How to Use Mailchimp

Getting started with Mailchimp

In this guide, you'll learn how to set up Mailchimp and create your first email campaign. By the end, you'll be able to connect with your audience effectively using this powerful platform.

Step 1: Sign up and set up

1. Go to Mailchimp's website.
2. Click on the “Sign Up Free” button in the top right corner.
3. Enter your email address, username, and password, then click “Get Started.”
4. Follow the prompts to verify your email and complete your profile.
5. Choose the free plan to start with up to 500 contacts.
6. Once logged in, navigate to “Audience” from the left sidebar and click “View Audience” to set up your contact list.

Step 2: Your first campaign

1. Click on “Campaigns” in the left sidebar.
2. Select the “Create Campaign” button.
3. Choose “Email” from the options presented.
4. Name your campaign and click “Begin.”
5. Under “Recipients,” select your audience or create a new list.
6. In the “From” section, enter your name and email address.
7. Click “Subject” to write your email subject line.
8. Choose “Design Email” to access the email builder.
9. Use the drag-and-drop interface to add text, images, and buttons. Once finished, click “Save and Close.”
10. Review your campaign settings and click “Send” or “Schedule” to set a send time.

Step 3: Get better results

1. Use Mailchimp’s “Content Studio” to find stock images or save your own images for future campaigns.
2. Explore the “AI Content Generator” under the “Campaigns” menu to create engaging content quickly.
3. In the “Audience” section, segment your contacts based on behaviour or demographics to send targeted emails.
4. Check “Reports” after sending your campaign to analyse open rates and engagement metrics for future improvements.

Pro tip

Use the “Preview and Test” feature found in the campaign setup to send test emails to yourself. This helps you catch any mistakes before sending to your audience.

Common mistake to avoid

Avoid skipping the audience segmentation step. Sending emails to a targeted group rather than your entire list will improve engagement and reduce unsubscribes.