The Chimp Answers Blog
…for free insights and advice on doing Mailchimp the right way
No matter what level you’re at when it comes to Mailchimp, there are always those nagging little things you need to get an answer to – but you aren’t sure they’re worth paying for someone to help you out with.
How can you find the answers you need without paying through the nose for them?.. and be sure that the person you’re listening to actually knows what they’re talking about!
Chimp Answers have one of the largest free resources for Mailchimp Answers on the internet and as certified Pro Partners and Experts, you can be sure we know what we’re talking about.
The “Fundies”
These are what we consider to be the “fundamental” articles on using Mailchimp effectively… if you’ve not checked them out yet… make sure you do!

Mailchimp Fundies
Audiences
Why Mailchimp works best with one audience. Read >>>
Segmentation
How to segment your audience for success. Read >>>
Database
How does Mailchimp’s database Actually work? Read >>>
Automations
How a Mailchimp Automation actually works. Read >>>
Deliverability
Best Practices for hitting the inbox. Read >>>
Marketing Fundies
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When to use Groups & Tags in Mailchimp
Tags & Groups are the primary way you can segment your audience, and on the face of it are pretty interchangeable… but there are a few things that we’d suggest you look at to guide when to use them.
The Beginners Guide to A/B Testing
You need to measure the performance of your campaigns in your Mailchimp email campaign report to understand what’s working and what isn’t.
Quick Tip: Omnivore & How Mailchimp Protects Itself
Omnivore is Mailchimp’s Police Department, protecting itself and it’s senders from bad emailers who damage it’s reputation. Learn how it works and stay informed
Marketing Paths
The organisations who succeed are those who can create an effective marketing path for these prospects to follow through to a destination –
Mastering Mailchimp Email Campaign Reports: Unlocking Insights for Successful Email Campaigns
You need to measure the performance of your campaigns in your Mailchimp email campaign report to understand what’s working and what isn’t.
Quick Tip: Demystifying the Mailchimp Sign up form
Capturing leads is crucial for growing your business and one effective way to do this is by utilising the “core” form that Mailchimp gives you for every audience,
From Engagement to Conversion: Why Click Through Rate (CTR) Is Crucial for Email Campaigns
The Email CTR allows you to determine whether or not your audience is responding to your email content and how interesting and effective it is.
Speed Counts
If you’re not automating an immediate response to a form completion on your website, you are losing business. Don’t agree? Here are 6 reasons why speed matters
The DORC Framework. How Small Improvements Lead to Big Wins
Deliverability ensures that your email reaches their inbox, Openability prompts them to click and read, Readability ensures they understand the message, and Clickability encourages them to take action.
Quick Tip: How to hide content when viewing archived emails
Every time you create and send a campaign in Mailchimp, as well as the email, an online archive of that campaign is automatically created – which is how people who want to see the email “in their browser” can view it.
7 ways to stop subscribers becoming inactive in Mailchimp (#5 is a must!)
To keep your subscribers around for the long haul, you need to figure out what they care about most and how to connect with them effectively.
Quick Tip: Cleaned Contacts in Mailchimp
In short, when an email is marked as “cleaned” in Mailchimp, it means that Mailchimp has tried to deliver an email on your behalf to that address but the email failed to deliver -it marks it as cleaned.
You asked, We answered : Your Complete Guide to Effective Email Marketing
We understand that email marketing can be a bit overwhelming, especially with all the details and best practices to remember. But don’t worry, we’re here to help make things easier for you!
Quick Tip: Why Your test emails go to spam and what to do about it
In this blog, we’ll let you know you don’t need to worry if you’re
Elevate Your Email Marketing: 8 Innovative Tactics to Amplify Click-Through Rates and Enhance Conversions.
In this blog, we’ll look at eight unique strategies for improving your email game and increasing click-through rates.
Everything You Need to Know about Unsubscribed, Non-Subscribed, and Cleaned Contacts in Mailchimp!
How can you get more people filling out the forms on your website? We focus on 3 specific elements, that when working together can have exponential impact on your signup effectiveness.
How to get more subscribers onto your email list
How can you get more people filling out the forms on your website? We focus on 3 specific elements, that when working together can have exponential impact on your signup effectiveness.
From Drab to Fab: 10 Ways to Turn Boring Emails into Engaging Reads
Are you fed up with sending boring email messages that receive only minimal attention? Fear not! we’ve got ten tips to turn your drab emails into fabulously engaging reads.
AI and Email Marketing: An Awesome Alliance? – How AI takes Email Marketing to the Next Level
The potential of AI in email marketing is enormous. With AI, you can create compelling content, identify the ideal time to send emails, and automate personalised emails to each subscriber.
Are you making the most of Mailchimp? 6 Must-Use Mailchimp Tips to enhance your email performance
If you’re serious about making the most of Mailchimp and correctly, you need to follow these 6 key steps to enhance your email performance.
Master Your Email Welcome Series
Your email welcome series is your best way of creating a first impression. Make sure you’re doing it the right way…
I think my emails are going to SPAM… What can I do about it?
Read our latest blog where we take a closer look at the 6 main reasons why emails end up in the spam folder and show you how to fix them to ensure yours don’t wind up there too.
Revitalise Your Email Marketing Strategy in 2023: Fresh Ideas for a New Year
We’ve listed below the top 6 activities that we think you should definitely consider if you’re serious about revitalising your email marketing strategy for 2023.
Why Consent is so Important in Marketing
Consent is one of the most powerful things a prospect can give you. Consent will always improve your marketing results – or kill them if you don’t have it.
To kill or cure? The curse of the email zombies
keep reading and I’ll define what exactly a zombie is, explore why they’re a problem, discuss how to deal with them and show you how to keep your zombies revived so they remain alive. Make sure you follow my tips and before long you’ll be breathing life back into your dead list once again.
7 things I wish i’d known when setting up a Mailchimp account
Most people who are sending emails just ‘don’t know what they don’t know’
So here’s 7 things I wish I’d known when setting up my email marketing in Mailchimp.
Email Marketing in 2023 – what you need to know
Here are the key things we’re seeing on the horizon: if you’re planning to step up your email marketing game (and why wouldn’t you) this is a must read.
Email Automations in Mailchimp you can use for your business now!
One question we often get asked is “what automations should MY business do?”
So we’ve created a number of businesses that represent the types of people we hear from, and outlined some specific campaigns that they can use.
13 essential types of emails you need to include in your email strategy today
Keep reading as we walk you through the essential types of emails you should be incorporating into your email strategy
9.5 ways to prepare for Black Friday as a Mailchimper
If you want to be successful in your email marketing campaigns, you need to throw out that one size fits all idea and focus on segmentation and personalisation.
Part 2: Your step by step guide to segmentation success
If you want to be successful in your email marketing campaigns, you need to throw out that one size fits all idea and focus on segmentation and personalisation.
Your step by step guide to segmentation success
Segmentation is the process of dividing your audience into different groups, based on demographics, activity, or any other metric you’d like to use.
Testing An Automation
Testing an automation is as important as building one. You NEED to test so that you are confident they are gong to the right people at the right time. This Gmail ‘+’ hack will help.
Socrates was right: You don’t know what you don’t know, especially when it comes to Mailchimp
Over the years we have successfully reviewed hundreds of Mailchimp accounts, Yet one thing we see time and time again is Mailchimp users missing out on opportunities because they aren’t taking full advantage of its capabilities.
Does Your Mailchimp Pass The Test? 7 Things You Can Improve On Today
Before you send out any more campaigns, take a few minutes to check out the blog and discover the 7 common MailChimp mistakes to avoid.
Unsubscribes: Are you paying over the odds?
If you’re on a Mailchimp Standard Account (non-legacy), then there is a high chance that you are paying for things you don’t need. We’re talking about your unsubscribes…
6 copywriting tips to take your emails to the next level
How to craft compelling copy that converts
The 5 ‘T’s of Email Marketing Success
If you want to improve your email marketing efforts and be truly effective, follow the five tactics (5Ts) that can guide you towards email marketing success
Marketing Mistakes to Avoid
I’m 50 years old, and have nearly 32 years experience in marketing – so what are the 5 marketing mistakes that really get me going?
Subject Lines
You’ve got to get your email opened… and a good subject lines is an essential part of your toolkit – use them right (and our suggestions) to get the open
Is Mailchimp Certification Worth It?
Interested in showcasing your Mailchimp skills – a great way to do this is by getting a Mailchimp Certification, which shows you know what you’re talking about
How to get an email opened
If your email doesn’t get opened by the recipient, was it ever sent in the first place? You can influence your open rates… and here are the tools to use
Tags and Groups – The key difference you need to know
Tags and Groups are the building blocks of segmentation – but do you know when to use them, and which works best for which situation?
Mailchimp Forms – The One Thing Everyone Forgets To Do
Mailchimp forms are great, and there is one thing you need to do… a thing that most people forget about which costs them down the line.
Mailchimp Automations – They keys to getting your automations starting effectively
Mailchimp automations are great, and here are a few ones you should be looking at, along with some ideas on how to plan for the future
What do to with Unsubscribed and Cleaned Emails In Mailchimp
To understand what to do, (if anything) you need to get a handle on what these terms mean to you and Mailchimp. Once you know this, it’s a lot easier to handle.
[VIDEO] Giving an Agency Access to your Mailchimp Account
Recession or Boom, you don’t want to pay more than you need to. Keep your Mailchimp costs down with this checklist of Mailchimp budget tips.
What type of Mailchimp account do you have?
Knowing what level of Mailchimp account you are on is key to being able to know how to manage your costs in Mailchimp
Don’t Pay Too Much for Mailchimp
Recession or Boom, you don’t want to pay more than you need to. Keep your Mailchimp costs down with this checklist of Mailchimp budget tips.
Cut Your Mailchimp Bill – Standard Accounts
Since May 2019, if you’ve started or upgraded, chances are you’re on a Mailchimp Standard or Essentials Account… which means how you’re charged is based on your Contact Count
Cut Your Mailchimp Bill – Legacy Accounts
If you had a Mailchimp account prior to May 2019, you’re likely on a Legacy Account, which means your monthly charge is based on your active subscribers.
Chimp Chats – Getting your first subscribers with Sequoia Mulgrave – Episode 20
Email marketing works, but if you are new and don’t have a list how do you go about getting your first subscribers? Sequoia Mulgrave talks about her upcoming Chimposium presentation.
Chimp Chats – How to Design Better Mailchimp Emails with Emily Ryan – Episode 19
When it comes to email design there are some simple things you can do to improve engagement and marketing goals.
Chimp Chats – Automate Your Mailchimp Emails with Alessandra Farabegoli – Episode 18
Get the most out of Mailchimp and email marketing with Automations and Customer Journeys. Robin talks with expert Alessandra Farabegoli
Chimp Chats – How to Effectively Manage Subscriber Data in Mailchimp – Episode 17
Robin talks to Adam about how email has changed over the years, subscriber data and much more
Chimp Chats – Email Marketing and Where it Fits in Your Overall Marketing Plan – Episode 16
David talks to Robin about; rock climbing, how and why he started his business, how his analytical mind helps him to get the job done well and much more
Chimp Chats – How to plan your email campaigns: An interview with MaryAnn Pfeiffer – Episode 15
MaryAnn Pfeiffer chats with Chimp Answers about why you should plan your email campaigns, and how having a strategy helps gain success.
Chimp Chats – Welcome Emails and Why They’re So Important with Lindsay Carroll – Episode 14
This week we are joined by Lindsey Carroll who talks about welcome emails and who will be joining us on Chimposium in October. She is the owner of Outbox Ltd, a Chartered Marketer specialising in WordPress websites and Mailchimp e-newsletters.
Chimp Chats – Apple iOS 15: How It Will Affect Your Email Marketing Episode 13
Chimp Chats - Episode 13 Apple iOS 15: How It Will Affect Your Email Marketing Episode 13Struggling to understand who your customer actually is?...and what motivates them? Use this FREE Customer Avatar Worksheet to develop your marketing activities with a specific...
Chimp Chats – How To Be Good At Email Marketing, Episode 12
Many people send emails but far fewer have a cohesive plan of what their email marketing plan is and why it’s important.
This week, we’re going to look at the more general topic of How to be ‘Good’ at Email Marketing.
Chimp Chats – Consent, GDPR & Email, Episode 11
Over the last few years, everyone in email marketing has become much more aware of the need to be above board, gain consent and abide by GDPR laws. This week, we’re going to look at the specifics and how to make sure you’re on the right side of things.
Chimp Chats – Mailchimp Surveys, Episode 10
Successful marketing is about relevance-you need to learn about your audience as possible. We dive into Mailchimp surveys, an often overlooked part of the Mailchimp toolbox which you should consider in your email plans:
Chimp Chats – How to use Mailchimp Landing Pages effectively, Episode 9
Mailchimp Landing Pages are standalone webpages that allow you to be in the driving seat. They are easy to create and use and are an important marketing tool for any small business.
Chimp Chats – Segmentation – Tags and Groups, Episode 8
Successful marketing identifies people’s individuality. The way Mailchimp help us to do this is with Tags and Groups. Watch Episode 8 of Chimp Chats where we talk about segmentation using tags and groups.
Chimp Chats – The first 100 – getting started with email marketing, Episode 7
Watch Episode 7 of Chimp Chat where we talk about how to get those first 100 subscribers to your email list, what to do with them, how to keep them and much more.
Chimp Chats – Email Zombies and how to manage them, Episode 6
Watch Episode 6 of Chimp Chat where we talk about Email Zombies – ya know, those people who never open your emails but are still on your list and may be costing you money.
Chimp Chats – Email Subject Lines, Episode 5
Watch Episode 5 of Chimp Chat where we talk about Email Subject Lines. The reason we send emails is for people to read them. For that to happen they have to actually open them…we share how to increase your chances of an open.
Chimp Chats – Email Design, Episode 4
Watch Episode 4 of Chimp Chat where we talk about Email Design – How important is it really? Do we owe it to our mailing list to send them something packed with value and looks great too? Or doesn’t design matter as much as we may think?
Chimp Chats – Deliverability, Episode 3
Watch Episode 3 of Chimp Chats where we talk about Mailchimp deliverability and how to avoid the dreaded spam folder! Learn about the One thing EVERY Mailchimp account should have set up and why it’s NOT Mailchimp’s fault, it’s your fault.
We talk Covid, business and what we would do differently if we started over
Recently I got together with an expert panel and talked about how Covid had affected our businesses and also pondered if we were to start our business or career again right now, what would we focus on or do differently?
How to send repeated reminder emails
Sending repeated reminder emails to lots of people is not that easy to achieve in many systems. Here at Chimp Answers we like a challenge and so we spent time playing around with Mailchimp to work out how you can set up repeated reminder emails.
Top Mailchimp hacks everyone needs to know
Most people will probably only use the basics of what Mailchimp can offer and will be missing out on some awesome capabilities. To help you out, a few of us “experts” got together to share our Top Mailchimp Hacks Everyone Needs To Know.
At what point is a subscriber GONE?
Keeping your audiences organised and relevant is an important part of email marketing, but how do we know when a subscriber is really ‘gone’…as in, they are in your audience (list) but really shouldn’t be…and actually, perhaps, don’t want to be?
What’s your name?
Your name matters, especially when it comes to emails. Email is sent from an individual to an individual and for most small businesses your email needs to come from a named person in the business and not “sales” or “info”. Why? Let me explain…
What email newsletter sign up incentives work best?
“How do I build an email list?” is a regular question within the Chimp Answers community. I’ve spoken to 8 other industry experts to get their opinion on what makes a good incentive when it comes to encouraging email newsletter sign up.
The Perfect Fit
Don’t make it difficult for your customers to say yes…don’t put up unnecessary barriers. Make sure your potential clients know why you are the perfect fit, so that buying from you is a no brainer.
MailChimp Groups vs Tags
Mailchimp Tags vs Mailchimp Groups How to decide which you should be using..."There has to be an answer..."Struggling to understand who your customer actually is?...and what motivates them? Use this FREE Customer Avatar Worksheet to develop your marketing activities...
No email response doesn’t mean no thank you
MailChimp says, on average a resend will increase your overall open rates by 8.7% so should we be taking no for an answer?
Are you letting the tail wag the dog? Take control of technology.
Are you letting technology dictate your marketing when you know what you’re trying to do is the right thing for the business?
You can’t let the tail wag the dog and here’s why.
The power of signals of proof…
The most powerful signals of proof usually come in two main varieties…from someone we know and trust personally, or from a trusted body. If you need someone to help with your Mailchimp…(hint: you’re already in the right place!)…I’m a Certified Mailchimp Expert.
Be Somebody Else In Your Emails
When an email is received, the first thing anyone does is look at who it’s from and connects this with previous knowledge or expectations associated with that name.
Email Open Rates Don’t Matter
Stop looking at open rates and start looking at the actual opens because email open rates don’t matter when it comes to analysing marketing performance.
Mailchimp Landing Pages
Mailchimp Landing Pages are very easy to use, but before you do make sure you understand how you are going to use them in your business…here are some ideas to get you started.
Managing Account Access
Who has access to your Mailchimp account?… How you should manage users and agencies who have access to your data in a GDPR & Data Protection world.
Mailchimp Customer Journeys – First impressions
Mailchimp Customer Journeys are here, something many Mailchimp users have been asking for, for a while. I’ve been getting deep into the weeds over the last few weeks and here’s a hit list of my first impressions.
Mailchimp Customer Journeys – Who can use them?
With Customer Journeys, Mailchimp are stepping up their automation game, but as ever, your ability to use them are dependent on which level of Mailchimp you’re on. Here’s a quick break down of what you can do at each level.
Mailchimp Customer Journeys – Introduction
If you want to succeed at email marketing, you need to be thinking about automation and with Mailchimp Customer Journeys it just got a whole lots easier.
The Power Of The Niche
When you niche into a specific area or marketplace, your message becomes amplified and focused. It resonates with the people it’s targeted at and is more likely to get them to take action.
The importance of a clear out
It’s amazing what you find lurking in your cupboards. Cleaning your Mailchimp audience (getting rid of the zombies) is easier than cleaning out your wardrobe! And what’s better is that it benefits you in two ways.
The Segmentation Rules of Mailchimp & Email Marketing
If you want to succeed in Mailchimp, then you really need to be segmenting your database, but where do you draw the line? When can you segment too much?
Mailchimp Free Domain For 5 Years
Mailchimp have recently started a promotion offering free domains to their customers. Here’s an insight into the detail and if it’s right for you
Change Your Point of View
When you look at a dice from one side, what number do you see?… What about someone opposite you, what number do they see?… This is why your marketing fails.
Contacting Mailchimp
Sometimes, even here at Chimp Answers, we can’t solve your issues… and you need to speak direct to Mailchimp. Here’s how you can contact Mailchimp directly.
Omnivore and Getting out of MailChimp Jail
Sometimes with emails, things go bad. Don’t fret if you get tabbed by Omnivore, it’s usually easy to solve – as long as you haven’t done something bad!
Why Do You Need a Customer Avatar?
If a customer avatar is such an essential part of marketing (and it is) why do so many businesses not use them? Here are 7 reasons why everyone should.
See In Colour
…before we hired Chimp Answers to help with our marketing, all we could see was black and white… now, we see in colour