Scheduling Your Newsletter: A Complete Guide

Scheduling your newsletter is like setting up a perfectly timed delivery – you want to make sure everything is in the right place and set to go out at exactly the right moment. Let's walk through the entire process together, from checking your content to handling last-minute changes.

Before You Schedule: The Pre-Flight Check

Just like pilots go through a checklist before takeoff, you'll want to verify everything is in order before scheduling your newsletter. Here's what you need to confirm:

Finding Your Newsletter

First, make sure you're working with the correct edition. You can verify this in two ways:

1. Look at the left side of your dashboard where your editions are listed
2. Review the content to ensure it matches what you plan to send

Take a moment to scan through your newsletter's key elements:

• Subject line
• Intro card
• Main content
• Any special sections or features

Remember, it's much easier to make changes before scheduling than to try to modify a newsletter that's already in the queue.

Setting Up Your Send Domain

Your send domain is like your newsletter's return address – it needs to be properly set up before you can schedule anything. Here's how to verify it:

Checking Your Domain

When you're in the scheduling screen, look for your domain settings. The domain you see should match the one you use for sending newsletters. If everything's set correctly, you're good to go.

If You Need to Set a Domain

Sometimes you might need to select or verify your domain:

1. Go to the Settings tab
2. Look for Domain Management
3. Select your correct sending domain
4. Return to the Publish tab to continue scheduling

The Scheduling Process

Now that everything's verified, let's set up your schedule. Think of this like programming your smart coffee maker – you're setting it up now to deliver at just the right time later.

Starting the Schedule

1. Look for the "Schedule Newsletter" button
2. Click it to open the scheduling options
3. Review the preview one final time – this is your last chance to catch any issues before setting the time

Setting the Perfect Time

Time zones can be tricky, especially when sending to a global audience. Here's how to ensure you're selecting the right time:

If you're scheduling in a different time zone than your readers:

1. Use a time zone converter (like World Time Buddy)
2. Enter your local time and your target time zone
3. Find the corresponding time in your zone

For example: If you want your newsletter to arrive at 9:30 AM Sydney time, and you're in Pacific time:

1. Check your converter
2. Note the time difference
3. Schedule accordingly (for instance, 2:30 PM the previous day Pacific time)

Confirming Your Schedule

Once you've selected your time:

1. Double-check the scheduled time shows correctly
2. Verify the date is correct (remember that crossing time zones might change the date)
3. Click "Schedule" to confirm

Immediate Sending Option

If you need to send your newsletter right away instead of scheduling it:

1. Choose "Send Newsletter Now" instead of scheduling
2. Click "Send Now"
3. Your newsletter will begin sending immediately

Managing Scheduled Newsletters

Sometimes plans change, and you might need to modify a scheduled newsletter. Here's what you need to know:

Canceling a Scheduled Send

You have options for canceling a scheduled newsletter, but timing is crucial:

If it's more than an hour before send time:

1. Find your scheduled newsletter
2. Click the "Cancel" button
3. Confirm your cancellation

If it's less than an hour before send time: The process is different:

1. You won't be able to cancel directly through the dashboard
2. You'll need to contact support for assistance
3. Response times may vary, so plan accordingly

Best Practices for Schedule Management

To make your newsletter scheduling as smooth as possible:

Schedule in advance when possible. This gives you:

• Time to review everything thoroughly
• A buffer for making last-minute changes if needed
• Peace of mind knowing your newsletter is ready to go

Keep track of your scheduled times:

• Mark them in your calendar
• Set reminders for an hour before send time
• This gives you a window for cancellation if needed

Troubleshooting and Tips

Here are some helpful things to keep in mind:

Time Zone Considerations:

• Always double-check time zone conversions
• Remember that dates might change across time zones
• Consider your readers' local time when choosing send times

Domain Issues:

• If you can't schedule, check your domain settings first
• Verify that your domain is properly selected
• Make sure all domain verifications are current

Last-Minute Changes:

• Try to avoid scheduling too close to send time
• Keep that one-hour buffer in mind
• Have support contact information ready just in case

Final Thoughts

Remember that scheduling your newsletter is about more than just picking a time – it's about ensuring your content reaches your readers when they're most likely to engage with it. Take your time with the setup process, double-check your settings, and you'll be set up for success.

If you ever have questions or need assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to the support team. While immediate help isn't guaranteed, especially for last-minute changes, they're there to help ensure your newsletter reaches your audience as intended.

Here is a video to walk you through the process: https://www.loom.com/share/a0fc464f68a24d5b8156af060c97f48f 

Happy scheduling!