Custom On-Demand Campaigns let you promote specific moments like a new menu item, a slow Tuesday, or a holiday special, to exactly the audience you want. The built-in editor lets you launch custom emails and SMS messages in minutes, no design or marketing experience required.

Note: Custom On-Demand Campaigns are available on ChowNow Grow and Elevate plans.

See Also: Getting Started with Custom On-Demand SMS Campaigns

How to set up a custom on-demand email campaign

Step 1: Create your campaign

  1. To start building your campaign, navigate to “Marketing” > “One-Time Campaigns” in your ChowNow Dashboard.
  2. Select “Create” in the upper right-hand corner, which will take you to the guided campaign builder within your dashboard.
  3. Select “Email” as your channel.
  4. Select your audience from the library of pre-built, lifecycle-based segments, or target your entire marketing list.
  5. Name your campaign. This is for your internal reference only and won’t be seen by diners.
  6. Click “Next” to start customizing your template.

See also: For best practices and on-demand campaign guidance, download our Email & SMS Marketing Playbook.

Step 2: Build your email

Your email template comes preloaded with your restaurant’s logo and menu cover photo. The preview updates in real time as you edit, and can be viewed in both desktop and mobile layouts.

Within the email builder you can customize the headline, body copy, promo copy, and call-to-action button. 

What you can customize:

  • Personalization tags: Personalizing your email, like including a diner’s first name, is a proven way to boost open and click rates. Explore available personalizations by selecting “Personalization Tags” in the upper right-hand corner to see all available options. Copy any tag directly into your content, and it will automatically populate using the information on file.

  • Image: The image section automatically pulls in your menu cover photo. To remove it, simply toggle this section “off”.
  • Promo: To include a promotion, first make sure the promo code is set up in your dashboard (“Marketing” > “Promotions”). To send without a promo, simply toggle this section “off”.
  • Call to Action: Every campaign should include a clear call to action (the action you want diners to take). We recommend driving diners to your direct online ordering page, which is pre-populated into the template. To send diners to a different page, edit the link and button text within the Button section.

Step 3: Schedule your campaign

  1. When your content is ready, click “Next” to open the Campaign Scheduler.
  2. Edit the Subject Line: This is what gets diners to open your email. Enter a subject line that highlights your offer. Keep it short and compelling to catch diners’ attention. Aim for 25-40 characters.
  3. Edit the Pre-Header text: This text appears in the inbox after the subject line to reinforce your offer and drive urgency. 
  4. Schedule your send: Select the date and time your email will go out. We recommend sending close to a meal time or ahead of a busy day so your email feels timely, not random. Many restaurants see strong results sending between 10–11am or 4–6pm.
  5. Click “Next” and  confirm all campaign details are correct. 
  6. If no edits are needed, click “Schedule”.

Where to find your scheduled campaigns

Once your campaign is scheduled, it will appear in the “Current and Upcoming” section of the “One-Time Campaigns” Overview page in your dashboard.