How To Target Facebook Audience With Email List

If you already have a list of email addresses from potential customers, don’t limit your outreach to just email marketing. Facebook Ads might actually convert them more effectively if you know how to target your audience using an email list.

In this article, we’ll explore how to create a Custom Audience from your email list and use it to run effective Facebook ad campaigns. You'll also learn how to build Lookalike Audiences to expand your reach beyond just your existing leads.

How to Target Facebook Audience with an Email List

An email list is a valuable asset; it's a pool of people who’ve already shown interest in your business. But email marketing doesn’t always deliver the best results. Facebook Ads, on the other hand, can help you improve conversion rates significantly when used with the same list.

You can create a new audience segment without launching an ad, or build one specifically for an ad campaign. Once you’ve set your campaign objective and budget, here’s how to upload and target your email list audience:

Create a Custom Audience from Email List

If you already have a list of customer or lead email addresses, you’re just a few steps away from turning that list into a high-performing Facebook audience. Creating a Custom Audience from your email list allows you to reach people who have already shown interest in your brand making your ads more relevant and likely to convert. Follow the step-by-step instructions below to upload your list and start targeting them on Facebook.

1. Go to Ads Manager and click the Audiences icon.

2. Click Add Audience and choose Custom Audience.

3. Under “Your Source,” select Customer List and click Next.

4. Choose how to upload your email list:

• Option A: Upload an Excel (.csv or .txt) File

  • Paste or upload your list of email addresses.

  • Name your audience and click Next.

  • Make sure your columns are correctly mapped (e.g., the "Email" column is matched with "Email").

  • Click Upload & Create, then Done.

• Option B: Import from MailChimp

  • Log in to your MailChimp account.

  • Select one or more contact lists.

  • Name your audience and click Create Audience.

After creating the custom audience, you can promote to this group by launching an ad campaign and selecting the custom audience as your target audience.

Customer List Format Guidelines

To ensure your list uploads smoothly, follow these best practices:

• File format must be .csv or .txt.
  List should contain at least 100 users.

• Must include at least one primary identifier (email, phone number, etc.).

• Column headers must match Facebook’s accepted identifiers.

Refer to Meta’s official guidelines for details.

How to Update a Custom Audience

After successfully creating a custom audience, you may acquire new customer information. So how can you update this information into the custom audience you previously created? There are two ways to update it: manually or by using a third-party tool.

1. Update Manually

Go to Ads Manager and select the Custom Audience you want to edit. Click Edit, then upload your new list under Add Customers. You can also remove outdated contacts under Remove Customers.

2. Use a Third-Party Tool

Several CRM and ad tech platforms offer seamless syncing between your customer database and Facebook. These tools can automate updates, saving you time and ensuring your ads always reach the most relevant audience.

Create a Lookalike Audience from Email List

We’ve just shown you how to create a custom audience from an email list. Now, here’s how you can create a Lookalike Audience from that custom audience:

Step 1: Go to Ads Manager and click on the Audiences icon.
Step 2: Click Add Audience, then select Lookalike Audience.
Step 3: Choose a Source (Custom Audience): In the “Source” section, select the custom audience you previously created. You can either choose from your existing custom audiences or create a new one if needed.

Step 4: Choose a Location: Select the country or region you want to target.
Step 5: Choose the Audience Size: Facebook allows you to create Lookalike Audiences of varying sizes, usually represented as percentages. The smaller the size (e.g., 1%), the more similar the audience is to your original custom audience.

Step 6: Name and Save your Audience.

Is It Worth Creating Facebook Audiences from an Email List?

Exporting an existing email list and uploading it to Facebook to create a custom audience may sound simple. But does it actually deliver good results when running ads?

Bring Qualified Leads Back

Many advertisers overlook the power of retargeting via email lists. These may be cold leads but they’ve already expressed interest in your product or service, making them easier to convert with Facebook Ads.

Generate New Leads with Lookalike Audiences

Lookalike Audiences allow you to reach new users who share behaviors and interests with your existing email subscribers. Since these new prospects are algorithmically similar, they are also more likely to convert.

Deliver More Effective Ads

Highly targeted ads generally perform better. By targeting users who are already interested (or similar to those who are), Facebook’s algorithm scores your ads higher, leading to better delivery and lower CPM.

Maximize Your Budget

Retargeting warm leads helps stretch your ad dollars further. These users are more likely to take action, so you can scale your budget while maintaining strong ROI.

Conclusion

Your email list isn’t just for newsletters. It’s a goldmine for retargeting and scaling your Facebook Ads.

By uploading your list to create a Custom Audience or expanding your reach with a Lookalike Audience you can turn cold contacts into warm leads and paying customers.

If you need help setting up or optimizing your Facebook Ad campaigns, Luca Marketing Agency is here to help. We’ve supported hundreds of clients in launching thousands of successful campaigns. Feel free to contact us for expert support.