Workflows · 2 min read
Set Event Start Date Action
The Set Event Start Date/Time action sets a date and time for the workflow to work from. You then add Wait steps set to Event/Appointment Time to run actions a set amount of time before or after it. It works well for webinars, renewals, trial end dates, launches, training sessions, and birthdays.
Add the action
- Open your workflow in Automation > Workflows.
- Add the Set Event Start Date/Time action.
- Choose where the date comes from:
- Custom Field: use a date custom field on the contact, such as a renewal date or birthday.
- Specific Date/Time: enter an exact date and time.
- Specific Day: pick a day.
- Save the action.
If you type a date, use a format such as
12-21-2026 08:30 (MM-DD-YYYY HH:MM, 24-hour time) or 21-DEC-2026 08:30.Add the reminders
- After the action, add a Wait step and choose Event/Appointment Time.
- Set how long before or after the event the workflow should wait, in months, days, hours, or minutes. For example, choose 2 days before.
- Add the message or task that should go out at that point.
- Repeat for each reminder, such as a week, a day, and an hour before.
Good to know
- Contacts who join late: if the wait time has already passed, the Wait step's settings decide what happens. The contact can move to the next step, jump to a specific step, or skip outbound messages.
- More than one event: you can add several Set Event Start Date/Time actions in one workflow, each with its own Wait steps.
- Recurring events: set the first date, then use a Go To action to loop back for the next one.
- Time zones: if the workflow is set to use each contact's time zone, the timing adjusts to it.
- The action is only useful with a Wait for Event/Appointment Time step after it.