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How to build a Subscriber list using the Contact Information question
How to build a Subscriber list using the Contact Information question

Prompt participants to submit their contact info to a subscriber list

McKenzie avatar
Written by McKenzie
Updated over a week ago

Subscriber lists require participants to opt-in, meaning you will have their permission to contact them. You can create text or email campaigns to send them updates or information about a project or initiative they are interested in, including email newsletters.

Please note:

  • Outbound emails (other than replies) can only be sent by PublicInput accounts with the Contact license.

  • Outbound text messaging rates apply.


There are 2 ways to create a subscriber list:

  • Create a project and use the project's default subscriber list
    automatically created - empty until the project receives subscriptions

  • Create a List on the Email & Text page
    separate from a specific project - this list may be a new, empty list, or a previously uploaded list that you'd like to add additional subscribers to.


2 ways to request subscribers:

Once you've decided which type of list to use, you can now set up the subscriber call-to-action. For this, you can opt to:

Optional fields to collect and/or require:

  • Name (single field or 2 field options)

  • Email

  • Phone

  • Address

  • Zip

  • any custom fields that have been added to the organization

You may opt to customize the order of these fields (drag & drop reorder.)

Optional fields to collect and/or require:

  • Name (1 field)

  • Email

  • Phone

  • Address

  • Zip

Fields cannot be reordered.

  • Can be linked to any list

  • Optional explainer text

  • Allows for optional email template automation

  • optional post-submission redirect URL on submit

  • Can be linked to any list

  • Can be embedded in any web page or a PublicInput project via iframe

  • offers 2 signup formats

  • optional post-submission redirect URL on submit

Note: It is not best practice to require ALL fields.
Some individuals may not have a phone or email to share, but could be excluded from subscribing if both fields are requested and required.


Contact Information question

  1. Open the project and head to the Page & Survey tab.

  2. Scroll down to the Survey Questions and Dynamic Content section, and click the green Add Question button:

  3. The Create a new question window will appear. Scroll down to the Participant Information section and choose the Contact Information question:

  4. In the question window, enter your prompt or question. You can change this later if needed. Click Continue:

  5. Click the drop-down menu under "Store these contacts in a list".
    This project's default list will be selected, but you may select a different list here, or later.
    Click Continue:

  6. The full Contact Information question window will allow you to edit the question wording or change the list (if needed), and select the data fields to be collected.
    Check the box in the blue Show column in the row next to the field(s) you'd like to collect. If you want to require a field, check the box in the red *Require column.

    *Reminder: it is not best practice to require all fields.

  7. Contact Information Question tabs (within the question editor):

    1. Opt-In:
      Check the Show opt-in checkbox if you are asking the participant to subscribe to a list:

      You may opt to customize the opt-in checkbox wording.

    2. Participant tab:
      For "Whose contact info is this?" – the Participant's contact information button will be selected by default:

    3. Privacy:
      Optional privacy tool tip:

    4. On Submit:

      You can opt to assign an email campaign under the On Submit tab.
      You will first need to create an email template before linking it to the Contact Information question.
      The subscriber (participant) will receive the templated email upon submitting their information to the specified subscriber list.

  8. You can opt to further customize the question via the Advanced Options button, or close the Contact Information question window.

On the live survey or project page, the subscriber (participant) will enter their email address and click Submit:


Embedded signup forms

Check out the article here!

Embedded signups can be added to any website where you can embed the code with an iframe.


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