Boomerang: Use and Features

Google Mail does not have an option to delay email deliveries. However, Google Chrome offers a plugin called “Boomerang for Gmail” that will allow you to compose an email and schedule it to be sent later.

The basic, free subscription allows you to send 10 delayed messages per month. You will not have access to Boomerang Notes, Mobile Access, Recurring Messages, Track by Default, or Toolbox. Boomerang for Gmail Plans and Pricing offers more information regarding Boomerang's packages.

Note: Boomerang for Gmail does not work in Internet Explorer. Information Technology recommends using Google Chrome because features of Google Apps work best or only with Google Chrome.

Install Boomerang for Gmail

1. Open boomeranggmail.com in a new tab.
2. Click [Add this to your Gmail!].
3. Click [Add Extension].
4. Click [Install Boomerang].
5. Your Google Mail will open, and you will be prompted to take a tour of Boomerang. Click [Start] to take the tour or [Skip].

Send Emails Later

1. In the upper-left corner of Google Mail, click [Compose] and complete your message as usual, including the recipient(s) in the "To" field. 
2. Click the Boomerang [Send Later] button. The first time that you choose this option, a pop-up will appear prompting you to click [Allow] so Boomerang can access your account.
3. Choose when you would like the message to send.
   If none of the default options apply: Click the mini-calendar icon under “At a specific time," > Click the calender icon > Select a date from the calendar > In the text box, type a specific time for that day > Click [Confirm].
4. Once you choose a default option or click [Confirm], Boomerang will process the message.
5. A banner will confirm that “Your message will be sent” and when.

Manage Scheduled Messages

To View your Scheduled Messages:

1. In Google Mail, click the [Boomerang] icon in the upper right-hand corner of your window.
2. In the resulting list, click “Manage scheduled messages”. The first time that you choose this option, a pop-up will appear prompting you to click [Allow] so Boomerang can access your account.
3. Click the "Messages to Send Later" tab to see a list of your scheduled messages. If you have a Professional subscription, you will also see a list of your Recurring Messages here.

To Reschedule a Message:

1. In Google Mail, click the [Boomerang] icon in the upper right-hand corner of your window.
2. In the resulting list, click “Manage scheduled messages”. The first time that you choose this option, a pop-up will appear prompting you to click [Allow] so Boomerang can access your account.
3. Under the "Messages to Send Later" tab, click the message that you would like to reschedule.  
4. Click the “Reschedule” link.
5. In the resulting dialogue box, type a new date and time in the provided field or click the calender icon to select a date. 
6. Click [Confirm].

To Delete a Message:

1. In Google Mail, click the [Boomerang] icon in the upper right-hand corner of your window.
2. In the resulting list, click “Manage scheduled messages”. The first time that you choose this option, a pop-up will appear prompting you to click [Allow] so Boomerang can access your account.
3. Under the "Messages to Send Later" tab, click the message that you would like to delete.
4. Click the “Don’t Send” link. Google mail will cancel the email and remove it from your list.

To Edit a Message:

1. In Google Mail, click the [Boomerang] icon in the upper right-hand corner of your window.
2. In the resulting drop-down menu, select “Manage scheduled messages”. The first time that you choose this option, a pop-up will appear prompting you to click [Allow] so Boomerang can access your account.
3. Under the "Messages to Send Later" tab, click the message that you would like to edit.
4. Click the “Edit” link > In the resulting tab, click the "Click here to edit your message" link. The compose window for your message will appear.
5. Edit the email as desired, and then click [Save message]. 

Response Tracking

Response Tracking is another feature that Boomerang provides. After sending an email, you can compose and schedule a follow-up email that Boomerang automatically sends to the recipient(s) if they do not reply, click, or open the original email.

1. In your Google Mail sidebar, select "Sent Mail" > Select the email thread you wish to schedule a follow-up email > At the bottom of the conversation, click "Reply".
2. Compose your follow-up message. Make sure the correct recipient is listed in the "To" field. 
3. Click the Boomerang [Send Later] button > Check the box next to "Only if nobody replies". 
4. Choose when you would like to send your follow-up message. If the recipient does not reply to your original message before that scheduled time, your follow-up message will automatically be sent at that scheduled time. 

Recurring Messages

This option is only available in the Professional Subscription. To schedule a recurring message, follow these steps:

1. In the upper-left corner of Google Mail, click [Compose] and complete your message as usual, including the recipient(s) in the "To" field. 
2. Click the Boomerang [Send Later] button, and then choose “Schedule recurring message” from the list.
3. Complete the resulting “Schedule Recurring Message” diaglogue box to schedule when and how often you want to send the email. 
4. Confirm the schedule in the “Summary:” field, and then click [Schedule].

Read Receipts and Click Tracking

When you enable the Read Receipts and Click Tracking feature within a composed message, Boomerang will notify you when the recipient(s) reads your message. If your message includes links, Boomerang will also tell you what links the recipiant(s) clicked on within the message. 

To Enable Read Reciepts and Click Tracking:

1. In the upper-left corner of Google Mail, click [Compose] and complete your message as usual, including the recipient(s) in the "To" field. 
2. At the bottom of your "New Message" box, click the envelope shaped [Request read receipt and track clicks] button. The first time you choose this option, Boomerang will take you through a few instructions.
3. Click [Send] to immediently send your message or [Send Later] to schedule your message at a delayed time. 

To View Your Tracked Message Information:

1. In Google Mail, click the [Boomerang] icon in the upper right-hand corner of your window.
2. In the resulting drop-down menu, select "Manage scheduled messages". The first time that you choose this option, a pop-up will appear prompting you to click [Allow] so Boomerang can access your account.
3. Under the "Tracked Messages" tab, click a tracked message to view the number of times the recipient opened and/or clicked any links.  

To Hide Your Tracked Messages:

1. In Google Mail, click the [Boomerang] icon in the upper right-hand corner of your window.
2. In the resulting drop-down menu, select "Manage scheduled messages". The first time that you choose this option, a pop-up will appear prompting you to click [Allow] so Boomerang can access your account.
3. Under the "Tracked Messages" tab, check the box next to each tracked message you no longer wish to see.
4. Click the [Archive] button. You can view your archived tracked messages at any time by clicking the "Show archived messages" drop-down menu.

Respondable

Boomerang's Respondable feature helps you compose a stronger message in order to increase your chance of recieving a response. When you enable Respondable within your composed message, a side panel appears containing meters that automatically adjust as you type your message. Each meter rates your message based on a factor (e.g. word count, subject length etc.) that could affect your chance of recieving a response. The higher your Respondable meter scores, the better your message. For more information, read 7 Tips for Getting More Responses to Your Emails. 

To Enable Respondable:

1. In the upper-left corner of Google Mail, click [Compose], and enter the recipient(s) in the "To" field. 
2. In the lower-right corner of your "New Message" box, click the [Boomerang Respondable] button. 
3. Complete your message, including the "Subject" field, according to the feedback provided by the Respondable meters. 

To Hide the Respondable Button: 

1. In Google Mail, click the [Boomerang] icon in the upper right-hand corner of your window.
2. In the resulting drop-down menu, select "Settings". 
3. In the resulting dialogue box, uncheck the box next to "Enable Responsable". The Respondable button will no longer appear in your "New Message" box. 

Boomerang Notes

You cannot add Boomerang Notes in Google Apps unless you have a Professional Boomerang subscription. For a demo of how to add notes with Boomerang, you can watch How to Add Notes with Boomerang.

Boomerang Mobile

You cannot use Boomerang Mobile with a Google Apps account unless you have a Professional Boomerang subscription. For a demo of how to use Boomerang Mobile, you can watch Boomerang Mobile Demo.