Dynamic vs. Static Lists: Which One Should You Use for Your Email Campaigns?

Running a successful Housecall Pro marketing campaign starts with one ultra-important thing: knowing who you’re talking to. Be it a one-time promo or an automated follow-up flow, you need to be sending your content out to the right contacts. This way, you can ensure your message hits the right (receptive) inboxes. 

Dynamic and static lists each serve different email strategies. With Housecall Pro email marketing tools, it’s easy to pick the one that fits your workflow. No guesswork required. Here’s how to choose the best one for your goals and set your email marketing campaign up for success.

What are dynamic lists?

Dynamic lists update automatically based on the filters you set, like customer status, job type, or last service date. They’re constantly changing with your customer base. Add a new customer who fits your criteria? They’re added to the list. Have someone who no longer qualifies? They’re removed without requiring manual updates from you.

This is especially useful for pros who want to:

• Send ongoing service reminders
• Follow up based on service windows
• Target customers with recurring needs

These lists save you time by keeping your campaigns current without extra work. Instead of rebuilding lists every time, you set your filters once. After that, the right contacts are always included. 

In Housecall Pro, lists default to dynamic when you build an automated Campaign flow. This means that your list always stays current and your outreach game remains on point.

What are static lists?

Static lists are precisely what they sound like: unchanging. They don’t change unless you change them manually. Think of them as a snapshot in time. Once you create the list, it’ll stay the same, even if customer details change. 

These lists are great for:

• One-time promotions
• Seasonal announcements
• Targeting a specific group of customers for a limited offer

With static lists, you’re in full control. You decide exactly who gets included—and who doesn’t. This makes them a smart fit when you’re sending highly targeted or time-sensitive messages.

When you send a one-time email in Housecall Pro, your list is automatically set to static. 

When should you use each type of list?

Dynamic and static lists each support different goals, depending on how and when you want to engage your customers. Dynamic lists tend to be best for ongoing campaigns that benefit from automation and real-time updates, while static lists are best for one-time or highly targeted messages. 

Use dynamic lists when:

• You’re running an ongoing campaign
• You want your list to update in real time
• You need automation to save time and reduce manual errors

Use static lists when:

• You want full control over exactly who gets the message
• You’re running a short-term or one-time campaign
• You’re following up with a specific set of past customers

Housecall Pro makes it easy to choose either list type depending on your email objective: dynamic for flows, static for one-time sends. All within your regular workflow and in a convenient mobile app.

How do these lists impact your campaigns?

The list you choose will directly impact how effective your email campaign is. Using the right type helps make sure your messages reach the right people at the right time, all with little effort from you. Your pick can:

• Improve accuracy: Because dynamic lists pull real-time data based on filters you set, they reflect your most current customer information.
  
• Gain control: Static lists are manually curated, which means you’ll have full oversight of exactly who gets your message.
  
• Save time: Dynamic lists save you time spent on repetitive tasks by automatically updating as customers meet or exit your criteria.
  
• Reduce churn: Sending out customer retention emails at the right time helps you stay top of mind and build loyalty over the long run.

Best practices for using lists in Campaigns

Once you know which type of list works best for your campaign, the next step is making it work for you. You don’t need to be a marketing expert. Just a few simple habits can help your emails land better and garner more responses. 

Whether you’re setting up a recurring follow-up or sending out a seasonal promo, these quick tips will help you stay sharp and save time inside Housecall Pro:

• Set clear filters for dynamic lists: Be definitive about who you want to target. Use specific criteria, like job type, service date, or customer status, to make sure you’re focusing your efforts on the right people.
   
• Keep static lists fresh: Just because these lists don’t change on their own doesn’t mean they should forever stay the same. Revisit your static lists regularly to confirm they still match your current goals or audience.
   
• Use both list types strategically: Each list type has its place. For example, you might start with a dynamic list to automate broad outreach, then segment a static list to fine-tune follow-up messages.
  
• Run a test send before launch: Once you send your email, you can’t change it. So, always preview your emails or SMS with a small group to catch little errors and confirm your messaging lands as expected. 

Try Housecall Pro Campaigns to grow your business

You don’t need to add yet another app to your business lineup to figure out email marketing. With Housecall Pro marketing automation built right into your workflow, sending smarter messages is simple. 

Housecall Pro email marketing tools make it easy to stay in touch with the right customers at the right time. Whether you’re sending reminders, running promotions, or following up after a job, Campaigns helps you keep your communication consistent and effective. 

Everything runs right from the same app you already use to schedule jobs, send invoices, and take payments. That means less time switching tools and more time growing your customer base. 
Start sending smarter messages and grow your business with Housecall Pro Campaigns.

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