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Setting Blackout Dates to Pause Action Plan Emails and Text Sends

Set blackout dates in Sierra Interactive to pause action plan emails and texts on holidays or specific days.

Table of Contents

  1. Why This Feature Matters

  2. Step-by-Step Instructions

  3. Best Practices

  4. Troubleshooting Common Issues

  5. FAQs

Why This Feature Matters

Managing client communications can be challenging, especially during sensitive times. Blackout dates allow you to:

  • Avoid sending marketing messages on holidays or sensitive dates, which can be off-putting to recipients.
  • Maintain a professional and respectful cadence in your communications.
  • Automatically delay scheduled action plan messages, ensuring they don't go out during undesirable times.
  • Take full control over when your communications are sent out, allowing you to prioritize client relationships.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Access Blackout Date Settings

  • Go to Leads → Action Plans → Action Plan SettingsNavigating to Action Plans in Sierra's CRM

  • Scroll to the Blackout Dates section

Finding Action Plan settings from the Action Plans page in Sierra's CRM

2. Add a New Blackout Date

  • Click + Add New Date

  • Enter a name for the blackout date

  • Select the month and day

  • Click Save to activate it immediately

Add a new blackout date in Sierra's Action Plans

Adding a blackout date to Action Plan messages in Sierra

3. Manage “System” Blackout Dates

  • Preloaded dates (e.g., national holidays) are called System blackout dates

  • Toggle ON/OFF to activate or deactivate them for your account

Managing system blackout dates for Action Plan messages in Sierra

4. Manage “Custom” Blackout Dates

  • Custom blackout dates are created manually

  • You can Edit or Delete any custom blackout date directly in the settings

5. Understand Regional Holiday Defaults

  • U.S.-based clients will see U.S. holidays

  • Canadian clients will see Canada-specific holidays

  • Shared holidays like New Year’s Day appear for all users

  • “Rolling” holidays (like Thanksgiving) update each year automatically

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Best Practices

  • Use blackout dates for major holidays, long weekends, or local observances

  • Review and update blackout dates annually to reflect your business needs

  • Combine blackout dates with other communication best practices (like avoiding early-morning sends)

  • Double-check auto-execute settings in traditional action plans to ensure blackout compliance

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Troubleshooting Common Issues

  • An action plan message sent on a blackout date

    Ensure the message is part of a fully automated plan or a traditional plan set to auto-execute. Other tools like saved searches or market reports are not covered.

  • A holiday didn’t trigger a blackout

    Check if the holiday is toggled on in the System Blackout Dates list or manually add it as a custom date.

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FAQs

  • Do blackout dates stop all emails in Sierra?
    No. They apply only to fully automated action plans and auto-executing emails/texts in traditional action plans.

  • Are voicemail drops paused on blackout dates?

    Yes, if they are part of a fully automated plan. Manually triggered voicemail drops are not affected.

  • Will saved search alerts or market reports be paused?

    No. Blackout dates do not apply to saved searches, drip campaigns, or market reports.


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