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Run your first campaign

Step 3 of Revenue Maxing: describe an offer in one sentence, preview the email, send it — and watch the offer apply itself at checkout.

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How campaigns work

You describe the offer in one sentence. HostBuddy designs the email, addresses it to your guest book, and — this is the part that makes it real — enforces the offer at checkout during the window. “10% off this weekend” applies automatically whether or not the guest opened the email.

Run your first (test) campaign

1

Put yourself in the guest book

Console → Skills → Guestbook → add your own name and email. Your first campaign should land in your inbox.

2

Describe it to Buddy

In the console chat, type something like:

Create a campaign with the theme “Summer kickoff.” Offer 10% off. Feature Butter Chicken. Offer ends next Friday.

Buddy creates a draft — nothing sends yet.

3

Preview and edit

Buddy gives you a preview link. Check the copy, the offer, the hero image. Tweak by telling Buddy what to change.

4

Send

Say “send the campaign.” Sending costs 50 credits; replies go to your own email address, so guests answering the email reach you directly.

Offers are enforced at checkout

Campaign offers aren't coupon codes to remember — during the offer window they apply automatically at checkout, on every channel. Offers can target everyone (e.g. 10% off) or members only (a special item price), and you can feature multiple menu items in the email body.

The hero image

The email's hero is the image you've selected in the console image library. Generate an AI hero (“July 4th theme with my popular item” — 25 credits), remix an existing photo, or upload your own for free. Set your house visual style once in Settings and every generated image matches it.

Once your first campaign works, let Playbooks draft the next ones for you — surplus specials, win-backs, and birthday treats from your live data.

Frequently asked questions

How much does sending a campaign cost?

50 credits per send ($5 buys 500 credits). Drafting and previewing are free.

Do guests need a coupon code?

No — the offer is enforced automatically at checkout during the window, on every ordering channel.

Who receives the campaign?

Your guest book — everyone captured by the ordering agent, the raffle, CSV import, or POS sync. Bigger list, more revenue: see Grow your audience.

Can I target only my members?

Yes — offers can apply to everyone or only to club members (e.g. a member-only item price).

Where do replies go?

Reply-To is set to your owner email, so guests who answer the campaign email reach you directly.