Convert your lists to communication based lists

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Convert your lists to communication-based lists

Introduction

Converting your existing lists into communication-based lists is an essential feature for optimizing your email marketing strategy in ActiveCampaign. This transformation enhances engagement and conversion rates while reducing unsubscribe rates and spam complaints. By aligning your lists with the functionalities of the Preference Center, you can ensure that your subscribers receive more relevant communications based on their interests.

This article will guide you through the process of converting your current lists, offering a clear methodology to improve your email marketing effectiveness.

How to Access this Feature

To begin the process of converting your lists to communication-based lists, you can navigate to the Contacts section in your ActiveCampaign account. This area allows you to manage all contact-related actions, including advanced search functionalities essential for this conversion.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed steps to convert your lists to communication-based lists:

Step 1: Create an Advanced Search for Contacts on a List

1. Click **Contacts** on the left menu. 2. Click into the **Search contacts** field and select **Advanced Search**. 3. Use the segment builder to locate the list(s) you want to convert:

  - Set the condition to **is subscribed to**.
  - Use **at least one of** as the operator.
  - Select one list you wish to convert as the value. It is advisable to select one list at a time for clarity.

4. Click the **Search** button to execute the search.

Step 2: Tag All Contacts Returned in Your Search

1. Click the **Edit all** button. 2. A modal window will appear. Click **Add a tag**. 3. Type a tag name into the field, such as “Old_List_Name_Date,” and click **Add**. 4. Click the **Apply** button. 5. Confirm the changes by selecting **Apply changes to X contacts** and clicking **Okay**.

Step 3: Create a New Subscription-Based List

1. Go to the Lists page in your account and click **Add a list**. 2. A modal window will appear. Fill in the necessary fields for your new list. 3. Click the **Save** button.

Step 4: Add Contacts to Your New List

1. From the Contacts page, use the advanced search to find contacts tagged in Step 2. 2. Select all the contacts from the search results and click the **Edit** button. 3. In the modal window that appears, select the action **Add to a list**. 4. Choose the new list you just created and click **Add**. 5. Click **Apply** and confirm with **Apply changes to X contacts**. Click **Okay**.

Step 5: Confirm Successful Addition of Contacts

1. Navigate to **Contacts** > **Lists**. 2. Search for the name of your new list. 3. Click on the list name to verify that the contact count is correct and check a few names and email addresses to ensure accuracy.

Step 6: Unsubscribe Contacts from the Old List

1. Use advanced search to locate contacts in the old list: Select **Contact List Status** and choose **Is subscribed to list (active)**. Use **at least one of** to select multiple lists if needed. 2. Select all contacts and click the **Edit** button. 3. In the modal window, select the action **Unsubscribe from a list**. 4. Choose the old list and click **Remove**. 5. Apply the changes by clicking **Apply** and confirming with **Apply changes to X contacts**. Click **Okay**.

Step 7: Confirm Contacts in Old List are Unsubscribed

1. Check that the contact count for the old lists is now 0.

Step 8: Rename Your Old List

1. To keep your account organized, rename your old list by prefixing it with **Z_OLD_** to move it to the bottom:

  - From the Lists page, find the old list and click the down arrow next to the **Import contacts** button.
  - Select **Edit**.
  - Modify the name field and click **Save**.

Configuration Options and Settings

While configuring your communication-based lists, keep the following options in mind: - Advanced Search: Essential for filtering and managing contacts effectively. - Tags: Use for marking contacts from the old lists to easily migrate them to the new communication-based lists. - Subscription-based lists: Ensure all lists are subscription-based to optimize user engagement.

Best Practices and Tips

- Always create your lists to be subscription-based to align with best practices for higher engagement. - Do not delete any old lists post-conversion to prevent data loss. - Utilize tagging effectively to maintain organization while converting lists. - For more effective list management, refer to the Best_practices_for_email_marketing_lists for additional guidance on list creation and maintenance.

Common Use Cases with Examples

- **Email Marketing Campaigns**: Companies using communication-based lists can tailor their messages to subscriber preferences, increasing open and click-through rates. - **Preference Centers**: By converting lists, businesses can enable users to manage their preferences directly, leading to better customer satisfaction.

Troubleshooting

- If contacts are not appearing in your new list, double-check that they were properly tagged during the advanced search and that you have applied the right actions during the moving process. - If you encounter errors while unsubscribing contacts, verify that you have selected the correct old list and that the contacts are indeed subscribed to that list.

FAQ

What is a communication-based list?

A communication-based list is an email list that allows subscribers to receive specific communications based on their preferences and subscriptions.

Do I need to convert my lists if they are already subscription-based?

No, if your lists are already subscription-based, there is no need to convert them.

What happens if I delete an old list after converting?

Deleting an old list can lead to data loss in your account, so it is advisable to keep them even after conversion.

How can I ensure higher engagement with my lists?

Creating subscription-based lists and allowing users to manage their preferences can significantly enhance engagement.

Can I bulk edit tags for contacts?

Yes, you can use the Edit all function during your advanced search to tag contacts in bulk.

What is the best way to name my old lists post-conversion?

Prefix the old list name with **Z_OLD_** to keep your lists organized and sorted at the bottom.

Where can I learn more about list statuses?

Refer to the article on ActiveCampaign_contact_list_status_segment_conditions for a comprehensive understanding of list statuses and segment conditions.

Feel free to implement these steps and best practices to efficiently convert your lists and enhance your email marketing strategies within ActiveCampaign. ```