# How does a marketing automation message work? A marketing automation message is a special type of a message used only as an action in marketing automation workflows. The main difference to other messages you can use in GetResponse is that you don’t set the sending properties. The message gets sent as a result of all conditions and filtering that you set up in the workflow. The marketing automation message is created in [**Automation >> Automation messages**](https://app.getresponse.com/automation/messages/manage). It can also be a copy of a layout of an existing message (newsletter, autoresponder, A/B test message, or draft). It’s created automatically the minute you choose your source message type to be sent as an action in your marketing automation workflow. All original images, text, and hyperlinks are being carried over. However, the original settings regarding the sending of the source message no longer apply to the automation message. For example, if you choose an autoresponder, only its content is copied. To send the automation message, we use the settings of the workflow where you use it. Converting any message type into an automation message doesn’t affect the source message in any way. It continues to be sent according to your settings. When you choose an A/B test type of message, the marketing automation workflow doesn’t continue running the tests. It simply uses the template that you’ve chosen. For the time being, if you want to do multivariate testing, you need to use the standard procedure. How do I create an automation message draft? -------------------------------------------- If you want to create an automation message, **start by creating a draft**. If you want to convert an existing newsletter, A/B test, autoresponder, or draft, go straight to the section **[Converting a draft or another message type](#sectionA)**. ### Creating an automation message draft 1. Go to **[Automation](https://app.getresponse.com/automation/manage)** from the dashboard. 2. In the **Automation** feature space, click **Automation messages**. 3. Click the **Create automation message** button. ![](https://us-wd.gr-cdn.com/help/sites/9/2021/04/0633/create-automation-message-1024x86.png) 4. Configure the automation message settings: * type in a message **name**. Only you can see it. It will help you to find the message on the **Automation messages** page. * select a linked list. The message draft will be saved to the list you select. The footer will display in the language chosen for this list. * select a “from” field. You can pick a different reply-to address if necessary. * add a **subject line**. * (optional) Turn on click tracking with Google Analytics. ![Fields to fill when configuring automation message draft](https://us-wd.gr-cdn.com/help/sites/9/2021/04/0636/automation-message-draft-839x1024.png) * Click the **Design message** button when you’re done to proceed to the template gallery. 5. Select a template. Use the side menu to browse by category. Then, click to choose and proceed to the message editor. 6. Edit the template. You can add, rearrange, and edit text and images. Click the tabs in the side toolbar to view more editing options: **Sections**, **Basic blocks**, **Ecommerce** (includes [Recommendations](https://www.getresponse.com/help/how-do-i-send-product-recommendations-to-customers.html), [Abandoned cart](https://www.getresponse.com/help/how-can-i-include-abandoned-cart-items-in-a-message.html), and Product box), and **My blocks**. ![Toolbar options in message editor shown](https://us-wd.gr-cdn.com/help/sites/9/2021/04/0641/automation-message-toolbar.png) 7. Click **Next** to go back to your message settings. There, you can click **Save progress** to save your current progress and stay in your message settings page, or **Save and finish** to save your message and go back to Automation messages. Now that you’ve created an automation message, it’s time to use it in a workflow. You’ll be able to reuse this message in other workflows. ### Selecting your automation message 1. Go to **[Automation](https://app.getresponse.com/automation/manage)** and start creating a workflow. You can [use a template](https://www.getresponse.com/help/how-to-use-templates-to-build-workflows.html) or [build it from scratch](https://www.getresponse.com/help/what-is-an-automation-workflow.html). 2. When configuring a **Send message** action, click Automation and pick a message of your choice. ### Converting a draft or another message type to an automation message 1. Go to **[Automation](https://app.getresponse.com/automation/manage)** and start creating a workflow. You can [use a template](https://www.getresponse.com/help/how-to-use-templates-to-build-workflows.html) or [build it from scratch](https://www.getresponse.com/help/what-is-an-automation-workflow.html) 2. When configuring a **Send message** action, you can use a message draft or any message you’ve previously created. ![Selecting a message to convert](https://us-wd.gr-cdn.com/help/2017/10/Screen-Shot-2018-11-08-at-12.40.31.png) 3. In a popup modal, confirm that you want to copy the message as an automation message and **set the language of the footer**. You can: * use the footer of the original message, i.e. the language of the list when the original message was created * change the language of the footer in your automation message. To do it, select the list you want to link the message to. The footer will display in the language specified for that list in **[List settings](https://www.getresponse.com/help/where-can-i-find-my-list-settings.html)**. ![Options how to set footer are shown](https://us-wd.gr-cdn.com/help/2017/10/Automation-set-language-of-the-footer.png) You’re done. You can now continue editing your workflow and save and publish it when you’re done. To view your existing automation messages or drafts, go to **[Automation>>Automation messages](https://app.getresponse.com/automation/messages/manage)**. Use the drop-down menu to view just ready, incomplete, in use, or all of them. ![How to filter drafts shown.](https://us-wd.gr-cdn.com/help/sites/9/2021/04/0653/automation-messages-statuses.png) How do I edit or reuse my automation messages? ---------------------------------------------- You can edit automation messages under **Automation messages** in **Automation**. You can: * edit your automation message settings (change the message name, change and personalize the subject, and edit the “from” and reply-to email address); * edit the message template. To **edit** automation messages: 1. Go to **[Automation>>Automation messages](https://app.getresponse.com/automation/messages/manage)** and find the message you’d like to edit. 2. Expand the **Actions** menu next to the message and select **Edit** to open the editor. ![Edit function in the menu shown](https://us-wd.gr-cdn.com/help/sites/9/2021/04/0654/edit-draft-1024x247.png) 3. Edit your message settings and the From field. When you’re done, click **Next step**. 4. Edit your message just like you edit a [newsletter template](https://www.getresponse.com/features/email-marketing/templates). When you’re done, click **Next step**. This saves your changes and takes you back to **Automation messages**. To **reuse** the automation message you’ve just created, select **Automation** for message type and select the message. Where do I find statistics for my automation messages? ------------------------------------------------------ Messages sent as a part of your marketing automation workflow have their own statistics that can be found on **Manage automation messages** page. You can access this page by selecting **Manage messages** from the main **Automation** menu. The statistics for the messages that you used as an automation message template stay intact. How can I stop contacts from receiving duplicate messages in a workflow? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The **Send message** action can be set to send a message to unique recipients only. This option is helpful when the same person is in multiple contact lists. ![Switch enabled sending to unique recipients shown](https://us-wd.gr-cdn.com/help/2017/10/Automation-unique-recipients.png) By default, marketing automation treats the same person in different lists as individual contacts. So, the same person can “enter” the same workflow multiple times if they are in different lists and receive the multiples of the same message. To avoid sending the same message to duplicated contacts, enable **Send only to unique recipients**. When the contact enters the element the first time, they’ll get the message. After that, every time they get to this element, they will pass through it but won’t be sent the message. ![Option to send to unique recipients is enabled](https://us-wd.gr-cdn.com/help/2017/10/Automation-unique-on.png) When you move the switch to ON, **Run multiple times** turns on automatically and is disabled in the ON position. This ensures that duplicated contacts can go through the **Send message** action to the next element. Can I choose when people get automation messages? ------------------------------------------------- You can decide when to start and stop sending automation messages. By default, **Send message** sends an email as soon as your contacts reach this element in a workflow. To pick specific start and end times, 1. Add the **Send message** element to the workspace. 2. In the **Properties** tab, enable **Send only during specific hours**. 3. Click the drop-down menus and select the times. ![Sending messages during specific times enabled](https://us-wd.gr-cdn.com/help/2017/10/Send-message-specific-hours-1.png) **Note**: It’s not possible to schedule sends that start before 12 am and end the next day. They can be scheduled in the 24-hr period starting at 12 am only. That’s it. The message will be sent during the times you’ve selected (according to your account time zone settings). To finish configuring the element, [select the message](#sectionA) you want to send.