A clear guide explaining the difference between a one-time "Bulk Message" and an automated, multi-step "Campaign," helping you choose the right tool for your communication goals.
✨ When You Need This Guide
This guide is for you if you're trying to decide on the best way to send a message to a group of patients. Use this if you're asking:
"What's the difference between a bulk message and a campaign?"
"Should I use a campaign to announce that we're closed for a snow day?"
"I want to send a single holiday greeting to all my patients. Which tool should I use?"
"How should I send a message to my patients about an upcoming event?"
The Core Difference in One Sentence
Use a Bulk Message for a single, one-time announcement sent all at once. Use a Campaign for a series of automated messages that are sent out over time.
📢 All About Bulk Messages (For One-Time Announcements)
What it is: A Bulk Message is used for a single, one-time communication sent to a specific list of people. You create the message, select your audience, and send it. The communication ends there.
Use a Bulk Message for:
Urgent Alerts: Announcing temporary closures due to weather, power outages, or other events (e.g., "Snow day! The office is closed today.").
Service Announcements: Notifying patients of new staff, new services, or changes in office hours.
Monthly Newsletters: Sending general office updates or a monthly newsletter link.
One-Time Promotions: Sending a special offer for a specific holiday or event.
Key Takeaway: Think of a Bulk Message like sending a single email blast or a flyer. It's a one-and-done communication.
🔁 All About Campaigns (For Automated Workflows)
What it is: A Campaign is a series of messages that are sent automatically over a set period. Campaigns are triggered by a specific event (like a new appointment) or when a patient is manually added to the campaign.
Use a Campaign for:
New Patient Workflows: Sending a sequence of messages like "Welcome!," "Please fill out your paperwork before your visit," and "Here's what to expect on your first visit."
Appointment-Specific Reminders: Creating a unique sequence of reminders for a specific appointment type (e.g., a "Day 2" reminder after an initial consultation).
Patient Education: Sending a series of helpful tips or information over several days or weeks.
Order Updates: Automatically notifying optometry patients about the status of their glasses or contact lens orders.
Key Takeaway: Think of a Campaign as an automated onboarding or marketing sequence. It's designed for multi-step communication over time.
💡 Quick Comparison Chart
Feature | Bulk Message | Campaign |
Best For | One-time announcements | Automated sequences |
Number of Steps | One single message | Multiple steps over time |
Timing | Sent all at once (or scheduled for one specific time) | Steps are timed relative to each other (e.g., "wait 3 days") |
Common Use Case | "Our office will be closed for the holiday on Monday." | "Welcome! Here's your Day 1 info. You'll get Day 2 info tomorrow." |
How to Start | CONTACTS > Send Bulk Message | CAMPAIGNS > Show Campaigns |
🎉 You'll Know You've Chosen Correctly When:
You are successfully sending one-time alerts to a specific list of patients using the Bulk Message tool.
You have built an automated, multi-step workflow using a Campaign that runs without your manual intervention.
💬 Need Help? We're Here!
If you have other questions about which tool to use, our support team is ready to help. Contact us at 800-563-0469 or support@getaloha.com.