A "Joined a Subcommunity" flow runs automatically when a Member joins a Subcommunity you've linked to it. Use it to send a message, or a series of messages, the moment someone lands in that Subcommunity.
This article covers how Members enter the flow, where to create it, how linking several Subcommunities works, and how to trigger it from the API.
Who this applies to: Leaders on a plan that includes Flows. You need at least one Subcommunity. This article does not cover other flow types. For those, see Flows in Community.
What is a "Joined a Subcommunity" flow?
It is a flow that starts when a Member becomes part of a linked Subcommunity. A Member can enter it in four ways:
| How the Member joins |
|---|
| You add them to the Subcommunity manually |
| They join through a Subcommunity keyword |
| They reach an Add to Subcommunity step in another flow |
| Their Subcommunity tag is updated through the API |
A Member can enter the same flow more than once:
- If a Member joins a second Subcommunity that also triggers the same flow, they re-enter it.
- If a Member is removed from a Subcommunity and later rejoins, they re-enter the flow.
Why should I use a "Joined a Subcommunity" flow?
A Member who joins a Subcommunity has just shown interest in that topic. A flow tied to it lets you follow up on that interest right away, in the Member's own context, instead of sending everyone the same message.
It also works for Members you add yourself or through the API, so every route into a Subcommunity can lead to the same first message.
How do I use it?
Creating the flow
You can start from any of three places. Pick the one that fits where you are.
| Where you are | What to do |
|---|---|
| Just created a new Subcommunity | Follow the prompt to create a "Joined a Subcommunity" flow |
| On the Subcommunities page | Open the Subcommunity and click Create Flow. If one already exists, the button says Edit Flow. |
| On the Flows page | Click Create New Flow, then select one or more Subcommunities as the trigger |
Then:
- Add the steps you want Members to receive.
- Publish the flow.
Linking more than one Subcommunity
One flow can be triggered by several Subcommunities. The flow runs when a Member joins any one of them. This is an OR, not an AND.
For example, if the flow is linked to Subcommunity A and Subcommunity B, a Member triggers it by joining A or B.
It is worth noting that you can only have one Joined a Subcommunity flow per Subcommunity, but you can have multiple Subcommunities per flow.
Handling Members who join with a keyword
A new Member who sends a Subcommunity keyword in their first message enters the connected flow after they opt in.
Triggering the flow with the API
You can add a Subcommunity tag to a Member through the API.
| If the Member... | Then... |
|---|---|
| Doesn't exist yet | They're invited to join your Community and register. They become part of the tagged Subcommunity and enter the flow. If you added more steps to the flow, they continue through them. |
| Already exists | Their information is updated, they become part of the tagged Subcommunity and they enter the flow. |
Deleting a Subcommunity that has a flow
You can't delete a Subcommunity while it triggers a "Joined a Subcommunity" flow.
Common questions
Why can't I delete my Subcommunity?
The Subcommunity is linked to a "Joined a Subcommunity" flow. A Subcommunity can't be deleted while it triggers one. To successfully delete the Subcommunity, you must first pause and delete the Subcommunity Flow (or change the Subcommunity associated with that Flow).
Can I create a second "Joined a Subcommunity" flow for the same Subcommunity?
No. Each Subcommunity can have one "Joined a Subcommunity" flow. To change what Members get, edit the existing flow. From the Subcommunities tab, the button reads Edit Flow when one exists.
Will a member go through the flow again if they leave and rejoin?
Yes. A Member who is removed from a Subcommunity and later rejoins re-enters the flow. A Member who joins a second linked Subcommunity also re-enters it.
What happens when a new member texts a Subcommunity keyword as their first message?
They opt in first. After that they enter the connected "Joined a Subcommunity" flow.
Does the flow run when I add a member through the API?
Yes. See Triggering the flow with the API above.