Quick Answer
When should you use the Event Start Date?
Use the Event Start Date when every contact in a campaign should receive messages relative to the same fixed event, such as a webinar, launch, class, conference, or workshop. Set the date and time in Campaign Configuration, then schedule steps to run before or after that timestamp.
What the Event Start Date Does
The Event Start Date gives a campaign one master date and time that campaign steps can use as a scheduling anchor.
Instead of timing every message only from the moment a contact enters the campaign, you can schedule messages relative to one shared event time.
For example, a campaign step could run:
- Three days before the event
- One hour before the event
- Ten minutes before the event
- Thirty minutes after the event
- One day after the event
This makes the setting useful when all contacts are preparing for the same webinar, workshop, class, conference, launch, or live promotion.
Event Start Date creates a fixed campaign timeline
The campaign is organized around the event’s timestamp rather than around each contact’s individual entry time.
Event Start Date at a Glance
Before You Begin
Confirm the event schedule and campaign plan before entering the master date and time.
- Confirm the exact event date and start time.
- Verify the account time zone used by the campaign.
- List the messages that should be sent before the event.
- List the follow-up messages that should be sent afterward.
- Decide how late registrants should be handled.
- Prepare clear time-zone wording for contacts.
- Choose a test contact that will not affect a live audience.
- Confirm whether Campaign Windows should limit sending hours.
Best Uses for the Event Start Date
Webinar Reminders
Send registration confirmations, preparation messages, and reminders leading up to a live webinar start time.
Product or Service Launches
Coordinate announcement and launch messages around one fixed go-live date.
Classes and Workshops
Send instructions and reminders to a group attending the same scheduled session.
Conferences and Live Events
Align logistical messages, attendance reminders, and post-event communication with a fixed event time.
Replay Campaigns
Send replay links, offers, surveys, or next steps after the event has taken place.
Fixed-Date Promotions
Schedule promotional messages around a defined opening, deadline, or closing time.
Best for groups sharing one event time
Event Start Date is generally more useful for a shared event than for individual one-to-one appointments that occur at different times.
Step 1: Set the Event Start Date
Add the event’s date and time to the campaign configuration.
Open Campaigns
From the BizStackPro dashboard, open Campaigns.
Create or Open a Campaign
Create a new campaign or open the existing campaign that should use event-based timing.
Open Campaign Configuration
Click Campaign Configuration using the settings or gear icon.
Find Event Start Date
Locate the Event Start Date field.
Enter the Event Date
Select the calendar date when the event begins.
Enter the Event Time
Enter the exact start time used as the campaign’s master timestamp.
Review the Account Time Zone
Confirm that the campaign’s time zone matches the event plan.
Save the Configuration
Save the campaign configuration before adding or reviewing event-timed steps.
The event uses the account time zone
When the audience includes several time zones, state the event time clearly in campaign messages, such as 7:00 PM ET.
Step 2: Schedule Steps Before or After the Event
Once the Event Start Date is saved, configure campaign steps relative to that timestamp.
Add the Campaign Step
Add the email, SMS, or other supported campaign action.
Choose Before or After
Select whether the step should run before or after the Event Start Date.
Enter the Time Offset
Configure the number of days, hours, or minutes between the campaign step and the event.
Review the Calculated Timing
Confirm that the step will run at the intended calendar date and time.
Repeat for Each Reminder
Add each preparation, reminder, replay, offer, or next-step message required by the event.
Save the Campaign
Save the campaign after reviewing the order and timing of all steps.
Example Event Timeline
- Immediately after entry: registration confirmation
- One day before: event reminder and preparation details
- One hour before: access link and start-time reminder
- Ten minutes before: final reminder
- Thirty minutes after: replay or next-step message
What Happens When a Contact Enters Late
A contact does not receive an event-timed step when its scheduled time has already passed before the contact enters the campaign.
Example
A reminder is scheduled for five days before the event. A contact enters the campaign three days before the event. The five-day reminder is skipped, but later reminders can still be delivered.
This behavior prevents BizStackPro from sending a reminder after the moment when it was intended to occur.
To support late registrants, include an early confirmation or access message that runs soon after campaign entry. Follow it with reminders scheduled closer to the event.
Immediate Confirmation
Deliver the event details soon after a contact enters the campaign.
Close Reminder
Include at least one reminder near the event time that late contacts are still likely to receive.
Event Start Date vs. Normal Wait Steps
Event Start Date
Use when every contact should move toward or away from the same fixed calendar moment.
Examples include a live webinar, class, launch, conference, or deadline.
Normal Wait Steps
Use when timing should begin separately for each contact based on when that contact enters the campaign.
Examples include evergreen nurture sequences, onboarding campaigns, and general follow-up.
Choose the timing model before building the campaign
A fixed-date event sequence and an evergreen sequence solve different timing problems. Selecting the correct model early reduces skipped or mistimed messages.
Combine Event Timing with Campaign Windows
Campaign Windows can limit campaign activity to selected sending hours, such as a daytime period.
This can be useful when you do not want campaign messages to run outside approved communication hours.
A sending window can affect exact delivery timing
Review how the configured window interacts with reminders close to the event. A strict sending window may delay a step that would otherwise occur outside the permitted hours.
Test the Event-Based Campaign
Test the campaign before adding a live audience.
Use a Test Campaign or Contact
Keep the test separate from active contacts and production reporting when possible.
Use a Near-Future Event Time
Set a temporary test event time that allows you to review before-event and after-event behavior.
Add the Test Contact
Enter the test contact before the scheduled steps should run.
Confirm the Time Zone
Verify that the expected delivery time matches the account time zone.
Review Delivered Steps
Confirm that reminders and follow-ups run in the correct order.
Test Late Entry
Add a contact after an earlier step has passed and confirm that the expired step is skipped.
Restore the Live Event Date
Return the campaign to the correct production date and time before adding the live audience.
Event Start Date Best Practices
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Event Start Date do in a BizStackPro campaign?
How do I set the Event Start Date in a campaign?
What happens if someone enters the campaign after a step scheduled before the event?
When should I use Event Start Date instead of a normal wait step?
Continue Learning
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