# Build an automation (when → do)

> An automation is one rule: when something happens, do something. Pick a trigger (a purchase, or a contact getting a tag), pick an action (send an email, send a WhatsApp, or add a tag), optionally make it wait a few days, and switch it on.

Last updated 2026-06-04 · Source: https://prolaud.com/help/marketing-automations

On Marketing (/dashboard/marketing), use the Automations card. Name the rule, choose a trigger and an action, fill in the action's details, and click create. It runs on every matching event from then on.

## Triggers — what starts it

- When someone makes a purchase — fires the moment an order is paid.
- When a contact gets a tag — fires when a tag is added. Leave the tag blank to match any tag, or name one (e.g. lead) to fire only for that tag.

## Actions — what it does

- Send an email — subject + body. Use {{name}} and it's replaced with the contact's name (or 'there' if unknown).
- Send a WhatsApp message — text, same {{name}} support. Goes only to contacts who have a phone number.
- Add a tag — tags the contact, which can itself trigger another automation (that's how you chain steps today).

## Wait before running

Set 'Wait (days)' above zero and the action is scheduled for later instead of running immediately — e.g. 'when someone buys → wait 3 days → send a check-in email'. A background job runs due steps about every 30 minutes.

> **Note:** Email and WhatsApp use the same senders as your class invites and announcements. If a sender isn't configured yet, the message is logged on the backend instead of sent — the automation never errors or blocks the purchase that triggered it.

> **Note:** A single automation is one step. To build a multi-step sequence today, chain rules: 'buy → add tag onboarding-1', then 'tagged onboarding-1 → wait 2 days → email'. Native multi-step sequences as one object are on the roadmap.

## Related

- [Tags & segments](https://prolaud.com/help/marketing-contacts)
- [The abandoned-cart rule](https://prolaud.com/help/marketing-abandoned-checkout)
- [Re-engage at-risk students](https://prolaud.com/help/marketing-reengage-at-risk)