> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kero.chat/help/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Use contacts and segments in campaigns

> Learn how to select contacts or segments as campaign recipients and personalise messages using contact information in Kero.

Contacts and segments help you choose who receives your messaging campaigns in Kero.

You can start a campaign using individually selected contacts or choose an existing segment when setting up a campaign.

You can also use contact fields to personalise messages so that each recipient receives information relevant to them.

## Before you begin

Make sure you have:

* **Contacts** — Recipients with valid mobile numbers stored in your Kero account.
* **A configured Agent** — An Agent for the messaging channel you want to use.
* **A message template** — A template configured for the Agent you intend to send from.
* **Permission to message recipients** — The appropriate consent or other lawful basis for your intended communication.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Contacts and segments belong to the Kero account in which they were created.
>
> If you manage multiple interconnected Kero accounts, make sure you are working in the correct account before preparing your campaign.

## Option 1: Start a campaign with selected contacts

Use this option when you want to send a campaign to specific recipients without creating a segment.

**1. Open Contacts**

From the Kero navigation menu, select **Contacts**.

**2. Select your recipients**

Open **All Contacts** and select the checkbox next to each contact you want to include.

Kero displays the number of selected contacts next to **Search**.

**3. Start the campaign**

Click the **Campaign** icon in the toolbar above the Contacts list.

Kero opens a new campaign with your selected contacts as recipients.

**4. Configure your campaign**

Complete the campaign setup by selecting the relevant Agent and message template.

Continue through the parameter assignment and message review steps.

![Selected contacts in Kero showing the Campaign action in the Contacts toolbar](https://mintcdn.com/kerochat/QFjvkp_lLEi0MSN5/images/contacts/contacts-selected-delete.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=QFjvkp_lLEi0MSN5\&q=85\&s=e507e6dc95aa248418ccd8aa86581990)

> [!TIP]
>
> This approach is useful for one-off communications or smaller groups of recipients who do not need to be organised into a permanent segment.

## Option 2: Send a campaign to a segment

Use this option when you have already organised contacts into a segment.

**1. Open Campaigns**

From the Kero navigation menu, select **Campaigns**.

**2. Start a new campaign**

Click **Start Campaign**.

**3. Enter your campaign details**

Enter a descriptive **Campaign name**.

Select the **Channel Agent** and the **Template** you want to use.

The available templates depend on the Agent you select.

**4. Choose Contacts as your recipient source**

Under the recipient selection options, choose **Contacts**.

**5. Select your segment**

Use **Selected Segment** to choose the segment containing your intended recipients.

**6. Continue**

Click **Next** to proceed to parameter assignment.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Segments are manually managed. They do not automatically update when contact information changes.
>
> Before sending a campaign, make sure the selected segment contains the intended recipients.

### Alternatively, start from the Contacts page

You can also start a campaign directly from a segment:

1. Navigate to **Contacts**.
2. Select the segment from the segment dropdown.
3. Select the contacts you want to include, or use the header checkbox to select all contacts in the displayed list.
4. Click the **Campaign** icon in the toolbar.

Kero opens the campaign setup with the selected contacts.

## Personalise messages using contact fields

Contact information can be used to personalise the messages sent through a campaign.

For example, you might want to address recipients by their first name or include a customer reference.

A message template might contain a parameter such as:

`{{first_name}}`

When preparing the campaign, you map that parameter to the contact field containing each recipient's first name.

Kero uses the mapped information to populate the parameter for each recipient.

You can also use custom contact fields, such as:

* Customer Reference
* Membership Type
* Appointment Date
* School Campus

> [!NOTE]
>
> Creating a custom contact field does not automatically personalise your messages.
>
> The corresponding template parameter must be configured and mapped to the correct contact field during campaign setup.

## Assign contact fields to template parameters

After selecting your recipients and campaign template, Kero displays the **Assign Parameters** step.

**1. Review the available contact information**

Kero displays the contact data available for your selected recipients.

**2. Map the mobile number**

Make sure the column containing recipient mobile numbers is mapped to **Mobile Number**.

**3. Map your template parameters**

Use the dropdown above each relevant column to select the corresponding template parameter.

For example:

* **First Name** → `first_name`
* **Customer Reference** → `customer_reference`

If a column name matches a template parameter, Kero may map it automatically.

**4. Exclude unnecessary columns**

If a column is not needed for the campaign, select **\[none]** for that column.

**5. Continue**

Check that all required parameters are mapped correctly, then click **Next**.

> [!TIP]
>
> Use consistent names for your custom contact fields and template parameters. This makes it easier to recognise the correct mappings when preparing campaigns.

## Review recipients and personalised messages

Before submitting your campaign, Kero displays a summary of the messages that will be sent.

**1. Review the campaign summary**

Check the recipients and message information displayed under **Campaign Summary**.

**2. Preview an individual message**

Select a recipient from the list to view their personalised message under **Message Preview**.

**3. Check the personalised information**

Confirm that names, references and other mapped values appear correctly.

Also check that the intended message template and Agent have been selected.

**4. Submit or schedule**

Once you are satisfied with the campaign, click **Submit** to send it or **Schedule** if you configured a future sending date and time.

> [!WARNING]
>
> Clicking **Submit** starts sending the campaign immediately.
>
> If you have scheduled the campaign, Kero sends it at the configured time.
>
> Review your recipient selection and personalised message previews carefully before confirming.

## Good practices for selecting campaign recipients

* **Review your segments.** Check segment membership before preparing recurring campaigns.
* **Keep contact information current.** Correct outdated mobile numbers and other details.
* **Check parameter mappings.** Make sure personalised information is drawn from the correct fields.
* **Preview individual messages.** Verify that the final message contains the intended information.
* **Respect communication preferences.** Send messages only where you have the appropriate consent or other lawful basis.
* **Check the selected account.** Make sure the recipients belong to the Kero account from which you intend to send.

> [!TIP]
>
> If you regularly communicate with the same group of recipients, consider creating a segment rather than selecting those contacts individually for every campaign.


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