Triggered Segments in Delivra help you send automated messages to contacts based on specific date-related events. Whether it's a birthday greeting, a reminder for an upcoming appointment, or a follow-up after an event, Triggered Segments make it easy to reach the right people at the right time—without manual scheduling.

What is a Triggered Segment?

A Triggered Segment is a dynamic audience segment that uses a date field as a trigger to initiate messaging. When a contact meets the date condition, the segment activates, allowing an automated email (via a Triggered Mailing) to be sent.

For example, let’s say you host a concert and sell premium tickets. You could use a Triggered Segment to identify those ticket holders and automatically send them a thank-you email the morning after the show.

When to Use a Triggered Segment Instead of a Regular Segment

While Regular Segments are great for static or general audience filtering, Triggered Segments shine when timing is critical and messages need to be sent repeatedly as individual contacts qualify over time.

Use Triggered Segments for:

• Anniversaries: Birthday wishes, customer anniversaries, subscription renewals.
• Reminders: Appointment confirmations, shipment alerts, or upcoming deadlines.
• Pre/Post-Event Messaging: Event reminders, logistics emails, or post-event surveys.

If you need a recurring message to go out automatically based on a date, Triggered Segments are your go-to.

How to Create a Triggered Segment

Creating a Triggered Segment closely mirrors building a Regular Segment, but with a focus on date-based automation:

1. Choose a Trigger Date Field
   Identify a date field that will activate the segment—this might be an event date, birthday, or a field like "Last Purchase Date."

2. Start Your Segment

   • Navigate to the Contacts dashboard.
   • Click Segments in the left-hand navigation.
   • Choose Create Segment, then select the Triggered Segment option.

3. Build the Segment The segment builder is split into two parts:

   • Trigger Event:
     Select your chosen date field and determine how it should be used:

     • Exact Date and Time: Best for one-time or variable events (e.g., purchase date).
     • Anniversary: Use for yearly recurring events (e.g., birthdays).

   • Filter Criteria:
     Layer in additional rules to narrow your audience, such as purchase history, subscription status, or engagement metrics (like email opens).

Best Practices and Tips

• Start Small: Test your Triggered Segment on a smaller audience to verify timing and accuracy before expanding.
• Use Confirmation Criteria: If sending post-event follow-ups, include a filter that confirms attendance to avoid messaging those who canceled.
• Pair with Triggered Mailings: Once your segment is ready, connect it to a Triggered Mailing so messages send automatically when the condition is met.
• Double-Check Time Zones: Time-sensitive messages (e.g., same-day reminders) should account for your audience's time zone settings.

Practical Use Cases

• Customer Birthdays: Send a celebratory email with a promo code each year.
• Appointment Reminders: Notify contacts 24 hours before their scheduled consultation.
• Post-Purchase Surveys: Request feedback one week after an order ships.
• Webinar Follow-ups: Deliver presentation materials to attendees the day after your event.

Have questions or need help setting up your Triggered Segments? Reach out to our Support team anytime at support@delivra.com.