New Wait Steps in Automation

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New Wait Steps in Automation

Introduction

The New Wait Steps in Automation feature from ActiveCampaign represents a significant enhancement in the automation capabilities of the platform. This feature is designed to provide users with greater flexibility and control through the introduction of two new time-based wait options. By allowing users to wait “until a specific day and/or time” or “until a custom date field matches”, this feature enhances the functionality of automation workflows. This is particularly beneficial for users seeking to streamline their processes and improve the efficiency of their marketing efforts.

How to Access This Feature

To access the new wait steps functionality: 1. Log into your ActiveCampaign account. 2. Navigate to the **Automations** section from the main dashboard. 3. Select any existing automation or create a new one. 4. In the automation builder, you will find the new wait step options available to configure.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to effectively incorporate the new wait steps into your automation workflows:

1. **Open the Automation Builder**: After selecting either an existing automation or creating a new one, you will enter the automation configuration interface.

2. **Add a Wait Step**: Click on the '+' button in your automation workflow, and from the options presented, select **Wait**.

3. **Choose Wait Option**: You will now see the two new wait options:

  - **Wait for a specific day and/or time**: 
    - Select this option to configure your wait step that triggers or exits the automation based on a specific future date or time (day, month, year, hour).
  - **Wait until a custom date field matches**:
    - Use this option to trigger or exit based on a particular custom date field from your contacts, deals, or accounts, such as a reminder date or deadline.

4. **Configure the Wait Step**:

  - Input the details for your chosen wait condition.
  - Review and adjust any existing wait time selections, such as **Wait for a set period of time** or **Wait until specific conditions are met**, if necessary.

5. **Save Changes**: Ensure that you click on the **Save** button to retain the changes made to your automation.

Configuration Options and Settings

With the implementation of the New Wait Steps feature, users gain access to the following configuration options:

• **Wait for a specific day and/or time**: Set a specific date and time when the automation should continue or terminate.
• **Wait until a custom date field matches**: Utilize custom date fields that are present in your contacts, deals, or accounts.
• **Wait for a set period of time**: Option to define a duration where the automation will pause for a specific amount of hours, days, weeks, or months.
• **Wait until specific conditions are met**: This allows the automation to pause until designated conditions within the segments are satisfied, further enhancing workflow customization.

Best Practices and Tips

• **Utilize the new wait steps**: Take advantage of the enhanced flexibility to create better-targeted campaigns and automations.
• **Monitor and adjust**: Keep an eye on your automations post-setup to ensure they are performing as expected, and adjust wait conditions if necessary.
• **Utilize reminders**: For operations dependent on dates—such as renewals or follow-ups—make use of the **Wait until a custom date field matches** for timely actions.
• **Test your automations**: Always test new automations before deploying them widely to catch any potential errors or unintended actions.

Common Use Cases with Examples

1. **Event Reminders**: Set an automation that sends a reminder email a day before an event using **Wait for a specific day and/or time**.

2. **Contract Renewals**: Use the **Wait until a custom date field matches** to trigger follow-up actions based on contract expiry dates stored in your records.

3. **Deadline Follow-ups**: Automate reminders for deadlines by utilizing custom fields matching specific dates in client contracts or project timelines.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues while using the New Wait Steps:

• Ensure you have the latest updates in your ActiveCampaign account, as this feature is rolled out to accounts incrementally.
• Verify that your custom date fields are properly configured in the system to prevent mismatches.
• If existing automations do not function as intended, check that they are updated with the new wait options if required.

Related Features

• For additional information on managing more complex automations, please refer to the Automations category.
• Learn more on how to add wait steps into your automations [1].

FAQ

1. What are the benefits of using the new wait step options? The new options offer greater flexibility and control, allowing for more customized automation flows that can adapt to specific dates or conditions.

2. Do I need to update my existing automations to use the new wait steps? No actions are required for existing automations; they will continue functioning as set. However, you can manually update them to take advantage of the new features.

3. Can I set multiple wait conditions in a single automation? Yes, you can use multiple wait steps throughout your automation for various conditions.

4. Is this feature available on all ActiveCampaign plans? This feature is included in Starter, Plus, Pro, and Enterprise plans.

5. How do I access the automation builder? You can access it by navigating to the **Automations** section of your ActiveCampaign account.

6. What happens if a date field I’m waiting on changes? If the date field changes after you’ve set up the wait, the automation will wait for the newly matched date.

7. Can I use the new wait options for any type of automation? Yes, as long as your automation supports wait conditions, you can apply the new wait options accordingly.

By leveraging the New Wait Steps in Automation, users have a potent tool at their disposal, allowing for the creation of deeply customized and responsive automations that elevate marketing efforts to new heights.