Setting Up Custom Opt-In Processes via Automation

Tip: Are you looking for information about Constant Contact’s Email and Digital Marketing product? This article is for Constant Contact’s Lead Gen & CRM product. Head on over to the Email and Digital Marketing articles by clicking here. Not sure what the difference is? Read this article.

Creating Double Opt-In Forms and Emails

To create a custom opt-in process, you will first need to create an opt-in email. Using a double opt-in process validates the email address a lead has provided, in addition to verifying that they would in fact like to receive further communications. For example, this process is useful in requesting that a lead join a mailing list.

To create a double opt-in email, create a Lead Gen & CRM form or a native/third-party form.

1. Place your form on either a Lead Gen & CRM landing page or a website.
2. Create an email to verify the lead's email address and/or interest in receiving communication.
3. Insert a link or button into the email that asks the lead to confirm or verify they want to receive emails.
4. Modify the link or button settings to redirect to the landing page or website.

Creating Opt-In Triggers and Actions 

Once you have created the double opt-in email, you will need to apply the appropriate opt-in triggers and actions. By setting up the workflow outlined below, after a lead fills out a form, they will receive your double opt-in email. When they click the link or button in the email to confirm their interest in receiving emails, their contact info in Lead Gen & CRM will automatically be updated to reflect they've opted in. Additionally, any leads who do not opt in after 2 weeks will be added to a manual list.

To create a set of triggers and actions, create or edit a visual workflow from Automation > Visual Workflows in the top toolbar.

1. Click + Add > Trigger under Start or an applicable branch.
   
   

    

2. Select the fills out the form trigger, located in the Form section.
    
   Note: Selecting the fills out any form trigger applies this opt-in process to every available form.
   
   

    

3. Select the desired form.
4. Select the time frame that should apply to the trigger.
5. Click OK.
   
   

    

6. Click + Add > Action below the trigger. 
   
   

   .

7. Select the send the email action, located in the Communication section.
   
   

    

8. Select the email that has a link to opt in.
9. Optionally, check the box if the email should be sent the following business day when outside business hours. 
10. Click OK.
    
    

     

11. Click + Add > Trigger below the action.
    
    

     

12. Select the visits from the email trigger.
    
    

     

13. Make any adjustments as needed to how often the customer can click, to fire the trigger. 
14. Enter the opt-in link in the By clicking this link (optional) field.
15. Optionally, select the Remove from parent action group checkbox
16. Select one of the Trigger Behavior options:
    • Gated Trigger - Only fire the trigger if the email is sent as part of this visual workflow. 
    • Open Trigger - Allow the trigger to fire even if the email is sent as a smart mail email, to a list, or through another action group.
17. Click OK.
    
    

     

18. Click + Add > Action below that trigger.
    
    

     

19. Select the change contact field action in the Contact Edit Actions section.
    
    

     

20. Type Is Opted In as the field name. 
21. Change the value to True. 
22. Click OK.
    
    

     

23. Under Branch 1, click + Add > Time Delay.
    
    
     
24. Set the time delay to 2 weeks.
25. Click OK.
    
    
     
26. Under the Time Delay, click + Add > Action.
    
    
     
27. Select the Add to list action under the List Actions section.
    
    
     
28. Choose a list to add contacts to who haven't completed the double opt in after 2 weeks.
29. Click OK.
    
    
     
30. Set your workflow to Active.
    
    

Did this article answer your question?