Determining the time of day to send an automated message is a complex problem. Some messages need to be always sent regardless of the time of day or week, while others need to be restricted to specific days and times. We've created two different toolsets for ProLine users to control how and when they want each automated message to send. These are:
Message Sending Hours & Rules: These are the high-level rules for what time of day and week ProLine should send automated messages.
Step Send Time Mode: There are four send time modes, and each one has a different relationship with the Message Sending Hours & Rules.
Step Send Time Modes
There are four "send time" modes for automated steps. Each one has a different relationship with ProLine's Message Sending Hours & Restrictions.
The send time mode selection on an automated email step in ProLine:
1. Start at Optimal Time
Steps that use this mode will send at the time of day that ProLine's AI has determined the contact is most likely to see and respond to the message. Optimal time steps will always respect the settings in your Message Sending Hours & Restrictions.
2. Start Immediately
Steps that use this mode will run the moment the contact reaches the step in the campaign, except when "Restrict to Business Hours" is selected and the step is reached outside of business hours. Start immediately steps with "Restrict to Business Hours" selected will always respect the settings in your Message Sending Hours & Restrictions, while start immediately steps without "Restrict to Business Hours" selected will ignore them.
3. Start at Specific Time
Steps that use this mode will run at the next time their specific time is reached. Start at specific time steps ignore Message Sending Hours & Restrictions, and send exactly when they are configured to send no matter what.
4. Start X Time Before Event
Steps that use this mode are set to run a specific period of time before an event start date. Start X Time Before Event steps ignore Message Sending Hours & Restrictions, and send exactly when they are configured to send no matter what.
Message Sending Hours & Rules
You can manage the sending hours and rules (for automated messages that are using a send time mode that honors them) in your company settings. Click here to open the Message Sending Hours & Rules page inside ProLine.
Don't Send Before
Set the hour of the day before which you do not wish automated messages to be sent.
Don't Send After
Set the hour of the day after which you do not wish automated messages to be sent.
Don't Send on Major United States Holidays
Do you wish ProLine not to send messages on major United States holidays such as the Fourth of July and Memorial Day?
Don't Send on Major Canadian Holidays
Do you wish ProLine not to send messages on major Canadian holidays such as Labour Day and Canada Day?
Don't Send on Saturday
Do you wish ProLine not to send messages on Saturday?
Don't Send on Sunday
Do you wish ProLine not to send messages on Sunday?