MailChimp can be used to send large newsletters. MailChimp offers many additional functions that ChurchTools cannot currently offer, e.g. file attachments in e-mails and recognizing whether the newsletters are really being read.
The assignment to MailChimp is done exclusively via groups. For example, a “Newsletter” group can be created in ChurchTools and a MailChimp address list can be assigned to it. All persons assigned to this group are then also created in MailChimp. As soon as a recipient withdraws (from) the newsletter, MailChimp remembers the deregistration and ChurchTools cannot assign the person to the newsletter again. This fulfills the legal requirements for newsletters.
Setting up the MailChimp integration #
The MailChimp integration is activated immediately as soon as the API key is set in the ChurchTools system settings.
To further configure the integration, “Assign MailChimp list” must be selected in a desired group in the people module.
Assign MailChimp list #
Any number of MailChimp lists can be assigned to a group.
All existing assignments and their settings are listed at the top of the view box. Further assignments can be created below this.
The options are explained in more detail below:
- New subscribers to the list must confirm (opt-in)? – As soon as this is activated, opt-in emails are automatically sent from MailChimp after synchronization with MailChimp (see below). This means that the recipient receives an e-mail where they can confirm whether they really want to receive the newsletter. This is required by law!
- Send farewell e-mail when leaving the list? – As soon as a person is no longer in the group and synchronization with MailChimp has been completed, the recipient will receive a farewell email. This is set up in MailChimp and also sent by MailChimp.
- Inform list admin when leaving? – The admin of the list (set in MailChimp) receives an e-mail as soon as one of the recipients added by ChurchTools withdraws (from) the newsletter.
Synchronization with MailChimp #
Synchronization takes place as soon as the cron job is executed. By default, this is executed automatically every hour. If it is to be executed manually, you can click on Execute scheduled tasks in the admin menu at the top right.
During synchronization, ChurchTools is synchronized with MailChimp and the name and e-mail address are checked. If the e-mail address changes, the person is deleted in MailChimp and recreated so that the person has to agree again (if this is activated in MailChimp).
However, there is NO synchronization from MailChimp to ChurchTools. This means that changes made in MailChimp (when someone is manually added or deleted) are not transferred to ChurchTools.