Mail merge sort by categories and / or user defined fields?

[Barnet]

Hi,

I'd like to use mail merge and sort my contacts either by specific
categories (preferred) or by a user defined field, for example, a yes/no
field.

I don't see categories as options for sorting in mail merge. I created a
yes/no field for my business contacts, but this did not show up in the mail
merge sort options either.

Thanks in advance for whatever help you might offer.

 

[whkratz]

Try setting up a Search Folder that filters on the category or categories
that you want. Then set up a Mail Merge Marketing Campaign based on the
Search Folder. Hope that helps.

Best Regards.....Bill Kratz

 

[Barnet]

Thanks Bill,
I'm very new to BCM so forgive me if I'm missing something... it looks like
Search Folders are for email items, not contacts.

I want to divide my business contacts into two groups: one that will go to
mail merge lists, and one that will not. I want to mark the mail merge group
list in some way, and figured I would sort on a field. I first thought of
categories but they are apparently not searchable. Then I tried to create a
custom field, but that didn't show up either.

Can you explain how a search folder would help me do this? Or if not, how I
might do what I need to do?

Thanks,

Barnet

 

[afishionada]

I too am a novice here but couldn't you set up two distribution lists (
Action - New Distribution List). Then you could use Mail merge or if you were
just emailing I put myself in the to: box and CCB the distribution list so
each recipient only can see that you and he/her received the message.

 

[whkratz]

Hi Barnet -- Search Folders (at least in BCM 2007) are for Business Contacts,
Accounts, Opportunities... Right-click on the BCM Search Folders parent
folder, and select New Search Folder. In the New Search Folder window, you
can select, via the dropdown, the type of Items to include in the your Search
Folder. Hope that helps some more.

Best Regards.....Bill Kratz

 

[Barnet]

Hi Bill,

Thanks so much, this did the trick!

Barnet