Create an email marketing list

```mediawiki Navigation: Main_Page > Getting Started > Email Marketing > Create an email marketing list

Create an email marketing list in ActiveCampaign

Introduction

Creating an email marketing list in ActiveCampaign is a fundamental step in managing and engaging with your audience. An email marketing list is a collection of contacts who have opted in to receive your marketing emails, which may include newsletters, promotional materials, updates, and more. This feature plays a crucial role in ensuring efficient communication and consent management within your marketing efforts.

In ActiveCampaign, email lists allow you to organize your subscribers based on specific communication types, providing a tailored experience for your audience. It is essential to build and maintain these lists strategically, as they form the basis for your email campaigns and interactions with your contacts.

How to Access This Feature

To create an email marketing list in ActiveCampaign, you will start in the main dashboard and navigate through the contacts section. Follow these instructions to access the feature:

1. From the left-hand menu, click on Contacts. 2. In the secondary menu that appears, click on Lists. If the secondary menu is collapsed, hover your mouse over the ActiveCampaign logo at the top left and click the arrows that appear to the right to expand the menu.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions to create your email marketing list:

1. **Navigate to the Lists Section**: Click on Contacts on the left menu, followed by Lists on the secondary menu. 2. **Add a New List**: Click on the Add a list button. 3. **Fill in the List Information**:

  - **List Name**: Enter a short yet descriptive name for your list. Remember, contacts will be able to see this name, so make it clear and concise.
  - **List URL**: Input your company's website URL here. This step is mandatory for compliance purposes.
  - **List Description**: Provide a helpful reminder for contacts about why they are on this list and the purpose of your emails. This is particularly useful as subscribers may be signed up for multiple newsletters, and a gentle reminder can enhance engagement.

4. **Create the List**: Click the Add button to finalize the creation of your list.

Once your list has been created, it will be assigned a unique list ID, which can be found in the URL when viewing the list. This ID may be necessary if you require API access for list-specific tasks.

Configuration Options and Settings

When creating an email marketing list, various configuration options and settings are available to streamline your communication efforts:

- **List Name**: The title you assign to your list, which should reflect the content you will distribute. - **List URL**: The website link required for compliance, ensuring subscribers can access relevant information. - **List Description**: A concise explanation outlining the purpose of the list and what type of emails contacts can expect to receive.

It's important to ensure that your list configurations are clear and effective, as they can significantly influence subscriber experience and engagement.

Best Practices and Tips

Creating an efficient email marketing list comes with specifics best practices that can help improve outreach and engagement:

- **Limit the Number of Lists**: While Starter plan users are limited to five lists, those on the Plus, Pro, and Enterprise plans can create an unlimited number. However, it's often best to maintain fewer lists and use segments for more targeted marketing. - **Preference Centers**: Utilize a preference center to allow subscribers to select the communications they wish to receive. This can improve engagement and reduce unsubscribe rates. - **Avoid One-off Lists**: It is not advisable to create an email list for one-off emails; instead, incorporate them into an existing list that aligns with the communication goals. - **Quality Over Quantity**: Do not create more lists than you plan to actively engage with. Focus on maintaining a healthy, involved subscriber base.

Common Use Cases with Examples

Practical examples of how and when to create email marketing lists can include:

- **Promotional Campaigns**: A retail business can create a list specific to product promotions, targeting customers who are interested in discounts and product updates. - **Event Registrations**: Companies often use lists to manage attendees for webinars, conferences, and workshops, sending timely reminders and updates. - **Newsletters**: Organizations may have an ongoing newsletter list to share periodic updates, articles, and resources relevant to their audience.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues while creating your email marketing list, consider the following troubleshooting tips:

- **Contact Limitations**: Ensure that you are not exceeding the number of lists allowed for your plan; refer to your ActiveCampaign plan to confirm limits. - **Compliance Errors**: Confirm that you have completed the required List URL and that it’s correctly entered to avoid compliance issues. - **Visibility of Lists**: If your new list does not appear, try refreshing the page or navigating back to the Lists section.

FAQ

• Q1: Can I change the name of my email marketing list after creating it?*

A1: Yes, you can edit the list name at any time in the Lists section.

• Q2: How many contacts can I add to my email marketing list?*

A2: There is no limit on the number of contacts you can add, though be mindful of your plan's limitations regarding the number of lists.

• Q3: What should I do if I mistakenly created a list I no longer need?*

A3: You can delete any unnecessary lists from the Lists section in your ActiveCampaign account.

• Q4: Is it necessary to create a list for every marketing campaign?*

A4: It is not recommended to create a new list for one-off campaigns; rather, utilize existing lists that fit your audience.

• Q5: What if I want to gather more information from subscribers?*

A5: Use a preference center or subscription form that allows additional fields for data collection during signup.

• Q6: Can I segment my lists after creating them?*

A6: Yes, ActiveCampaign allows you to segment your contacts within lists to target specific groups more effectively.

• Q7: How do I ensure compliance when sending emails?*

A7: Ensure your list includes a valid List URL and maintain transparency with your subscribers by providing clear descriptions when they join your list.

For further resources, you might want to explore how to create an SMS marketing list, learn about segmentation to target audiences efficiently, or follow best practices for list maintenance. Each element plays a crucial role in developing a successful email marketing strategy. ```