Create and send a campaign

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Create and send a campaign

ActiveCampaign allows you to create and send beautiful campaigns to your list(s) of contacts. This feature is significant because it enables businesses to reach out to their audience with personalized marketing efforts, using either provided templates or custom HTML code to design the campaign. In this article, we will explore the steps necessary to create and send a campaign effectively, including best practices and troubleshooting tips.

Introduction

Creating and sending campaigns is a critical feature of ActiveCampaign as it facilitates direct communication with your opted-in contacts. Engaging your audience through well-crafted campaigns can lead to better customer retention and increased sales. ActiveCampaign offers various tools and templates to assist users in designing campaigns that reflect their brand and messaging effectively.

How to Access This Feature

To access the campaign creation feature:

1. Log in to your ActiveCampaign account. 2. Click on Campaigns in the left menu. 3. From the campaigns dashboard, you can either create a new campaign or manage existing campaigns.

Please note that you must have a list of opted-in contacts available to send your campaigns. If you need guidance on creating a list and adding contacts, please refer to the respective articles on creating a list and importing contacts.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here is a detailed walkthrough of how to create and send a campaign:

Step 1: Create a Campaign

1. In the Campaigns section, click the Create a campaign button. 2. On the Campaign Type screen, fill in the following:

  * **Campaign Name**: Enter a name for your campaign (this is internal only and won’t be visible to contacts).
  * **Campaign Type**: Select the type of campaign you wish to create. For more details on campaign types, refer to the "Campaign types overview" article.

3. Once you have entered the necessary information, click the Next button.

Step 2: Complete the Campaign Summary Page

On this page, you will fill in important details about your campaign:

• **Subject Line**: Craft an engaging subject line that encourages recipients to open your email. Consider using personalization and emojis.
• **Preheader Text**: An optional snippet of text shown in the inbox before the email is opened.
• **From Name**: Specify the sender name that recipients will see.
• **From Email**: The email address from which the campaign will be sent. Avoid using a freemail address.
• **Reply-to**: Default is set to your From Email. Change this if different reply-to responses are needed.
• **Select List(s)**: Choose one or more contact lists for the campaign. Each contact will receive the email only once, even if present in multiple lists.
• **Select or Create a Segment**: Optionally segment your recipients based on tags or saved segments.
• **Scheduling**: Set a future date and time for the campaign to be sent.
• **Open/Read Tracking**: Enabled by default, this helps track how many contacts open your emails.
• **Link Tracking**: Recommended for campaigns containing links, allowing you to analyze engagement.
• **Physical Mailing Address**: Ensure compliance by including a physical mailing address.
• **Campaign Archive**: Decide whether the campaign archive should be public or private.

Step 3: Choose a Campaign Builder

Select from the various campaign builders:

• **Email Designer**: The default drag-and-drop designer.
• **Text Only**: A plain text email without tracking.
• **HTML Builder**: For custom HTML designs.
• **Classic Designer**: An older version with different features.

Step 4: Select a Template

Choose a template that aligns with your campaign goals. You can select from existing templates or use previous campaigns as templates.

Step 5: Customize Your Campaign Design

Modify the chosen template to fit your needs by adding content and adjusting the layout. Depending on the designer you choose, refer to available resources for detailed customization guidance.

Step 6: Review the Campaign Summary Page

Before sending, review all campaign details:

• Verify subject lines, sender information, and selected lists.
• Test your email by sending a test version to yourself.
• Ensure there are no spam issues.

Step 7: Send Your Email

Once satisfied, click the Send Now button to launch your campaign. Confirm your send and review the number of contacts who will receive your email. If you prefer to schedule the send, adjust the toggle in the Schedule section and set your desired date and time.

Configuration Options and Settings

While creating a campaign, you will encounter the following configuration options:

• Subject Line
• Preheader Text
• From Name
• From Email
• Reply-to Address
• Select List(s)
• Select or Create a Segment
• Scheduling Options
• Open/Read Tracking
• Link Tracking
• Physical Mailing Address
• Campaign Archive Options
• Choose Campaign Builder

These options allow for a tailored approach to engaging your audience effectively.

Best Practices and Tips

• Utilize strong and enticing **subject lines** to improve open rates.
• Always **test your campaigns** before sending to ensure content displays correctly across devices.
• Use **tracking options** to gauge engagement and effectiveness.
• Regularly update your **contact lists and segments** to ensure relevance in your campaigns.

Common Use Cases with Examples

• **Product Launches**: Create a campaign announcing new product releases to specific segments of interested contacts.
• **Seasonal Promotions**: Design campaigns around holidays or events to boost visibility and sales.
• **Newsletters**: Regularly schedule newsletters to keep your audience informed and engaged with your brand.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues while sending a campaign:

• Check that your sender email is correctly set up and not marked as spam.
• Ensure that your email content passes the spam check.
• Verify that your lists and segments have active contacts before sending.

FAQ

1. Can I edit a campaign after it's sent?

No, once a campaign has been sent, it can't be edited or undone.

2. How do I test my email before sending?

You can send a test email to yourself using the Send Test Email option.

3. What is link tracking?

Link tracking allows you to see which links in your email are clicked, helping you assess engagement.

4. Can I use AI to help generate my campaign content?

Yes, you can use AI to assist in writing and automating follow-up emails.

5. What happens if my spam check fails?

If your spam check shows a result that is not "Passed," you will need to address the indicated issues before sending.

6. Is it possible to schedule campaigns to send automatically?

Yes, you can schedule campaigns to send at a future date and time.

7. How can I see the results of my campaign after sending?

You can view the campaign report which includes metrics such as open and click rates.

For further reading and additional resources, refer to ActiveCampaign's detailed help articles linked throughout this guide. ```