Lists
Organize contacts already in your workspace into smart or static lists, apply Codex playbooks, and prepare cohorts for outreach in your connected platform (Reply, Snov, Apollo, etc.). Lists do not run sequences.
By Sebastian StreiffertPublished Jan 10, 2026Updated May 29, 20266 min read
What Are Lists?
Lists are flexible groupings of contacts that let you organize people beyond the default filters. You can create a list called "Q1 Outreach Targets", add 50 contacts, then message them (using your favorite outreach platform), track their engagement, or export them for a campaign. When the quarter ends, archive it and build the next one.
Unlike filters (which show contacts matching criteria at a point in time), lists are persistent collections. A contact stays on a list until you remove them, regardless of whether they still match the criteria you originally used to find them.
Common Use Cases
Why bother with lists when you already have filters and stages? Here are the scenarios where lists prove their value:
Campaign Targeting
Event Follow-up
ABM Focus Lists
Suppression Lists
Creating a List
Building a new list takes about 30 seconds. Navigate to Lists in the sidebar, click "Create List," and give it a descriptive name. Be specific. "Webinar Attendees Dec 2024" beats "Marketing List" every time.
List Settings
| Setting | Purpose | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Identifies the list in dropdowns and views | Use dates or campaign names for clarity |
| Description | Explains the list's purpose to teammates | Include criteria used to build it |
| Owner | Who manages and maintains the list | Assign to the person running the campaign |
| Visibility | Who can view and use the list | Team-wide for shared campaigns |
After creation, your list is empty. Time to add contacts.
Adding Contacts to Lists
You have three ways to populate a list, each suited to different workflows:
Method 1: Manual Selection
From any contacts view, select individual contacts using the checkboxes, then click "Add to List" from the bulk actions menu. Good for small, hand-picked groups.
Method 2: Filter and Add
Apply filters to narrow down contacts (industry, LumenScore, location, etc.), then use "Select All" to add the entire filtered set. This is the most common approach for campaign lists.
- Navigate to Contacts and apply your desired filters
- Click the checkbox in the header to select all visible contacts
- Choose 'Add to List' from the bulk actions menu
- Select your target list or create a new one inline
Method 3: Import Directly
When importing contacts from CSV or Excel, you can assign them to a list during the import process. Check the "Add to List" option in the import wizard and select your target list. Useful when you receive a file from an event or partner.
Working With List Members
Once your list has contacts, you can view, filter, and take action on them as a group.
Viewing List Contents
Click on a list name to see all its members. The view looks identical to the standard contacts table, with full access to sorting, filtering, and column customization. The difference? Only contacts on this list appear.
Filtering Within a List
Apply additional filters to a list view. Want to see only the engaged contacts on your "Trade Show Leads" list? Filter by LumenScore or last activity date. These filters do not modify the list itself; they just narrow what you see.
Removing Contacts
Select contacts and choose "Remove from List" in the bulk actions. The contacts still exist in your CRM. They just leave this particular grouping.
Lists and Campaigns
The real power of lists emerges when you connect them to outreach activities (via integrations like Reply.io, Apollo, or your favorite outreach platform). Here is how teams typically use lists in their campaigns:
| Workflow | How Lists Help |
|---|---|
| Email sequences | Export list to your email tool, or sync via Zapier integration |
| Call blitzes | Assign list to a rep, they work through it in order |
| Event invitations | Track who was invited, who attended, who followed up |
| ABM coordination | Multiple reps target different contacts at the same accounts |
| Re-engagement | Group cold contacts for a nurture campaign |
List Analytics
Lumenbase tracks basic metrics for each list, helping you understand engagement and conversion over time.
Available Metrics
- Total contacts: Current list size
- Average LumenScore: Quality indicator for the group
- Engaged rate: Percentage with recent activity
- Conversion rate: Contacts who became deals (if you track deal creation)
These metrics update in real time. If a contact on your list opens an email or books a meeting, their LumenScore adjusts, and the list average reflects the change.
Segmentation Best Practices
These patterns tend to produce the best results:
- Name lists descriptively. "Enterprise SaaS CFOs - Jan Outreach" tells you exactly what you are looking at six months later.
- Keep lists focused. A list of 5,000 contacts is really just another way to look at your entire database. Aim for targeted groups under 500.
- Document your criteria. Use the description field to note how you built the list. Future you will appreciate it.
- Archive, do not delete. Campaign history has value. Archived lists stay accessible but do not clutter your active list view.
- Review periodically. Stale lists create confusion. Set a quarterly reminder to archive or update lists older than 90 days.
Quick Reference
Lumenbase 101 · Step 5 of 8
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