Who is this Guide For?
- All Users with access to Business Marketing Messaging
- Team members who send campaigns or 1:1 messages
Prerequisites
- Access to the Business Marketing Messaging platform
- Permission to send messages/campaigns
- Pre-paid accounts: Automatic top-up must be enabled to schedule messages
Overview
This guide explains how to schedule messages in Business Marketing Messaging so they send later, repeat on a set cadence, or stagger over time for large recipient lists.
When to Use Scheduling
- Send later: Deliver messages at the best time for your audience.
- Stagger sending: Spread outgoing messages over a time period to manage replies.
- Recurring messages: Automatically repeat reminders (daily/weekly/monthly, etc.).
Ways to Schedule a Message
Schedule from Campaigns (Scheduled menu)
Step 1: Go to Scheduled
- Open the main menu and select Messaging.
- Under SMS Messaging, select Scheduled.
Step 2: Choose recipients and write your message
- Select your recipients.
- Write your message content.
- (Optional) Name your campaign.
Step 3: Schedule for later
- In Message Details, open the Schedule dropdown.
- Select Schedule for later.
Step 4: Set date, time, and time zone
- Select the date and time to send.
- Confirm the time zone (defaults to your account settings).
- Select Schedule in the bottom-right to save and activate scheduling.
Schedule from the Inbox (1:1 or conversation messaging)
Step 1: Open the Inbox
- From the left navigation, select the Inbox icon.
Step 2: Compose and schedule
- Type your message in the composer.
- Select the clock icon to schedule.
- Choose the date, time, and time zone for the recipient.
- Select Schedule.
Step 3: View, reschedule, or delete
- Select View to open scheduled messages for that recipient.
- Use available actions to Send Now, Reschedule, or Delete.
Staggered Message Sending (Large Recipient Lists)
If you’re sending to a large number of recipients, staggering the send can help you manage replies more effectively (especially if replies are routed to an inbox).
How to stagger a scheduled send
- Start a new message/campaign and complete your setup (recipients, message, optional campaign name).
- In Message Details, open the Send period dropdown.
- Select Send messages over a period of time.
- Choose how many hours to spread sending across. Messages are evenly distributed over that time period.
- Select Schedule to activate staggered sending.
Recurring Messages (Repeat on a Schedule)
How to schedule a recurring message
- Set up your message and choose Schedule for later.
- In Message Recurrence, open the dropdown and select Schedule message to repeat.
- Select a frequency (e.g., Daily, Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly, Annually).
- Choose the termination date (end date) for the recurrence.
- Select Schedule to activate both scheduling and recurrence.
Edit an Existing Scheduled Message
You can pause, edit, resume, or delete an existing scheduled message without creating a brand-new message cycle.
Step 1: Open Scheduled
- Go to Messaging > Scheduled.
Step 2: Pause and edit
- Find the scheduled campaign/message in the list.
- Select the three dots (options menu) next to the campaign.
- Select Pause and Edit (or select Delete to remove it).
- Confirm the pause when prompted.
Step 3: Save changes and resume (or keep paused)
- Update message content, schedule details, recurrence, or send period as needed.
- Select Save & Resume to re-activate the schedule, or Save & Pause to keep it paused.
Troubleshooting
- I can’t schedule messages (pre-paid account): Enable automatic top-up for your account, then try again.
- My scheduled message sent at the “wrong” time: Double-check the time zone selected during scheduling (and confirm your account time zone settings).
- Schedule button is unavailable: Confirm you have selected recipients and entered message content, and that you have send permissions.
- Need to stop a scheduled message: Go to Messaging > Scheduled, open the options menu (three dots), and choose Pause or Delete.
FAQs
Can I schedule a message from the Inbox?
Yes. Use the clock icon in the composer to select a date, time, and the recipient’s time zone, then choose Schedule.
What time zone should I use when scheduling?
When scheduling from the Inbox, choose the time zone that matches your recipient. For campaigns, the default is your account time zone—confirm it before scheduling.
How does “Send messages over a period of time” work?
The platform evenly distributes outgoing messages across the number of hours you specify. Larger recipient lists usually benefit from a longer send period.
Need More Help?
If you need additional assistance, please contact Crexendo Support at 855-211-2255 or email us at support@crexendo.com — our team is happy to help!