Creating a communication job

Communication jobs are used to send emails, texts, and push notifications on Go Mobile to members and contacts. These can be configured to run once only or on a recurring schedule.

Communication jobs can be created for either system default audiences, or custom audiences. To create a communication job for a custom audience, you will need to create one first.

Create an email template

If you want to send an email in the communication job, you first need to create an email template.

Please note that other communication types (text and push notifications) do not require a template to be created before creating the job, as this is done as part of the process. This is because emails contain more complex information, such as images and links, which require more configuration.

1. Go to Automation Portal > Email Templates.
2. Click the + icon to create a new template.
   
3. Select the audience type. All custom audiences are found under the Custom Audience option. You can then select from the second dropdown.
   
4. Click Confirm.
   
5. Click the cog icon at the top of the screen to update the email settings, including setting a subject line.
6. Add content blocks from the left menu by dragging and dropping.
   
7. Update the contents including using placeholders for dynamic text based on the recipient.
8. Click Save when you are finished.

Create a communication job

1. Go to Automation Portal > Communication Jobs.
2. Click the + icon to create a new job.
3. Enter a name, select a job type, and click Next. This includes an option for custom audiences where you can select the audiences you have built using audience builder.
   
4. Select the frequency – Either one-off which will send once at a scheduled time, or repeating which will send multiple times on a schedule.
5. Select the channels – You can select multiple channels for one job as long as they are available.
6. Click Next.
   
7. Enter your job content and click Next.
   If using email – select the email template from the dropdown menu. Please note that all email templates are available, not just those connected to the job type so please make sure you select the right one.
   If using SMS and/or Push – enter the content in the text box.
   
8. Set your job schedule.
   If a one-off job – Set the date and time to send.
   
   
   If a repeating job – You can set the date you want it to run during, the days of the week you want it to run on, whether it should run once a day or multiple times throughout the day, and the times for it to run.
   
9. Select Save an Add Job.

Testing a communication job

You can test sending SMS and emails through the communication job setup. These are configured slightly differently and operate using different methods.

Test SMS

Send a test SMS from the job content screen by selecting the Send Test SMS option. Enter your mobile number and click Send Test.

Test email

Send a test email by setting the Job Status to Test on the scheduling page. Enter your email and save the job. This will send you the email at the scheduled time(s) instead of the member.

We recommend using the ‘Send first result’ option as this will ensure you are only emailed once each scheduled time, and not sent an email for every member in the audience.