If you’ve read my last post, you would’ve already known the people who subscribes to my newsletter If you still haven’t read it, bet I can convince you.
Anyway, today, I want to share to you my experience on using MailChimp’s email newsletter services. I know most of you guys are nuts about Aweber (that hegemonic company). Don’t get me wrong. I am too. It was definitely sitting in my number 1 spot of an email service provider, but I decided last minute to go with MailChimp.
I’ll tell you why, and on the process, I’ll share to how MailChimp made an impression to me.
Aweber Versus MailChimp
To tell you the truth, I really vouch for these two companies. Whether you choose Aweber or MailChimp, it doesn’t matter for me. Both companies have excellent service, with excellent track record and excellent support.
Of course, there’s a little bit of a difference.
Most people who’s inclined to internet marketing, business stuff would choose Aweber. Meanwhile, those people who need more social media function (and integration) would opt to go for MailChimp. There’s got to be a reason why Mashable choose MailChimp as a powerful social media tool right?
Yeah, the chimps definitely got their groove on.
But still, in the end the choice would be up to you. If you like Aweber (and it’s $1 free trial), go for it.
So why exactly did I choose MailChimp?
For practical reasons I find their free trial version more economic than all email providers.
→ Stay under a subscriber list of 500 or below and you don’t have to pay a cent. This appeals to people who’s on a. on a budget, b. just using a list for a small number or c. is just trying out for a newsletter without having to give in credit card numbers and upfront payments.
→ With the free trial account, you also get 3,000 email sends per month. Well, even if it’s limited in a sense, 3,000 seems to be more than enough for one month’s worth of campaign
→ Of course you get the perks too of using the services of a great, reputable company (and the security that comes with it). Companies like Mizilla and Fujistu use it.
All in all, those are the reasons why I choose MailChimp
(note: you'd understand this better if you've read Who Subscribes To My Newsletter)
My Adventure With MailChimp
Well, I think I should rename the above subheading to “the adventure of a total newbie to newsletters”.
I honestly had a hard time starting my first newsletter list. There’s just so much to learn and so much to do. Of course I don’t really blame MailChimp, I bet I’d have the same frustrations with any other similar companies because of my pure lack of experience on using it.
But anyway, there are the reasons why I love MailChimp all the more is because it’s Idiot-compatible.
Though honestly it took me more than an hour to discover that. LOL
The “Oops” Moment
I had this funny and really embarrassing story to share.
So there I was, trying to set up everything that’s needed for my first list. After that, I went to write an autoresponder email to welcome the new subscribers.
At first, I didn’t actually know how to do it. I found this button that says write in plain text message, clicked on it and figured that’s maybe the spot to write my welcome email. I finished it of course and was happy with what I composed. A day later (when it’s set to be received), my inbox got the welcome email (I subscribed to my own so I can check the newsletters).
Instead of the email I wrote, I received instate a template email. As in an email with sample texts and all. Later on, I went to find out that after you write in plain text email, you should also follow-up to write an html email (just a copy-paste job actually) because the email that the subscriber receives depends on what feature he has activated (as for me, I had html activated that’s why I haven’t seen the plain text email).
Still Getting The Hang Of It
If you’ve been among the first who hopped into my newsletter, apologies for that template email you received (embarrassing I know. haha). I promised to be better on writing my emails. And to be more aware of the features in my admin panel ;)
So for now, that’s a wrap on why I use MailChimp. And oh, that reminds me to remind you why you need to be a part of this!
