Webinar Reminder Automation

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How do I create a webinar reminder automation?

The Webinar Reminder Automation feature in ActiveCampaign allows users to create a structured system for reminding attendees about upcoming webinars. This ensures that your contacts stay informed and are more likely to attend, thereby enhancing engagement and participation rates. This feature is particularly useful for marketers and organizations hosting educational webinars, helping maintain a consistent communication flow leading up to the event.

How to access this feature

To access the Webinar Reminder Automation, you will need a suitable ActiveCampaign plan. This feature is available for the following plan types: Plus, Pro, and Enterprise. Here’s how you can access it:

1. Click on the Automations option located in the left menu. 2. Click the Create an automation button. 3. In the search box labeled Search for a recipe, type in "webinar". 4. Click on the Webinar Reminder Series from the results. 5. The automation builder will load with a preview of the automation recipe. Click on the Get Started button in the Automation Setup Wizard. 6. Follow the prompts provided by the Wizard to complete the setup of each Jump To action in your automation. During this process, you will need to select your custom webinar date field.

Step-by-step instructions

Creating a Webinar Reminder Automation involves several key steps:

1. 1. 1. Add the "Webinar Reminder Series" automation to your account

1. **Click** the Automations menu on the left. 2. **Select** the Create an automation button. 3. **Input** "webinar" into the Search for a recipe field. 4. **Choose** Webinar Reminder Series. 5. **Load** the automation builder by clicking the Get Started button. 6. **Follow** the prompts to set up the Jump To actions. For each action, select the corresponding custom webinar date field.

1. 1. 1. Add emails to the "Webinar Reminder Series" automation

This automation consists of five Send Email actions, requiring a campaign for each one.

1. **Click** the first Send an email action in your automation. 2. **Choose** to either Create a new email or Start from an existing email.

  - Create a new email: Use AI or a predesigned template or create from scratch.
  - Start from an existing email: Select a campaign you've previously created.

3. Once chosen, **select** your preferred email designer from the drop-down menu under Or select a template. 4. **Hover** over your desired template and **click** the Select button. 5. **Edit** your email by hovering over the preview and clicking Edit Design. 6. **Adjust** the email’s layout, including images and messaging, then **click** the Next button in the upper right. 7. On the summary page, you can:

  - Create/edit the message name, subject line, preheader text, and sender information.
  - Send test emails to preview.
  - Review notifications of potential spam triggers.
  - Enable/disable email tracking options like Open/Read Tracking, Link Tracking, Reply Tracking, and Google Analytics tracking.

8. Once all required fields are completed, **click** the Finish button. 9. Repeat steps 1-8 for the remaining reminder emails. 10. After customizing your automation, **click** the Active button.

1. 1. 1. Adjust the timing of the "Send an email" actions

The timing for sending each reminder email can be modified based on both the Jump To action and the conditional Wait actions above it.

1. **Click** the Jump To action to update its date-based condition, which determines how many days before the webinar the reminder email will send. 2. **Type** a new number into the designated field and **click** the Save button. 3. To change the time of day emails will send, **click** the conditional Wait action. 4. In the modal, select a new time from the drop-down menu and **click** Save.

Configuration options and settings

While setting up your Webinar Reminder Automation, ensure the following configurations are in place:

- Each automation requires a custom date field populated with the actual webinar date. - Each Send Email action necessitates a corresponding campaign set up beforehand. - The timeliness of reminders is customizable through both Jump To actions and Wait conditions.

Best practices and tips

- **Customize** your reminder emails to reflect your brand's messaging and offer value to your audience. - **Schedule** a variety of reminders (such as 30 days, 2 weeks, 1 week, 1 day before, and the day of) to maximize attendance. - Consider segmenting your audience to send tailored messages based on behavior or demographics. - **A/B test** different subject lines and email content to see what resonates best with your audience.

Common use cases with examples

1. **Educational Webinars**: Send reminder emails to participants of a series of educational webinars—each email detailing different topics covered. 2. **Product Demos**: If demonstrating a product, follow up with reminders leading up to the demonstration day with highlights of what will be covered. 3. **Sales Webinars**: For webinars intended to drive sales, craft compelling call-to-actions in reminders to increase participation from potential buyers.

Troubleshooting

Should you encounter issues setting up your Webinar Reminder Automation, consider the following troubleshooting steps:

- Ensure that your custom date field is accurately populated; lack of a date may cause the reminders to not trigger. - Verify that all Send Email actions have an associated campaign correctly set up. - Double-check the configurations in the Jump To and Wait actions for any inaccuracies in timing or conditions.

FAQ

1. What plans support Webinar Reminder Automation?

This feature is available in the Plus, Pro, and Enterprise plans.

2. Can I modify the timing of reminder emails?

Yes, you can change both the timing of the Jump To actions and the time of day for each email sent.

3. What do I need to create before using this automation?

You need to create a custom date field for your webinar date and campaigns for each Send Email action.

4. How many reminder emails can I set up?

The Webinar Reminder Series automation includes five scheduled emails.

5. Can I customize the reminder emails?

Yes, you can create new emails or start with existing ones to customize them based on your preferences.

6. What if I don’t see the "Webinar Reminder Series" option?

Make sure you are in a supported plan and properly searching in the automation recipe section.

7. How do I make sure my emails are not marked as spam?

Review notifications for any potential spam triggers on the email summary page and adjust the content or settings accordingly.

By following this comprehensive guide, users should be equipped with all the necessary information to successfully create and manage their Webinar Reminder Automations in ActiveCampaign.