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Create Message - Step 1 Properties (window)
- 7 Minutes to read
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- DarkLight
Navigation Path
In the Navigation, click Messages > Create Message.
⇒ The Create Message window opens to the first step Properties.
Purpose
Use this window to enter the details of your message.
What can I do in this window?
Enter message details
Enter the message type
Choose message recipients
Select A/B split
Choose reporting options
Message Details (pane)
Message Details are for internal use only. Email recipients do not see these details.
Field | Description |
---|---|
* Message Name | Required field that allows you to apply an internal message name that is different from the email subject. |
Assign To Campaign | You can assign the email that you are creating to an existing campaign or a new campaign. |
Bill Codes | Allows you to attach a user-defined alpha-numeric code to your message. |
Message Tags | This feature is optional and that allows you to define additional tags to your message. |
Message Notes | This feature allows you to track campaign details and provides more details about the message itself, such as an internal marketing code or information on the content. |
Country | Select the destination country or countries from the drop-down list. |
Promotions | Select the type of promotion from the drop-down list. |
Language | Select the language for the message or messages from the drop-down list. |
US Region | Select the message target region in the US from the drop-down list. |
Opt-out Form |
For example, you are tasked to send promotional messages for a "Spring Sale".
Use the Message Name to identify campaign details and the message sequence. While the email subject is consistent for two messages of the four messages, you can have the email subject be consistent or unique. The campaign name would be consistent, as all the messages are part of the Spring Sale campaign.
Message Name | Subject | Campaign Name |
---|---|---|
Spring Incentive #1 | Spring Savings Today! | Spring_Sale_Campaign |
Spring Incentive #2 | Spring Savings Today! | Spring_Sale_Campaign |
Spring Incentive #3 | Spring Rewards | Spring_Sale_Campaign |
Spring Incentive #4 | It's That Time: Spring is Here! | Spring_Sale_Campaign |
Message Type (pane)
You can create three different message types: Live Message, Standard Test Message, Basic Test Message. This field is required.
Each message type opens different options for recipients.
Message Type | Description |
---|---|
Live Message | Select this option to send a standard live message. This option follows the standard message creation workflow. |
Standard Test Message | Select this option to test the readiness of a message before sending a live message. This message type allows complete testing of all aspects of the message, including personalization, custom fields, dynamic content, Share-to-Social, and more. A standard test message follows the same sendout process as a Live Message. However, only one email address per sendout is counted although the recipient receives HTML and Plain Text versions. The system automatically prepends the word "TEST" in the subject line. "TEST" is not saved permanently in the database, this word is only used to identify the message as a test during the message sendout. Each recipient receives two messages, one HTML and one plain text version. To allow for a complete message testing process, Standard Test Messages collect as many statistics as Live Messages. Also, selected segments are limited to 100 recipients. If a segment exceeds 100 recipients, the system does not send the message and returns it to the Edit Drafts message list. A successfully delivered Standard Test Message can be retrieved from the Sent Messages message list area. To run additional tests, select the message and click Duplicate. The duplicated Standard Test Message is then available in the Edit Drafts message list area. Also, in the Create step of the message creation process, a Basic Test message can be sent instantly. Select Send Basic Test in the Create step. An overlay screen appears to enter and select test email addresses. You can enable the Inbox Preview report via a radio button at the top of the overlay screen. This test message follows the same process as the Basic Test Message. This type of test message is mainly for testing the rendering and creation of a message. A Basic Test Message does not enable testing for custom field population, link tracking and other statistics, functional opt-outs, or dynamic content. Standard Test Messages does not populate Message Stats Exports, Custom Reports, or Custom Search. |
Basic Test Message | Use Basic Test Message as the primary step to test a message, primarily to test the rendering and creation of the message. Messages sent with the Basic Test Message process are not applied towards your standard CPM rate. |
Choose Recipients
Message Type | Possible Recipients |
---|---|
Live Message | This message type opens the Choose Recipients pane with options to select recipients.
|
Standard Test Message | This message type opens the Choose Recipients pane with options to select recipients.
|
Basic Test Message | You cannot select message recipients. |
A/B Split
A|B Split allows you to send two variations (A Version/B Version) of your message to determine which variation performs better for your audience. Two message testing options are provided, "Enable two versions of message content" and "Enable two send times." You can test message variations for the following elements:
Subject Line
Message Body Content and Layout
Message Sent Time or Throttling
Each version is sent to a different random sample of your recipients to help you to determine which version performs better. You configure these sample size options in the Review step.
If A|B Split is enabled, the Sending Range is disabled for that message
A|B Split option | Description |
---|---|
Disable | Disable is the default option. The A|B Split feature is not enabled. |
Enable two versions of message content | This option can run a 50/50 A|B Split or A|B Split with a Champion. This option allows two variations of message body content, message layout, or subject lines. This option does not allow testing of different send times or throttling options. |
Enable two send times | This option can run a 50/50 A|B Split only. This option allows two variations of message send times and throttling options. This option does not allow testing of different message body content, message layouts, or subject lines. |
Version A Notes Version B Notes | Use this text area to include any internal notes that help to identify and remind a user of the difference between each version. For example, Version A Note can include information about free shipping, while Version B Note can list details about 10% off. These fields can contain a maximum of 100 characters. |