If you are coming to Buzzbassador with an existing list of members, you can upload them in bulk using a spreadsheet file. This is the recommended method when you have more than a handful of members, or when their data already lives in a spreadsheet (an export from another app, your old tracking system, etc.).
[ LINK: How to import your pre-existing members (overview of both methods) ]
Before you start
Customize the "You've been imported" email: as soon as your import completes, Buzzbassador sends this email to every imported member (if the email is active). Make sure it is edited and ready before you start the import.
Decide which program to import into: imported members are assigned to a single program at import time, and the program's settings (codes, links, rewards) determine what each member receives. See the next section.
[ LINK: What is the "You've been imported" email and when is it sent? ]
What happens based on the program's settings
Imported members are added to one of your programs, and that program's section toggles determine what is generated for each member on import:
Referral codes enabled: the code in your sheet's Referral Code column is created in Shopify, or linked if it already exists. The member's referral discount rate matches the program's setting.
Referral codes disabled: the code from the Referral Code column is saved on the member's profile but is not created in Shopify. If you turn referral codes on for the program later, saved codes are activated automatically.
Affiliate links enabled: members receive the program's chosen affiliate link type (BuzzLinks, UTM Affiliate Links, or Referral Code Links) automatically.
Discount codes enabled: members are set up with the program's shared discount code on import.
Rewards enabled: sales attributed to imported members trigger rewards based on the program's commission/discount/bonus settings.
Rewards disabled: members are still tracked, but no rewards are calculated on attributed sales.
If you are not sure which program to pick, members can be moved to a different program later.
[ LINK: How To Configure Your Program Settings ]
[ LINK: How to move a member to a different program ]
Step 1: Prepare your file
Get all of your member info into a single sheet (.csv, .tsv, .xls, .xlsx, or .xml). Organize the columns so they match Buzzbassador's accepted data points; the closer the column names match, the smoother the mapping step will be.
Buzzbassador requires four pieces of info per member: First Name, Last Name, Email, and Referral Code. All other columns (PayPal email, phone, social handles, etc.) are optional.
[ SCREENSHOT: Example sheet with the recommended column headers ]
A few notes on the Referral Code column:
Members with existing Shopify discount codes: paste each member's existing code into the Referral Code column. Buzzbassador will link to that existing code rather than creating a new one.
Members without an existing code: type the code you want each member to have. Buzzbassador will create the code on import (subject to the routed program's referral code settings).
Step 2: (Optional) Customize the "You've been imported" email
If you have not already, edit the "You've been imported" email so imported members get a clear, branded message about their new Buzzbassador account. The email sends automatically after import (if the email is active), so make sure it is final before you import.
[ LINK: What is the "You've been imported" email and when is it sent? ]
Step 3: Open the import tool
In your Buzzbassador account, go to the Members page and click Import in the top right.
[ SCREENSHOT: Members page with the Import button visible ]
Step 4: Choose the program to import into
In the pre-import popup, select the program you want to import this set of members into. Your default program is listed first; click the dropdown to choose a different program.
Imported members are assigned to the selected program based on its current settings (see the section above for what each toggle controls). You can move members to a different program later if needed.
Click Continue.
[ SCREENSHOT: Pre-import popup with program selection dropdown ]
Step 5: Upload your file
Drag your sheet into the upload area, or click "Upload data from file" and pick the file from your device.
[ SCREENSHOT: File upload section of the import tool ]
Step 6: Identify the header row
The import tool will ask whether your sheet has a header row (a row with column titles like "First Name", "Last Name", "Email"):
The first row is the header row: click Yes.
A different row is the header row: click "Select another row" and pick the correct row.
No header row: click "No header row" and the tool will treat all rows as data.
You can ignore the "Select Encoding" dropdown; the default ASCII encoding works for most files.
Step 7: Map columns to Buzzbassador data points
Each column in your sheet needs to be matched to a Buzzbassador data point. For each column, click "Lookup matching fields" and choose the matching data point (Email, First Name, Referral Code, etc.).
If a column contains data Buzzbassador does not support (custom fields not in the data point list), select "Ignore this column."
Once every column is mapped, the screen should show a "Confirmed mapping" indicator on each column. Click Review.
[ SCREENSHOT: Column mapping screen with all columns confirmed ]
Step 8: Review for errors
Buzzbassador will flag any errors in your data (invalid email format, missing required fields, etc.).
Double-click on any flagged cell to edit and correct the value. When everything looks good, click Continue.
[ SCREENSHOT: Review step showing flagged errors ]
Step 9: Submit
Click Yes to confirm the import.
[ SCREENSHOT: Import confirmation popup ]
Step 10: Wait for the success email
Imports usually complete in a few minutes. You will receive an email from Buzzbassador when the import is done. In the meantime, you can leave the page; the import runs in the background.
Once complete, your imported members appear on the Members page, assigned to the program you selected. If the "You've been imported" email is active, members will receive the welcome email automatically.
[ LINK: Import Pre-Existing Members Method 2: Manual or Copy and Paste ]
[ LINK: How To Configure Your Program Settings ]
Notes:
If you accidentally import members into the wrong program, you can move them to a different program afterward rather than re-importing.
For very large lists (thousands of members), consider splitting into multiple imports for better reliability.
Importing skips the application form entirely, so members do not go through the form-to-program routing flow; they are assigned directly to the program you choose at import time. Because of this, any custom form fields won't be collected for their profile.