How to build and manage calling lists in Orum for targeted outreach

If you’re running outbound sales or managing a team, you already know that calling lists can make or break your results. Random lists = random outcomes. This guide is for anyone using Orum (that’s Orum) who wants clear, no-nonsense steps to build and manage calling lists that actually get you in front of the right people, not just anyone with a phone number.

Let’s walk through how to build, clean up, and use calling lists in Orum—plus a few honest notes on what not to waste time on.

1. Get Your Data Together (Don’t Skip This Step)

Before you even log in to Orum, start with your data. It’s tempting to just export a list from your CRM and call it a day, but that’s asking for frustration.

What you really need:

  • Clean, up-to-date contact info: Bad numbers and old job titles waste time. Scrub your list first.
  • Key fields: Name, company, phone number, role, and any segmentation data (industry, region, etc.) you’ll want to filter by.
  • Clear targeting: Who exactly are you trying to reach? Don’t be vague—write it down. “VPs of Marketing at SaaS companies with >50 employees” is a real target. “Decision makers” is not.

Pro Tip:
Don’t trust vendor lists blindly. Even the “verified” ones are full of duds. Always spot-check a sample yourself.

2. Format Your List for Orum

Orum lets you import lists via CSV, or connect directly to some CRMs (like Salesforce, HubSpot, Outreach, and Salesloft). Either way, your data needs to be in shape.

If you’re uploading a CSV:

  • Make sure your first row is headers with no weird characters.
  • Phone numbers should include country code (e.g., +1 for US numbers).
  • Avoid empty rows or columns.
  • Remove duplicates (Orum won’t always catch these for you).

If you’re connecting a CRM:

  • Check which fields Orum pulls in by default.
  • Clean up your CRM data first—Orum can’t work miracles with messy records.
  • Create saved views or reports for the segments you want. Don’t just sync your whole database.

What to ignore:
Don’t waste time color-coding your spreadsheet or adding “notes” columns. Orum’s dialer won’t use them, and they clutter things up.

3. Importing Your List into Orum

Here’s how to get your list into Orum without the headaches:

A. CSV Upload

  1. Log in to Orum.
  2. Go to the “Lists” or “Call Lists” section (names change, but it’s obvious).
  3. Click “Upload CSV.”
  4. Map your columns—Orum will ask you which columns match which fields. Double-check phone numbers and names.
  5. Name your list something obvious (“Q3 SaaS VPs – East Coast” beats “List 7”).

B. CRM Integration

  1. Connect Orum to your CRM using the integration settings.
  2. Choose which objects/fields to sync (don’t just dump everything).
  3. Pull in a saved view or report for your target segment.
  4. Confirm that fields are mapping correctly—especially phone number types (office, mobile, direct).

Common Pitfalls:

  • Orum sometimes misses “extension” fields. If you need to dial extensions, make sure they’re in the right format.
  • If you see a bunch of errors after upload, it’s almost always a formatting issue in your CSV. Open it in Google Sheets and export as a clean CSV to fix most problems.

4. List Segmentation: The Difference-Maker

Don’t just upload one mega-list and call it a day. That’s a fast track to getting ignored.

Segment your lists by:

  • Persona (title, function, seniority)
  • Industry
  • Geographic region/time zone
  • Account tier (target accounts vs. everyone else)
  • Anything else that impacts your script or approach

Why bother? - You can tailor your call openings and talk tracks. - It’s way easier to track what’s working (and what isn’t). - You’ll avoid calling California at 8am Eastern.

How to do it in Orum: - Upload separate lists, or use Orum’s filtering features after import. - If your CRM integration supports it, sync just the segment you want.

Reality check:
You don’t need a million micro-lists, but splitting by a couple of key factors (like region and persona) makes a huge difference.

5. Managing and Cleaning Calling Lists in Orum

Once your lists are in, managing them is where you’ll actually save time (and sanity).

Best practices:

  • Archive old lists: Don’t keep dialing stale leads. If a list is over a quarter old and hasn’t worked, set it aside.
  • Regularly update your data: Pull new lists from your CRM or enrichment tool at least once a month.
  • Remove “bad” numbers: Orum will flag disconnected lines and wrong numbers. Export these and clean them out of your CRM too.
  • Track connect rates: If a list has a terrible connect rate, dig into why. Is it bad data? Wrong time zone? The wrong persona?

Ignore this:
Don’t obsess over “list engagement scores” or other vanity metrics. Focus on connects, conversations, and meetings booked.

6. Using Lists for Targeted Outreach: Workflows That Actually Work

It’s not just about having a list—it’s about how you use it.

A simple, effective workflow:

  1. Pick your list for the day (based on campaign, segment, or time zone).
  2. Set up your call script(s) in Orum to match the list’s persona. Don’t use generic openers.
  3. Dial in short bursts—quality matters more than blasting through 500 names.
  4. Take notes as you go—Orum lets you log call outcomes. Use “Disqualified,” “Follow Up,” etc. Don’t just smash “No Answer.”
  5. Move contacts out of the list as you finish with them (booked, disqualified, etc.). This keeps your list tight and relevant.
  6. Review your results after each session. Are you getting connects? Are you talking to the right people?

Pro Tip:
If you’re calling into a new segment or industry, try a small batch first. Tweak your script based on real conversations before scaling up.

7. Troubleshooting: When Things Go Sideways

Even with the best prep, you’ll hit snags. Here’s what to watch for:

  • Low connect rates? Check if your numbers are being flagged as spam, or if you’re calling at the wrong times.
  • Lots of “bad” numbers? Your data source needs work—don’t blame Orum for garbage in, garbage out.
  • Not seeing the right contacts? Double-check your filters and field mapping.
  • Calls dropping or failing? Sometimes it’s Orum, sometimes it’s your internet. Test with a small, known-good list.

What’s mostly hype:
Don’t expect Orum (or any dialer) to magically “triple your meetings.” It makes calling faster, not better. Good lists and good messaging are still on you.

8. Keep It Simple—and Iterate

Building and managing calling lists in Orum isn’t rocket science, but it’s easy to overcomplicate. Get your data clean, segment by what matters, and don’t be afraid to prune bad lists. Most importantly, review what’s working and change what isn’t—don’t just keep dialing the same old list hoping for a different result.

The best reps (and teams) keep things simple, adjust often, and focus on real conversations—not vanity metrics. Give yourself permission to tweak and test. That’s how you turn a list into actual pipeline.