Holiday Auto Response Automation

Trigger an automated reply to contacts who text in when your business is closed for the holidays.
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Why set up a Holiday Auto Response Automation?
How to set up this Automation, step-by-step
5 holiday away message templates for inspiration

Why set up a Holiday Auto Response Automation?

Many businesses operate on special or adjusted hours during the holiday season. Sometimes this means your business is closed when contacts message in. Use a Holiday Auto Response Automation to trigger an automated away message that wishes contacts a happy holiday and shares when they can expect a response. The Holiday Auto Response Automation is a professional and friendly way to manage customer expectations and deliver a high-quality customer experience. 

How to set up this Automation, step-by-step

Here’s how to set up a Holiday Auto Response Automation on the Textline platform.

<div class="recipe-numbering-wrapper"><div class="recipe-numbering">1</div><p class="step-text" id="step1">In the Automations window, click New Automation.</p></div>

<div class="recipe-numbering-wrapper"><div class="recipe-numbering">2</div><p class="step-text" id="step2">Select Build From Scratch.</p></div>

<div class="recipe-numbering-wrapper"><div class="recipe-numbering">3</div><p class="step-text" id="step3">Name your Automation.</p></div>

<p style="padding-left: 32px">Choose a clear naming convention for your Automation.</p>

<div class="recipe-numbering-wrapper"><div class="recipe-numbering">4</div><p class="step-text" id="step4">Select the Message Received Automation Type.</p></div>

<p style="padding-left: 32px">This step tells Textline to trigger the Automation after an inbound message is received.</p>

<div class="recipe-numbering-wrapper"><div class="recipe-numbering">5</div><p class="step-text" id="step5">Add your Automation Conditions.</p></div>

<p style="padding-left: 32px">For this Automation, select the date(s) your business will be unavailable for the holidays.</p>

<div class="recipe-numbering-wrapper"><div class="recipe-numbering">6</div><p class="step-text" id="step6">Click Add Action and select Send a message. Then, type your desired out-of-office message.</p></div>

<p style="padding-left: 32px">You can also check any or all of the three boxes below the message. To learn more about these options, please refer to our help center article.</p>

<div class="recipe-numbering-wrapper"><div class="recipe-numbering">7</div><p class="step-text" id="step7">Preview your list and check it twice.</p></div>

<p style="padding-left: 32px">Review your Automation Conditions and proofread your message. You can also choose to save your Automation as a template for future use.</p>

<div class="recipe-numbering-wrapper"><div class="recipe-numbering">8</div><p class="step-text" id="step8">Finally, click Create Automation to start spreading holiday cheer.</p></div>

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5 holiday away message templates for inspiration

As a holiday gift, here are five professional templates to get you started with your out-of-office text.

<div class="recipe-numbering-wrapper"><div class="recipe-numbering-step">1</div><p>Hi there! [Business] is closed on [Date] in observance of [Holiday]. We’ll be back [Date] and ready to help.</p></div>

<div class="recipe-numbering-wrapper"><div class="recipe-numbering-step">2</div><p>Happy Holidays from all of us at [Business]! We’re closed for [Holiday], but we'll be happy to assist you when we reopen on [Date].</p></div>

<div class="recipe-numbering-wrapper"><div class="recipe-numbering-step">3</div><p>Hello! [Business] is closed today for [Holiday]. We’ll be back tomorrow and will respond to your message as soon as possible.</p></div>

<div class="recipe-numbering-wrapper"><div class="recipe-numbering-step">4</div><p>Thank you for contacting [Business]! Our team is out for [Holiday] and will be back on [Date] to provide assistance. Wishing you a joyful holiday!</p></div>

<div class="recipe-numbering-wrapper"><div class="recipe-numbering-step">5</div><p>Hi [Name]! Thanks for texting [Business]. We’re closed for [Holiday], but we’ll get to your request when we return on [Date]! Enjoy your holiday!</p></div>

Spread holiday cheer with Textline

Textline makes it easy to set an out-of-office message that automatically triggers during the holidays. Ready to automate your responses to keep your customers informed and happy while you can rest and enjoy the festivities? Request a Textline demo to see this Automation in action.