A message went to more (or different) people than I meant
Outreach only understands some filters. If a filter didn't carry over, the audience falls back to a bigger group. Here's how to check before sending — and what to do after.
- 1
Read the "Audience:" line
At the top of Outreach, "Audience:" shows exactly what's used, for example "seg: openpledge", or "All donors", with the number of people.
The Audience line is just above this box. - 2
Know what carries over from People
"Message these … people" on the People page only brings the search words, tag, the ready-made views on the left (like "Owes on a commitment"), city and a few others. Filters from the Filters panel like "Owes at least", "Gave to campaign(s)" or "No gift since" don't carry over.
This link carries only some filters. - 3
Use ticked people for exact lists
For an exact list, tick the people on People and press "Message" (up to 300), or give them a tag and choose that tag in Outreach.
Ticked people go exactly as chosen. - 4
Check the count before sending
The number in "Before you send" and on the confirmation box ("Send to … donors now") must match what you expect. If not, stop.
The final count. - 5
If it already went
A message can't be called back. If needed, send a short correction to the same group. Look at Outreach → "Recent messages" to see who got it.
Recent messages shows who got it.
Tips
- Tags are the safest way to send to an exact group again and again.
- Opted-out people are never included, whatever the audience.
If something isn't working
The audience says "All donors" but I picked a filter on People.
That filter doesn't carry over. Choose the group in Outreach's own boxes, or tag the people first.
I need "gave to campaign X" in Outreach.
On People filter by the campaign, tick everyone ("Select"), add a tag, then choose that tag in Outreach.
Still stuck after all these checks?
Press the help button and ask Yahiv, or write to Yahiv support with what you tried and a screenshot. Nobody minds — that's what support is for.