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Automations

Create an Automation

Build automations that send texts and emails, update contacts and notify your team when something happens.

By Red Belt Team | Last Update: October 24, 2026

Automations do routine follow-up for you. Each automation starts with a trigger (something that happens, like a tag being added or a payment going through) and then runs one or more actions (like sending a text, waiting a day, or updating a status).

In this example, we'll send a welcome text whenever a contact gets the Booked tag.

Step 1: Start a New Automation

  1. Visit redbeltgym.com.
  2. Sign in to your account.
  3. Click Automation in the left-side menu.
  4. Optional: click a folder on the right so the new automation is saved in it.
  5. Click + Create new.The Create new button above the list of automations

Step 2: Add a Trigger

  1. Click Add trigger.The Add trigger box in the automation builder
  2. Choose what starts the automation:
    • Webhook: trigger from external apps, such as a website form.
    • Contact: when a contact changes.
    • Appointment: when a booking is updated.
    • Attendance: when a student checks in or out.
    • Transaction: when a payment happens.
    • Tag: when a tag is added or removed.
    • Upgrade: when an upgrade is updated.
    The Add Trigger list with the Tag trigger highlighted
  3. Set up the trigger. For a Tag trigger, choose On tag added or On tag removed, then pick the tag.
  4. Click Save.The Tag trigger settings with On tag added and the Booked tag selected

Step 3: Add Actions

  1. Click Add action next to the trigger.
  2. Choose an action:
    • Filter: only continue when conditions are met.
    • Delay: wait before the next step.
    • Email or SMS: send a message.
    • Tags: add or remove tags.
    • Notification group: notify your team.
    • Status & Phase: update the contact's status or phase.
    • Automation: add the contact to, or remove them from, another automation.
    • In-app message: send a message in the student app.
    The Add action list with SMS highlighted
  3. Set up the action. For SMS, pick an optional SMS template or type the message in Body. Click a variable, such as firstName, to personalize the message.
  4. Click Save.The SMS action settings with a message using the firstName variable
  5. Repeat to add more actions. Click the + between two steps to insert a step there.

Step 4: Save or Publish

  1. Click Save as draft to keep working later, or Publish to turn the automation on.The Save as draft and Publish buttons at the top of the builder
  2. If you clicked Publish, the Publish automation window opens. Choose a folder from Select Folder, check the Automation name, then click Publish again to turn the automation on.The Publish automation window with the Select Folder list and the Publish button
Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions & Troubleshooting

Why is Publish grayed out?

An automation needs a trigger and at least one saved action before it can be published.

How do I turn an automation off?

On the Automations list, use the switch in the Status column. See our article on organizing automation folders.

How long can a text message be?

One SMS holds up to 160 characters. Variables like firstName change the length, so a message can count as more than one SMS.

How do I start an automation from my website?

Use the Webhook trigger. See our article on capturing data with a webhook.

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