Creating a Marketing List

To get started in Act-On, you will need to import a marketing list. Here are the list types you should create for your new account.

Upload your marketing list

You can create a new marketing list in Act-On in a variety of ways. One of the most common ways is to create a new list by uploading a file (comma-delimited or Excel format) into your Act-On account.

To create a new list by uploading a file:

1. Click Contacts, and then click Marketing Lists
2. In the upper right corner, click New List
3. Enter a name for the new list
4. Select the destination folder where you would like the list to be stored
5. In the drop-down for Set Up New List Contents, select Upload an Excel file or text (CSV) file
6. Read the agreement, and enable the I accept option 
7. Click Browse to locate the file that contains your contacts
   • The page also includes links that show an example of a comma-delimited file and instructions for exporting contacts from several popular email and contact management programs
8. Click Next
9. The few records in your file will appear - Confirm that all data looks correct and click Next
10. The columns in your file (e.g., Email Address, First Name) will appear, matched up to a corresponding field in Act-On - Confirm that these are correct and click Next
    • To select a different database field, click the icon to the right side of the field
11. Click Finish
    
    

Import your CRM lists

Before importing a list, your Act-On account must be integrated with your CRM. Once the CRM connector has been set up for your Act-On account, you can import your CRM lists.

1. Click Contacts, and then click Marketing Lists
2. Click Import
3. On the Import New List page, select the list you want to import
   • Optionally, you can edit the suggested name for the new Act-On list to be created
4. Click Next
5. If selecting your All CRM Leads/Contacts list(s), you will be asked to choose which lead/contact fields you want to import
6. Click Finish
   
   
   

Syncing Lists

Upon importing from your CRM, you can synchronize the list between your CRM and Act-On:

1. To the right of the CRM list, click the green down arrow
2. Click Import/Export and select your CRM Sync Setup
3. Enable/disable the Push/Pull and Add/Update features
4. Click Select Push-Update/Pull-Update Fields to identify the CRM fields that Act-On can update
5. Click Add List Columns if there are other CRM fields you wish to import
6. Click Schedule to specify the frequency of the synchronization
7. Click Save
8. Click Save
   
   
   

Create a Test List

The Test list allows you to quickly and easily send emails to yourself, groups of co-workers, or specific individuals for design approval and testing. To create a Test list:

1. Click on Contacts > click on Other Lists > click on Account Lists
2. Hover over Test List and click Open
3. Above the content area, click Edit All, and the list will become editable. Fill in the first name, last name, email address, and the company of anyone who will be involved in creating, reviewing, and editing your messages or whose approval is desired before sending a message
4. After adding all Test list members, click Save Changes 
   
   
   

Create List Segments 

Now that you have uploaded your lists, you can start creating your list segments.