Webinar Calendar Download Links on your Confirmation Page Featured

Have you ever wanted to include a calendar download for iCalendar, Outlook, or GoogleCalendar for your webinars? Well - here is how to do just that!

First we will look at the creation of the calendar links, then I will walk you through how to use those in Act-On so they show up on your thank you/ confirmation pages. 

For Outlook/iCalendar Link Creation

Step 1: Create the new event

• Open up your outlook account and click the drop down arrow in the upper left hand corner. Select “Appointment” from the options. 

Step 2: Fill in the details of your event

• Traditional components would be the following:
• Event title
• Event date
• Event time
• Description of the event taking place
• Optional: You might also select an alert / reminder prior to the event to ensure registrants see it the day-of. 

Step 3: Save and close the event 

• You’ll want to save this event to your main computer files. Click the “File” tab from the top bar navigation menu. 

• Next click the “Save as” option and be sure to save the event as its respective title. Ensure the invite is saved as an “iCalendar” file type. This will convert it into the .ics file you’ll need later.

Step 4: Upload your file link 

• Navigate to your AO account from content>media library.

• Navigate to the upper right hand corner of the media library dashboard and click “Actions” > “Upload Media Files.” A new menu will appear so you may select which file you’d like to upload. 
• Select the file you wish to upload.

• Once the file is uploaded, you may give it a media name for easier identification before hitting “Submit” in the bottom of the pop-up box. 
• Once it saves to your media folder, click on the drop down carrot next to the invite file. Then, select “Public Content URL.” 

• A window appears with your desired URL. Either of the two generated links will work. The first link will open the file in a new tab. The second link will treat the file as an asset download in the bottom left of the viewer’s computer screen. Either option is okay, it just depends on what you would like the experience to be.
• It is highly recommended that you copy and paste this URL into a separate note sheet so it is saved for later. 

For Google Calendar

NOTE: for this calendar add you must have access to a Gmail account! 

Step 1: Create the new event

• Open Google Calendar in a new tab or window to get started. You must be logged into a Gmail account for access. 
• Click the “Create” pill in the upper left hand corner of the calendars dashboard

• A window will appear to fill in event specific information to help your viewers understand what they are seeing. 

Step 2: Fill in the details of your event

• Once the event creation window opens in calendars, click the “More options” button on bottom left.

• Traditional components would be the following:
• Event title
• Event date
• Location (if applicable)
• Event time
• Description of the event taking place
• Optional: You might also select a notification reminder prior to the event to ensure registrants see it the day-of. 
• IMPORTANT: Make sure under the “Default visibility” button you select the drop down and choose “public.” You want registrants to be able to view it in their own Google Calendar. If you forget this step, they might not be able to view the event! 

• Once you have all the information you’d like to include, it’s time to make sure you have proper “guest permissions.” On the right hand side of the main dashboard, you will see the “guests” tab. NOTE: It is recommended that you uncheck all of their permissions so they don’t accidentally edit or change your event. 

Step 3: Save and publish the event

• Next step is to click the “SAVE” button at the top right of the calendar’s dashboard. 

• Once you save the event, it’ll bring you back to the main calendar view. Locate the date and time of your scheduled event. Once located, click on the event, and it will display the information you entered from the above steps. 

• Click on the triple vertical dot icon in the upper right corner. This will display the options. Click on “Publish Event” It will then display a new window with 2 link options. Select the copy CTA on the bottom link. Paste this URL into the same notes doc you posted your iCal link (if applicable). 

Step 4: Upload your file link 

• Navigate to your AO account from content>media library.

• Navigate to the upper right hand corner of the media library dashboard and click “Actions” > “Upload Media Files.” A new menu will appear so you may select which file you’d like to upload. 
• Select the file you wish to upload.

• Once the file is uploaded, you may give it a media name for easier identification before hitting “Submit” in the bottom of the pop-up box. 
• Once it saves to your media folder, click on the drop down carrot next to the invite file. Then, select “Public Content URL.” 

• A window appears with your desired URL. Either of the two generated links will work. The first link will open the file in a new tab. The second link will treat the file as an asset download in the bottom left of the viewer’s computer screen. Either option is okay, it just depends on what you would like the experience to be.
• It is highly recommended that you copy and paste this URL into a separate note sheet so it is saved for later. 

Use The Calendar Links on your Confirmation/Thank You Page

Now that you have the Public URLs for both media library links, you are ready to add them to your landing page. 

Step 1. Navigate to the landing page in Act-On that you will use as the confirmation/thank you page for the event you just created links for. 

Step 2. Edit the LP and navigate to the Design tab. Select the Button block from the left-hand block options and drag it onto your page where you would like your calendar download button(s). 

Step 3. In the button edit dialog window, edit the name and properties (color/size/etc) of the button. Then, take the Public URL for the appropriate calendar link and place it in the Target URL section. 

Step 4. Repeat this for the other calendar links that you want to use and Save and test your landing page.