The Automated Messages page has three tabs, and all three open the same editor with the same dynamic values. That is why they look alike. The difference is who decides when the message goes out: Check Cherry on a schedule, you with one click, or Check Cherry when you take a specific action.
| Type | How it sends |
|---|---|
| Automated Messages | Check Cherry sends it when a trigger and its conditions are met |
| Custom Templates | You send it, from the Template dropdown when writing a message or from Quick Send |
| System Templates | Check Cherry sends it when you take a built-in action, like sending a proposal |
Automated messages
An automated message is a template plus a trigger. You choose what starts it (a booking is confirmed, a payment is recorded, a lead comes in), when it goes relative to that trigger (immediately, 14 days before the event, 2 days after), and any conditions that must also be true. From then on Check Cherry watches your bookings and sends it without you. Booking confirmations, payment reminders, day-of details, and review requests all belong here. See Automated Messages - Overview for setup.
Active automated messages also appear in Quick Send, so you can send one by hand when you need to. You do not need a second copy as a custom template. If you want a last look before anything goes out, turn on review before sending.
Custom templates
A custom template never sends on its own. It is a pre-written message you choose when writing to someone. Pick it from the Template dropdown in a new email, text message, or reply and the message fills in, ready to edit. It also appears in Quick Send on a booking, proposal, lead, or appointment for one-click sending. Use it for anything you send often but only when the moment is right: answering a timeline question, sending parking directions, nudging a proposal that went quiet, or a polite note that a date is unavailable.
Conditions on a custom template do not trigger a send. They control which records offer the template, so a template written for one package only shows up on bookings that include it. See How do I create message templates? to build one and How do I send a message from a booking? to use it.
System templates
System templates are the messages Check Cherry sends for you when you take an action in the app. Click Send Proposal and the Proposal Send Template goes out. Invite a client to log in and the Customer Invitation Template goes out. The full set is on the System Templates tab. You can edit the subject, wording, and dynamic values so they sound like you, but you cannot delete them, turn them off, or add new ones.
Choosing between them
- It should go out without you: create an automated message.
- You want it ready to click but will decide the timing yourself: create a custom template.
- It is one of the built-in actions, like sending a proposal or inviting a client: edit the system template.