If you’re juggling emails, SMS, and maybe even a rogue WhatsApp campaign, you know how easy it is for marketing to turn into a mess. This guide is for marketers and founders who want to actually run multi channel campaigns in Derrickapp—not just talk about it in meetings. We’ll skip the vague “omnichannel” hype and get straight to building workflows that work, without drowning in options or features you’ll never use.
Ready? Let’s make Derrickapp do the heavy lifting.
Step 1: Get the Basics Set Up
First things first: if you’re not already using Derrick-app, go create an account and get familiar with the dashboard. The interface is pretty clean, but don’t expect it to be magical. It’s just a tool—it won’t fix a broken strategy or bad copy.
What you’ll need before you start:
- Access to the channels you care about (Email, SMS, WhatsApp, etc.).
- A clear idea of who you want to reach and why—vague goals lead to vague results.
- Content or offers for each channel (even simple drafts are fine).
Pro tip: Don’t waste time connecting every channel just because you can. Start with two that matter to your audience. You can add more later.
Step 2: Connect Your Channels
Multi channel means just that: more than one. Derrickapp lets you hook up a variety of channels, but not every integration is equally easy or worth it.
To connect a channel:
- Head to the Integrations section in Derrickapp’s sidebar.
- Pick your channel (e.g., Email, SMS, WhatsApp).
- Follow the prompts—usually API keys or OAuth sign-in.
- Test send a message to yourself. If it doesn’t land, don’t move on until you fix it.
Honest take:
- Email is usually the smoothest to set up.
- SMS often needs you to verify your phone number and can get tripped up by carrier filters.
- WhatsApp is the trickiest and sometimes requires approval from Meta. If you don’t have a solid WhatsApp strategy, skip it for now.
Don’t bother:
- With channels your audience doesn’t use. Just because Derrickapp offers Facebook Messenger doesn’t mean anyone wants a message there.
Step 3: Build (Simple) Audiences
Don’t get sucked into segmentation rabbit holes. Derrickapp’s audience builder is flexible, but the more complicated you make it, the more likely something breaks or you end up targeting five people.
To build an audience:
- Go to the Audiences tab.
- Import your contacts (CSV, or sync with your CRM).
- Use filters for things that actually matter (location, recent purchase, email engagement).
- Give the audience a clear name—think “2024 Spring Sale - Engaged Email List,” not “Test Segment 7.”
What works:
- Keeping segments broad at first. You can always split later.
- Regularly refreshing your lists—old data = undelivered messages.
What to ignore:
- Overly granular filters (“opened last 3 emails AND clicked X AND lives in zip 90210”). Unless you have thousands of contacts, it’s usually not worth it.
Step 4: Map Out Your Workflow (On Paper First)
Before you click around in Derrickapp, sketch your campaign on paper or a whiteboard. Seriously. It doesn’t need to be pretty—just make sure you know:
- What triggers your workflow? (e.g., user signs up, buys, or gets tagged)
- Which channels will be used, and in what order?
- What’s the fallback if someone doesn’t respond?
Example:
- Day 0: New signup → Welcome Email
- Day 2: If no open, send SMS reminder
- Day 5: If still no engagement, add to retargeting audience
Why bother?
Jumping straight into the app leads to messy, half-finished automations. Mapping it first saves headaches.
Step 5: Build the Workflow in Derrickapp
Now, let’s put your plan into Derrickapp. This is where you actually automate the multi channel magic—without the wishful thinking.
Steps:
- Go to the Workflows or Automations section.
- Click “Create New Workflow.”
- Choose your trigger—usually an event (signup, purchase) or a time-based rule.
- Add your first action (e.g., Send Email). Drop in your content or select a template.
- Use the “Wait” or “Delay” step to space out actions. Don’t blast everything at once.
- Add conditional logic. For example:
- If Email not opened in 48 hours → Send SMS.
- If user clicks link → Tag as “Interested.”
- Repeat for each channel/action, following your paper plan.
Pro tips: - Test every path with your own email/phone before going live. - Use clear labels for each step. “Send Welcome Email” is better than “Action 1.” - Don’t overcomplicate with crazy branch logic unless you have data to back it up.
What works:
- Starting simple and layering on complexity only when you have proof it’s worth it.
- Using delays generously—nobody likes getting hit from every channel at once.
What to ignore:
- Fancy AI “optimization” features that promise to pick the best time or channel. These rarely outperform basic rules unless you have tons of data.
Step 6: Set Up Reporting (But Don’t Drown in Metrics)
You need to know what’s working, but Derrickapp’s reporting can quickly overwhelm you with numbers that don’t matter.
Focus on:
- Delivery rates: Are your messages actually landing?
- Open/click rates: Are people engaging, or just ignoring you?
- Conversions: Did anyone actually do what you wanted?
To set up:
- Go to the Analytics or Reports tab.
- Choose the workflow or campaign you want to track.
- Set up email/SMS notifications for key events (like high bounce rates).
What works:
- Checking stats weekly, not hourly.
- Looking for trends, not obsessing over single sends.
What to ignore:
- Vanity metrics like “Impressions” or “Reach” unless they tie directly to real outcomes.
Step 7: Test, Tweak, and Actually Talk to Your Audience
Most marketing automations fail because nobody bothers to revisit them. Set a reminder to check your workflows every month. Look for:
- Drop-off points—where do people stop responding?
- Messages that get no engagement—rewrite or cut them.
- Channels that aren’t pulling their weight—ditch or swap them out.
Pro tips: - Ask a real customer how they felt about your messages. You’ll learn more than from any dashboard. - Don’t be afraid to turn off a workflow if it’s not working. There’s no prize for most automations.
Keep It Simple, Keep It Moving
Multi channel workflows in Derrickapp aren’t magic, but they’re powerful if you keep them focused. Start small, build only what you need, and listen to your audience—not the latest marketing buzzword. Most importantly, iterate. Your first workflow won’t be perfect, and that’s fine. The key is to get moving, learn as you go, and avoid the urge to automate every little thing.
You’ll save time, reach more people, and—most importantly—avoid becoming “that” brand everyone unsubscribes from.