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Mass emails using Activites?

Last post 11-23-2011 8:17 AM by Method_Michael. 16 replies.
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  • 11-07-2011 5:53 PM

    Mass emails using Activites?

    I set up Method to track a membership (currently 5,000 members) organization.

    I want to use an email to notifiy all the members with upcoming membership expirations to renew their memberships.  I have customized by Customer table to include the new field and have created an email template for renewal reminders.

    Is there a way to sort (or search) my "customers" by membership expiration dates and select those (over 200 in Decmber) that need renewal notices and generate emails (select for the Activity)?

    I assume that once I get my act together, I can add the "renewal notice" activity on members as I add them?

    Thanks in advance!
    Fred

  • 11-08-2011 9:18 AM In reply to

    Re: Mass emails using Activites?

    Answer

    Fred-

    You would have to do some customization but you could use something like the List Builder (Campaigns > List Builder) and modify it to build a list based on the renewal date.

    With the list builder you can send out an email and for each email sent out create an activity for the customer to make note that an email was sent (we actually use this internally for our mass emails).

    What I would suggest though is before using this to mass email all your cusotmer use it to email just one dummy customer and make sure you set it up correctly, you wouldn't want to send the wrong info to customers.

    -Michael

    Michael Melo
    Product Manager
    Method Integration Inc.
    Website: http://www.method.me
    LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/MichaelMelo
  • 11-18-2011 3:19 PM In reply to

    Re: Mass emails using Activites?

    Method_Michael:

    You would have to do some customization but you could use something like the List Builder (Campaigns > List Builder) and modify it to build a list based on the renewal date.

    With the list builder you can send out an email and for each email sent out create an activity for the customer to make note that an email was sent (we actually use this internally for our mass emails).

    What I would suggest though is before using this to mass email all your cusotmer use it to email just one dummy customer and make sure you set it up correctly, you wouldn't want to send the wrong info to customers.

    I've been attempting to customize the list builder, but I've been unable to link one of my new (linked) field (membership expires) into the List Builder.

    I can't add any linked fields here becuase there is no drop down list of tables.

    Suggestions?  Maybe I'm trying the wrong table & screen?
    Fred

     

  • 11-18-2011 4:12 PM In reply to

    Re: Mass emails using Activites?

    Fred-

    The list builder screen is based off the list builder table, when you click Fill with customer its actually inserting rows from the customer table into the listbuilder table.

    What you would have to do is add the Membership expires field to the listbuilder table as a non linked field and then in the actions where the list builder inserts the records(Actions 32 of the Fill with customer button) add the Membership field.

    -Michael

    Michael Melo
    Product Manager
    Method Integration Inc.
    Website: http://www.method.me
    LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/MichaelMelo
  • 11-18-2011 4:15 PM In reply to

    Re: Mass emails using Activites?

    Fred-

    One more thing to add is that if you are looking to apply some logic for example only customers whose membership expires between a certain date range you can add 2 date time fields to your screen and inStart Loop Through table action for customer filter by the  date range.

    -Michael

     

    Michael Melo
    Product Manager
    Method Integration Inc.
    Website: http://www.method.me
    LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/MichaelMelo
  • 11-18-2011 4:28 PM In reply to

    Re: Mass emails using Activites?

    Method_Michael:
    Actions 32 of the Fill with customer button
     Say What?

    Can you explain what Actions 32 is?

    Thanks,
    Fred

     

  • 11-18-2011 4:36 PM In reply to

    Re: Mass emails using Activites?

    Method_Michael:
    The list builder screen is based off the list builder table, when you click Fill with customer its actually inserting rows from the customer table into the listbuilder table.

    What you would have to do is add the Membership expires field to the listbuilder table as a non linked field and then in the actions where the list builder inserts the records (Actions 32 of the Fill with customer button) add the Membership field.

     

    I found the Actions 32 button!  Woo Hoo!

    I've add the unlinked field but when I edit the List Builder grid on the List Builder screen I don't see it, but I do find it on my list of fields.

    Fred

     

  • 11-18-2011 4:37 PM In reply to

    Re: Mass emails using Activites?

    Fred-

    Sorry a bit of a typo on my end. I meant Action 32 not Actions 32.

    What I was trying to say is that when you edit the CRM_ListBuilder screen, you will have to make changes to Action #32 of the list of actions found on the Fill With Customers button to get the MemberShip expiry date from the customer table into the ListBuilder table.

    -Michael

    Michael Melo
    Product Manager
    Method Integration Inc.
    Website: http://www.method.me
    LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/MichaelMelo
  • 11-18-2011 4:40 PM In reply to

    Re: Mass emails using Activites?

    Fred_D:
    I've add the unlinked field but when I edit the List Builder grid on the List Builder screen I don't see it, but I do find it on my list of fields.
    Another problem solved.  I had to log out and log in to get the new field.

     

  • 11-18-2011 4:44 PM In reply to

    Re: Mass emails using Activites?

    Young jedi, you are becoming a master.................but, reading between the lines..........we need to make this eaiser for you out of the box.  Message heard!

    Paul

  • 11-18-2011 4:57 PM In reply to

    Re: Mass emails using Activites?

    Method_Michael:
    What I was trying to say is that when you edit the CRM_ListBuilder screen, you will have to make changes to Action #32 of the list of actions found on the Fill With Customers button to get the MemberShip expiry date from the customer table into the ListBuilder table.
     Now I feel like a real doofus.  I stumbled on the Action 32 screen but now I can't remember where I found it.

    Please direct me.

    I need a cane a guide dog for this exercise.

    Fred

     

  • 11-18-2011 5:10 PM In reply to

    Re: Mass emails using Activites?

    Method_Paul:
    but, reading between the lines..........we need to make this eaiser for you out of the box.  Message heard!
     Thanks Paul!  Good reading between the lines.

    The lack of any onboard documentation is frustrating and since I have to do a ton of customization (that is why I chose Method - because it was customizable), I'm not finding it in the onlihe documentation.

    Except for the "Objects Guide" I have to feel my way around and ask a ton of beginner type questions.  And, as one of your older users (approaching 65), I'm more at home with a thick manual of printed pages (or online documentation) than I am watching a lengthy video while trying to cherry pick the few minutes that might address my issue.

    My need for a CRM revovles around managing memberhips so I am into heavy duty customization.

    Thanks for asking,
    Fred

  • 11-18-2011 5:26 PM In reply to

    Re: Mass emails using Activites?

    Method_Michael:
    What you would have to do is add the Membership expires field to the listbuilder table as a non linked field
    I managed to do that.

     and then in the actions where the list builder inserts the records(Actions 32 of the Fill with customer button) add the Membership field.
    Ran into a snag.  I'm missing some steps.

    I am editing the List Builder screen.  When I click to edit the "fill with customer" button, I can find Action 32, but it seems to apply to the entire table.  I'm not seeing where I can add my "MembershipExpires" field.

    Huh?
    Fred

     

     

  • 11-18-2011 5:44 PM In reply to

    Re: Mass emails using Activites?

    Method_Michael:
    One more thing to add is that if you are looking to apply some logic for example only customers whose membership expires between a certain date range you can add 2 date time fields to your screen and inStart Loop Through table action for customer filter by the  date range.
     Easy for you to say.

    Would this second field be added in the table or in the screen like the date search in the Invoice portion of the "Fill List With" screen? 

    What I'd like to do is add in the "Fill List With" screen a new section, very similar to the "Fill with Invoices" section that would be search all Customers for membership expiration dates between a start date and end date.

    But at this point, I'll need step by step instructions.  My brain is full.

    Fred

     

  • 11-21-2011 8:34 AM In reply to

    Re: Mass emails using Activites?

    Fred-

    If you take a look at the loop action in the Fill with Invoice button and apply the same concept for the date range to customer you should have what you need.

    If you are looking for step by step instructions you would need to book some paid consulting time to go over this in detail.

    -Michael

     

    Michael Melo
    Product Manager
    Method Integration Inc.
    Website: http://www.method.me
    LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/MichaelMelo
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