If you accept payments via PayPal, you can automatically add customers to your MailChimp list instantly and seamlessly whenever they buy from you.
This is perfect if you sell stuff on Etsy, eBay, or your own e-commerce store.
It’s also great if you’re a non-profit or church and take donations on your website/blog.
Here’s how to set it all up…
We’re basically using PayPal’s “Instant Payment Notification” service.
You’ll need to have either a Premier or Business PayPal account.
Just log in to MailChimp, go to the Account tab, click “Add-ons” (marvel at all the wonderful add-ons we offer), then activate the PayPal 360 plugin:
Once it’s activated, click the configure link, and a new pop-up window will appear.
1. Select the list where you want PayPal purchasers’ emails to go to. Don’t just dump them into some newsletter list (unless you explicitly told them on your purchase form that they’d be receiving newsletters). Rather, create a totally separate list for “customers” who have purchased stuff from (or donated to) your organization.
In the settings for that list, your permission reminder can say, “You’re receiving this because you purchased something from our store and…” Remember, never “surprise” your recipients with email marketing they weren’t expecting. This completes our email etiquette session.
2. MailChimp will generate a secret code. I’m just calling it a secret code to make this tutorial feel more intriguing. Select that code and copy it to your clipboard.
Then, go log in to your PayPal account, and click on the “Profile” link:
On the next screen, look for the link to “Instant Payment Notifications” (it’s kinda hard to find in all those links. Here’s a clue:
The next screen will look like this:
1. Check the box.
2. Enter the secret code that you got from MailChimp.
3. Do a little dance of joy (yes, MailChimp can tell if you don’t dance).
Remember, this only works for Business or Premier accounts in PayPal.
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