If you’re using Freckle for outreach and the “one-size-fits-all” blast isn’t getting results, you’re in the right place. This guide is for people who want to get smarter about account segmentation—without turning it into a full-time job. Whether you’re in sales, customer success, or you just drew the short straw to do the outreach, here’s how to actually make Freckle work for you.
1. Know Why You’re Segmenting (and What to Ignore)
Before you dive into Freckle’s features, get clear on your why. Segmentation isn’t about creating 20 buckets just because the software lets you. It’s about grouping accounts so you can talk to them in ways that actually get a response.
Ask yourself: - Am I segmenting by industry or company size because it matters, or just because it’s easy? - What signals really predict whether an account will convert, renew, or respond? - What doesn’t matter? (You can ignore those fields.)
Pro tip: Don’t fall for the “more data is always better” trap. Most teams use three to five meaningful segments, tops. If you can’t remember your segments without a cheat sheet, you’re overdoing it.
2. Set Up the Fields That Actually Matter in Freckle
Freckle (freckle.html) lets you customize account fields, but resist the urge to fill out every possible box. Focus on fields that drive your outreach decisions. Here’s how to do it without making a mess:
Decide on Your Core Segmentation Fields
- Industry: Only if you actually change your pitch for different industries.
- Company Size: Useful if you have different offers for startups vs. enterprises.
- Region: Good for compliance, language, or timezone reasons.
- Product Usage/Plan: If you target upgrades or renewals.
- Engagement Score: If you track activity (but don’t get obsessed with vanity metrics).
Skip: - “Date Added” (unless you’re doing time-based campaigns) - Fields nobody on your team understands or updates
How to Add or Edit Fields in Freckle
- Go to Account Settings > Custom Fields.
- Add fields that match the segments you care about.
- Make sure everyone on your team knows why each field exists.
Honest take: Fancy fields don’t mean anything if your data is junk. Make it easy for people to fill out only what matters.
3. Tag and Filter Accounts—But Don’t Overcomplicate It
Tags are great for temporary or cross-cutting segments (like “2024 conference lead” or “VIP trial”). Just don’t let tags turn into chaos.
Best practices: - Use tags for things that change often, fields for things that rarely change. - Keep tag names simple and consistent. “Webinar-2024” is better than “Attended 2024 Spring Webinar Event.” - Review your tags every month—delete ones you don’t use.
How to tag accounts in Freckle: 1. Open an account profile. 2. Add relevant tags in the sidebar. 3. Use filters in the Accounts view to slice and dice by tags.
What to ignore: Don’t try to capture every detail as a tag (“Likes dogs,” “Met at lunch,” etc.) unless you’re running a dog-walking business. Focus on what moves the needle.
4. Build Your Segments for Outreach
Now, actually create the segments you’ll use for campaigns. The main ways in Freckle:
A. Saved Filters
- In the Accounts page, set filters for your chosen fields or tags.
- Save the filter as a view (e.g., “US SaaS companies >100 employees”).
- Give it a clear name. If you have “Segment A” and “Segment B,” you’ll never remember which is which.
B. Lists or Groups
Some versions of Freckle let you build static lists. Use these for: - Hand-picked high-value targets (“Top 50 prospects”) - Accounts for a specific campaign
C. Dynamic Segments (if your plan allows)
- These update automatically as accounts meet your criteria.
- Good for ongoing outreach (like monthly check-ins to all “Active users in EMEA”).
Pro tip: Start with just a few segments. Run a campaign, see what works, then tweak. Don’t design a cathedral when you need a tent.
5. Test Your Segments—Don’t Trust Them Blindly
Just because you set up a segment doesn’t mean it’s useful. Sanity-check your segments before you hit send:
- Pull a sample from each segment. Do the accounts make sense together?
- Ask a teammate: “Would you send these folks the same message?”
- Check for empty or weird segments (“Why do we have 0 accounts tagged ‘Enterprise’?”)
If you find a segment isn’t producing, scrap it or change your definition. Don’t cling to old segments out of habit.
6. Run Targeted Outreach—Keep It Personal
Now you’ve got your segments, don’t ruin it with a generic message. Use the info you’ve collected to make outreach relevant, but don’t go overboard with mail merge fields.
What works: - Reference something from the segment (industry, product usage, etc.). - Keep your emails short and to the point. - A/B test subject lines or openers, not just the list.
What to ignore: - Don’t write a different novel for each segment. - Don’t force personalization where it doesn’t fit.
Example:
“Hi, noticed you’re using our Starter plan with a team of 25—are you looking for more collaboration features?”
That’s enough. No need to reference their favorite color or last week’s webinar unless it’s truly relevant.
7. Maintain Your Segments—But Don’t Make It a Chore
Segmentation is only as good as your data. Set aside 15 minutes a week (or month) to:
- Merge duplicate accounts
- Update fields if you spot something out of place
- Archive or delete old segments, tags, or lists
Automate what you can, but don’t trust automation blindly—bad data in is bad data out.
Pro tip: If you’re the only one cleaning up, something’s wrong. Make segment hygiene a team habit, not a solo slog.
Wrapping Up: Keep It Simple, Iterate Often
Effective segmentation in Freckle isn’t about building the most complicated system—it’s about making it easier to send the right message to the right people. Start with a handful of meaningful segments, test them, and trim what doesn’t work. Don’t wait for perfect data. Just get started, see what moves the needle, and adjust as you go.
Less is more. The goal is more replies, not more spreadsheets.