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Anyone Use Mailchimp?
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I looked at it and am trying to figure it out but it looks hella complicated. And the interface is not very helpful
My friend says it's easy, but I haven't attempted it yet.
I use MailChimp. I set up a mailing list on my website that uses it. It's actually not too bad. I've also used it to create newsletter type emails that I have sent out to my mailing list.
I found the videos on their website helpful for figuring it out.
I use Mailchimp exclusively for my newsletter. It is actually pretty easy to use. Just set up a list of recipients then you make your newsletter through easy template designs. It's free and, depending what website platform you use, you can add a sign up link for the newsletter onto your site.
I've been using Mailchimp for a while now. I've found it really straightforward to use, and to customise all the various signup boxes, welcome emails, etc. Plus, as Cynthia said, it's free (although you have to start paying if you reach around 2,000 subscribers or something, but at that point you'd likely be making enough money from book sales to not mind.)
The statistics they show you are useful too. So you can see how many people on your list opened your emails/clicked on the links, and you also get notified when you get a new subscriber which is always nice. (I turned off the option to get an email whenever someone unsubscribed as I thought it'd get a little depressing...)
Overall I find it really useful though and would recommend it, especially if you want something easy to use and get going with.
Justin wrote: "Hey Everyone,So I am finally looking to build my "Author Platform" or "E-mail List" as they are called. I've heard a lot of people talk about how they use Mailchimp, anyone heard of it or use it? ..."
I use it. It's similar to Constant Contact, except they don't even start charging you until you have 1000 people on your mailing list. It is ridiculously easy, as it is menu-driven.
Be sure, when you do author appearances, to have a sign-up sheet ... and put a call-to-action on your website and FB page so that people can sign up there as well.
Thanks everyone! your making me feel a lot less intimidated by it. It seems easy enough to use. I am curious about what Cynthia said about linking it to your site. I have Webs.com and I doubt they allow such a thing, I'd really like to link them or what not.
Justin wrote: "Thanks everyone! your making me feel a lot less intimidated by it. It seems easy enough to use. I am curious about what Cynthia said about linking it to your site. I have Webs.com and I doubt the..."
MailChimp has a widget that you can add to your site. If you can upload your own HTML to your provider, you can do it. If not, I highly recommend Weebly as a new site host. :-)
Justin wrote: "Thanks everyone! your making me feel a lot less intimidated by it. It seems easy enough to use. I am curious about what Cynthia said about linking it to your site. I have Webs.com and I doubt the..."
Sharon is right about adding a widget to your site, although I know there are some problems on certain sites (such as Wordpress.com, which I use).
Another way of doing it is to copy the link to your mailchimp sign up form and paste it on your website. So you could write something like "To join my email list, click the link below and enter your details..." and then add the link.
Or - and this is what I do - you can create an image on your site and insert the link into that. For example, as I'm giving away a short story to all new subscribers at the moment, I have a page on my website telling people about it, which includes an image of the cover which links to the signup form. (My website is at www.angelomarcos.com if you want to see the example of this)
A good way to think of it is that the link to your signup form is essentially just a web address, so you can basically insert it wherever you like on your site as you would with any other link.
Hope that helps.
A little confusing Angelo but I think I get what your saying. I can definitely try them, I know I won't be able to use a widget cause my web site service is lame and won't allow me to, I used to be able to but now I can't find a way around it.The link in the image might work, I have a subscribe to my site box up right now but to be honest I don't know that it's sufficient enough so MailChimp needs to replace it!
I use MailChimp for my monthly newsletter. What Angelo suggests is the easiest way to link to your signup form. I use Blogger, and I have the form inserted into my site using the "Insert HTML" function. It works well.
So I am finally looking to build my "Author Platform" or "E-mail List" as they are called. I've heard a lot of people talk about how they use Mailchimp, anyone heard of it or use it? I sort of get the concept but am still a bit hazy on the details of how it all works.
I am considering using it but I want to get some feedback and hear from anyone who already uses it and what it's like and it's it's easy and helpful to you.