Understanding Contacts and Lists
To get the most out of your account, you'll need to understand the difference between Contacts and Lists.
Topics covered in this article:
What are Contacts?
Contacts are individual email subscribers stored in your Benchmark Email account. Each contact consists of various data points, including:
- Email address (required)
- First and last name
- Tags (optional)
- Custom fields (e.g., city, phone number, company name)
Key Functions of Contacts
- Every contact exists independently in your account, whether or not it exists in a list.
- Contacts can be tagged for easy filtering and segmentation.
- Each contact has a status (e.g., active, inactive, unsubscribed) to indicate whether they can receive emails.
- Contacts store historical data, including campaign activity, engagement metrics, and creation date.
Think of Contacts as a master database where all your subscribers are stored, regardless of how they are grouped.
What Are Lists?
Lists allow you to group contacts based on shared characteristics or marketing needs. A contact can belong to multiple lists without being duplicated in your account.
Each list is manually created using criteria within the contact record. The contact list is Static and does not change unless you add or remove the contact yourself.
Static Lists – These are manually created and do not change unless you add or remove contacts.
Key Functions of Lists
- Lists are used when sending emails to your contacts; you can not send an email without a contact list.
- Lists help you target specific audiences for campaigns.
- Contacts in a list retain their original data (name, tags, custom fields, etc.).
- Contacts can be added to a list at any time.
- If a contact unsubscribes from an email sent to a list, that contact remains in your account but cannot be emailed again.
Think of Lists as organized groups of contacts, helping you tailor your marketing efforts to the right audience.
Which Should You Focus On?
You'll need a contact list to schedule and send emails; you can have one list or multiple. Keep in mind that lists are separate from contacts.
- If you need to email all active contacts, simply import new contacts to your account, and use the option here to Send an Email.
- If you need to group contacts for specific email campaigns, you can create Lists based on relevant criteria.
By understanding and effectively utilizing Contacts and Lists, you can improve your email marketing strategy and ensure your messages reach the right audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send an email without a list?
No, you'll need to add contacts to a list. To learn how to create a contact list, click here.
Can a Contact Be in Multiple Lists?
Yes, the same contact can appear in multiple lists without being duplicated.
Can Contacts Exist Without Lists?
Yes, contacts can exist without being part of a list.
Do lists update automatically?
Currently, the lists will not update automatically. You'll need to run the contact list filters again to add or remove new contacts.