Context

Pardot's default options for creating dynamic lists of mailable prospects can be limiting. While dynamic content can use fields like 'Opted Out' = true or 'Do Not Email' = true, these options often fall short for comprehensive segmentation. If you're migrating to a new platform or need a precise list of mailable prospects without relying on extra tools like Excel, here’s a step-by-step workaround:

Step 1: Create a Static List for Unmailable Prospects

Start by creating a static list to store unmailable prospects. This includes anyone who:

• Opted out of communications.

• Is marked as Do Not Email in Pardot.

• Has unsubscribed.

• Has an email that bounced.

Steps to Create the "Unmailable" Static List:

1. Go to Marketing → Segmentation → Lists and create a new static list named "Unmailable."
   

   

2. Navigate to your prospect table and select all prospects by clicking "Select all X entries in this table."
   

   

3. At the bottom of the table, choose "Within X selected: Add to list."
   

   

4. Select the "Unmailable" list you just created and click "Go."

This process groups all unmailable prospects into a single list.

Step 2: Create a Dynamic List for Mailable Prospects

With the "Unmailable" list created, you can now set up a dynamic list to automatically include all prospects not on the "Unmailable" list.

Steps to Create the Dynamic List:

1. Go to Marketing → Segmentation → Lists and click + Add List to create a new dynamic list.

2. Define the rules:

   • Prospect List → is not a member of → Unmailable.

     
     

     

3. Add any additional filters relevant to your marketing needs, such as region, industry, or scoring thresholds.

4. Save the dynamic list. It will now update in real-time, excluding unmailable prospects.

Use Case: Migration to a New Platform

When migrating to a new marketing automation platform, ensuring only mailable prospects are carried over is essential to maintain data quality and avoid email deliverability issues. Here's how this workaround simplifies the migration process:

1. Prepare Data in Pardot: Use the "Unmailable" static list and dynamic list workaround to ensure that only mailable prospects are included in your export.

2. Export Dynamic List: Export the mailable dynamic list directly from Pardot for a clean, ready-to-import file for your new platform.

3. No Extra Tools Needed: Since the segmentation is handled entirely within Pardot, there’s no need for Excel or other external tools to clean or filter your data.

Why This Workaround Works

This method leverages Pardot’s native capabilities to combine the power of static and dynamic lists. The "Unmailable" list captures a broad range of criteria, while the dynamic list ensures only mailable prospects remain, ready for marketing campaigns or platform migration.

Pro Tip

If you have a large database or frequently updated data, consider automating the segmentation process using Pardot’s automation rules or APIs. This ensures your lists stay up-to-date with minimal manual effort, especially during migrations.

With this workaround, you gain greater control over your prospect database and can ensure your campaigns target the right audience while maintaining high deliverability standards!