For monthly promotional emails, which method should be used if the file upload date can vary due to weekends?

The most effective method for handling monthly promotional emails, especially when the file upload date can vary due to weekends, is to implement a triggered automation with an import activity and a user-initiated send.

This approach allows for flexibility in handling the timing of your email sends, as the triggered automation will activate when a new file is uploaded, regardless of when that occurs during the month. It ensures that the newest file is always used for the email content, which helps maintain the relevance and accuracy of your promotions.

Additionally, with a user-initiated send, you have the opportunity to control when the email actually gets sent out to your audience after confirming the data has been imported correctly. This method allows marketers to respond to potential delays or changes in the upload schedule promptly while still ensuring that the promotional content reaches recipients in a timely manner.

A scheduled monthly automation would not adapt well to irregular upload dates, as it would send emails on a fixed schedule, potentially using outdated information. Therefore, the combination of a triggered automation with a user-initiated send is optimal in this scenario.