How to mail to a static list segment with mailchimp API

Question

Once I've identified identified the email addresses of my list segment (using get_emails() custom function, I am setting up my list segment as follows:

    $batch = get_emails();
    //now create my list segment:
    $api->listStaticSegmentAdd(WEDDING_LIST_ID, 'new_wedding_guests');
    $api->listStaticSegmentMembersAdd(WEDDING_LIST_ID, 'new_wedding_guests', $batch);
    //do I build vars for a campaign?
    $options = array (
      'list_id' => WEDDING_LIST_ID, //What value id's my list segment?
      'subject' => 'Alpha testing.',
      'from_email' => 'wedding@juicywatermelon.com',
      'from_name' => 'Pam & Kellzo',
      'to_name' => $account->name,   
    );

From here can I use a basic campaign and send it?

    $content['text'] = "Some text.";
    $content['html'] = get_link($account);
    $cid = $api->campaignCreate('regular', $options, $content); 
    $result = $api->campaignSendNow($cid);

I'm not sure if I'm understanding the api documentation correctly. I also tried 'list_id' => 'new_wedding_guests'; which failed to create a campaign.

Thanks!

Answer 1

I'll assume this is test code and just make the cursory mention of how you probably don't need to be creating a new Static Segment every time. However, your call to add members is not going to work. Per the listStaticSegmentMembersAdd documentation , you should be passing the static segment id , not the name of it. Also note that the docs cross-reference themselves when input params can come from other calls - that parameter there is a good example (it also happens to be returned by listStaticSegmentAdd ).

Your options for campaignCreate look like a good start. The documentation for it has examples below - those examples are included in the PHP MCAPI wrapper you likely downloaded. As per above, the list_id you need is the one for the list you used in the listStaticSegment calls (also linked in the documentation).

Now the real key - further down in the campaignCreate docs is the segment_opts parameter - that is how you control segmentation. Follow the link it gives you and you'll find tons of info on the ways you can do segmentation, including using a static_segment .

Hopefully all of that made sense, if not, take a step back and check out these links (and play with segmentation in the app), then it should:

Introduction to MailChimp List Management

How can I send to a segment of my list?

Our Release Info on how Static Segments are used