Wait

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Configure the “Wait” automation action

The Wait action in ActiveCampaign automations allows you to pause the progression of a contact through their automation path at a specific step. This feature is important because it enables you to control the timing of communications and interactions with your contacts, ensuring that responses are more timely and relevant. For example, you might want to wait for a certain period before sending a follow-up email after an initial contact, which can greatly enhance engagement.

This article details how to configure the Wait action, outlining the various options you have to customize this feature according to your specific needs.

How to access this feature

To access the Wait automation action, navigate to your ActiveCampaign dashboard. From the sidebar menu, click on Automations, then select the specific automation you wish to edit. Within the automation canvas, you can add a new action by clicking the +, followed by selecting Actions. From the subsequent menu, you can find and select the Wait action.

Step-by-step instructions

1. **Locate your automation** - From the dashboard, go to the Automations section. 2. **Open the desired automation** - Click on the automation you want to edit. 3. **Add action** - Click on the + icon to add a new action to your automation path. 4. **Select action type** - Choose Actions to open the action menu and select the Wait action. 5. **Configure settings** - Follow the prompts to customize your wait preferences according to the section below.

Configuration options

There are four primary configuration options when setting up the Wait action:

Wait for a set period of time

This option allows you to choose a defined duration that a contact will wait at this stage. You can combine different durations such as minutes, hours, days, weeks, or even months to create a tailored waiting period. Common combinations include: - "Wait 1 hour and 30 minutes" - "Wait 2 days and 6 hours"

Wait until a specific day and/or time

Choose to set a specific date and time for a contact to wait until. This can be customized with combinations of months, days, years, and times. You can set this in either the contact’s timezone or a specified timezone.

• Example Scenarios*:

- If set to a specific hour without further details, contacts reaching this block within that hour can pass through. - A condition set for January 1 at 12 PM would occur every year, so if missed, the contact will wait until the next year to pass through.

Wait until a custom date field matches

Select a specific custom date field associated with a contact, deal, or account. The contact will wait until the date field matches the current date or allows you to set a specific number of days before or after that date.

Keep in mind: - If the date you've set has already passed, the contact may either continue onward or exit the automation based on previous selections. - A contact without a value in that date field will remain stagnant until a value is provided.

Wait until specific conditions are met

This advanced option lets you set a segment condition that determines when a contact will resume their journey. It enables waiting for conditions like specific days of the week or actions completed by the contact to proceed.

For detailed information on creating segments, refer to the relevant article on creating segments in ActiveCampaign.

Best practices and tips

- When configuring the Wait action, carefully assess how long you want the wait to last based on typical engagement metrics for your audience. - Regularly review and adjust your automation paths to optimize the timing of wait actions depending on evolving customer preferences and behavior. - Utilize the custom date fields effectively by ensuring they are always filled in to avoid unnecessary delays in your automation paths.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with the Wait action: - Ensure that all necessary date fields are set up and configured correctly prior to activating the Wait action. - Review your automation to check for potential loops where the contact may not progress due to unfulfilled conditions.

FAQ

1. What does the Wait action do in ActiveCampaign?

The Wait action pauses the automation flow for a contact at a specific step, allowing you to control the timing of communications.

1. How long can I configure a contact to wait?

You can configure a wait period for any duration by combining minutes, hours, days, months, and even years.

1. Can I set the wait action based on conditions?

Yes, you can configure the Wait action to continue based on specific conditions being met, using segment rules.

1. What happens if the date I set in the wait action has passed?

If the date has passed, the contact will either continue to the next action or exit the automation based on prior selections.

1. Do I need to set up custom date fields before using them in the wait action?

Yes, custom date fields must be configured before you can utilize them in the Wait action.

1. Is there any limit to how many wait actions I can add in one automation?

While you can add multiple wait actions in an automation, consider the overall flow and user experience to avoid excessive waiting times.

1. Can I change the wait time after the automation is published?

Yes, you can edit the wait settings any time; however, changes will only apply to new contacts entering the automation after the update.

For further details on the intriguing capabilities of the Wait action and its applications, be sure to visit the comprehensive resources available on the ActiveCampaign help center. ```