This guide covers the essentials of creating one-time SMS and email campaigns and setting up automated flows based on triggers like job completions. Learn to streamline your marketing processes and enhance engagement with our expert step-by-step guide. Whether you're new to campaign building or looking to refine your approach, this guide provides all the insights you need.

To send an SMS campaign, ensure you have a custom SMS number set up. Find out how to set up a custom SMS here. Additionally, your customers must consent to receiving SMS marketing. Please review our help article on confirming consent for SMS marketing to ensure compliance here.

Express consent is a clear and deliberate agreement from an individual to receive specific communications, such as marketing emails or promotional texts. It requires a direct action, such as ticking a checkbox or signing a form, verbally confirming their willingness to be contacted.

Identifying the "right customer" for your marketing campaigns fundamentally begins with obtaining express consent. This initial step is crucial not only for compliance with regulations but also for establishing a foundation of trust and relevance. By securing this permission upfront, you target an audience that is more engaged and more likely to respond positively to your messages, thereby optimizing the impact of your campaigns and maintaining a respectful and ethical relationship with your customers.

Once you have set up a custom SMS number and obtained consent, you can send a one-time SMS campaign. First, log in to your Housecall Pro account and select the 'Marketing' tab from the top navigation bar on your dashboard.

Once in the marketing center, click on 'NEW CAMPAIGN' in the upper right-hand corner

Next, click 'Select' under 'SMS one-time' to get started with sending a one-time SMS campaign to a group of customers.

Here, you’ll select your recipients. You can either choose an existing list or create a new one by clicking 'New List' in the upper right-hand corner. For more information on how customer lists work for one-time SMS campaigns, please view our help article here.

Effectively targeting the right customers is crucial for the success of your SMS marketing campaigns. By reaching the appropriate audience with relevant and desired content, you increase engagement rates, improve conversion rates, and ensure a higher return on investment, all while minimizing spam complaints.

If you create a new list, you'll need to enter a 'List Name' for this group of target customers. Choose a name for your list that will help you easily identify the attributes of the customers; for example "High Value, Inactive Customers" or "Google Ads-Residential Customers."

Next, you'll set conditions to refine your recipient list. Customer conditions are specific criteria that can be applied to target customers by filtering lists based on specific inputs. The conditions you can use include:

Here’s how to configure each condition:

To add multiple conditions, click 'Add Condition.' Combine multiple customer conditions to refine your target audience further. For instance, you might target customers tagged with "Residential" who also have "Google Local Services Ads" listed as their Lead Source. Ensure the conditions you set align with the goals of your campaign for optimal results.

Best Practices for Using Customer Conditions

If you’re satisfied with your conditions, click 'Save Preview' in the upper right-hand corner to review your target customer list.

This will display the recipients who meet your specified criteria. To find specific customers, use the search bar to search by display name, address, or other details.

If you need to adjust the conditions of your target list, click 'Edit List' to the right of the search bar. This allows you to modify your conditions or refine the list further.

If you're happy with the customers you are targeting, click 'Next' in the upper right-hand corner to move to the 'Campaign setup page' page.

On the campaign setup page, you will see the 'Campaign Type' header, followed by the 'SMS One-Time' sub-header. Below this, your Custom SMS number will be listed.

Under your custom SMS phone number, you will see 'Choose a Quick Content Option,' where you can select quick content types for your campaign from the available options:

For additional content types, use the dropdown menu labeled 'More' to include:

To generate content using AI, click the Write it for me button below the Choose a quick content option text. Once the Write it for me dialog box opens enter a clear and detailed prompt describing the objective of your text message, the key message you want to convey, and any specific elements you wish to include. The more specific and detailed your prompt, the better the AI can generate suitable content.

Best Practices for Writing AI Prompts

Reviewing and Customizing AI-Generated Content

You can include dynamic variables in the SMS message field by selecting 'Add Variable.' Variables are placeholders in your marketing communications that automatically get replaced with real data when the message is sent. In the Marketing Center you can utilize 4 variables:

In today’s competitive marketing landscape, personalization is key to connecting with your audience effectively. One powerful method to achieve this in your SMS campaigns is the use of variables. Variables allow you to automatically insert personalized elements into your messages based on specific information. This not only enhances the relevance of each message but also plays a significant role in reducing spam complaints.

Best Practices for Using Variables

In the upper left-hand corner of the setup page, you will see the current name of the campaign and the date it was created. Click the edit pencil icon next to this to change the name of the campaign. A sidebar will slide out from the left side of the screen, allowing you to edit the campaign name field. After making your changes, click 'Save' to update the campaign name.

To the right of the 'SMS One-Time' section, view the 'Preview SMS' section to see how the SMS will look from your customer's perspective.

If you're happy with your campaign, click 'SEND CAMPAIGN' in the upper-right hand corner of the preview page to start your campaign. If you want to review or make changes later, you can also save the campaign as a draft.

To enhance compliance and ensure effective communication between Pros and your customers, Housecall Pro is introducing an email consent requirement. Starting June 19th, 2024, it will be mandatory to obtain consent from customers before sending them marketing emails. This change aims to increase customer trust, ensure compliance with email marketing best practices, and improve the effectiveness of your campaigns. To further understand email opt-in requirements, please view our help center article on marketing center compliance here.

Express consent is a clear and deliberate agreement from an individual to receive specific communications, such as marketing emails or promotional texts. It requires a direct action, such as ticking a checkbox or signing a form, verbally confirming their willingness to be contacted.

Identifying the "right customer" for your marketing campaigns fundamentally begins with obtaining express consent. This initial step is crucial not only for compliance with regulations but also for establishing a foundation of trust and relevance. By securing this permission upfront, you target an audience that is more engaged and more likely to respond positively to your messages, thereby optimizing the impact of your campaigns and maintaining a respectful and ethical relationship with your customers.

In addition to obtaining consent from your customers for your email campaign, it’s essential to verify your email address to ensure proper delivery and compliance. To do this, log in to your Housecall Pro account and navigate to the top navigation bar, then click on 'Marketing'. Under the 'One-Time Email Campaign' section, select 'Select'. Next, find the 'Verify Reply-To Email' link to the right of the 'Reply-To Email' header within the one-time email campaign setup.

Alternatively, navigate to your account settings by clicking the gear icon in the upper-right corner of your account. From there, select 'Marketing Center' from the menu on the left side of the screen, then choose 'Reply-To Email' from the dropdown menu. On the Reply-To Email page, click 'Add Email' in the upper-right-hand corner.

A pop-up will appear where you can enter your email address. After adding your email address, click 'Add Email' in the bottom-right corner to send a verification link.

To resend a verification link for an email that has already been added, from the 'Reply-To Email' settings page, click 'Resend Verification Link' under the 'Actions' column.

A notification will appear at the bottom of your screen advising, "Email was sent to (your email). Go to your email and click the verification link." If you cannot find the email, please check your spam folder. If you still haven't received it, please chat into the blue bubble for further assistance.

Once you have obtained consent from your customer and verified your email address, you can proceed to send a one-time email campaign. First, log in to your Housecall Pro account and select the 'Marketing' tab from the top navigation bar on your dashboard.

Once in the marketing center, click on 'NEW CAMPAIGN' in the upper right-hand corner

Next, click 'Select' under 'Email one-time' to get started with sending a one-time email campaign to a group of customers.

Once you have verified your email, you’re ready to set up a one-time email campaign.

On the campaign setup page, you will see the 'Campaign Type' header, followed by the 'Email One-Time' sub-header. Below this, the 'Reply-To Email' section will indicate the status of your reply-to email, showing whether it is 'verified' or 'unverified.'

Under the verified status, you will see 'Choose a Quick Content Option,'

where you can select quick content types for your campaign from the available options:

For additional content types, use the dropdown menu labeled 'More' to include:

To generate content using AI, click the Write it for me button below the Choose a quick content option text. Once the Write it for me dialog box opens enter a clear and detailed prompt describing the objective of your email, the key message you want to convey, and any specific elements you wish to include. The more specific and detailed your prompt, the better the AI can generate suitable content.

Best Practices for Writing AI Prompts

Reviewing and Customizing AI-Generated Content

To include dynamic variables in both the subject line and email body, select 'Add Variable.' Variables are placeholders in your marketing communications that automatically get replaced with real data when the message is sent. In the Marketing Center you can utilize 4 variables:

In today’s competitive marketing landscape, personalization is key to connecting with your audience effectively. One powerful method to achieve this in your email campaigns is the use of variables. Variables allow you to automatically insert personalized elements into your messages based on specific information. This not only enhances the relevance of each message but also plays a significant role in reducing spam complaints.

Best Practices for Using Variables

To enhance your email further, add a 'Sign Up for Texts' button in the email body by clicking 'Add Button' under the email body field.

To the right of the 'Email One-Time' section, view the 'Preview Email' section to see how the email will look from your customer's perspective.

In the upper left-hand corner of the setup page, you will see the current name of the campaign and the date it was created. Click the edit pencil icon next to this to change the name of the campaign. A sidebar will slide out from the left side of the screen, allowing you to edit the campaign name field. After making your changes, click 'Save' to update the campaign name.

If you're happy with the content and the preview of your one-time email campaign, click 'Next' in the upper right-hand corner to move to the 'Target Customers' page.

Here, you’ll select your recipients. You can either choose an existing list or create a new one by clicking 'New List' in the upper right-hand corner. For more information on how customer lists work for one-time email campaigns, please view our help article here.

Effectively targeting the right customers is crucial for the success of your email marketing campaigns. By reaching the appropriate audience with relevant and desired content, you increase engagement rates, improve conversion rates, and ensure a higher return on investment, all while minimizing spam complaints.

If you create a new list, you'll need to enter a 'List Name' for this group of target customers. Choose a name for your list that will help you easily identify the attributes of the customers; for example "High Value, Inactive Customers" or "Google Ads-Residential Customers."

Next, you'll set conditions to refine your recipient list. Customer conditions are specific criteria that can be applied to target customers by filtering lists based on specific inputs. The conditions you can use include:

Here’s how to configure each condition:

To add multiple conditions, click 'Add Condition.' Combine multiple customer conditions to refine your target audience further. For instance, you might target customers tagged with "Residential" who also have "Google Local Services Ads" listed as their Lead Source. Ensure the conditions you set align with the goals of your campaign for optimal results.

Best Practices for Using Customer Conditions

If you’re satisfied with your conditions, click 'Save Preview' in the upper right-hand corner to review your target customer list.

This will display the recipients who meet your specified criteria. To find specific customers, use the search bar to search by display name, address, or other details.

If you need to adjust the conditions of your target list, click 'Edit List' to the right of the search bar. This allows you to modify your conditions or refine the list further.

If you're happy with your campaign, click 'SEND CAMPAIGN' in the upper-right hand corner of the preview page to start your campaign. If you want to review or make changes later, you can also save the campaign as a draft.

Remember, the power of marketing lies in its personal, direct nature. When used effectively, it can be a powerful tool to grow your business. Make sure to abide by all relevant regulations when sending messages, including getting consent from your customers to receive these messages.

Welcome to our Automated Campaign Flows feature—a powerful tool designed to save you time, enhance personalization, and optimize your overall campaign management. In this guide, we'll provide an overview of automated campaign flows and guide you through the steps to set up personalized customer journeys efficiently.

Campaign flows are automated sequences of communications (emails and SMS messages) triggered by specific events, designed to re-engage past customers at optimal times. Utilizing delays and a mix of emails and SMS messages, these flows can significantly enhance customer interactions by providing timely, relevant information.

It is important to note: If you are looking for a way to automate engagement with customers who are currently in the job lifecycle (for example setting up reminders and follow-ups about upcoming work) our Pipeline automations are an effective solution.

Campaign Flows in the Marketing Center enable you to create a structured series of actions that respond to specific triggers. Once activated, the campaign flow will automatically execute whenever the trigger occurs, continuing until you turn off the Campaign Flow. Automated campaign flows involve designing a sequence of predefined steps that guide your customers through a personalized journey. By automating these processes, you streamline campaign management, ensure consistency, and deliver a tailored experience to each customer.

To set up an Automated Campaign Flow, first log in to your account and navigate to the Marketing Center by clicking the 'Marketing' tab on the navigation bar at the top of your Housecall Pro account.

Once in the marketing center, click on 'NEW CAMPAIGN' in the upper right-hand corner

Next, click 'Select' under 'Campaign Flows' to get started with setting up an automated campaign flow.

On the right-hand side of the campaign setup page, you'll find a side menu where you can choose from pre-made campaign templates. There are 3 customizable Campaign Flow templates available in the Marketing Center:

Click 'Use Template' to select one of these options.

Alternatively, you can click 'Build Your Own' to build a Campaign Flow from scratch based on a 'Job Completed' trigger.

To customize your flow, start by adding primary steps like 'Add Email' or 'Add SMS.' A delay can only be added after including one of these primary actions. Click 'ADD STEP' to insert an email or SMS, then add delays as needed.

For example, if you click 'Add Step' to add an email, you’ll see an option above the email step to add another step, 'Add Delay.' This allows you to specify conditions such as, "If the job is completed, an email/SMS will be sent out." You can then determine how long after the job is completed the email/SMS should be sent.

To edit an existing step, click on the corresponding box and make the necessary adjustments. This allows you to fine-tune the flow and optimize it for your audience.

When you add or edit an email or SMS, a sidebar will open on the right-hand side where you can edit the content.

Similarly, when you add a delay, a sidebar will open where you can enter a number in a field and choose the duration from a drop-down menu (day, week, or month).

Review the sequence of messages and delays to ensure they align with your objectives.

After adding the necessary steps to your campaign flow, focus on crafting engaging content for each email and SMS message. Tailor your messages to align with your campaign goals and resonate with your audience's specific needs and interests.

Once you’re satisfied with the flow, delays, and content, click 'Save' in the sidebar to preserve your changes. If everything looks good, click 'Save' in the upper-right corner to finalize and proceed with selecting an audience.

After adding the necessary steps to your campaign flow, click 'Next' in the upper-right corner to move to the 'Target Customers' page. Here, you can select your recipients by choosing an existing list or creating a new one by clicking 'New List'.

To create a new list, enter a descriptive name for the group, such as "High Value, Inactive Customers," and set conditions to refine your recipient list. Conditions can include Customer Tags, Lead Source, Location (by zip code or city), Lifetime Value, Creation Date, and Last Service Date.

Configure each condition by selecting the appropriate options from the dropdown menus. For instance, choose 'Is' or 'Is Not' for Customer Tags, or select date ranges like 'Within Last 30 Days' for Creation Date. Click 'Add Condition' to include multiple criteria if needed.

Once your conditions are set, click 'Save Preview' to review your target list. You can search for specific customers using the search bar and modify your list by clicking 'Edit List' if necessary.

If satisfied, click 'Start Campaign' to launch it or save it as a draft for later review.

Before launching, thoroughly test your automated campaign flow to ensure that all triggers, actions, and content work seamlessly. Address any potential issues you identify to provide your customers with a smooth and uninterrupted experience.

By following these tips and incorporating best practices, you can leverage automated campaign flows to create personalized customer journeys, save time, and enhance the efficiency of your campaign management.

Housecall Pro's Marketing Center offers several features designed to streamline and optimize your marketing efforts. This section provides a detailed overview of the functionalities that enhance your efficiency and effectiveness in navigating the Marketing Center features.

Renaming a campaign in the Marketing Center helps keep your campaigns organized and makes them easier to search and reference.

To rename a campaign, navigate to the Marketing Center by clicking 'Marketing' on the main navigation bar at the top of your Housecall Pro account. In the Marketing Center dashboard, locate the campaign you want to rename.

Click the three dots ⋮ to the right of the campaign, then select 'Rename Campaign' from the dropdown menu.

Enter the new name in the field provided and click 'Update Name' to save your changes.

Duplicating a campaign is an efficient way to replicate successful strategies, saving both time and resources.

To duplicate a campaign, navigate to the Marketing Center by clicking 'Marketing' on the main navigation bar at the top of your Housecall Pro account. In the Marketing Center dashboard, locate the campaign you want to duplicate.

Click the three dots ⋮ to the right of the campaign, then select 'Duplicate Campaign' from the dropdown menu.

A new campaign labeled "Duplicated (name of original campaign)" will appear in your list of campaigns. Click on this new campaign to modify any elements as needed.

Viewing the queued message count provides insight into how many messages are lined up for sending, helping you manage your campaign delivery more effectively.

To view the queued message count, navigate to the Marketing Center by clicking 'Marketing' on the main navigation bar at the top of your Housecall Pro account.

In the Marketing Center dashboard, select the campaign you have fully set up and sent. Look for the 'Queue' section at the top of the screen to see the number of queued messages.

Viewing the sent date of each message within a campaign is essential for tracking performance and analyzing message delivery.

To view the sent date of a message, navigate to the Marketing Center by clicking 'Marketing' on the main navigation bar at the top of your Housecall Pro account.

In the Marketing Center dashboard, select the campaign you have fully set up and sent. Find the "Date Sent" column to see when each message was delivered.

Effectively setting up and managing your campaign flows with the Marketing Center enhances your marketing efforts by streamlining your processes and improving organization. Utilizing these tools allows you to create targeted, impactful campaigns that engage your audience more effectively. By ensuring each campaign is well-executed and timely, you can drive better results and achieve your marketing goals with greater efficiency and success.