Marketing and Communication AutomationsPurpose
1.2. Ensure consistent, timely dissemination of event info through SMS, email, social media, in-store displays, and voice reminders.
1.3. Enable rapid adjustment for last-minute event changes, maximize reach, and streamline staff workload via full announcement workflow automation.
Trigger Conditions
2.2. Manual entry/upload of event in management dashboard.
2.3. Specific date/time approaching before event (e.g., 7, 3, 1 days out).
2.4. Inventory update tagged for auction/pop-up.
2.5. External RSS/calendar or website update detected.
Platform Variants
3.1. Twilio SMS
• Feature/Setting: Configure Messaging API with POST to /Messages targeting segmented opt-in customer groups and event details as SMS.
3.2. SendGrid
• Feature/Setting: Use Marketing Campaigns API endpoint /marketing/singlesends to schedule event announcement emails.
3.3. Mailchimp
• Feature/Setting: Set up Campaign Automation Workflow with trigger “Event Date” and merge tags for dynamic content.
3.4. Slack
• Feature/Setting: Use Incoming Webhooks integration to post auction alerts to #customer_announcements channel.
3.5. Facebook Pages
• Feature/Setting: Employ Facebook Graph API endpoint /page-id/feed for automated event post creation with pre-set templates.
3.6. Instagram
• Feature/Setting: Use Instagram Content Publishing API to publish posts or stories with event images and registration links.
3.7. WhatsApp Business API
• Feature/Setting: Configure /v1/messages endpoint for auto-sending event promo messages to contact list.
3.8. Telegram
• Feature/Setting: Use Bot API “sendMessage” function for alerting subscribers with event info and RSVP options.
3.9. Google Calendar
• Feature/Setting: Automated event creation via Calendar API /calendars/calendarId/events for attendee notifications.
3.10. Microsoft Outlook
• Feature/Setting: Use Outlook Calendar REST API POST /events for email invitations to distribution lists.
3.11. Discord
• Feature/Setting: Configure Webhook URL to post embedded event announcements to specified community channels.
3.12. Shopify
• Feature/Setting: Use Admin API to modify store banner or notification section for event details.
3.13. WordPress
• Feature/Setting: Use WP REST API POST /wp/v2/posts for scheduled blog announcements about upcoming events.
3.14. HubSpot
• Feature/Setting: Use Workflows to trigger Marketing Emails when auction or pop-up properties are updated.
3.15. Salesforce
• Feature/Setting: Configure Process Builder or Flows to auto-email event invites when auction record is created or updated.
3.16. Zoom
• Feature/Setting: Use Meeting API POST /users/{userId}/meetings to schedule and share auction live streams.
3.17. Eventbrite
• Feature/Setting: Use Event Create API to automatically generate new event page and send registration emails.
3.18. LinkedIn
• Feature/Setting: Use Share API for posting announcement to company page or event.
3.19. Google My Business
• Feature/Setting: Business Posts API for publishing “Event” type posts on store profile.
3.20. Apple Calendar (iCloud Calendar API)
• Feature/Setting: Schedule and share event invites using POST /calendars/events endpoint.
3.21. Microsoft Teams
• Feature/Setting: Schedule channel announcement using Graph API posts.
3.22. Yelp
• Feature/Setting: Automated “Special Event” update via Yelp Fusion API for store profile.
Benefits
4.2. Reduced manual effort, freeing staff for in-person event preparation.
4.3. Multi-channel consistency, minimizing information gaps and customer confusion.
4.4. Flexible, rapid re-announcement for venue/time changes.
4.5. Scalable to future stores or events with minor configuration changes.