Getting Started with Lists
Before you can send an email in MailPoet, you need at least one list of subscribers. Lists let you organize your contacts into groups – for example, “Event Registrants,” “Newsletter Subscribers,” or “VIP Clients” – so you can target the right people with the right message.
Your Default Lists
When we set up MailPoet on your site, a few default lists are created automatically:
- Newsletter mailing list – a general-purpose list for your subscribers
- WordPress Users – anyone with a login on your site
- WooCommerce Customers – if your site has an online store (WooCommerce only)
You can use these as-is, rename them, or create your own.
How to Create a New List
- In your WordPress dashboard, go to MailPoet > Lists
- Click the “+ New List” button
- Give your list a name (e.g., “April Conference Attendees”)
- Add a description if you like – this is just for your reference
- Click Save
That’s it. Your new list is ready to receive subscribers.
Adding Subscribers to a List
There are a few ways to populate your list:
- Import from a file – Go to MailPoet > Subscribers > Import and upload a CSV or Excel file. You can assign subscribers to any list during the import process.
- Migrate from Mailchimp – MailPoet has a built-in Mailchimp importer. Go to MailPoet > Subscribers > Import and select the Mailchimp option.
- Subscription forms – Add a signup form to your website so visitors can subscribe on their own. Go to MailPoet > Forms to create one.
- Add manually – Go to MailPoet > Subscribers > Add New to add individual contacts.
Good to Know
- You can create as many lists as you need – there’s no limit.
- A subscriber can belong to multiple lists at the same time.
- Deleting a list does not delete the subscribers in it. They’ll still be in your subscriber database and any other lists they belong to.
- When sending an email, you choose which list(s) to send to – so plan your lists around the groups you’ll actually want to message separately.
What’s Next?
Once you have a list with subscribers, you’re ready to send your first email. See our guide: Sending Your First Newsletter with MailPoet.
Want to understand the different types of emails you can send? Check out Types of Email Campaigns in MailPoet.
Questions? Contact us at support [at] webops [dot] host or submit a support ticket. Our team is available 9am-5pm, 7 days a week (24/7 for emergencies).