Use Microsoft Lists for your next marketing campaign (+ video)

Every marketing campaign is one part unique, one part “we’ve done this before and simply need to do it again and again in an organized fashion” – to keep everyone in sync and track what matters most. The main goals are to track up-to-date information, loop in the right people at the right time, and automate as much as possible. It will save you time and improve awareness.

The below video provides context for how Microsoft Lists + Power Automate + Teams helps streamline people + information across date-driven milestones. It’s mostly a demo video, to give you a nudge on how to take advantage of the technology. And then, let technology support you and your fellow marketers.

Based on the above video, let’s hit on the main components with further insight plus links to learn more about each capability.

Start with list templates that come with built-in Power Automate flows

For a marketing campaign, we suggest using the “Content scheduler” template. It’s recently got a powerful update: A built-in Power Automate ‘reminder’ flow. That’s right, it’s configured for you as a part of the common list creation process.

Once you create the list, the flow is automatically configured to send reminder three days in advance of the draft or publish date. And the reminder gets sent to the person you added to the “Author” column. Do nothing and it starts working as soon as you add your first list item. And if you wish to further configure the connected flow, go for it. You’ll find is under the Integrate menu > See your flows – and this will take you directly into the Power Automate flow designer.

Some Microsoft Lists templates have built-in Power Automate flows – like above, the “Content scheduler” template creates a list and a reminder flow automatically.

Learn more how to manage a flow that was created from a Lists template.

Add the list to the active Microsoft Teams marketing campaign channel

Adding information to a list is one thing. Collaborating with others is the thing that moves all things forward. It’s not a new feature and it’s a powerful one. You can use the Lists app in Teams to either create a new list or add an existing one as a tab in a Teams channel.

Once in place, you can start a conversation per list item. Just @mention someone and add context to what you are asking them to do or review. They’ll get a notification, and when they click on the list item from the chat, it’ll take them right to the list item with the chat (and context) side-by-side.

Work with Lists in Microsoft Teams and start conversations tied to individual list items.

Learn more about getting started with Lists in Microsoft Teams.

Create multiple list views to help all your collaborators visualize the information

We know that every marketing campaign involves a bunch of people – from all walks of your organization. Some will want to review the visual elements of the campaign (branding), some will need to review and sign off on all messaging and positioning (PR and legal teams), and some just need to know who’s doing what (product marketing and leadership teams).

So, why not make distinct views of the campaign information tailored for each type of people – so it is customized visually for them to get into the list, see what they need to see, and get out. Thus, consider creating different list views for each group. We’ve got Gallery view for your brand team, Board view for your PR and legal teams, and Calendar view for product marketing and leadership teams.

Create numerous views for your list to help others better visualize the information. Above, you can see Board view - great for managing information across a business process.

At any time, anyone can select whatever view works best for them to visualize the information and progress.

Learn more about creating or changing a view of a list.

Make the list unique with color coding and rules

Your information can speak to you, visually. Just add a little conditional formatting, and when certain criteria are met, the list item (row, column, or view) will adjust accordingly. And if something changes that is important for someone else to know about (each time it happens), write a simple list rule that triggers each time a status updates, or a list item gets reassigned.

Microsoft Lists supports the ability to color-code rows, columns, and views - in a statis fashion or when certain conditions are met.

Learn more about formatting the color or a row or column. And learn how to work with Lists rules.

Last, a tip in one short, near run-on sentence…

Once you’ve created a list that looks just right and works for everyone involved, use the “Create a list from a list” feature to do it all over again in the same prescribed fashion (column structure, color coding, rules, and more) – saving you time to configure, to help get you more quickly to where you want to be – making progress on planning and executing your next marketing campaign.

Learn more about creating a list from an existing list.

Make your marketing process easier for everyone…

Good luck with your next marketing campaign – knowing Microsoft Lists has your back as you plan, collaborate, and execute what matters most.

A summary of value across Microsoft Lists as you use the app in Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, in SharePoint and while on the go with Lists for Android and iOS.

Learn more about Microsoft Lists – visit our Lists resource center and provide feedback on any features or updates you’d like to see in the future.

Cheers, Mark