Understanding Drip Mode for Bulk Actions
What Is Drip Mode for Bulk Actions?
Drip Mode allows you to execute bulk actions—such as sending messages or updating contact data—in controlled, timed batches rather than all at once. By distributing your outreach over intervals of minutes, hours, or days, you protect your sender reputation, avoid carrier throttling, and maintain system performance even with large contact lists.
Benefits of the Improved Drip Mode
The latest architecture enhancements deliver greater reliability and flexibility for all bulk actions using Drip Mode:
- Efficiently handles sequences involving hundreds of thousands of contacts
- Prevents actions from stalling mid-execution with improved checkpointing
- Supports scheduling beyond the previous 30-day limit
- Uses a reusable, configuration-driven engine for consistent behavior across SMS, email, contact updates, workflow steps, and more
- Reduces code duplication for faster future updates and fewer issues
Key Features
Checkpointing and Automatic Recovery
Progress is recorded after each batch. If an interruption occurs—such as a sub-account disconnection or system restart—the action resumes exactly where it left off, eliminating manual intervention and preventing lost sends.
Extended Scheduling
You can now schedule drip campaigns for any future date, making it ideal for long-term initiatives like multi-week courses, donation drives, or retention campaigns.
Configuration Parameters
Use the same simple form to configure:
- Start On: Date and time for the first batch
- Batch Quantity: Number of contacts per run (1–10,000)
- Repeat After: Interval between batches (minutes, hours, or days)
- Send On: Days of the week for delivery (optional)
- Process Between: Allowable send hours (respects account time zone)
- End At: Daily cutoff time
Supported Bulk Actions
All bulk actions with Drip Mode now use the same scheduler:
- Bulk SMS and MMS
- Bulk email
- Add/remove contact tags
- Add to workflow or campaign
- Opportunity updates (status, pipeline, owner)
- Custom 'Action – Drip' steps inside workflows
How to Set Up Drip Mode
Step 1: Navigate to Contacts
Go to Contacts to access the bulk action setup screen.
Step 2: Choose Action Type
Select the bulk action you want to perform, such as Send SMS, Send Email, or Add Tag.
Step 3: Select Audience
Choose the contact group using a SmartList or manual selection. Audience size determines the number of batches.
Step 4: Set Delivery Method
Under Delivery Method, choose Send in Drip Mode to enable gradual delivery.
Step 5: Configure Drip Settings
Define your pacing and schedule using the parameters above.
Step 6: Add Action Description
Enter a descriptive label for easy identification in reports.
Step 7: Review Estimated Duration
The system calculates completion time based on your settings. Verify it aligns with your campaign goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will existing drip actions use the new engine?
Yes. All queued or paused actions migrate automatically.
Can I change batch size after starting?
Yes. Edits apply to future batches without affecting completed ones.
Is there a maximum duration?
No. Campaigns can run for months or years.
Can I pause and resume?
Yes. Use Contacts → Bulk Actions → ⋯ menu → Pause. Resuming continues from the last checkpoint.
Do rate limits apply?
Yes. Carrier and platform limits (e.g., 1,000 SMS/min) are enforced consistently.
Is Workflow 'Action – Drip' the same as Bulk Action Drip Mode?
Yes. Both use the same backend logic; only the UI context differs.
Are batches visible in workflow history?
Yes. Each batch appears as a distinct execution.
Does Drip Mode respect quiet hours and DND?
Yes. Messages outside allowed hours or to DND contacts are deferred to the next valid batch.