> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.bird.com/applications/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.bird.com/applications/~/changes/SidqSnOUVNHmcp2wkLG7/campaigns/email-campaigns/how-to/send-an-email-campaign.md).
# Send an email campaign
In this guide, we'll walk you through setting up and sending your first email marketing campaign with MessageBird.
### What you'll need
* An installed [Email channel](/applications/~/changes/SidqSnOUVNHmcp2wkLG7/channels/channels/supported-channels/email.md) instance.
* An [Email message template](/applications/~/changes/SidqSnOUVNHmcp2wkLG7/content/email-templates.md).
* A [list](/applications/~/changes/SidqSnOUVNHmcp2wkLG7/audience-and-contacts/lists-and-segments/concepts/lists.md) or [segment](/applications/~/changes/SidqSnOUVNHmcp2wkLG7/audience-and-contacts/lists-and-segments/concepts/segments.md) or customers that have opted-in to receive marketing messages on Email.
### Step one: Set up your Email campaign
1. From the side menu, click **Campaigns**.
2. Click **Create campaign**.
3. In the 'Name' field, enter a name your campaign.
4. Select **Email** as your campaign type.
5. \[Optional] Add any [tags](broken://pages/p1VlWewlbUvd6DxZvpWe) to your campaign.
6. Click **Save and continue**.
### Step two: Choose your recipients
1. From the **Send to** drop-down, select the [list](/applications/~/changes/SidqSnOUVNHmcp2wkLG7/audience-and-contacts/lists-and-segments/concepts/lists.md) or [segment](/applications/~/changes/SidqSnOUVNHmcp2wkLG7/audience-and-contacts/lists-and-segments/concepts/segments.md) you want to send your campaign to. You can select more than one list or segment.
2. \[Optional] If you want to prevent this campaign from being sent to specific customers, use the **Don't send to** dropdown to select the lists or segments that you want to exclude.
3. Click **Continue to content**.
### Step three: Choose your Email sender and your content
1. Use the **Send from** dropdown to choose the Email account that you want to send your campaign from.
2. In the **Sender name** field, enter the name that you want to send your email from.
3. In the **Sender email address** field, enter the email address you want to send your campaign from. The domain name is automatically filled based on the **Send from** email channel you chose.
4. \[Optional] If you want to use a different 'Reply-to' address, uncheck the **Use this as your reply-to address** box, and enter the email address that you want to use in the new field.
5. Use the **Select a template** dropdown to choose the [Email message template](/applications/~/changes/SidqSnOUVNHmcp2wkLG7/content/email-templates.md) that you want to send as your campaign. You'll be able to see a preview of your message.
6. \[Optional] If your message template is localized into more than one language, choose the language that you want to send it in.
7. If there are variables in your template message, map them in the **Template variables** section.
8. \[Optional] Click to set up [A/B testing](/applications/~/changes/SidqSnOUVNHmcp2wkLG7/campaigns/campaigns/how-to/run-an-a-b-test.md) for your campaign.
9. Click **Continue to preview**.
### Step four: Preview and test your campaign
1. Take a look at the preview of your message.
2. Click the **Simulated contact** drop down and search and select for a contact that you want to send a test message to.
3. If the test message recipient has more than one email on their profile, select the email that you want to send to.
4. Click **Send a test message**.
### Step five: Send or schedule your campaign
1. Click **Schedule or send**.
2. To send your campaign now, select the **Send now** option**,** then click **Send**.
3. \[Optional] Click **Schedule** to [send your campaign at a future date and time](/applications/~/changes/SidqSnOUVNHmcp2wkLG7/campaigns/campaigns/how-to/schedule-a-campaign.md).
{% hint style="success" %}
You've just sent your first WhatsApp campaign! Time to sit back, relax, and watch the results roll in.
{% endhint %}
### FAQs
#### I can't send a test message. I'm seeing an error message that says “An error occurred while trying to send the message. Please, try again.”
This might stem from an unhealthy email channel. Visit **Enable Channels** > **Email** and double-click on the channel you want to inspect. If that channel is not healthy, you will see error messages to explain the issues. Once you have addressed these issues, you can try to send your email campaign again.
---
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