Getting Started With Action Network

Getting Started With Action Network

This article will tell you the settings you should change to get the most out of Action Network. To understand how to navigate Action Network, and what it is, check out the articles below.
  1. What is Action Network?
  2. Navigating Action Network
There are several settings you can change when first getting started with your Action Network Group. These settings will apply changes across your Group, and as well as saving you time in the long run, will also make for a better Activist Experience. To access these settings click on the Settings link on the lower navigation bar of your Group.


General Settings

The first section within the Settings page is General Settings, and there are four options available.
  1. Allow activists to apply to become organizers for this group. Leave this box unchecked.
  2. Automatically merge activists who change their email address. Tick this box.
  3. Send a notification whenever this group or child groups send mass email. Leave this box unchecked, unless you want to receive an email notification whenever you or another admin send an email from Action Network.
  4. Enable group discussion board. This is a feature you are unlikely to use so we recommend leaving it unticked.

Opt-In Settings

There are three options available here, two of which are incredibly important when it comes to GDPR compliance.
  1. Use affirmative opt-in forms on actions where your group is the primary sponsor. Make sure this box is ticked. It will replace a pre-checked opt-in tickbox with a mandatory radio button where activists have to choose to opt-in to emails.
  2. Add data processing text at the bottom of all subscription forms. We recommend ticking this box.
  3. Mobile list subscriptions flow up the network to parent groups. Although we don't currently use the SMS functionality of Action Network it's a good idea to have this ticked so mobile subscription status is recorded.


When you tick the box labelled Add data processing text at the bottom of all subscription forms a new text box will appear below, in which you can add your data processing notice. We recommend linking to the Green Party Privacy policy at this address: https://www.greenparty.org.uk/privacy.html



Default Email Fields

In the Default Email Fields section, you can add the default sender name and reply-to address for your emails. This applies to any automated emails that the system generates after an activist has completed one of your Actions, and any emails you create yourself. You can always change these settings on a per-email basis, but if you generally send from the same name– your local party name, or Chair for example, this will save you typing it in each time.
It's recommended that you don't use email addresses from a domain we don't control- such as gmail.com or outlook.co.uk. If you haven't got a Green Party email address then get your Chair to check this guide and make a request: Request new email address

You can also add a signoff statement which is useful if you want to make auto-generated emails a little more personal. You can then add this to emails using Clips. It can be something simple like:
"Thank you for your support of the South West LGBTIQA+ Greens!"

Default Email Targeting

You can choose Queries to include and exclude by default when targeting emails. When you get to the targeting page of an email the Queries will already be applied. It isn't necessary to set these defaults, but if you know the majority of your emails will target the same group of people you can select the relevant Queries here.
If you're just getting started you may not have any Queries set up, so feel free to come back to this once you've set up your first Queries. Check out these guides for help:


Default Country & Language

Hopefully, this one's obvious- just select United Kingdom & English.



Default Facebook Share Image & Twitter Handle

The Default Facebook Share Image is the image that will accompany links to your Action Network pages by default. It can be anything but there are some recommendations.
  1. Any image size or dimensions can be used- but Facebook recommends that you use an image 1200px by 630px.
  2. Use an image that is "timeless" and won't look out of place when any of your Actions are shared. Your local party logo is a safe choice.
To set your Default Facebook Share Image, just click on Choose Share Image.



On the next page click on Browse for a file, select the file from the window that appears and then click the button marked OKAY!



The Default Twitter Handle is the Twitter username that will be tagged when activists use the Tweet button to share an Action. Just pop in your group's Twitter username. If you leave this field blank then Action Network will be tagged instead. It is strongly recommended you add your Green Party group Twitter username to this field. 


Recurring Donation Settings

We recommend enabling the setting that allows Donors to cancel of edit their own recurring donations via a link in email receipts. One of the common objections to donating is not having the ability to control donations, and being trapped into a donation that can't be easily cancelled or amended. Action Network allows activists to have full control over their donations.


Recurring Donation Receipt Emails

It's a good idea to set up Recurring Donation Receipt Emails so that if anyone sets up a recurring donation to your Group via a Fundraiser receives something more than a generic Action Network receipt.
By default, the reply-to address will be info@actionnetwork.org. We recommend setting this to your local party Treasurer, Fundraising Officer or Chair email address to enable activists to contact them with any queries.
You can set a Wrapper for your email here- but you'll need to set one up first. Why not come back to this step after checking this guide: How To Set Up A Basic Email Wrapper



The default email Subject and Body Text aren't particularly inspiring, so feel free to make them a little warmer. Just make sure you don't delete {{DonationReceipt}}. This tells Action Network where to insert the actual amount of the donation.


Failed Charge Emails

Just like the Donation Receipt email, the Failed Charge Email isn't very personal, so it's a good idea to update it to make it more friendly. Here are some things you can add to the body text:
  1. An offer of assistance: Does the activist need us to amend their donation amount or date?
  2. A thank you: Acknowledge the donations the activist has already made, and the difference those donations have made. Donors like to know what their money is being spent on.
  3. Instructions on updating card details: Never ask the activist to send their card details to you if they need to change them. But it's can be a good idea to tell them how to update their card details themself.

Sending Test Emails

If you want to check how either of your donation emails look, just enter your email address in the box below the email and click the SAVE & TEST button. You'll receive an email to the address you've entered within a few minutes.


Saving Your Settings

Once you're happy with the changes you've made just scroll to the bottom of the page and click the button marked SAVE CHANGES.




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