Import Lead

Last updated: April 12, 2026

Last Updated: April 12, 2026

Lead Creation Guide

Overview

Import Lead adds a contact into Sendblue so you can message them, enroll them in the right workflow, and attach useful metadata like tags or custom variables. It is the foundation step when the lead does not already exist in Sendblue.

When to use it

  • You are creating contacts from Zapier, Make, a CRM, or a custom API flow.

  • You want a lead in Sendblue before sending the first message.

  • You need tags or custom variables available on the lead record for later workflow logic.

What to prepare first

  • A correctly formatted phone number.

  • The contact name if you have it.

  • Any tags or custom variables your workflows depend on.

  • A plan for avoiding duplicate imports from multiple systems.

Recommended sequence

  1. Format the lead data before import, especially the phone number.

  2. Import the lead into Sendblue.

  3. Confirm the contact record appears with the fields you expected.

  4. Only then trigger messaging, workflow enrollment, or downstream status updates.

Common mistakes

  • Importing badly formatted numbers and assuming Sendblue will fix them automatically.

  • Expecting Import Lead by itself to send a message.

  • Forgetting tags or custom variables that your workflow logic depends on.

  • Creating duplicates because two systems are importing the same lead in parallel.

How to verify it worked

  1. Search for the contact in Sendblue after the import runs.

  2. Confirm the phone number and name landed correctly.

  3. Confirm any tags or custom variables are present before the next workflow step fires.

  4. Run one end-to-end test lead before you scale the automation.

Related guides