Marketing-Cloud-Administrator Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Administrator Questions and Answers

To configure Sales Cloud objects to be synced and leveraged in Marketing Cloud, the Marketing Cloud admin should navigate to "Setup > Data Management > Synchronized Data Extensions" in Marketing Cloud. This path allows the admin to set up and manage the synchronization of specific Sales Cloud data objects and fields into Marketing Cloud, enabling the creation of segmented audiences based on this data.

To create a suppression list for hard-bounced email addresses, the most direct approach is to query the Bounce Data View in SQL. This Data View contains all bounce-related information, allowing admins to specifically filter for hard bounces by the bounce category. Using a query activity, the admin can extract all hard bounce records and create a dynamic or static suppression list based on these results. This method is efficient and ensures that only relevant data is included in the suppression list.

The options that determine when a contact can enter a journey in Marketing Cloud's Journey Builder include:

A. Re-entry at any time: Contacts can re-enter the journey immediately after their previous participation ends.

D. No re-entry: Contacts are not allowed to re-enter the journey once they have entered it, regardless of whether they have completed it or not.

E. Re-entry only after exiting: Contacts can only re-enter the journey after they have fully exited, ensuring they complete all activities before re-entering.

When encountering an issue with the availability of a desired SMS keyword such as "CELEBRATION":

Keyword Unavailability: The keyword may already be in use within another business unit within the organization, making it unavailable for use in the current context.

Solution: Check the keyword usage across all business units and, if possible, coordinate to see if the keyword can be shared or if an alternative keyword would be suitable.

For Northern Trail Outfitters to include a Campaign Identifier (utm_campaign) to the links within a specific campaign message using Parameter Manager, the utm_campaign value should be configured at the Email level. This allows the specific campaign identifier to be applied to all links within that particular email campaign, ensuring consistent tracking and reporting across all links included in that email.

To assign users to specific business units in Salesforce Marketing Cloud, an admin can manage this directly through the user configuration settings:

Search for the individual user: Navigate to the Users section in Setup.

Select their name and click Edit Business Units: This action allows the admin to manage the business units that the user has access to, enabling or disabling access as required for the new or existing business units.

Following a Contact Delete request in Salesforce Marketing Cloud, certain types of data remain within the account:

Contact data in sendable data extensions: This data is not automatically removed through a Contact Delete process unless specifically targeted. It requires separate processes to ensure data is cleansed.

General tracking data at the job level: This includes aggregate performance metrics from email campaigns, which do not store individual contact details but rather overall campaign performance stats.

Regarding Send Logging in Marketing Cloud:

B. AMPscript can be used to pull data from Send Logs for use within emails: AMPscript can retrieve and display data stored in Send Logs during email sends, allowing for dynamic content based on previous interactions.

C. SQL Query Activities can reference Send Logs in combination with system data views: SQL Query Activities enable more complex data retrieval and analysis, including combining Send Log data with other system data views for comprehensive reporting and segmentation.

These points underscore the functionality and utility of Send Logs in enabling dynamic content and deeper data analysis within Marketing Cloud.

To enhance security against unauthorized API access:

Enable IP Allowlisting: Restrict API access to pre-approved IP addresses. This security feature ensures that only requests coming from known and trusted IP addresses are allowed to access Marketing Cloud, significantly reducing the potential for malicious attacks.

Configuration: Configure the IP Allowlist settings in the Setup area of Marketing Cloud, specifying which IP addresses are permitted to make API calls.

 To clear inactive data stored in data extensions after 12 months, NTO should apply a row-based retention to each data extension as it is created, set to 12 months. This will delete any records that have not been modified in the last 12 months. Row-based retention can be applied to individual data extensions or data extension templates

To enhance mobile adoption strategies, Northern Trail Outfitters can leverage the following reports:

A. Email Performance by Device: This report provides insights into how subscribers are interacting with emails across different devices, which can help NTO understand device preferences and optimize their mobile content.

B. Time Between Send and Engagement: This report tracks the time it takes for recipients to engage with emails after they are sent, helping to determine the effectiveness of timing and content across different platforms, including mobile devices.

For NTO's requirement to pull detailed email metrics for each campaign across different Business Units, the appropriate report to use is the Email Send Report. This report provides comprehensive details on metrics such as number of sends, delivery rate, various bounce rates, open rate, click rate, complaint rate, and unsubscribe rate for individual email sends, which aligns well with the specified reporting needs for the quarterly meeting.

For the restaurant supply company's need to update their trade show contact collection method:

B. Microsite with Smart Capture to store entrants on a data extension: Smart Capture forms on a microsite provide a direct, digital method to collect entries efficiently and store them directly into a data extension.

D. Data Extension with double opt-in status defined: This setup helps manage consent and ensures compliance with email marketing regulations, as it allows entrants to confirm their subscription to the newsletter through a follow-up email.

These components provide an updated and efficient method for capturing and managing trade show contacts, while also ensuring compliance with marketing regulations.

The Content Split activity should be used for multivariate content testing within Journey Builder. This activity allows the journey to send different versions of email content to different audience segments and measure their performance based on open or click rates. The other activities are not suitable for multivariate content testing.

To effectively target high-value outdoor sports customers likely to respond to a deep product discount:

Lifetime Purchase Value: Identify customers who have demonstrated significant financial commitment to the brand over time.

Conversion Rate: Focus on customers with a higher likelihood of responding based on past conversion metrics.

Last Purchase Date: Include customers who have made recent purchases, indicating active engagement and potential interest in new offers.

A block bounce is a type of bounce that occurs when an ISP rejects an email because of the sender’s reputation or content. This indicates that the ISP views the sender as a potential spammer or has received complaints from other recipients.

Journey Builder and Mobile Push are two products that would allow them to send push notifications to customers with their mobile app. Journey Builder is a product that allows marketers to create and execute cross-channel customer journeys based on events, activities, and goals. Journey Builder can be used to send push notifications to mobile app users as part of a journey. Mobile Push is a product that allows marketers to create, manage, and deliver push notifications to mobile app users. Mobile Push can be used to send push notifications as standalone messages or as part of a journey

When enabling Multi-Org in Marketing Cloud Connect, it's important to consider:

The Multi-Org configuration does not support using a standard profile and preference center across connected business units. Each business unit operates independently.

Admins must consider alternative strategies for managing subscriber preferences across multiple Salesforce orgs linked to different business units in Marketing Cloud.

To resolve the issue of a data extension not appearing for email sends, confirm:

Sendable Status: Ensure the data extension is marked as Sendable. This setting links the data extension to a subscriber attribute, allowing it to be used for email sends.

Configuration Check: Verify the send relationship within the data extension properties, ensuring it correctly relates to the subscriber key or another unique identifier used for email campaigns.

To support the development of a new eCommerce section and leverage transactional data in customer journeys, the following Marketing Cloud features are relevant:

A. Data Designer: Enables the design and configuration of data models within Contact Builder, crucial for managing transactional data effectively for use in journeys.

D. Content Builder: Facilitates the creation of personalized email content using transactional data, enhancing the relevance and engagement of communications sent to customers.

These features are essential for integrating and utilizing transactional data to drive personalized customer interactions within eCommerce contexts.

To target subscribers based on complex criteria, such as recent engagement and geographic proximity:

Use SQL Queries in Automation Studio to create a highly specific audience segment. SQL queries allow for the combination of multiple data points and criteria into a single query, providing the flexibility needed for complex segmentation.

Write a SQL query that joins email interaction data with subscriber location data, filtering for those who engaged within the last 30 days and are within 10 miles of an NTO store.

Publication lists in the Marketing Cloud are used to allow subscribers to opt-down or opt-out of specific types of communications without unsubscribing from all communications. This functionality enables more granular control over communication preferences, helping organizations maintain engagement with subscribers who might not be interested in all content but still wish to receive certain types of messages.

To configure multiple business units in Marketing Cloud to use the same SFTP directory, the most efficient method is to copy the parent SFTP user credentials into each child business unit. This approach ensures all business units access the same SFTP directory for file transfers, maintaining consistency and simplifying management of file access across the business units. This setup avoids the complexity and maintenance of separate SFTP users for each business unit, streamlining operations.

To ensure a notification is received when a scheduled query fails, the Marketing Cloud admin should add their email address in the automation settings under "Runtime Error or Skipped Run Notification Settings." This setup in the automation configuration will alert the admin via email if there is a failure in the query's execution, enabling timely identification and resolution of issues.

Segment by domain to limit number of sends to each email provider is the option for segmentation that aligns with the IP Warming process. IP Warming is the process of gradually increasing email volume from a new or unused IP address to build trust and credibility with Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Segmenting by domain means dividing the email list into smaller groups based on the email domain, such as gmail.com or yahoo.com. By segmenting by domain, marketers can limit the number of sends to each email provider and avoid being flagged as spam or blocked by the ISPs.

To troubleshoot issues with outdated data from Sales Cloud in Marketing Cloud, the admin should:

Check Synchronized Data Extensions: Navigate to Contact Builder and review the Synchronized Data Extensions. This area shows the synchronization status and configuration between Sales Cloud and Marketing Cloud.

Data Refresh Rate: Verify how frequently the data is synchronized and ensure that the synchronization schedule meets the operational requirements, adjusting as necessary to ensure data is up to date.

Under CAN-SPAM requirements, for each commercial send, the Marketing Cloud admin should ensure that there is a Preference Center link and a physical mailing address present in the email. This compliance is critical to allow recipients to manage their email preferences (such as unsubscribing) and to meet legal requirements by providing a physical mailing address, offering transparency and options to the recipients.

A functionality unique to Journey Builder that is not available in Automation Studio:

Wait Activities: Journey Builder provides the flexibility to configure wait times based not just on a fixed duration but also until a specific date or time, which is essential for personalizing the timing of customer interactions based on individual behaviors or milestones.

For a large retail company migrating to Marketing Cloud, proper IP warming is critical:

A. IP ramp-up takes four to six weeks to be able to fully send to all 3 million customers: It's essential to gradually increase the volume of emails sent from a new IP address to build a positive reputation with Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

D. IP ramp-up is important to establish a positive sender reputation: Establishing a positive sender reputation with ISPs during the IP warming process helps ensure high deliverability and avoids being flagged as spam.

These responses highlight the necessity and methodology of IP warming when transitioning to a new email platform to maintain deliverability standards.

The out-of-the-box Subscription Center can display publication lists and lists, which are two types of data structures that can be used to manage subscribers’ preferences and opt-outs. Data extensions and groups are not supported by the out-of-the-box Subscription Center, but they can be used in a custom Subscription Center.

To get the last 30 days of Bounce data in bulk and in a pre-defined format, a Marketing Cloud admin should use B. Automation Studio Tracking Extract. This tool allows the admin to extract detailed bounce data for a specified period, providing comprehensive insight into delivery issues. The Tracking Extract can output data in a CSV format, which can be imported into other systems for further analysis or reporting.

To append UTM tracking parameters to links in emails:

Use Parameter Manager: This functionality within Marketing Cloud allows for the addition of UTM parameters to links across emails systematically. It provides a centralized control over tracking parameters, making it easy to manage and apply consistent tracking across various campaigns.

Configuration: Set up the UTM parameters in the Parameter Manager and these will be automatically appended to all links in the emails sent.

Datorama is a marketing intelligence platform that can integrate data from various sources, such as Marketing Cloud, Google Analytics, Facebook Ads, and DoubleClick Bid Manager, and provide insights and analytics to optimize marketing campaigns.

To view all verified email addresses in Marketing Cloud:

Navigate to From Address Management: This section within Email Studio allows administrators to manage and view all sender addresses that have been verified and are approved for use in sending emails.

Verification and Management: This area specifically holds records of each email address that has been set up and verified, including the status of each, ensuring they are authorized to send emails from the platform.

To append an Urchin Tracking Module (UTM) variable string to links in emails, the Marketing Cloud admin should use the Web Analytics Connector (WAC). This functionality automatically appends tracking parameters, such as UTM parameters, to all URLs in outgoing emails. This allows for detailed tracking of email effectiveness within analytics platforms like Google Analytics. The Web Analytics Connector can be configured within Email Studio to include specific UTM parameters as required by marketing strategies.

Before using Goals in Journey Builder, consider the following:

B. Goals are created to evaluate journey performance: Goals help measure how well a journey is performing against specific objectives, allowing for adjustments and improvements.

C. Goals can act as exit criteria: When a contact meets the goal criteria, they can be set to exit the journey, making goals a powerful tool to dynamically manage contact flow based on behavior or achievements.

D. Contacts are evaluated against the goal after a wait activity: This setup ensures that contacts have time to perform the expected action before being evaluated against the goal, which can be crucial for accurately measuring engagement and responses.

For long-term success with Send Log data extension:

Data Retention: Implement a scoped retention policy to manage the size of the send log by periodically purging older entries. This prevents database overloads and maintains performance.

Custom Fields: Enhance the send log by adding custom fields not included in the default template. This customization allows for capturing specific data points relevant to NTO's needs.

Log Auditing Data: Ensure that all necessary attribute data for auditing communication effectiveness and compliance is logged. This includes variables like send context, subscriber responses, and engagement metrics.

To achieve faster send speeds for large volumes of emails, the functionality known as Burst Sending should be utilized. Burst Sending allows Marketing Cloud to process and send large batches of emails quickly, meeting high send speed goals by maximizing the throughput of the sending infrastructure.

Setup Assistant in Salesforce Marketing Cloud:

Functionality: Setup Assistant acts as a prioritized checklist designed to guide administrators through the configuration of their Marketing Cloud account. It outlines essential steps in a logical and structured order to ensure a complete and efficient setup process.

Usage: Administrators can access Setup Assistant from the Setup menu in Marketing Cloud, where they can follow the step-by-step instructions to configure various components of their account, such as sending domains, data management, and more.

To automatically add tracking parameters to all links in emails sent from Email Studio, the admin should configure:

Web Analytics Connector: This feature automatically appends tracking parameters to URLs in emails to integrate with web analytics tools like Google Analytics.

Configuration Steps: Set up the Web Analytics Connector by specifying the desired tracking parameters in the Email Studio settings. This ensures all outgoing emails automatically include these parameters without the need for manual coding.

The Sender Authentication Package (SAP) allows the image URLs to be wrapped with the appropriate brand URL, which enhances the branding and deliverability of the emails. The SAP does not affect the profile center branding, the click domain, or the IP warming.

To monitor whether all records are being added to the target data structure each day in a scenario like that of Northern Trail Outfitters (NTO), the feature "Run Completion" within the File Drop Automation is most relevant. This feature allows the admin to check the status and results of the file drop automation, which includes verifying if the automation successfully completed and how many records were processed and added to the data extension. Using this feature, NTO can monitor daily imports and identify any discrepancies in the number of records processed, which could explain why fewer subscribers than expected are being sent emails.