Message new or existing list members using the Automation Path Builder

Create a list-join path to automatically reach out to new contacts who signed up for a specific list or were moved onto the list

A well-segmented contact list ensures you're getting the right content to the right contacts. It's okay to move contacts from one list to another when they no longer meet the list's criteria! Or, maybe sometimes you want your contacts to be on multiple lists for different reasons, that's ok, too! When you add a contact to a different list, our Automation Path Builder lets you send an email or SMS message to engage with them.

• Create a list-join path to engage with your contacts
• Customize the list-join trigger
• Create your email message content
• Build out your path and activate it

Did you know? Welcome automations are triggered when a contact joins your list through a sign-up form, but list-join automations are triggered any time a contact is added to the list you choose, including when they sign up, when you manually move them, or when they are added to a list through an automated process.

Create a list-join path to engage with your contacts

Follow the steps to create an automation path using a pre-built template and select the following template:

• Added to specific list - Select this option to trigger an automation when a contact joins your list either through a sign-up form, or when they are manually added to a list by you, choose a new list through the Update Profile form in an email footer, or are automatically added to a list based on ecommerce activity.

Once your list-join path is created and saved, you can find it again by selecting the Automations option in the left-hand menu of your account.

Customize the list-join trigger

Important: If you have a welcome path already active for a specific list, either choose a different list for your list-join trigger or deactivate the welcome path. If both paths are active for the same list, a contact who joins the list will trigger both paths and potentially receive duplicate or conflicting content from you.

You can control which list triggers your automation path, and you can even select multiple lists.

1. Click the three dots on the Trigger step in your path, then select the "Edit" option.
2. In the Trigger details section, choose a list or several lists from the Select lists to include drop-down menu.
   Note: If the list doesn't already exist, you'll need to create a new list from the Contacts tab first.
3. (Optional) In the Contact filter section, select additional criteria to determine which contacts are eligible to start your automation path. For example, you can limit your automation path to contacts already on a specific list, contacts who take an action, such as clicking a link, or contacts who spend a specified amount in your online store. You can even create more complex filters that combine multiple criteria.
4. (Optional) In the Auto-stop settings, select criteria to stop the automation path for a contact before it finishes.
5. Click the Save button.
   
   
   
   

Design tip: Want to learn more about the triggers in your automation path? Check out this article for understanding triggers.

Create your email message content

Your message content is fully customizable! It can be a simple "welcome" message or used to dive into the details for your target audience. Emails offer the most content flexibility, while SMS messages are more likely to be read and engaged with.

• Email - Follow the steps to add a Send an email action to your path. First, select a template, then use the email editor to customize your content. If you need help getting started, try using the AI Content Generator while you're editing your text. You also have the option to copy an existing draft or sent email. Your message can include multiple images, links, and larger blocks of text. Learn more.
  
  
  
  
• SMS - Follow the steps to add a Send an SMS step to your path. Enter the content of your text message or use the AI Content Generator to help get you started. Your message can include a single URL, but it doesn't allow for images. Longer messages are split into individual text messages, which affects your billing. Learn more.
  
  
  
  

Repeat the steps for each email or SMS message in your path.

Design tip: The "added to specific list" template doesn't include SMS by default, but if you're registered for SMS marketing, you can add SMS messages to your path too!

(Optional) Build out your list-join path

The "added to specific list" template provides a basic path that just needs the message content added, but you can also make your path more complex by adding additional messages. Emails offer the most content flexibility, while SMS messages have a higher likelihood of being read and engaged with.

1. Use the Path builder to:

• Add email steps to a path.
• Add SMS message steps to a path.
• Add time delays between steps.
• Add conditional splits to a step in a path.
• Add update contact field steps to a path.
• Add tag steps to a path.
• Add "date of first purchase" steps to a path.

2. Click the Activate button in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.
   
   
   
   

Once your automation path is activated, you’re brought to the details page where you can review your performance and reporting information.

Questions?