If you’re tired of complicated marketing tools and just want to get your campaigns up and running, you’re in the right place. This guide is for marketers, growth folks, and anyone else who wants to set up multi-channel campaigns in Vector without getting bogged down in jargon or endless configuration. No hype—just the steps you need, what actually matters, and what you can safely ignore.
What you’ll need before you start
Let’s get this out of the way: you don’t need a PhD in marketing automation, but you do need a few basics sorted before you dive in:
- Admin access to your Vector account
- Creative assets for each channel (emails, ads, SMS texts, etc.)
- A clear goal: What do you want people to do?
- Your list or audience segments
If you don’t have these, go get them first. Trying to set up a campaign without assets or a plan is a recipe for pain.
Step 1: Map out your campaign (on paper, not in Vector)
Before you even log in, figure out what you’re actually trying to do. Multi-channel doesn’t mean “blast everything everywhere.” Decide:
- Which channels make sense? (Email, SMS, push notifications, ads, etc.)
- Who are you talking to on each channel?
- What’s the main call to action?
- How will channels work together? (E.g., email first, then SMS to non-openers)
Pro tip: Draw this out. Even a napkin sketch beats clicking around blindly in Vector. Most headaches later come from unclear plans now.
Step 2: Set up your channels in Vector
Now log in and go to the “Channels” or “Integrations” section of Vector. This is where you connect your tools—think email provider, SMS gateway, ad platforms.
- Email: Connect your sender domain and verify it. Skip this and you’ll end up in spam.
- SMS: Plug in your SMS provider (Twilio, Plivo, etc.). Make sure you’re compliant with local laws.
- Push notifications: If you’re using web or mobile push, set up the integration and test it on a real device.
- Ads: If Vector supports direct ad integration (some versions do, some don’t), link your ad account.
What to ignore: If you see obscure channels you’ll never use (fax, WhatsApp, carrier pigeon), don’t waste time connecting them now.
Heads up: Some integrations take time to verify. Do this early, not five minutes before launch.
Step 3: Build your audience segments
Go to “Audience” or “Segments” in Vector. Don’t just dump your entire list into every channel. Segmentation is where a lot of the magic happens.
- Upload or sync your list, if you haven’t already.
- Create segments by behavior (opened last email, clicked link, bought product, etc.), demographics, or whatever matters to you.
- Test your segments. Preview who’s in each one. You don’t want to send a “Welcome” SMS to someone who’s been buying from you for years.
Pro tip: Start simple. Over-segmentation is a classic trap. You can always get fancier later.
Step 4: Create your campaign assets
Now for the actual stuff your audience will see. In Vector, go to the “Campaigns” or “Assets” area.
- Email: Write the subject line and body. Keep it short and clear. Test for mobile.
- SMS: 160 characters or less. Say something useful—don’t just say “Hey!” or “Check our website.”
- Push notification: Be direct. People swipe these away in a second.
- Ads: If you’re running ads, upload the images and copy. Make sure the formats match the channel requirements.
What matters: Clarity, relevance, and a clear call to action. No one cares about your clever wordplay if they don’t know what to do next.
What to ignore: Fancy templates and endless A/B tests before you even launch. Get version 1 out, then improve.
Step 5: Set up the campaign flow
This is where multi-channel campaigns either shine or crash. In Vector, use the campaign builder or “Journey” tool.
- Lay out your steps: Example—Email → wait 2 days → if no open, send SMS → wait 1 day → show ad.
- Use triggers: Set rules based on user actions (opened, clicked, purchased).
- Timing matters: Don’t blast people on all channels at once. Stagger communications so they feel natural.
- Channel fallback: If one channel fails (like a bounced email), have a backup plan.
Pro tip: Keep it simple for your first run. Complex flows are tempting, but if something breaks, it’s a pain to debug.
Step 6: Test everything (yes, really)
Don’t skip this. Broken links, typos, or the wrong segment getting the wrong message will make you look sloppy.
- Send test messages to yourself and teammates on every channel.
- Check links and images.
- Preview on desktop and mobile.
- Double-check segments—send a test to a dummy contact in each group.
What to ignore: Don’t get lost in the preview mode forever. A few spot checks beat endless tinkering.
Step 7: Launch and monitor
Hit “Go” (or whatever Vector calls it) and watch what happens. But don’t just walk away.
- Monitor delivery rates—if you see a ton of bounces or undelivered messages, something’s wrong.
- Watch for errors—Vector usually flags issues with integrations or message delivery.
- Check early results—opens, clicks, responses, unsubscribes.
Heads up: Real-world numbers are rarely as good as “industry benchmarks.” Focus on your own improvement.
Step 8: Iterate and optimize
After a few days, look at what actually happened.
- Which channels are working? If SMS is crushing it and push is ignored, adjust your next campaign.
- Did people take the action you wanted? Go beyond vanity metrics—did you get signups, sales, or whatever your goal was?
- Tweak timing and content based on what you see. Maybe emails in the morning work better, or your SMS was too generic.
What to ignore: Don’t chase every tiny A/B improvement on day one. Look for big wins, not tiny tweaks.
Pro tips and pitfalls
- Don’t overthink “multi-channel.” Not all audiences want to hear from you everywhere. Respect their preferences.
- Compliance matters. Especially for SMS—don’t spam people, and make opt-out easy.
- Avoid endless meetings about “the perfect campaign.” Get something live, learn, and improve.
- Keep your segments updated. People move between groups—Vector can automate this, but check it now and then.
- Don’t obsess over dashboards. Vanity metrics (opens, impressions) are just that. Focus on actions taken.
Wrapping up
Multi-channel campaigns in Vector don’t need to be complicated. Start with a plan, keep your first campaign simple, and pay attention to what real people actually do—not just what the tool can do. Iterate as you go. The best campaigns are the ones that actually launch.
Now, stop reading and go set it up. You’ll learn more by doing than by reading another guide.