+ Using MailChimp to create Extension-branded newsletters Send Your Message to the Masses March 19,...

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Using MailChimp to create Extension-branded newsletters

Send Your Message

to the Masses

March 19, 2014 - Emily Pitts, CAES OIT

March 19, 2014Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp

WELCOME!

Enter your name in

the chat window

for attendance

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Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp

In this session, we’ll…

Import a template

Modify the template

Set up a campaign

Add content

Examine preview tools

Discuss best practices for send times, subject lines, etc.

March 19, 2014

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Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp

ExtensionTemplate

Create banner

Adjust colors

Adjust typography

UGA Extension brand

MailChimp stamp

EEO statement

Mobile-friendly

March 19, 2014

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp

Mailchimp Overviewwww.mailchimp.com

March 19, 2014

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Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp March 19, 2014

> Mailchimp home page

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp March 19, 2014

Mailchimp login

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp March 27, 2014

Mailchimp account dashboard

Menu

Quick action tools

Account info

Getting started tools / recent activity

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp

Templates

March 27, 2014

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp March 27, 2014

Campaigns

Saved templates button

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp March 27, 2014

Templates

https://us1.admin.mailchimp.com/templates/

Create template button

Pay attention!Look for the description here for differences between Templates and Campaigns.

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp March 27, 2014

Choose import option

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp March 27, 2014

Browse file

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp March 27, 2014

Modify template

YES – colors, font styles

NO – hideable sections, banner, logo choice

Notice *||* code and odd logos at bottom. You are in the TEMPLATE EDITOR, not the CAMPAIGN EDITOR

Refer to cheatsheet for list of editable styles

We’ll look at the banner, visibility options and logo in the campaign in a minute…

Save and Exit

Good to know!You can also edit type styles and colors in the campaign editor.

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp

Create a Campaign

March 27, 2014

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp March 27, 2014

Campaigns

“Create Campaign”

https://us1.admin.mailchimp.com/campaigns

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp March 27, 2014

Choose Campaign type

Regular ol’ Campaign

RSS-Driven Campaign

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp March 27, 2014

1. Recipients

Choose a list

Set up your first list

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp March 27, 2014

2. Setup

Name your campaign

Email subject

From name

From email address

Extras – Social Media

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp March 27, 2014

3. Template

Pick a template > Saved Templates

Can’t decide?You can switch templates after you enter content, but your content *might* get misplaced. Stay sharp.

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp March 27, 2014

> Saved Templates

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp

Similar to design view we saw

Take a look at the page: Banner needs attention Date Sample text Table of contents Logo

March 27, 2014

4. Design

Look familiar?The campaign editor has very similar elements as the template editor.

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp March 27, 2014

Modify banner

Click “Edit”

Select an image (need sample image on file)

Adjust image size if too big

Crop image if not banner-friendly (600x72px is good)

Add text

Do other stuff

Save

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp March 27, 2014

Hide items

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp March 27, 2014

Choose logo

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp March 27, 2014

Edit content

Pay attention to formatting

Use headings to help set apart content

Use TOC headings to populate table of contents

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Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp

Preview checklist

Are your links working and correct?

How does your email look in different email clients?

Are there clear breaks between your paragraphs?

Is your table of contents correct?

Are all of your images showing up?

Is your contact information correct?

Have you had another person read all of your content?

March 27, 2014

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp March 27, 2014

Preview

Web and mobile views

See how your dynamic content is picking up

Is your TOC correct?

Are the correct items hidden?

Does everything line up okay?

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp March 27, 2014

Send a test!

Check for problems

Send to: Accounts that use different email clients Accounts with access to different devices A coworker to double-check your content

This is just a test…Don’t distribute this newsletter like it’s the real thing!

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp March 27, 2014

5. Confirm

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Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp

Final checklist

Have you made all final edits?

Check your links again!

Have you set the correct subscriber segment?

Is everything linked that should be?

Do you have a text-only version? Is the content identical?

Have you scheduled a delivery time?

March 27, 2014

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp March 27, 2014

Schedule

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Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp

When IS the best time to send?

It depends. Who are you trying to reach? What is your audience? What are you trying to accomplish?

Track open and click rates, what do you see for your messages?

March 27, 2014

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp

Reporting

March 27, 2014

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Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp

Monitoring sends - problems

Track bounces High number of bounces may flag your account Avoid bounces, send one last invite via your text email

Track complaints Allowed about 1 per 1000 sends High number alert Mailchimp High number may shut your account down If proof of opt-in viable, complaint not as powerful

as SPAM

Track unsubscribes

March 27, 2014

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Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp

Monitoring sends - success

Track deliveries

Track open rate ~20-30% is good for a starting list The more targeted your audience, the better rate

Track click rate Which links received most clicks? Was link action driven? Did supporting text help draw attention?

March 27, 2014

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp March 27, 2014

Reports

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp March 27, 2014

Campaign report 1

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp March 27, 2014

Campaign report 2

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Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp

Sending your 1st campaign:

1. Establish a MailChimp account

2. Set up a new subscription list

3. Import and modify a template

4. Create your first campaign

5. Add your content

6. Preview your newsletter

7. Send your newsletter

8. Monitor success and track problems

March 19, 2014

Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp

Advanced Techniques

March 19, 2014

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Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp

Learn more about:

Setting up your first subscription list: http://kb.mailchimp.com/article/how-do-i-create-a-new-list

Building sign-up forms: http://kb.mailchimp.com/article/how-do-i-build-and-design-

my-signup-form-and-response-emails

Adding newsletter archives to your site: http://kb.mailchimp.com/article/how-can-i-set-up-an-archive

-of-my-campaigns

March 19, 2014

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Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp

Ask for help with…

Using the newsletter to send updates from a blog

Embedding a subscription form on your website

Including a link to archives on your site

Giving OIT staff access to your account

March 19, 2014

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Send Your Message to the Masses : : Using MailChimp March 19, 2014

Visit www.caes.uga.edu/unit/octsfor more resources and WIMBA archives.

See www.caes.uga.edu/unit/octs/resources/email-newsletters for detailed e-newsletter information. An updated template will be available AFTER March 19.

Questions?

Emily Pittsepitts@uga.edu706-542-0811