Start an automation on a date or time

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Start an automation on a date or time

In ActiveCampaign, automating outreach and communications can significantly enhance your marketing effectiveness. One of the powerful features within the Automations section is the ability to start an automation on a specific date or time. This capability allows you to meticulously target your audience and set time-sensitive engagements without manual intervention.

This article explores three different ways to start an automation on a specific date or time, providing step-by-step instructions, best practices, and troubleshooting tips. Understanding how to leverage this feature can optimize your workflow and enhance your marketing strategy.

How to Access This Feature

To access the feature of starting an automation on a date or time, log into your ActiveCampaign account and navigate to the Automations section. From there, you can create or modify an automation to utilize the options mentioned in this article.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here, we break down the three primary methods for starting an automation based on a specific date or time.

Method 1: Enter the Automation on a Date and Time

1. **Add any trigger** to your automation. 2. Click the Segment the contacts entering this automation checkbox found under the Advanced section. 3. The trigger modal will expand, allowing you to configure specific conditions:

  * Click the Conditions dropdown, then select the Date & Time category.
  * Choose the desired date and time option. You can select the Current date condition to specify the month, date, year, and/or time, or use the Current day of the week option based on your contacts' or your time zone.
  * Use the middle dropdown in the segment builder to select an operator, and the right dropdown to choose the value for the condition you set.

4. After completing your segment conditions, click the Add Start button.

Method 2: Enter the Automation and Wait Until a Date/Time to Proceed

This method allows contacts to enter the automation whenever they meet the trigger conditions but will queue in a conditional wait step until a specific date and time is reached.

1. **Add any trigger** to your automation. 2. Click the node (+) under the start trigger. 3. Select Workflow, then click on the Wait action. 4. Choose the Wait until specific day and/or time option. 5. Using the dropdowns, select the date (month, day, year) and time (time and timezone). 6. Click the Save button.

This option is recommended for its straightforward setup, but you can also opt for the Wait until specific conditions are met option in the Wait action if combining date/time conditions with others such as tags or list membership is desirable.

Method 3: "Date-Based" Automation Trigger

The "Date-Based" trigger automatically adds contacts from a specified list into your automation as they meet predetermined date requirements.

1. From the Automation Trigger modal, click Date Based, then select Continue. 2. The Action Options modal will expand:

  * **Starts**: Use the dropdowns to select when the automation runs for each contact and the date field that the automation will reference.
  * **List**: Choose your specified list from the dropdown.
  * **Check**: Set how frequently the trigger checks for contacts meeting your conditions (daily, weekends, or weekdays), and define the time of day for the check.
  * **Runs**: Choose between running the automation yearly (when the month and day match conditions) or only once (when year, month, and day match conditions).

3. Click the Add Start button once configurations are complete.

Configuration Options and Settings

The key configuration options for starting an automation on a date or time within ActiveCampaign are vital to utilize effectively:

• Segment the contacts entering this automation: This option enables you to filter which contacts will enter the automation based on specified conditions.
• Date & Time Conditions: These conditions allow you to specify exact dates and times when contacts should enter or be processed through the automation.
• Wait Action: This feature suspends the automation until the specified date and/or time is reached, permitting you to leverage time-sensitive marketing strategies.
• Date-Based Trigger Options: This indicates the start condition based on the date, with settings for frequency checks and years.

Best Practices and Tips

• **Utilize date-based automation** for birthday greetings or anniversaries to engage customers on significant dates.
• **Leverage segment limitations** effectively to narrow down the audience; this ensures only relevant contacts enter the automation.
• **Consider contact time zones** when scheduling automated messages so that they reach recipients at appropriate times.
• **Combine wait actions** with other conditions for complex workflows that may depend on multiple criteria.
• **Test your automations** before running them live to ensure they behave as expected, particularly when scheduling for time-sensitive events.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues when configuring your automations based on a date or time, consider the following:

• **Verify Trigger Conditions**: Ensure the correct trigger is selected and that the segment conditions are accurately set.
• **Time Zones**: Double-check the time zones for both your settings and your contacts to make sure they align.
• **Testing**: Run a test with a few contacts to confirm that the automations trigger correctly at the scheduled date and time.
• **Review Automation Logic**: Make sure that the flow of the automation logic is as intended and that there are no conflicts in the conditions set.

Related Features

To enhance your use of automation in ActiveCampaign, consider exploring the following related features:

• Automations - Central hub for managing all automated processes within ActiveCampaign.
• Send Date-Based Campaigns - Learn how to schedule email campaigns based on contact actions and dates.
• Segmentation - Understanding segmentation can help you fine-tune which contacts enter your automation.

FAQ

1. Can I use multiple triggers for a single automation?

No, each automation can only be started by one trigger. However, multiple conditions within that trigger can be set.

2. Can I set multiple date conditions in the automation?

Yes, you can set multiple date conditions through custom segments in the triggers.

3. Will contacts who enter the automation early receive the automation at the right time?

Yes, if configured correctly, contacts queuing in the wait feature will receive the automation once the conditions are met.

4. What happens if a contact does not meet the conditions?

If conditions are not met, the contact will not enter the automation and will not receive any automated messages.

5. Is it possible to edit the date/time after an automation starts?

Yes, you can modify the date/time settings in the automation even after it begins, but changes should be carefully considered.

6. Can I delete an automation once it has started?

Yes, you can delete an automation at any time, but it will stop all processes related to that automation.

7. What are the limitations of the date-based automation trigger?

Limitations may include the frequency of checks and the breadth of data that can be applied when automating based on dates.

By utilizing the feature to start an automation on a date or time, you can enhance your contact engagement, improve your marketing effectiveness, and streamline your workflows in ActiveCampaign.