Overview

There are dozens of available automated campaigns offered in the Platform that are accessible from MARKETING> Automated Promotions in the main navigation menu.  The exact number of available campaigns depends on which bundle pack you are subscribed (Basic, Premium or Holiday).  In the Basic bundle pack, for example, operators will have access to Account Activation (Signup Confirmation), Birthday, Anniversary, Visit Count, and WiFi Connection triggered campaigns.  Operators subscribed to a Premium pack will have access to Miss You, Refer a Friend, Top Customer Appreciation and other value add campaigns. The Holiday bundle pack includes access to toggle on major holiday campaigns including New Years, St. Patrick’s Day, Mother’s Day etc.  All campaigns are 100% customizable and can be configured with or without incentive offers.

Example Happy Birthday Automated Email

In the above image, you can see an example of a fully customized automated email message that advertises an incentive offer and includes additional call to action links to encourage reservation booking, review links and ordering line.  This email is configured to send on the morning of customers’ birthdays, automatically, with set it and forget it efficiency.  

Incentive Offer Types

There are two (2) types of incentive offers that can be connected to an automated email or mobile text campaign. Based on your account’s unique configuration during onboarding, you may have access to a certain incentive type but we can always turn the other type ON upon request.    

Incentive Type #1:  Stored Value Bonus

A stored value bonus represents value that is redeemed exclusively through a certified terminal, such as a VeriFone credit card terminal, POS integrated terminal or the web browser based Virtual Terminal. Think of any gift card you’ve ever used. Gift cards are examples of stored value that are redeemed through a terminal to decrement the balance toward your bill.  Operators can redeem EITHER Fixed Reward Dollars ($5.00, $10.00, $20.00 etc.) OR redeem a complimentary item known as a Comp (e.g., 1 Appetizer, 1 Dessert, 2 Games, 1 Car Wash etc.)  Just like reward dollars, comps are redeemed through the terminal to decrement the patron’s balance.

All merchants that run a stored value program using a certified terminal will have the ability to configure and redeem Fixed Reward stored value bonuses. Additionally, all merchants that run a stored value program using a certified terminal with the exceptions of Micros 3700 and POSitouch, will have the ability to configure and redeem Comp stored value bonuses.    

Most operators configure EITHER a fixed reward bonus OR comp item on a specific automated campaign (but not both). However, the system supports the ability to add both fixed reward and comps on the same campaign if desired.

Example Terminal Receipt showing both Rewards and Comp Balances

In the above receipt image the patron’s reward balance shows $1.40. However, this balance could increase to $12.40 temporarily by adding a $10 Fixed Reward stored value bonus for the patron’s birthday inside MARKETING>Automated Promotions.  Similarly, this example merchant uses Comps, which they named “Appetizers”.  The operator could decide to increase the patron’s Appetizers Balance for any number of promotional reasons (e.g., on patron’s 5th visit, their anniversary or because its Cinco De Mayo).  In either case, stored value bonuses are either loading a patron’s reward/comp balances or the bonuses are being redeemed (deducted) from the patron’s available balances.  

Incentive Type #2:  Digital Coupon

A digital coupon (or digital deal) is a mobile friendly advertisement designed for ‘Show & Save’ from patron mobile phones. Unlike stored value, this type of incentive is not redeemed through a terminal.  Patrons show the offer on their phone to clerk or server to claim the offer. In most cases, the offer has a brightly colored REDEEM button but the offer can be configured to just show an image by itself.  If using a template with the REDEEM button, clerks or patrons tap this button once and again to confirm, which starts a 30 minute countdown timer. This redemption is recorded inside the back office and the countdown timer lets the clerk know it’s a live offer that has not yet been redeemed by the specific patron (fraud control).  

Digital coupons are highly customized since the offer can communicate any type of content and be very specific with disclaimers and terms (just like a paper coupon).  Digital Coupons can be attached to any automated campaign, including campaigns that include stored value bonuses.  Operators may decide to utilize both incentive types where the stored value bonus offers a standard call to action incentive (e.g., $10 Reward with 30 day expiration) with a digital coupon attached to publicize higher margin products and services like events, party packages or large catering orders.  

Automated Promotions Setup Instructions

Requirements

There are three (3) different types of Automated Promotions bundle packs, Basic, Premium and Holidays.  You can see which AP bundle pack is enabled inside the back office denoted by a green checkmark on your Feature Dashboard. If the module is not enabled, tap the icon and submit a request to enable this feature.  

In addition, if running a stored value program where transactions are processed through a certified terminal, you’ll need to make sure your account is setup to offer rewards and/or comps, if available on your POS terminal.

Step 1: Open Automated Promotions

From your back office dashboard Home screen, click or tap Automated Promotions from the MARKETING navigation menu using a user account with Administrator or Marketing security clearance. This page will display all available automated campaigns available on your account.  Mouse over the help icons denoted by <?> to review a brief description of each campaign. Each campaign performs a unique function, custom configured to deliver a message to the right patron at the right time, automatically.  

The Automated Promotions module displays 3 columns (1. Incentive Offer, 2. Email Auto -Message and 3. Mobile Text Auto-Message) that can be independently enabled and customized along each row of campaigns.  Some campaigns have blue Settings buttons that include additional configuration options for that specific campaign.

Step 2:  Add an Incentive Offer (Optional)

Now that you know the difference between incentive types as described above, click or tap +New Stored Value Bonus or +New Digital Coupon.  It’s important you select the right type. Based on your account’s unique configuration during onboarding, there may only be one (1) type available. Please note that adding an incentive offer to a campaign is optional.  Some operators prefer to use the Automated Promotions module to communicate messages that do not contain a redeemable offer but keep their brand out there in the eyes of their customers. However, if you’re looking for a call to action to stir redeemable sales traffic then we recommend adding an incentive offer.  

Adding a New Stored Value Bonus

Let’s assume you select +New Stored Value bonus for the Anniversary Campaign.  When the dialog box displays, you can set when this bonus will expire in the Value Expires field using the drop-down menu. A value of “1 Month” will expire 30 days following the date the bonus is loaded on the patron’s account.  By default, when rewards are redeemed at the terminal, any promotional bonuses loaded are redeemed first before tapping into earned rewards from sales activity.  If no redemption takes place before the expiration window, the bonus will automatically deduct from the patron’s account, automatically, at expiration.  

Stored value bonuses are loaded in the early morning the day of release (3am to 4am CST).  The email and text messages send later in the morning between 9am and 12pm CST.  

In the Value Type field, you will select either Fixed Reward or Comps (e.g., ‘Games’, ‘Appetizers’, ‘Entrees’, etc.)  If the only value you see in the drop down list is “Fixed Reward” then Comps are not enabled on your account. Tap the Comp button on your Feature Dashboard to request enabling of this feature. Please note comps are not available across every POS integrated terminal including Micros 3700 and POSitouch systems.  Comps are available on the Virtual Terminal, VeriFone Terminal, and many other compatible POS systems.    

The next field displays Default (No Membership Class), and optionally, shows Membership Class(es) fields underneath. This section is where you configure the value to load for this specific campaign. The category titled, “Default (No Membership Class)” refers to every patron in your loyalty/rewards database that is not affiliated with a Membership Class.  Operators who use Membership Classes have the optional ability to toggle on value that is unique to patrons affiliated in that Membership Class.  For example, your standard rewards members might receive a $5.00 reward bonus loaded on their anniversary whereas your SILVER members might receive $10.00 reward bonus loaded on their anniversary. The value can be different reflecting the different tiers of loyalty that are configured.  See Membership Classes Overview for more information on this topic.

Once the appropriate value is toggled, tap Save to save changes.  

Adding a New Digital Coupon

Now let’s assume you select +New Digital Coupon for the Anniversary Campaign. If you previously created an offer in the MARKETING> Digital Coupon Offers page then simply tap the Load button and follow the dialog prompts to instantly load all offer details into the pop-up window.

If you have no offers previously loaded then you’re ready to begin filling out the form starting with the Headline. Visit How to Create and Deploy Digital Coupon Offers for step by step instructions.  

Step 3:  Enable The Auto-Email Message

Click or tap the EDIT icon in the middle column of MARKETING> Automated Promotions denoted by the paper/pencil to open the automated email message for your specific campaign. This action will open the email editor with a user-friendly drag and drop interface. Your screen should look something like this:

There are certain guidelines to keep in mind when using this module. We’ve segmented these guidelines into the following sections:  

Basic Configuration Guidelines

• An automated email is not enabled unless the Enabled checkbox is checked. When unchecked, your message is in DRAFT status and not live.
• Use the Test Your Message box to send yourself an example of how the email message will actually look when received in your inbox.
• Tap the Restore button to erase any customizations and restore the campaign to the original default content.  
• Tap Preview to get a feel for how your campaign will look from desktop or mobile devices. Use Test Your Campaign field for more detailed testing.    

Content Block Guidelines

• Use the CONTENT blocks from the right margin (Text, Image, Divider etc.) by highlighting the desired block with your mouse, holding the click button down and dragging the content block into place to drop into the desired location of your campaign.  
• The Image block supports the ability to upload your own photos that will automatically be resized OR search for a suitable image from our free stock photo library.  
• Select the Rows tab to drag and drop a specifically formatted row into your campaign. You can then drag and drop desired content blocks into your newly added row which offers formatting options isolated to that row or cell.  
• Highlight a row or content block and observe additional formatting settings on the right side panel including sizing, padding, colors, and links, if applicable.    
• In most cases with few exceptions, dragging the Social block is unnecessary because each default message contains the {social} tag or {social_lg) tag (oversized social icons) which displays your social links automatically as recorded in MARKETING> Social Media Links.    

{Curly Bracket} Tag Guidelines

• All the tags in {curly brackets} throughout the message perform a specific function that inserts the proper value from the system into the message automatically.  
• In most cases, you can leave {tags} alone and let them do their thing such as automatically insert “Mary” for {firstname} when the message delivers to patrons named Mary.  
• Tap the Show Tags button for a glossary of summarized tag descriptions.  
• The contact tags including {company}, {phone}, {logo}, and {web} insert the values automatically as recorded on the page SETTINGS> Business Profile.
• The {survey} tag, if enabled, displays a call to action graphic inside your campaign asking patrons to tap and take short survey. If this campaign’s survey is disabled in SURVEYS>Manage Surveys, this tag does is ignored and does nothing.
• The {refpromo} tag displays your refer a friend headline advertisement (if enabled), publicizing your incentive offer and custom refer a friend landing page. If the Refer a Friend feature is not utilized, this tag is ignored and does nothing.  
• The {bonus} tag displays your stored value bonus(es), if enabled, on your campaign with {bonusexpdate} referring to the date the stored value bonus expires. Delete these tags if not attaching a stored value bonus.  
• The {coupon} tag displays all digital coupons added to your campaign. If more then 1 coupon is added, the message will stack the clickable offers on top of each other wherever {coupon} tag is inserted in your campaign. This action will give patrons a choice of which coupon to view and redeem.  If no digital coupon is loaded this tag is ignored and does nothing.  

Example of 2 Digital Coupons Added to Same Campaign that Stack

**IMPORTANT** For campaigns that don’t use stored value bonuses, go ahead and erase ANY and all sentences containing the {bonus} and {balances} tag.  Just wipe out all references to {bonus}, {balances} or {bonusexpdate} etc. These tags are only necessary when including a stored value bonus and reporting available balances. Customize your message as desired after editing so the message makes sense.

Step 4:  Enable The Auto-Mobile Message (Optional)

Most automated campaigns support the ability to send your campaign as a text message in addition to email (or exclusively by text).  Sending mobile text campaigns is considered a mobile marketing message and is counted against your monthly text allotment. You can monitor your budget, overages and send volume from Mobile Text Marketing> Usage Statistics inside the back office.  

Click or tap the EDIT icon in the far-right column of MARKETING> Automated Promotions denoted by the paper/pencil to open the automated mobile text message for your specific campaign. This action will open a modal display and look something like this:

Configuring auto mobile text messages has its own set of guidelines as follows:

Basic Configuration Guidelines

• An automated mobile text is not enabled unless the Enabled checkbox is checked. When unchecked, your message is in DRAFT status and not live.
• Use the Send Test button to send yourself an example of how the text message will actually look when received in your SMS stream.
• If you’re not receiving the test text message, please opt into your program by texting your Text to Join keyword to the proper short code from your mobile device as defined in SETTINGS> Registration Settings.  
• Tap the Restore button to erase any customizations and restore the campaign to the original default content.  
• As you customize the message, watch your character count carefully to make sure it doesn’t go into the red where your text message is too long and won’t send.  Adjust and abbreviate as necessary to stay within the character count limit.  

{Curly Bracket} Tag Guidelines

• All the tags in {curly brackets} throughout the message perform a specific function that inserts the proper value from the system into the message automatically. For example, {company} tag inserts the Short Name of the business as recorded in SETTINGS> Business Profile.  
• The default message contains {tags} to support EITHER the use of stored value bonuses OR digital coupons. If you’re using the auto mobile message to exclusively publicize a stored value bonus then keep the {bonus} tags in place to automatically insert the proper value from your database. You can safely delete any sentences or tags referencing {coupon}.
• The {#has-bonus} and {/has-bonus} tags will only display the content between these two anchor tags if a stored value bonus has been configured.  
• The {#has-coupon} and {/has-coupon} tags will only display the content between these two anchor tags if a digital coupon has been configured.  
• The {coupon} tag activates a hyperlink to your campaign’s digital coupon template. If adding > 1 digital coupon to the same campaign this hyperlink routes patrons to a page showing all available deals stacked in a mobile friendly format.  
• If circulating BOTH a stored value bonus and a digital coupon (not recommended but possible) you’re going to quickly run to the edge of the character count limit and probably go over the limit. Be prepared to apply significant abbreviation customizations in order to get both {bonus} and {coupon} tags inside of your message.  
• If you’re using the auto mobile message to exclusively publicize a digital coupon, then you can safely delete any sentences or tags referencing {bonus}.  
• Likewise, if using the auto mobile message to exclusively publicize a stored value bonus, you can safely delete any sentences or tags referencing {coupon}.  
• Tap the Show Tags button for a glossary of summarized tag descriptions available. There are fewer available {tags} compared to email campaigns due to the 136 character restriction and SMS delivery method.