This guide will help you switch from MailChimp to EngageMessage in a few simple steps. If you need more assistance, you can always message or email us. We are here to help!
There are two ways to import your MailChimp contacts to EngageMessage.
Don't worry. The chart below will help you choose which way works best for you:
Import Through API Key
1. You will need to obtain your MailChimp API key first.
Click here to navigate to the MailChimp API Key page. Click Create a Key, then copy the key.
It will look like this:
or this:
Note: We recommend creating a new key specifically for the EngageMessage integration, but you can use an existing key if you would like.
2. Once you have your MailChimp API key, open your EngageMessage app > Contacts > "+" on the top right corner > Import From MailChimp > paste your API key in the box > click Next
Which MailChimp Audience/List is imported?
If you import through the API key, ALL your MailChimp Audience/Lists will be imported to EngageMessage at once. To differ different audience/lists, we will save the audience/list name as a tag to your contact. You can use tags to create segments later.
Will My MailChimp Custom Fields Be Imported?
Custom fields will NOT be imported if you use the API Key method. This means only email addresses, names, phones, subscription status, and tags of contacts will be imported. If you need to import custom fields you have in MailChimp to EngageMessage, you should import through a CSV file.
Do I Need To Import Again?
Once you use the API key to import your MailChimp contacts to EngageMessage, we will keep pulling the latest list from your MailChimp. So even you have new contacts added to your MailChimp audience/list, you don't need to repeat the import process.
Mailchimp data syncs to EngageMessage as follow:
Existing audience/lists sync every 30 minutes
Every 6 hours EngageMessage checks for new audience lists. Once a new audience/list is discovered, they will sync every 30 minutes or 1 hour, respectively.
You can go to EngageMessage Settings > Sync Data to manage.
Import Through CSV File
1. Open MailChimp and click the Audience icon.
2. Click All contacts.
3. If you have more than one audience, click the Current audience drop-down and choose the one you want to work with.
4. Click Export Audience.
5. After the export loads, click Export as CSV to download the file to your computer.
6. Import your CSV file to EngageMessage
Important: Once your import your MailChimp contacts and they immediately match the rules for a campaign that you have on live, they will get that message right away.
If you import the contacts through a CSV file and you delete or add a contact on MailChimp, they will not be deleted or added in EngageMessage. You will need to export a new CSV file and import it to EM again. Don't worry about importing the same contact again, EM will update the contact's information and won't create any duplicates.
There are two other ways to add your contacts to EngageMessage, check out How to add contacts in EngageMessage.