How to schedule a message

Pushwoosh makes it simple to schedule messages across multiple channels, including push notifications, emails, in-app messages, WhatsApp, and SMS.

Whether you’re sending a one-time message, scheduling messages for specific dates, or setting up recurring campaigns, the Customer Journey Builder offers flexible options to manage your campaign timing effectively. For push notifications, you can also use the one-time push message form. For one-time emails, you can use the one-time email form.

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for scheduling messages through the Customer Journey Builder, applicable to all supported messaging channels.

How to schedule messages that start a communication flow

Scheduling is configured in the Audience-based entry element via Entry schedule:

• One-time entry: users enter the journey once. Choose Immediately (as soon as the journey is activated) or Schedule for a specific day (date and time).
• Recurring entry: users enter repeatedly. Choose On specific dates (multiple dates you pick) or Periodically (e.g. every 1 day, every 1 week).

Configure the entry schedule

1. Add the Audience-based entry element and define the users who will enter the journey. Select the Audience source to determine who will receive the message or create a segment. Once the audience is set, you can proceed to schedule the message.
2. In the Audience-based entry element, set Entry schedule and choose One-time entry or Recurring entry, then pick the option that matches when the message should be sent.
3. Set the time and timezone as described in the sections below. For details, see Audience-based entry.

Tip

Optionally, enable Allow users who match the segment later to enter the journey so users who qualify after launch enter automatically. Learn more.

Schedule a message for a specific date and time

To send a message on a specific date and time:

1. Set Entry schedule to One-time entry, then choose Schedule for a specific day. Set the date and time.
2. Select the timezone:
   • Subscriber’s device timezone (default): entry uses each subscriber’s device timezone. If timezone is missing, a fallback is used. Click Change fallback to change it.
   • Specific timezone: pick a timezone from the dropdown for a fixed entry time.

Note

If a subscriber’s scheduled entry time (in their local timezone) has already passed, they will not be included in the campaign unless you choose to let them enter immediately. Learn more.

Once the schedule is set, click Apply to confirm.

Schedule a message for multiple specific dates

To send messages on multiple specific dates:

1. Set Entry schedule to Recurring entry, then choose On specific dates.
2. Pick the dates in the calendar. Click + Add Date to add more dates.
3. Set the time and timezone the same way as for Schedule for a specific day (Subscriber’s device timezone or Specific timezone).

Note

Subscribers whose scheduled time has already passed for a specific date will be included in the next available scheduled date.

Once the schedule is set, click Apply to confirm.

Set up a recurring message to be sent at regular intervals

To send messages at regular intervals (e.g. daily, weekly):

1. Set Entry schedule to Recurring entry, then choose Periodically.
2. In ENTRY EVERY, set the interval (e.g. every 1 day, every 1 week) and pick the days (of the week or month, depending on the interval).
3. Set the time and timezone the same way as for Schedule for a specific date and time.

Note

Subscribers whose scheduled time has already passed will be included on the next scheduled day.

Once the schedule is set, click Apply to confirm.

After you’ve set the scheduling options, add the message element and configure the rest of your journey. Once you’ve reviewed all the configurations, click Launch campaign.

How to schedule messages that continue a communication flow

If your scheduled message is part of an ongoing journey, you can insert a Time Delay element to control when the message is sent within the flow. For this:

1. Insert the Time Delay element between the preceding communication elements and the message you wish to schedule:

2. Double-click the Time Delay element. In the Time Delay Option field, select either Specific time:

or Date:

Tip

Within the Time Delay element, you can set other delivery conditions: waiting for fixed durations, specific days of the week, or until the user triggers a specified event. Learn more about how to use the Time Delay element.

Example scenario: Setting up a recurring push notification for a fitness app

Let’s say you’re running a fitness app and want to send motivational push notifications to users to keep them engaged. You decide to send the same notification every Monday at 9:00 AM, reminding users to log their workout progress.

1. Create a basic push flow. Add the Audience-based entry to the journey canvas and select an Audience source.

2. Set recurring entry. In the Audience-based entry element, set Entry schedule to Recurring entry, then choose Periodically. In ENTRY EVERY, set every 1 week and select Monday.

3. Set time and timezone. Set the time to 9:00 AM and select Subscriber’s device timezone so notifications are sent based on each user’s local time.

4. Review and finalize the journey. Proceed to configure the rest of your journey and create push notification content.

Example message

• Title: Keep Moving! 💪

• Message: Hey [First Name], log your workout and stay on track with your fitness goals. Let’s make this week count! 🏋️‍♂️

Finally, add the Exit element to your journey. Before launching the journey, review the entire setup to ensure everything is configured correctly.

The recurring notification is now ready to remind users to log their workouts every Monday at 9:00 AM in their local timezones.