If you’re managing a list of leads in Snov, you know how quickly things can spiral out of control. Maybe you dumped in a bunch of contacts and now can’t remember who’s who, or you’re sending the same generic email to everyone and hearing crickets. If you want to get real results, you’ve got to get organized and actually segment your leads. This guide is for anyone who wants to stop wasting time and start running outreach that works.
Below, I’ll walk you through the nuts and bolts of organizing and segmenting leads in Snov. I’ll cover what matters, what doesn’t, and how to avoid spinning your wheels with features that sound cool but rarely help.
Step 1: Get Your Leads Into Snov (the Right Way)
Before you can organize anything, you need your leads in the system. Snov gives you a few ways to do this:
- Manual entry: Good for one-off leads or very small batches. Tedious beyond a handful.
- CSV import: The best option if you’ve got a list somewhere else (like a spreadsheet or another tool). Clean up your data first—remove duplicates and junk columns.
- Browser extension: Handy if you’re scraping leads from LinkedIn or company websites. Just don’t get carried away and import a bunch of unqualified contacts.
- API integration: For the tech-savvy or larger teams. If you don’t know what this means, skip it.
Pro tip: Before you hit “import,” label your columns clearly (e.g., “Company,” “Title,” “Industry”). Snov will map these to its fields, and clean data up front saves you tons of hassle later.
Step 2: Set Up Lead Lists—But Don’t Overcomplicate It
Snov organizes leads into “lists.” Think of them as simple folders. You can create as many as you want, but more isn’t always better. Here’s what works:
- Start broad: Use lists for high-level buckets (e.g., “Marketing Agencies,” “SaaS Startups,” “Follow Up”).
- Avoid micro-lists: Don’t make a new list for every tiny category (“Agencies in Ohio with 5-10 employees”). You’ll lose track and waste time clicking around.
- Archive dead lists: If a segment goes cold, archive it so your workspace isn’t cluttered.
How to make a list:
In Snov, hit the “Leads” tab, click “Create List,” and give it a name. You can move leads between lists anytime, so don’t worry about getting it perfect up front.
Step 3: Use Custom Fields to Tag and Track What Matters
Snov comes with some basic fields (name, email, company, etc.), but custom fields are where real segmentation happens.
How to use custom fields:
- Create fields that match your outreach goals. For example: “Lead Source,” “Interest Level,” “Product Fit,” “Last Contacted.”
- Keep it simple. You don’t need 10 custom fields. Two or three that actually help you decide who to contact (and how) are enough.
- Update as you go. Whenever you learn something new about a lead, update their custom fields. This is what makes segmentation actually useful.
To add a custom field:
Go to “Settings” → “Custom Fields.” Add a new field (dropdowns, text, checkbox—whatever fits). You’ll see these fields on every lead’s profile.
What not to do: Don’t add fields just because you can. “Middle Name” and “Favorite Snack” might sound fun, but you’ll never use them.
Step 4: Segment Leads Using Filters and Tags
Now that your leads are in lists and tagged with useful fields, you can actually segment them for targeted outreach.
Filtering in Snov:
- Use the filter bar at the top of your leads list.
- Filter by any field—custom or default. For example: “Industry = SaaS” AND “Interest Level = Warm.”
- Save filter views if you find yourself running the same searches often.
Tags vs. Lists:
- Tags are flexible—use them for temporary groupings (“Webinar Registrant,” “Q2 Event”).
- Lists are more permanent buckets. Don’t use tags as your main way to organize; they get messy fast.
What actually works:
Combining filters, lists, and tags lets you slice your data however you want. But don’t try to create a “perfect” tagging system right away. Let your actual outreach process guide what you need.
Step 5: Prioritize and Clean Up Regularly
Even the best system falls apart if you never clean it up. Here’s what to do:
- Archive or delete stale leads: If someone hasn’t responded in 6+ months and isn’t opening your emails, move them out of your main lists.
- Update fields after every interaction: Did you get a reply? Change “Interest Level” to “Hot.” Got a bounce? Mark as “Invalid.”
- Review your lists: Once a month, look over your lists and tags. Kill what you don’t use.
Pro tip: Don’t let “cleaning up leads” become a procrastination tool. Five minutes at the end of your outreach session is plenty.
Step 6: Build Segmented Campaigns (Not Spam Blasts)
Now for the whole point: using your organized, segmented leads for better outreach.
- Create campaigns for each segment. Use your filters to select, say, “Decision Makers at SaaS Companies who attended our webinar.”
- Write targeted emails. Generic templates get ignored. Use merge fields to personalize, but don’t overdo it (“Hi {First Name}, I see you’re a {Title} at {Company}” is fine; referencing someone’s college mascot is weird).
- Test and iterate. If a segment doesn’t respond, try a different approach or break it into smaller groups.
What not to do:
Don’t blast your entire database with the same pitch. It’s tempting, but you’ll burn your list and annoy good leads.
Step 7: Ignore the Shiny Features (Unless They Actually Help)
Snov has a bunch of bells and whistles—email verifier, drip campaigns, tracking, even some basic CRM stuff. Use what helps, ignore what doesn’t.
- Email verification: Useful if you’re worried about bounce rates. Otherwise, not critical for small, hand-built lists.
- CRM features: Fine for basic tracking, but don’t expect a full Salesforce replacement.
- Enrichment tools: Sometimes overhyped. If you need deep data, you’ll probably need another tool or manual research.
Bottom line: Don’t get distracted by every new feature or integration. Focus on what actually gets you replies.
Quick Reference: What Works, What Doesn’t
Works well: - Clean CSV imports with clear column headers - Broad lists plus a few custom fields - Regular cleanup and updates - Filters for targeted campaigns
Not worth your time: - Dozens of micro-lists or pointless tags - Over-complicating with too many custom fields - Relying on automation for everything—personal touch still matters
Wrapping Up: Keep It Simple, Iterate Often
Organizing and segmenting leads in Snov isn’t rocket science, and you don’t need to spend all day tweaking your setup. Start broad, add detail only when you need it, and focus on actually talking to real people. Outreach works best when you keep things simple and adapt as you go. Don’t fall for the idea that more features or fancier segmentation will magically get you more replies—clarity and consistency win every time.