Regular Workflow for a Segment

A regular workflow is a series of automated messages sent to a contact segment based on determined conditions. Most often, regular workflows are used for dynamic segments, but it’s possible to launch a regular workflow for a list segment.

A regular workflow differs from a one-time workflow in that it automatically runs for all new contacts added to the assigned segment after the workflow has been started.

An important condition for launching a regular workflow for a segment is that you must have a contact database with whom you have been interacting for a long time.

In this article, we will describe the process of creating a regular workflow for contacts who show certain activity/inactivity in your messages.

You can build both single-channel or multichannel workflows with any type of message in an unlimited number – Email, Web push, Mob push, SMS, Viber or App inbox.

Messages in workflow work together to accomplish a particular goal. It can be

  • birthday greeting;
  • event invitation;
  • reactivation, etc.

1. Create a Dynamic Segment

Dynamic segments can include contacts based on one or more parameters (conditions). The number of contacts in the segment varies depending on how many current contacts match specified conditions.

Let’s create a dynamic segment that includes contacts who opened your messages a month ago.

  1. Go to Contacts → Segments, click the Add segment button.
Contact segments page with the Add segment button highlighted
  1. Select Dynamic segment and click Create.
Segment types page with the Create button highlighted under Dynamic segment
  1. Fill in general properties:
  • Name (required) — displayed in the general segment list.
  • Purpose (optional) — specify how the campaigns will be used. For example, for triggered emails, regular promo campaigns, etc.
  • TagsĀ (optional) — select from the list or add a new one for quick filtering and segment search.
  1. ClickĀ Next.
Add dynamic segment General Properties step with name, purpose, and tags filled in and the Next button highlighted
  1. To select conditions click Add condition.
  2. Go toĀ Channels → Contact activity by Email → Last opened → on day X time ago → 30 → days ago.
Segment conditions step with Contact activity by Email, Last opened, on day X time ago, and 30 days ago selected
  1. Click Done. The created segment will appear in the general segment list.
Contact segments list showing the newly created Last open month ago segment
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Contacts in the segment are recalculated daily from 3 a.m. to 4 a.m.

2. Create a Workflow

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Note

You need to create corresponding messages before getting started with a workflow.

Let’s create the following workflow that consists of two emails, timers and conditions.

Learn more about building and editing workflows >

  1. Go to Automation → Workflows and click New workflow. Enter its name and tags (optionally). Build a workflow with the following blocks:
    • Start. A required block that starts every workflow.
    • Timer 1. The workflow starts sending messages straight after contact recalculation. Since contacts are recalculated from 3 a.m. to 4 a.m., set the timer so as not to bother your recipients at night.
    • Email. In Message, select the previously created email. Repeat this for each Email block in the workflow.
Workflow builder with an Email block open showing the selected Promo Email message
  • Timer 2/3. Specify a time gap between the sends. You can also select on what day and at what hour the message should be sent. The timer starts counting down after contacts have been recalculated but not after the workflow has been activated.

  • Condition Opened/Not opened. After a specified timer expires, the system checks whether the contact has performed the target action. The workflow continues to run depending on the result:
    āœ“ Opened: The workflow sends a follow-up and ends.
    āœ“ Not opened: The workflow repeatedly sends the 1-st email. Depending on the response, it sends a follow-up message or ends.

  • End. The required block that must end every workflow brunch.

  1. Click Save.

The workflow will look like this:

Workflow preview showing the full Regular Workflow for a Segment with emails, timers, and opened conditions branching to Mobile Push and SMS

3. Configure Trigger

  1. In Automation → Workflows, choose the created workflow and click Start/Stop configuration.
Workflows list with the Start/Stop configuration icon highlighted for Regular Workflow for a Segment
  1. Activate Start configuration switcher
  2. In the Regular tab,
  • In Segment, select the created segment.
Start/Stop configuration dialog with Start configuration enabled, Regular option and Last open month ago segment selected
  • In Starts on, select the current date.
  • In Start schedule, select once a day.
  • Select allowed start days.
Start/Stop configuration with Once a day schedule, start date and time, and all allowed start days enabled
  • Set the Start time and set the End date of the workflow;
  • In Process unique events, select Each time.
Start/Stop configuration with Process repeated events set to Each time
  • Click Apply.
  1. To start a workflow, click Activate on the right and confirm the action.
Workflows list with the Activate icon highlighted for Regular Workflow for a Segment

The workflow status will change to active. The first message will be sent when all the conditions specified for the segment are met.

To track the workflow launch history, click the Launches icon. For more details, see the article.

Workflows list with the Launches icon highlighted and a dropdown showing launch statuses


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