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Email Marketing Glossary.

Clear, no-fluff definitions of every email marketing term that matters—from open rates to double opt-in. 

 

Broadcast Email

A broadcast email is a one-time email sent to a selected list or segment at a specific moment — as opposed to an automated email that sends based on triggers over time.

Also known as: broadcast, one-off email, campaign send

Broadcasts are the emails you plan and send on a schedule: the newsletter, the sale announcement, the product launch. They're one-time sends to a chosen audience at a chosen time.

How does a broadcast email work?

You build the email, pick the segment (which can and should be targeted), choose a send time, and send once. Everyone in the segment receives it at roughly the same moment.

Broadcast vs. automated email

A broadcast is a single, time-based send; an automation sends the same content to each subscriber based on their behavior or timeline. Most programs use both.

Getting the most from broadcasts

Segment before you send, personalize where possible, and time sends for your audience. A well-segmented broadcast easily beats an untargeted blast.

Related terms

Email Newsletter Promotional Email Email Blast Cold Email Re-Engagement Campaign

Related reading from Drip

Create a Single Email Campaign (Help Center)

Frequently asked questions

What is a broadcast email?
A broadcast email is a one-time email sent to a selected list or segment at a specific moment, such as a newsletter or sale announcement. It contrasts with automated emails that send based on triggers.
What's the difference between a broadcast and an automated email?
A broadcast is a single, time-based send to a segment at a chosen moment. An automation sends the same content to each subscriber individually based on their behavior or timeline. Most email programs use both.
Is a broadcast email the same as an email blast?
They're related, but 'email blast' implies sending to the whole list without targeting, while a broadcast can and should be sent to a defined, targeted segment. A well-segmented broadcast outperforms an untargeted blast.
How do I get the most from broadcast emails?
Segment your audience before sending, personalize content where possible, and time the send for when your audience is most likely to engage. Targeting is what separates an effective broadcast from a generic blast.
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