Knowledgebase

Lists help you organize your contacts inside EmailBoost. A list is a group of contacts who have given you permission to receive emails from you. Lists are used when you want to send campaigns, manage subscribers, connect forms, or build automations around a specific audience.

What a list is used for

Storing newsletter subscribers.
Managing contacts imported from another email provider.
Connecting signup forms or landing pages to the right audience.
Choosing recipients for email campaigns.
Creating segments based on contact data or behavior.

When to create a new list

Separate lists are most useful when the audience or permission is genuinely different. For example, you may want separate lists for different pen names, different author brands, event-only contacts, or a dedicated ARC team if those readers signed up for a very specific purpose.

When to use segments instead

Most authors do not need a separate list for every book, series or trope. If the readers are part of the same author newsletter audience, it is usually cleaner to keep them in one main list and use segments, tags or attributes to organize them.

How to create and manage lists

Open EmailBoost.
Go to the Contacts or Audience area.
Create a new list or open an existing list.
Add a clear list name.
Use the list when importing contacts, connecting forms, or selecting campaign recipients.

Things to know

List names should be clear and easy to recognize later.
Forms and automations may depend on a specific list.
Deleting or changing a list can affect connected forms, segments or campaigns.
Keeping one well-organized main newsletter list is often easier than managing many smaller lists.

BookBooster Author Tip: For most authors, start with one main reader newsletter list. Then use tags, segments and attributes for things like genre interest, reader magnet source, ARC team status, or preferred format. Those are examples of how you might organize your audience, not required built-in fields.

Importing Contacts

If you already have subscribers from another email provider, website form, reader magnet, event signup or approved list source, you can import them into EmailBoost.

Before you import

Only import contacts who have given you permission to receive marketing emails. Permission-based email marketing protects your sender reputation, helps your emails reach inboxes, and keeps your reader list healthier.

Supported import methods

CSV file upload.
Copying and pasting contact data.
Manual contact entry for individual contacts.

Recommended CSV fields

Email address.
First name.
Last name.
Any existing tags you want to import.
Any custom fields or attributes you want to use later.

How importing usually works

Open EmailBoost.
Go to the Contacts or Audience area.
Choose the list you want to import contacts into.
Select the import option.
Upload your CSV file or paste your contact data.
Map your file columns to the correct EmailBoost fields.
Review the import summary.
Confirm the import.

Field mapping

Field mapping tells EmailBoost which column in your file matches each contact field. For example, a column labeled “Email” should be mapped to the email address field. If you import additional information, such as first name, source, or tags, check that each column is mapped correctly before confirming the import.

Troubleshooting import issues

Make sure the CSV includes headers.
Check that email addresses are valid and formatted correctly.
Remove special characters from the file if the import fails.
Try a smaller test import first if your list is large.
Check that the file size is within the allowed limit.

BookBooster Author Tip: Before importing, add a column that records where each reader came from, such as “Reader Magnet,” “BookFunnel,” “Event Signup,” “Giveaway,” or “Previous Newsletter Provider.” This can make future segmentation much easier.

Updating Contact Information

Contact information includes the data stored against a reader, such as their email address, name, tags, attributes, subscription status and other fields connected to their profile.

Why contact information matters

Accurate contact information helps you send more relevant campaigns, personalize emails and create useful segments. Outdated or messy data can make your list harder to manage.

Information you may update

Email address.
First name or last name.
Tags.
Custom fields or attributes.
List membership.
Subscription status, where available and appropriate.

How to update a contact

Open the relevant list in EmailBoost.
Search for the contact by name or email address.
Open the contact profile.
Edit the available fields.
Save your changes.

Bulk updates

If you need to update many contacts at once, a CSV import may be faster than editing each contact manually. This is useful if you are adding a new tag, correcting imported data, or adding custom field values to a group of readers.

Things to know

Only store information you have a reason to use.
Keep field names consistent.
Review imported data before relying on it for segmentation.
Do not use updates to override unsubscribe or suppression behavior.

BookBooster Author Tip: Use contact updates to improve relevance, not to overcomplicate your audience. A few useful fields, such as first name, source, reader interest or format preference, are usually more useful than dozens of fields you never use.

Removing a Contact

You may need to remove a contact if the address was added by mistake, is no longer valid, or should no longer be stored in your active list.

When to remove a contact

The reader asks to be removed.
The address is invalid.
The contact was imported by mistake.
The contact is a duplicate.
You are cleaning old or unverified data.

Remove vs unsubscribe

Removing a contact and unsubscribing a contact are not always the same thing. If a reader has unsubscribed, it is important that their opt-out status remains respected. Do not delete and re-import unsubscribed contacts to make them active again.

How to remove a contact

Open the relevant list in EmailBoost.
Search for the contact.
Open the contact profile.
Use the available remove or delete option.
Confirm the change.

Things to know

Always respect unsubscribe requests.
Keep suppression and opt-out records intact where the system uses them.
Export data first if you are removing contacts as part of a wider cleanup.
Do not remove contacts simply because they are inactive; consider a re-engagement campaign first.

BookBooster Author Tip: If you are cleaning an old author list, create a segment of inactive readers first. Send a re-engagement email before removing them, unless you no longer have valid permission to email them.

Adding Attributes to Your List

Attributes, sometimes called custom fields, allow you to store extra information about a contact beyond their email address and name. Attributes can be used for personalization, segmentation and more organized contact management.

What attributes can store

Text values.
Numbers.
Dates.
Preference information.
Signup or source information.

Common platform-style attributes

First name.
Last name.
Country.
Language.
Signup source.

How to use attributes

Create or identify the attribute you want to use.
Add values manually or through import.
Use the attribute in segments, personalization or reporting where available.
Keep values consistent so they remain useful.

Things to know

Attributes are most useful when they support a real marketing decision.
Too many custom fields can make your list harder to manage.
Use consistent spelling and formatting for attribute values.
Do not collect sensitive information unless you have a clear reason and understand your obligations.

BookBooster Author Tip: Author-specific attributes might include favorite genre, preferred format, reader magnet source, ARC team status, or series interest. These are examples you may choose to create; they are not necessarily built-in fields.

Creating Dynamic Segments

Segments let you create smaller groups of contacts based on rules. A dynamic segment updates when contacts match or stop matching those rules.

What segments are used for

Sending targeted campaigns.
Separating engaged and inactive readers.
Grouping readers by tags or attributes.
Sending content to contacts who match specific rules.
Creating more relevant email campaigns.

Examples of segment rules

Contacts with a specific tag.
Contacts with a certain custom field value.
Contacts who opened or clicked a campaign, where engagement data is available.
Contacts who subscribed during a certain time period.
Contacts from a specific list or source.

How to create a segment

Open the relevant list or audience area.
Choose the option to create a segment.
Add the rule or condition for the segment.
Preview the matching contacts, if available.
Name the segment clearly.
Save the segment.

Things to know

Segments are not the same as separate lists.
Dynamic segments update based on the rules you choose.
Clear naming helps you understand what each segment does later.
Use segments to make campaigns more relevant, not to overcomplicate every send.

BookBooster Author Tip: A useful author segment might be “Clicked Book 1 Link,” “ARC Team,” “Audiobook Interest,” or “Inactive 180 Days.” These examples depend on the data you collect and the engagement options available in your account.

Segmenting by Engagement

Engagement segmentation helps you group contacts based on how they interact with your emails. Depending on available reporting data, this may include opens, clicks, bounces, unsubscribes or other campaign activity.

Why engagement matters

Highly engaged readers are more likely to click launch emails, join ARC teams, respond to offers and support your books. Inactive readers may need a re-engagement email or list cleanup over time.

Useful engagement groups

Recently clicked readers.
Highly engaged readers.
Inactive readers.
Readers who clicked a specific campaign link.
Readers who have not interacted within a chosen time period.

How to use engagement segments

Open your list or audience area.
Create a segment based on campaign activity, where available.
Choose the engagement rule you want to use.
Set the time period.
Save and use the segment for targeted campaigns.

Things to know

Open tracking is not perfect because privacy settings can affect results.
Clicks are usually a stronger sign of reader interest than opens.
Inactive readers are not always uninterested; some may still read without clicking.
Use engagement data as a guide, not the only measure of reader value.

BookBooster Author Tip: Before a big launch, send your strongest reminder to readers who recently clicked or opened. For inactive readers, try a friendly re-engagement email before removing them from your regular sends.

Using Tags to Track Engagement

Tags are labels you can use to organize contacts. They help you group readers without needing to create a separate list for every interest, source or campaign.

What tags can be used for

Tracking where a contact came from.
Grouping readers by interest.
Marking campaign activity.
Identifying special groups, such as launch teams.
Creating segments or automation rules where supported.

Examples of useful tags

Reader Magnet.
ARC Team.
Event Signup.
Giveaway Signup.
Clicked Launch Link.
VIP Reader.

How to use tags

Create or choose a tag.
Apply it manually, through import, or through another supported workflow.
Use the tag to find contacts or create segments.
Review your tags regularly and remove unused ones.

Things to know

Use clear, consistent tag names.
Avoid creating multiple tags that mean the same thing.
Do not rely on tags alone if a custom field would be more accurate.
Keep a simple naming system so tags remain useful over time.

BookBooster Author Tip: Use tags for flexible labels, such as “ARC Team” or “Signed Up at Event.” Use attributes for stored values, such as “Preferred Format = Audiobook.” Keeping the difference clear will make your list easier to manage.

Understanding Contact Status

Contact status tells you whether a contact can currently receive email from you and why they may not be eligible to receive campaigns.

Common contact statuses

Subscribed: the contact can receive your marketing emails.
Unsubscribed: the contact has opted out of receiving marketing emails.
Bounced: an email could not be delivered to the address.
Suppressed or blocked: the address should not receive sends because of compliance, deliverability or account rules.
Pending: the contact may still need to confirm subscription, depending on your signup settings.

Why status matters

Status protects both your readers and your sender reputation. Sending to contacts who have unsubscribed, bounced or been suppressed can damage trust and hurt deliverability.

What to check if a reader is not receiving emails

Is the contact subscribed?
Has the contact unsubscribed previously?
Did the email bounce?
Is the contact suppressed or blocked?
Did the reader check spam, junk or promotions folders?

Things to know

Do not manually re-add unsubscribed contacts unless you have fresh, clear permission.
Bounced addresses may need to be cleaned from your active audience.
Suppression rules help protect your account and sender reputation.
Respecting status is part of responsible email marketing.

BookBooster Author Tip: If a reader says they stopped receiving emails, ask them to sign up again through your official form rather than manually changing their status without confirmation.

Exporting a Contact List

Exporting lets you download contact data from EmailBoost. This can be useful for backups, reporting, list review or moving data between approved systems.

When to export contacts

You want a backup of your reader list.
You need to review contact data.
You are analyzing list health.
You need a record before making major list changes.
You are preparing to move data to another approved system.

What an export may include

Email address.
Name fields.
Contact status.
Tags.
Attributes or custom fields.
Subscription or engagement data where available.

How to export contacts

Open the relevant list or audience area.
Choose the list, segment or contacts you want to export.
Select the export option.
Choose the fields to include, if prompted.
Download and store the file securely.

Data protection reminder

Contact exports contain personal data. Store exported files securely, avoid sharing them casually, and delete old exports when you no longer need them.

BookBooster Author Tip: Export before major list cleanup, but continue sending campaigns through EmailBoost rather than manually emailing exported contacts from a personal inbox.

Deleting Lists

Deleting a list removes it from your EmailBoost account. This should be done carefully, especially if the list is connected to forms, campaigns, automations or important permission history.

Before deleting a list

Check whether any forms send subscribers to this list.
Check whether any automations use this list.
Check whether any segments depend on this list.
Export a backup if you may need the data later.
Confirm you are deleting the correct list.

When deleting may make sense

The list was created by mistake.
The list contains test data.
The list is a duplicate.
You have consolidated contacts into a cleaner list structure.

When not to delete

Do not delete a list just to avoid unsubscribe, suppression or bounce history. That history helps protect your account and prevents accidentally emailing people who should not receive campaigns.

Safer alternatives

Rename the list as an archive.
Export the list before deleting.
Create a segment for active contacts instead of deleting inactive ones.
Review forms and automations before removing anything.

BookBooster Author Tip: If you are unsure, do not delete the list immediately. Rename it “Archive” and come back to it once you are certain no forms, campaigns or automations rely on it.

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