Segments provide a way to select and filter your lists based on any field in the system. You can use data views to further pare down, or segment, who you’re communicating with in a particular list. They can be global to all lists or unique to a specific list. When using the Communication Wizard, after selecting a communication list, you can add any segments you want to use to filter that list. For example, if you only want the communication to be sent to members who are age 35 or older, you’d select the segments “Members” and “35 and older”. (More on that in the next section.)

It's important that you think through your list strategy. A smart use of segments can cut down on the number of lists you will need.

For The Communication Wizard v1:

Data views can be created, modified and deleted in the Communications Segments category of the Data Views screen, located at Tools > Data Views. For more information about data views, see the Filtering Using Data Views section of the Taking Off with Reporting manual.

For The Communication Wizard v2:

Create new Personalization Segments in Admin Tools > CMS > Personalization Segments. Just be sure the segment’s category matches the Personalization Segment Category specified in the block settings. For more details on working with segments, check out the Personalization Segments chapter of the Designing and Building Websites Using Rock guide.

OK, now for the fun part. Let’s look at how to actually use the Communication Wizard.