The program builder features nodes - actions, delays, decisions, and end points - linked with connectors, enabling you to create automated marketing workflows. Enrolled contacts make their way through your program based on the rules you've specified.

To start building a new program, you'll need to select a program template. To do this, go to Automation > All programs and select NEW PROGRAM.

You can choose from a blank template, or, if you're looking for more of a helping hand to get up and running, you can select one of our many pre-built templates which have been designed for a range of different purposes.

You're asked to name your program, then taken to the program builder canvas.

A new program always begins with a start node, which enrols your contacts. Additional nodes can be dragged in from the side panel onto the canvas.

A valid program needs to include:

It may also contain:

Selecting a node on the canvas opens a side panel on the right, that shows its configurable settings. Each type of node has its own settings - see the articles describing each node for more details (linked to above).

To link nodes together, drag the connector dangling from one node onto another.
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Arrows show the flow of a program from the start through to the end points.
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A connector can be deleted by hovering over it and selecting the red delete icon that appears at the originating node. Alternatively a connection can be re-routed by selecting where the arrow attaches to the destination node and dragging it to another node.

By using decision nodes you can create branches in programs and merge those branches back together.

As you build your program, you may notice the box in the Validation control updating.

This is where you can keep track of actions that still need to be done before your program is complete. You can save an invalid program but you won't be able to activate it until all issues are resolved.

Select Validation and then select a validation error highlights the corresponding node in your program that requires attention.

You can save your program and come back to it at any time.

Once you've completed the program and are ready for it to start enrolling contacts and sending emails, select Activate in the program builder's toolbar.

Your program needs to be free of any validation errors, and you'll be prompted to save your program if you've not already done so.

Once your program has been activated and starts enrolling contacts, editing options become more limited.