Manually adding contacts to an automation allows you to directly choose which contacts should enter a specific automation, without needing them to meet predefined conditions. This gives you full control over which contacts are included in the automation, regardless of predefined triggers.

Why manually add contacts to an automation?

Typically, contacts enter automations by themselves based on predefined triggers, but there are specific use cases where manually adding them can be useful for more precise targeting and personalization.

Here are some examples of these use cases:

Manually add contacts to an automation

To manually add contacts to an automation, you'll need to:

1. (Optional) Create an automation with at least one trigger.
2. Activate the automation.
3. Manually add contacts to the automation.

Step 1: Create an automation with at least one trigger

First, create your automation with at least one trigger.

1. Go to Automations.
2. Click Create an automation.
3. Select the new editor.
4. Edit the name of your automation in the header to make it easier to find in your list of automations.

5. From the Triggers tab, drag and drop your desired trigger onto the canvas. If you only want to manually add contacts to the automation without using any other trigger, you need to add the trigger Contacts - Contact added manually to your automation.

   
6. Click Close.
7. Finish configuring your automation by adding additional steps. To learn more, check our dedicated article Available triggers, actions, and rules in an automation.
   
   💡 Good to know

   You can add additional triggers to your automation if needed. This allows contacts to enter either through an automated trigger or by being manually added.

Step 2: Activate the automation

Once you're done creating your automation, you can activate it.

1. At the top-right of the editor, click Activate automation.
2. (Optional) If needed, further define under which conditions contacts can re-enter and exit the automation. To learn more, check our dedicated article Define and manage the audience entry and exit conditions for an automation.
3. Click Activate automation.

Step 3: Manually add contacts to the automation

You can now manually add contacts to the automation. Choose to add one or multiple contacts from the Contacts page, or add a single contact from their contact details page.

Add one or multiple contacts from the Contacts page

1. Go to Contacts.
2. Choose the contact(s) you want to manually add to the automation:
   1. To add all your contacts, make sure no list or segment is loaded and no filters are applied.
   2. To add contacts from a list or a segment, click Load a list or segment and select the desired one.
      
      
      💡 Good to know

      You can also add filters to refine your contact selection (contact details, email activity, subscription status, etc.).
3. Select all the contacts in your database, loaded list or segment:
   1. Select the checkbox in the CONTACT column.
   2. Click Select all contacts to select all contacts in your database, loaded list or segment.
      
4. Click More actions > Add to automation.
   
5. From the dropdown, select the active automation to which you want to add the contact(s).
6. Click Add to automation.

The contacts have been added to the automation and will now begin progressing through the steps. You can follow their entry and progress in your automation logs. You can remove a contact from the automation at any time directly from their contact details page.

Add a single contact from their contact details page

1. Go to Contacts.
2. (Optional) Add filters to refine your contact selection (contact details, email activity, subscription status, etc.) Alternatively, use the search bar to find contacts by name, email address, phone number, etc.
3. Click the name or email address of the contact in the CONTACT column to open their details page.
4. In the header, click the three dots icon and select Add to automation.
   
5. From the dropdown, select the active automation to which you want to add the contact.
6. Click Add to automation.

The contact has been added to the automation and will now begin progressing through the steps.

⏭️ What's next?

• About the new automation editor [BETA]
• Available triggers, actions, and rules in an automation
• Automatically send a welcome email to new contacts

🤔 Have a question?

If you have a question, feel free to contact our support team by creating a ticket from your account. If you don't have an account yet, you can contact us here.

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