--- title: Creating a test email list description: Send yourself a copy of your email campaign to see how it will appear to clients and prospects --- [Skip to content](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/creating-a-test-email-list#main-content) [Contact Support](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Contact Support](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/kb-tickets/new) Welcome! What can we help you learn today? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Knowledge Base](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Sending Emails](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sending-emails?hsLang=en) 3. [Getting Started with Email](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sending-emails?hsLang=en#getting-started-with-email) # Creating a test email list ## Send yourself a copy of your email campaign to see how it will appear to clients and prospects It's important to set up and use a test list to see how your emails will appear, *before* you send them to your contact lists. ### How to create a test email list We use "network" and "email list" interchangeably in this article.     Log in and go to [Manage Networks.](https://butterflypublisher.com/b/networks.php) ![](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-11-04%20at%204-33-57%20PM-png.png?width=170&name=Screen%20Shot%202020-11-04%20at%204-33-57%20PM-png.png)   Under **Email,** select "Create Email List" ![Screen Shot 2020-11-04 at 4.38.27 PM](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-11-04%20at%204.38.27%20PM.png?width=173&name=Screen%20Shot%202020-11-04%20at%204.38.27%20PM.png)   On the next page, **check the box that says "This network is for testing purposes only."** This will ensure that opens and clicks from your test emails will not be included in reporting.  ![](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-11-10%20at%205-07-31%20PM-png.png?width=319&name=Screen%20Shot%202020-11-10%20at%205-07-31%20PM-png.png)   Give your network a name, and click **Save. ** ![](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-11-04%20at%204-56-35%20PM-png.png) #### Add contacts to your test email list Go to Contacts \>[Import Contacts](https://butterflypublisher.com/b/import.php) ![](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-11-04%20at%204-51-00%20PM-png.png)   **Select your test email list** from the dropdown menu. ![Screen Shot 2020-11-04 at 4.53.43 PM](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-11-04%20at%204.53.43%20PM.png?width=510&name=Screen%20Shot%202020-11-04%20at%204.53.43%20PM.png)   Choose the **copy/paste import method,** and add your desired email address(es). It's a good idea to add a work and personal email, and maybe a colleague's email address for a second opinion. ![Screen Shot 2020-11-04 at 4.59.23 PM](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-11-04%20at%204.59.23%20PM.png?width=298&name=Screen%20Shot%202020-11-04%20at%204.59.23%20PM.png)   Click **Submit Import. ** **![Screen Shot 2020-11-04 at 5.01.15 PM](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-11-04%20at%205.01.15%20PM.png?width=131&name=Screen%20Shot%202020-11-04%20at%205.01.15%20PM.png)** ### **Send an email to your test list** From any of your selected content channels, choose an Email This item (email template). Click **Email This. ** **![Screen Shot 2020-11-10 at 4.41.10 PM](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-11-10%20at%204.41.10%20PM.png?width=170&name=Screen%20Shot%202020-11-10%20at%204.41.10%20PM.png)** Under Publish To, **select your test email list. ** ![](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-11-10%20at%204-43-07%20PM-png.png)   **Click post** to send the email to your test list. Review and **confirm** on the next page.  ![Screen Shot 2020-11-10 at 4.43.26 PM](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-11-10%20at%204.43.26%20PM.png?width=67&name=Screen%20Shot%202020-11-10%20at%204.43.26%20PM.png) #### Ready to send the email to your contact lists?  **Make sure you review and proofread the test email** in your inbox before sending to your contacts! Remember to check the sender, reply-to address, subject line, and body text of the email.    Go to Content \> [Posted Content.](https://butterflypublisher.com/b/content_dashboard.php?tab=0&tab_nav=nav_history_source) ![Screen Shot 2020-11-10 at 4.49.30 PM](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-11-10%20at%204.49.30%20PM.png?width=213&name=Screen%20Shot%202020-11-10%20at%204.49.30%20PM.png)   Find the email that you sent to yourself as a test.   **Click on the double-paper icon to Copy and Re-post the email. ** **![Screen Shot 2020-11-10 at 4.50.32 PM](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-11-10%20at%204.50.32%20PM.png?width=204&name=Screen%20Shot%202020-11-10%20at%204.50.32%20PM.png)**   Make any desired edits to the email body, subject line, reply-to address, etc. Then, **select your contact lists under Publish To,** and schedule or send your email!   After you send your first email campaign, check your [Activity by Email report](https://butterflypublisher.com/b/reporting_email.php?gather_input=1)for information on recipients, opens, clicks, and more.        - [Getting Started](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Featured](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#featured) - [Account Management](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#account-management) - [Channels and Content](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#channels-and-content) - [Webinar Series and Quick Tip Videos](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/webinar-series-and-quick-tip-videos?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Getting Started Videos](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/webinar-series-and-quick-tip-videos?hsLang=en#getting-started-videos) - [Quick Tip Videos](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/webinar-series-and-quick-tip-videos?hsLang=en#quick-tip-videos) - [powered by PartnerOn](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/webinar-series-and-quick-tip-videos?hsLang=en#powered-by-partneron) - [Paths to Success](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/webinar-series-and-quick-tip-videos?hsLang=en#paths-to-success) - [Sharing to Social Media](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sharing-to-social-media?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Social Media How-Tos](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sharing-to-social-media?hsLang=en#social-media-how-tos) - [Social Media FAQs](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sharing-to-social-media?hsLang=en#social-media-faqs) - [Sharing to your Blog or Website](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sharing-to-your-blog-or-website?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Microsite](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sharing-to-your-blog-or-website?hsLang=en#microsite) - [WordPress](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sharing-to-your-blog-or-website?hsLang=en#wordpress) - [Sending Emails](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sending-emails?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Getting Started with Email](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sending-emails?hsLang=en#getting-started-with-email) - [Email Network Connections](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sending-emails?hsLang=en#email-network-connections) - [Customizing your Emails](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sending-emails?hsLang=en#customizing-your-emails) - [Email FAQs and Troubleshooting](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sending-emails?hsLang=en#email-faqs-and-troubleshooting) - [Lead Management and Promotions](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/lead-management-and-promotions?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Manage Leads and Opportunities](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/lead-management-and-promotions?hsLang=en#manage-leads-and-opportunities) - [CRM Integrations](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/lead-management-and-promotions?hsLang=en#crm-integrations) - [Gated Content and Promotions](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/lead-management-and-promotions?hsLang=en#gated-content-and-promotions) - [Buy Signal](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/lead-management-and-promotions?hsLang=en#buy-signal) - [Leads and Purchase Intent](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/leads-and-purchase-intent?hsLang=en) - [Contact Support](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/contact-support?hsLang=en) - [Sharing your Content](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sharing-your-content?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Social Media Tips](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sharing-your-content?hsLang=en#social-media-tips) [![Chill listening crop-3](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/hs-fs/hubfs/contentmx_logo_transparent_trace-3.png?width=154&height=24&name=contentmx_logo_transparent_trace-3.png "Chill listening crop-3")](https://www.contentmx.com) Knowledge Base Copyright © 2026, Powered by ContentMX