You can split a segment into smaller lists and use them to send targeted campaigns. By randomly distributing contacts of a segment into smaller groups, you can send campaigns in a controlled way across different communication channels to reach business goals and answer specific needs.

Why split a segment into lists?

Splitting a segment into lists gives you better control over your campaigns. You can notably test how your contacts react to a campaign instead of sending it to the entire segment at once. You can then adjust your marketing strategy based on your test results. Below are a few examples of how you can split a segment and what use cases it can answer:

• Behavior change
  To test strategies about your contacts' behavior, such as converting free users to paid plans, you could send a campaign to a split list (e.g., 10% of the non-paying customers segment) and measure the conversion rate of this test group. If the conversion is significant, you can send the campaign to the segment, excluding the two split lists from the recipients. This prevents overwhelming your entire segment and saves credits while testing your hypothesis.
• A/B test
  Create two split lists (e.g., 5% each) and send a campaign to each list using different communication channels: one by SMS and the other by email. Analyze the performance of each campaign to determine which one is more effective. After identifying the winning campaign, send the campaign to the initial segment on the best-performing channel, excluding the two split lists from the recipients.
  Unlike the A/B test feature on email campaigns, split lists allow you to test campaigns across different communication channels and have more control over which parameters define the winning campaign.
• Ramp-up campaigns
  To better control campaign performance, you can gradually send campaigns to 20%, 30%, and 50% of a segment over a period of time. This can help you warm up your dedicated IP, adjust your sending frequency, or improve content mid-campaign.
• Unused credits
  To avoid losing unused credits which expire at the end of each billing period, you can create a split list with exactly the number of contacts matching your remaining credits and send a campaign to that randomized list.

Split a segment into lists

To split a segment into lists:

1. Go to Contacts > Segments.
2. Click the three-dot icon in the Actions column, next to the segment you want to split.
3. Click Split into lists.
   
4. Enter a name for the list.
5. Select the percentage or number of contacts you would like to randomly add to the list.
   
6. (Optional) Click Add list to split your segment into several lists, and repeat steps 4 and 5 for each list.
   💡 Good to know

   You can split a segment into up to five lists.
7. Select a folder to save your list(s). To learn how to create folders, check our dedicated article Create folders and lists to organize your contacts.
8. Click Split into lists to create the list(s).

You can now use your split list(s) to send targeted campaigns.

When sending your campaign to the rest of your segment after performing tests, ensure you exclude your test lists from the recipients to avoid sending them the campaign twice:

• For emails and SMS, in the Recipients section of your campaign creation, click Advanced options and select your test lists in the Don't send to dropdown.
• For WhatsApp, in the To section of your campaign creation, click Exclude lists and select your test lists.

⏭️ What's next?

• Differences between lists and segments

🤔 Have a question?

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