fields (and not date and time fields) can be utilized for the rolling date window segment.

Best Practices and Tips

- Always prefer the Wait until custom date field matches method as it simplifies the process and reduces the potential for errors. - Schedule your follow-up communications strategically. For instance, if a contact’s engagement is based on an event, stagger reminders to optimize attendance. - Test your automation configurations before activation to ensure that the Wait actions trigger as expected.

Common Use Cases with Examples

- **Example 1:** You have a contact with a webinar scheduled for August 11th. You might set up three Wait actions:

 - One to send a reminder 7 days before (August 4th).
 - A second action to send an alert on the day of the webinar (August 11th).
 - A final follow-up the day after (August 12th).
 

- **Example 2:** Sending birthday promotional codes can be set up by having a wait action trigger a few days in advance of the birthday date stored in the custom date field.

Troubleshooting

If you're experiencing issues with the Wait action: - Ensure the custom date field is properly set and formatted as a date-only field. - Double-check your automation setup for any misconfigurations or overlaps that might prevent the action from triggering correctly. - If you are using the rolling date window, verify that your conditions are set without contradictions.

Related Features

- For more information on automating actions based on various triggers, check out Automations. - Learn more about creating Custom Fields for enhanced segmentation and personalized automations in ActiveCampaign.

FAQ

Q1: What types of dates can I use in the Wait action?

You can only use date-based custom fields for the Wait action. Date and time fields are not supported.

Q2: Can I combine different conditions in a Wait action?

Yes, you can combine different conditions using the rolling date window segment option.

Q3: What should I do if my Wait action doesn’t appear to trigger?

Check the configuration of your custom date field and ensure it matches the current date conditions set in the Wait action.

Q4: Is it better to use the custom date field or the segment method?

Using the Wait until custom date field matches is recommended as it is simpler and less prone to errors.

Q5: Can I send reminders or follow-ups based on multiple custom date fields?

Yes, you can set multiple Wait actions in a single automation for different custom date fields if needed.

Q6: Why can’t I see my custom date field in the Wait action?

Make sure that the custom date field has been created correctly and is available for the associated contact records.

Q7: Are there any limitations regarding the number of Wait actions I can use?

There are generally no predetermined limits on using Wait actions in an automation, but it’s best to keep your automations organized and logical.

By utilizing the above instructions and tips, you can effectively apply custom date fields in your ActiveCampaign automations, ensuring timely and relevant communication with your contacts. ```