7 Proven Ways to Make Money with Mailchimp

Understanding Mailchimp: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters

If you are exploring ways to grow a business online or monetize your digital skills, Mailchimp is one of the most powerful tools available today. Mailchimp is an all-in-one marketing platform designed to help entrepreneurs, creators, and businesses build and manage relationships with their audience. Known primarily for email marketing, Mailchimp has grown into a robust platform that also offers customer journey automation, e-commerce tools, analytics, and social media integrations. This makes it ideal for small businesses, freelancers, and creators who want to run professional marketing campaigns without hiring a full marketing team.

Mailchimp was founded in 2001 by Ben Chestnut and Dan Kurzius as a side project to provide email services for small businesses. Over time, the platform evolved from a simple newsletter service to a comprehensive marketing solution used by millions of businesses worldwide. Its user-friendly interface, cost-effective plans, and integration with popular apps have made it a go-to choice for anyone wanting to grow their business online. In 2021, Mailchimp was acquired by Intuit, which further strengthened its features, providing seamless integrations with financial tools like QuickBooks—perfect for entrepreneurs looking to keep marketing and accounting in sync.

Mailchimp works best for businesses that need a reliable and scalable way to communicate with customers, nurture leads, and drive sales. Whether you run an e-commerce store, a blog, a SaaS company, or even a nonprofit organization, Mailchimp allows you to create automated campaigns, segment your audience, and measure performance in real time. It’s trusted by businesses across industries—retail, tech, education, and services—because it combines powerful marketing features with simplicity and affordability.

How to Use Mailchimp for Beginners

Getting started with Mailchimp is surprisingly simple, even if you have no prior marketing experience. The platform is designed with beginners in mind, offering a clear dashboard, drag-and-drop email builder, and guided setup tools. Whether you want to build an email list, create your first campaign, or automate customer follow-ups, Mailchimp gives you all the essential features to start growing your business right away.

"Mailchimp isn’t just an email tool—it’s a powerful money-making platform when you know how to use it strategically."

You can access the platform directly at https://mailchimp.com/ and create a free account to explore its basic features before upgrading to a paid plan. The free version is excellent for individuals and small businesses who want to learn the ropes and build their first 500 contacts without spending a cent.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to using Mailchimp for the first time:

1. Sign Up for a Free Account: Visit mailchimp.com and click “Sign Up Free.” Enter your email, username, and password to create an account.
2. Verify Your Email Address: Mailchimp will send a confirmation email. Verify your email to activate your account.
3. Complete Your Profile: Fill out basic business details like your name, company name, website, and address. This is important for compliance with email marketing regulations (like GDPR and CAN-SPAM).
4. Choose Your Audience Settings: Decide whether you want a single audience or multiple segments. Beginners usually start with one audience.
5. Import or Add Contacts: Upload existing contacts via CSV file, copy-paste them manually, or connect integrations (Shopify, WordPress, etc.) to sync customer lists automatically.
6. Create Your First Email Campaign: Use the drag-and-drop editor to design your email. Add images, headlines, and a strong call-to-action (CTA).
7. Set Up Automations (Optional): For example, you can create a welcome email that goes out automatically when someone subscribes.
8. Preview and Test: Use Mailchimp’s preview and test email feature to check formatting before sending it to your audience.
9. Send Your Campaign: Choose the right time for sending and hit “Send Now” or schedule it for later.
10. Analyze Results: After sending, check analytics like open rates, click-through rates, and conversions to understand performance.
11. Adjust and Improve: Use the insights from your campaign reports to refine your next campaign and boost engagement.

Following these steps will set you up for success and help you understand how Mailchimp works in real time. By testing different designs, subject lines, and timing, you can optimize your campaigns and achieve better results with every email you send.

Key Advantages and Features of Mailchimp

One of the reasons Mailchimp remains the preferred email marketing platform for millions of businesses worldwide is its rich set of features that go far beyond simple newsletter delivery. Whether you’re running a solo business or managing a full-scale marketing operation, Mailchimp’s tools make it easier to grow your audience, personalize messaging, and measure success without needing a degree in digital marketing.

Here are 10 key advantages and features that make Mailchimp a powerful tool for online entrepreneurs and business owners:

• User-Friendly Interface: Mailchimp’s dashboard is designed for beginners and professionals alike. You don’t need coding skills to create beautiful, responsive emails thanks to its drag-and-drop editor.
• Generous Free Plan: The free plan allows you to send up to 1,000 emails per month to 500 contacts. This is ideal for small businesses that want to experiment with email marketing before committing financially.
• Advanced Audience Segmentation: You can group subscribers based on behavior, demographics, purchase history, and more. This ensures highly targeted campaigns that increase engagement and conversions.
• Marketing Automation: Mailchimp’s automation tools let you set up welcome emails, abandoned cart reminders, and customer re-engagement campaigns. This saves time while keeping your audience engaged.
• E-commerce Integration: Mailchimp integrates with Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, BigCommerce, and other platforms, allowing you to sync customer data and run product-based campaigns easily.
• A/B Testing (Split Testing): Test subject lines, send times, and content variations to see what resonates most with your audience and continuously improve results.
• Social Media and Ads Integration: Run Facebook and Instagram ads directly from your Mailchimp account. You can also create landing pages and share campaigns across multiple channels.
• Analytics and Reporting: Mailchimp provides detailed performance reports including open rates, click rates, revenue generated, and customer journeys. You can use this data to refine your strategy.
• High Deliverability Rate: Mailchimp is known for its strong sender reputation, which helps your emails land in your subscribers’ inbox rather than the spam folder.
• Scalable Pricing and Features: Mailchimp grows with your business. You can start free, then upgrade to Essentials, Standard, or Premium plans as your list and needs expand—without losing data or campaigns.

These advantages make Mailchimp one of the best platforms to build strong relationships with your audience, automate marketing, and grow revenue efficiently.

Pros and Cons of Using Mailchimp

While Mailchimp is one of the most popular marketing platforms in the world, no tool is perfect for every business. Understanding its strengths and weaknesses can help you decide whether it’s the right fit for your goals.

Here’s a clear breakdown of the pros and cons:

Pros

• Beginner-Friendly Platform – The interface is clean, intuitive, and easy to navigate, even for first-time users.
• Free Plan Available – Perfect for startups and small businesses looking to experiment with email marketing at no cost.
• All-in-One Marketing Solution – Combines email marketing, social media campaigns, landing pages, and automation in one place.
• Reliable Analytics – Provides detailed reports to track campaign performance and measure ROI.
• Strong Deliverability Rates – Ensures that most of your emails reach subscribers’ inboxes instead of being flagged as spam.
• Robust Integrations – Works with hundreds of third-party platforms like Shopify, WordPress, WooCommerce, and Zapier.
• Scalability – You can start small and upgrade as your list and needs grow without migrating to a new platform.
• Excellent Automation Tools – Helps you set up customer journeys, trigger-based campaigns, and follow-ups with minimal effort.

Cons

• Price Increases as You Grow – The cost can become expensive as your subscriber list expands, especially for premium features.
• Limited Customer Support on Free Plan – Priority support is only available for paid users, which may slow problem resolution.
• Learning Curve for Advanced Features – Beginners may take time to fully understand automations, A/B testing, and reporting dashboards.
• Strict Account Rules – Accounts can be suspended for high bounce rates or spam complaints, which can be challenging for inexperienced users.
• Limited Template Customization – While the drag-and-drop builder is great, it offers less design freedom than some competitors.
• Complex Pricing Tiers – The pricing structure can be confusing for new users who are unsure which plan best fits their needs.
• No Native SMS Marketing (on Lower Plans) – SMS campaigns require higher-tier plans or third-party integrations.

Mailchimp is ideal if you’re looking for a single platform to manage your marketing, but if you have highly advanced automation needs or a very large subscriber base, it’s worth comparing costs with other providers before scaling too quickly.

How to Make Money with Mailchimp

Mailchimp is not just a marketing tool — it can also become a direct source of income if used strategically. With its automation features, audience segmentation, and integrations, entrepreneurs and freelancers can create multiple income streams. Whether you sell products, offer services, or run a content-based business, Mailchimp can help you generate leads, nurture customers, and turn them into repeat buyers. Let’s break down the most effective ways to monetize Mailchimp, starting with the first proven method.

1. Sell Digital Products with Automated Email Funnels

Selling digital products is one of the most popular ways to make money online, and Mailchimp makes it easy to build an audience and guide them toward purchasing your products. Digital products — such as e-books, online courses, templates, or printables — are scalable because you only need to create them once and sell them repeatedly without worrying about inventory. Mailchimp is ideal for creators, coaches, and freelancers who want to grow a loyal subscriber base. It allows you to design a smooth customer journey, from capturing leads with a signup form to delivering automated nurturing emails that build trust and lead to conversions. This works especially well for businesses in education, fitness, personal finance, design, or any niche where knowledge can be packaged and sold.

How It Works (Step-by-Step):

1. Create a Free or Paid Mailchimp Account – Start by signing up at mailchimp.com.
2. Define Your Niche and Product – Choose a digital product that solves a specific problem for your target audience.
3. Build a Landing Page – Use Mailchimp’s landing page builder to create a page where people can sign up for your freebie or join your email list.
4. Set Up an Email Signup Form – Embed the form on your website, blog, or social media to collect leads.
5. Offer a Lead Magnet – Provide a free resource (like a checklist or mini-guide) to encourage people to subscribe.
6. Create an Automated Email Sequence – Design a series of emails that introduce your product, build trust, and lead to a purchase pitch.
7. Connect Your Payment Processor – Use integrations like Stripe, PayPal, or Shopify to collect payments.
8. Deliver the Product Automatically – Once someone buys, send them a download link or access credentials through Mailchimp automation.
9. Analyze Campaign Results – Monitor open rates and conversion rates to improve future funnels.
10. Upsell or Cross-Sell – After the initial purchase, promote related products or premium offers to maximize revenue.
11. Retarget Non-Buyers – Send follow-up emails with special offers to people who didn’t purchase the first time.
12. Promote on Social Media – Use Mailchimp’s Facebook/Instagram ad integrations to expand your reach.
13. Repeat and Optimize – Continuously refine your copy, design, and offers based on performance data.

Capital Required:

Expect to invest around $0–$50/month to start, depending on whether you use Mailchimp’s free plan or upgrade to the Essentials plan for advanced automations. You may also spend $50–$200 for product creation tools (like Canva Pro, Teachable, or Gumroad fees).

Third-Party Platforms Required:

• Payment Gateways: Stripe, PayPal, or Gumroad.
• Design Tools: Canva (for e-book design, graphics), or Figma (for templates).
• Course Platforms (Optional): Teachable, Podia, or Kajabi if you sell courses.

Main Strategy and Target Audience:

Your primary strategy is to capture leads through valuable freebies and then nurture them with automated emails until they purchase. The best audience for this strategy includes students, freelancers, small business owners, and hobbyists interested in your niche topic.

Quick Income Plan:

Launch a small, affordable digital product (e.g., $10–$20 e-book) and promote it to 100–200 subscribers. Aim for at least a 3–5% conversion rate to generate your first sales within the first two weeks.

Estimated Income:

• Beginner: $20–$50/day | $140–$350/week | $600–$1,200/month (with a list of 300–500 engaged subscribers).
• Experienced Marketer: $100–$200/day | $700–$1,400/week | $3,000–$6,000/month (with a list of 2,000+ subscribers and optimized funnels).

Real-World Success Story:

Sofia Morales from Argentina started by creating a $15 productivity planner and using Mailchimp’s free plan to build her audience through social media. Within three months, her email list grew to 1,000 subscribers. She automated her funnel with a welcome sequence and weekly tips, which led to a steady 5% conversion rate. Today, she makes $1,200 per month from her digital product sales, according to posts she shared on /Reddit’s r/Entrepreneur and /Facebook creator groups.

2. Offer Email Marketing Services to Small Businesses

Another excellent way to make money with Mailchimp is by offering done-for-you email marketing services to businesses that don’t have the time, skills, or resources to manage their own campaigns. Many small businesses understand the importance of email marketing but struggle with designing professional emails, writing persuasive copy, and setting up automation. This is where you can step in and charge for your expertise. Mailchimp is the perfect platform for freelance marketers, virtual assistants, and marketing consultants who want to provide value to local businesses, e-commerce stores, or online coaches. Since Mailchimp is beginner-friendly, you can quickly learn the platform, create email campaigns, and manage clients’ subscriber lists — even if you’re just starting out.

How It Works (Step-by-Step):

1. Learn the Basics of Mailchimp – Spend a few days familiarizing yourself with campaigns, automations, segmentation, and reporting.
2. Build a Portfolio – Create sample email campaigns using a free account to showcase your skills to potential clients.
3. Define Your Services – Decide whether you’ll offer full email campaign management, list building, or automation setup.
4. Set Your Pricing – Choose an hourly rate (e.g., $20–$50/hour) or package pricing (e.g., $300/month per client).
5. Find Clients – Start with local businesses, networking events, and freelance marketplaces like Upwork or Fiverr.
6. Create Client Accounts or Get Access – Either manage campaigns from their Mailchimp account or use Mailchimp’s “Agency” features to handle multiple clients.
7. Design and Schedule Campaigns – Use Mailchimp’s templates and drag-and-drop editor to create professional-looking campaigns.
8. Set Up Automations – Create welcome series, follow-ups, or abandoned cart campaigns to help clients boost sales.
9. Provide Monthly Reports – Use Mailchimp’s analytics to show clients open rates, click-through rates, and ROI.
10. Upsell Your Services – Offer add-ons like A/B testing, landing page creation, or social ad management.
11. Ask for Referrals – Satisfied clients can introduce you to more businesses.
12. Scale Your Business – As you gain more clients, raise your rates and hire assistants if necessary.

Capital Required:

You can start with $0 upfront cost by using Mailchimp’s free plan for testing and demos. To serve paying clients professionally, consider upgrading to a paid plan (~$13–$20/month) or requesting that clients cover their subscription fees. You may also invest $50–$100 in a professional portfolio website or design software.

Third-Party Platforms Required:

• Freelance Marketplaces: Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer.
• Portfolio Tools: WordPress, Wix, or Carrd for showcasing services.
• Communication Tools: Slack, Zoom, or Google Meet for client calls.

Main Strategy and Target Audience:

Your strategy is to position yourself as the go-to email marketing expert for small businesses that don’t have in-house teams. The best target clients are:Local businesses (restaurants, salons, gyms), E-commerce stores, Coaches and consultants, Nonprofits that need donor campaigns, Event organizers (workshops, webinars, local events)

Quick Income Plan:

Start with one or two clients at a low introductory rate (e.g., $150/month), get results for them, collect testimonials, then increase your prices. Aim to onboard 3–5 clients within your first 60 days for consistent recurring income.

Estimated Income:

• Beginner: $30–$50/day | $200–$350/week | $800–$1,400/month (with 2–3 small clients).
• Experienced Marketer: $100–$300/day | $700–$2,000/week | $3,000–$8,000/month (with 6–10 retainer clients at higher rates).

Real-World Success Story:

Luca Weber from Germany began offering Mailchimp services as a side hustle while working a full-time job. He approached three local businesses, set up welcome email automations, and charged €250 per month per client. Within six months, word-of-mouth referrals helped him grow to eight clients, allowing him to earn over €4,000/month and quit his job. His story was featured in a discussion on /LinkedIn business groups and /Twitter marketing threads.

3. Build and Monetize a Newsletter

Newsletters are a powerful way to create a loyal audience and turn that audience into a source of consistent income. With Mailchimp, you can build a professional-looking newsletter, automate delivery, and track engagement to see what content resonates most with your subscribers. Once you have a loyal reader base, you can monetize it through sponsorships, affiliate marketing, or even selling your own premium content. This method is perfect for bloggers, influencers, writers, or niche experts who love sharing valuable insights on a specific topic — whether it’s personal finance, tech trends, health tips, or lifestyle hacks. By using Mailchimp, you can easily set up a signup form, grow your email list, and deliver high-quality content on a regular schedule that keeps readers engaged and coming back for more.

How It Works (Step-by-Step):

1. Choose Your Niche – Pick a topic you are passionate about and that has a clear audience demand (e.g., productivity, crypto news, travel deals).
2. Create a Free Mailchimp Account – Start at mailchimp.com and set up your first audience.
3. Design Your Newsletter Template – Use Mailchimp’s drag-and-drop builder to create a clean, branded template.
4. Write Compelling Content – Share tips, stories, or industry updates that provide value to readers.
5. Set Up a Signup Form – Embed it on your website, blog, or social profiles to collect subscribers.
6. Offer a Freebie to Attract Subscribers – This could be a downloadable guide, checklist, or special report.
7. Promote Your Newsletter – Share it on social media, collaborate with influencers, or join online communities.
8. Send Regular Emails – Stick to a consistent schedule (weekly or biweekly) to build trust.
9. Monetize with Sponsorships – Reach out to brands and offer ad placements in your newsletter.
10. Use Affiliate Links – Promote relevant products and earn a commission for every sale generated.
11. Create a Paid Version – Offer premium subscribers exclusive content for a monthly fee.
12. Analyze Performance – Use Mailchimp’s analytics to measure open rates, clicks, and revenue.
13. Refine and Grow – Continuously tweak your content strategy to attract more subscribers and sponsors.

Capital Required:

You can start for free using Mailchimp’s free plan. For faster growth, consider investing $50–$150/month in advertising (Meta ads, Google Ads) or a paid Mailchimp plan to unlock advanced automations and A/B testing.

Third-Party Platforms Required:

• Website or Blog: WordPress, Substack (for hosting your newsletter archive).
• Affiliate Networks: Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or Impact.
• Design Tools: Canva for graphics and newsletter visuals.

Main Strategy and Target Audience:

The main strategy is to build a loyal readership first before aggressively monetizing. The ideal target audience includes hobbyists, professionals, and enthusiasts in your niche who are eager for curated information and recommendations.

Quick Income Plan:

Aim for at least 500–1,000 subscribers within 2–3 months. Approach small brands or affiliate partners for collaborations once you can guarantee a 25–30% open rate to maximize value for advertisers.

Estimated Income:

• Beginner: $10–$30/day | $100–$200/week | $400–$800/month (from affiliate links or small sponsorships).
• Experienced Publisher: $100–$500/day | $700–$3,500/week | $3,000–$10,000/month (from multiple sponsors and premium subscriptions).

Real-World Success Story:

Mateo Rossi from Italy started a newsletter focused on “sustainable living hacks” and grew his audience to 2,500 subscribers in under six months. He monetized through affiliate links for eco-friendly products and secured a €500/month sponsorship from a green home brand. Today, he consistently earns €1,200–€1,500/month, a story he proudly shared on /Substack’s creator forum and /Facebook groups for newsletter writers.

4. Run Paid Webinars and Online Workshops

Webinars and online workshops are one of the most profitable ways to share your expertise, build authority, and earn money. Mailchimp makes this easy by helping you collect registrations, send reminders, and follow up with attendees after the event. Paid webinars work well for professionals, coaches, consultants, and educators who have valuable knowledge to teach — such as marketing strategies, business skills, cooking classes, language lessons, or technical training. This model works best if you already have a small audience or social following. Even with a small email list, a well-crafted webinar with a high-value topic can generate impressive revenue in a single session. Mailchimp’s automation and segmentation features make it simple to invite the right audience, maximize attendance, and convert viewers into paying customers for your main product or service.

How It Works (Step-by-Step):

1. Pick a Profitable Topic – Choose a topic that solves a problem your audience is actively searching for (e.g., “How to Start a Freelance Business in 30 Days”).
2. Set Up a Landing Page – Use Mailchimp’s landing page builder to collect webinar registrations.
3. Create a Registration Form – Capture attendee names and emails and automatically add them to your Mailchimp list.
4. Promote the Webinar – Share your registration link via social media, email campaigns, and online communities.
5. Send Automated Reminders – Use Mailchimp automations to send reminders 3 days, 1 day, and 1 hour before the event.
6. Host the Webinar – Use Zoom, Google Meet, or WebinarJam to deliver the live session.
7. Provide High-Value Content – Teach actionable steps that attendees can implement immediately.
8. Upsell or Offer Paid Products – Present a premium offer or package at the end of the webinar.
9. Send Follow-Up Emails – Include the replay, slides, and an extended offer to those who didn’t attend live.
10. Collect Feedback – Ask attendees what they liked and what topics they want next.
11. Repeat the Process – Turn the webinar into a recurring monthly or quarterly event.

Capital Required:

You can get started for around $50–$100, covering Mailchimp’s Essentials plan, a Zoom Pro subscription (~$15/month), and any graphic design work for your webinar slides.

Third-Party Platforms Required:

• Webinar Hosting: Zoom, Google Meet, or WebinarJam.
• Presentation Tools: Canva or PowerPoint for slides.
• Payment Processors: Stripe or PayPal for collecting registration fees.

Main Strategy and Target Audience:

Your strategy should focus on solving a very specific problem for a well-defined audience. Target entrepreneurs, freelancers, hobbyists, or professionals who are willing to pay for expert knowledge that will save them time or make them money.

Quick Income Plan:

Start with a low-cost webinar ($10–$30 per seat) to attract your first 30–50 attendees. Promote heavily to your existing email list and social channels to fill seats quickly.

Estimated Income:

• Beginner: $100–$200/day | $300–$500/week | $1,000–$2,000/month (running 1–2 webinars per month).
• Experienced Host: $500–$1,000/day | $2,000–$5,000/week | $8,000–$15,000/month (running multiple webinars and selling premium packages).

Real-World Success Story:

Camila Duarte from Brazil started running paid marketing workshops using Mailchimp to handle sign-ups and automated reminders. Her first event had 35 attendees at $20 each, earning her $700 in one evening. She then created a series of webinars and grew her email list to over 2,000 subscribers, consistently selling out each event. Camila shared her experience in /Facebook marketing groups and on /Reddit’s r/Entrepreneur, inspiring others to try paid online training.

5. Launch an E-commerce Store and Automate Sales

Mailchimp is not just for email marketing — it also allows you to connect directly with e-commerce platforms to automate product promotions, upsells, and follow-ups. This makes it a powerful tool for entrepreneurs who want to launch an online store and grow sales quickly without manually handling every customer interaction. This method is perfect for anyone selling physical products, dropshipping items, or even print-on-demand merchandise like t-shirts, mugs, and posters. Mailchimp helps you create personalized campaigns based on customer behavior, such as abandoned cart reminders, product recommendations, and loyalty discounts — all of which can dramatically increase conversions.

How It Works (Step-by-Step):

1. Choose Your Products – Decide whether to sell your own products, dropship items, or use print-on-demand services.
2. Set Up Your Store – Create an online store with Shopify, WooCommerce, or Etsy.
3. Connect Mailchimp to Your Store – Use Mailchimp’s native integrations to sync customer data and product catalog.
4. Build a Customer List – Add a signup form to your store to collect emails from visitors and buyers.
5. Create Automated Workflows – Set up abandoned cart reminders, welcome series, and post-purchase follow-ups.
6. Send Promotional Campaigns – Announce new products, flash sales, and holiday promotions to your list.
7. Segment Your Audience – Target customers based on purchase history or interests for higher relevance.
8. Add Product Recommendations – Use Mailchimp’s product recommendation feature to upsell related items.
9. Run Retargeting Ads – Launch Facebook and Instagram ads through Mailchimp to bring back visitors who didn’t buy.
10. Track Sales and ROI – Analyze which campaigns drive the most revenue and refine accordingly.
11. Offer Loyalty Discounts – Reward repeat customers with special offers to increase lifetime value.
12. Expand Product Line – Add new items and cross-promote them through email campaigns.

Capital Required:

Expect to spend $50–$150/month on store hosting (Shopify or WooCommerce), Mailchimp (Essentials or Standard plan), and basic marketing ads. Product costs vary depending on your business model — print-on-demand has little upfront cost, while dropshipping may require inventory testing.

Third-Party Platforms Required:

• E-commerce Store: Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, or Etsy.
• Payment Gateways: Stripe or PayPal.
• Print-on-Demand Services (Optional): Printful, Printify, or Gelato.

Main Strategy and Target Audience:

The strategy is to leverage automation to make your store work on autopilot. The best target audience includes online shoppers interested in your niche (e.g., fashion lovers, pet owners, fitness enthusiasts).

Quick Income Plan:

Run a limited-time sale promoted through an email blast and retargeting ads. Aim for 50–100 visitors per day to generate your first sales within a week.

Estimated Income:

• Beginner: $20–$70/day | $150–$500/week | $600–$2,000/month (with a small store and a few campaigns).
• Experienced Seller: $200–$500/day | $1,500–$3,500/week | $6,000–$15,000/month (with optimized funnels and multiple products).

Real-World Success Story:

Nina Carver from Canada launched a small print-on-demand store selling motivational posters and used Mailchimp to automate abandoned cart emails. Within her first month, she made $1,800 in sales, attributing 40% of revenue to automated follow-ups. Nina documented her process in /Shopify entrepreneur groups and shared screenshots of her Mailchimp analytics, encouraging others to focus on email-driven sales.

6. Promote Affiliate Products Through Email Campaigns

Affiliate marketing is one of the most beginner-friendly ways to make money online, and Mailchimp is an excellent platform for running professional affiliate campaigns. With affiliate marketing, you promote other companies’ products and earn a commission every time someone buys through your referral link. This approach allows you to earn passive income without having to create your own product or manage inventory.

Mailchimp is perfect for content creators, bloggers, and influencers who already have an audience or want to build one around a niche topic. By sending carefully crafted emails with valuable recommendations, product reviews, or special offers, you can generate consistent affiliate income while also building trust with your readers.

How It Works (Step-by-Step):

1. Pick a Profitable Niche – Choose a niche with high-demand products (e.g., fitness, software, gadgets).
2. Join Affiliate Programs – Sign up for programs like Amazon Associates, Impact, ShareASale, CJ Affiliate, or ClickBank.
3. Build Your Mailchimp List – Use lead magnets (free guides, checklists) to attract subscribers interested in your niche.
4. Segment Your Audience – Group subscribers based on their interests so you can send relevant offers.
5. Create Value-Driven Emails – Share helpful tips, tutorials, and product recommendations rather than just sales pitches.
6. Embed Affiliate Links – Include your affiliate links naturally within the email copy or as call-to-action buttons.
7. Disclose Affiliate Relationships – Stay compliant by including a disclosure statement in your emails.
8. Automate Follow-Ups – Set up a series of emails that introduce products and share benefits over several days.
9. Promote Special Offers – Send time-sensitive deals and discount codes to boost conversions.
10. Track Performance – Use Mailchimp analytics and affiliate dashboards to see which campaigns convert best.
11. Test and Optimize – Experiment with subject lines, CTAs, and timing to improve click-through rates.
12. Scale Up – Add more affiliate products or create a dedicated newsletter for affiliate offers.

Capital Required:

You can start for $0 if you use Mailchimp’s free plan and join free affiliate programs. However, investing $50–$100/month in advertising (Facebook/Instagram ads) can help grow your email list faster.

Third-Party Platforms Required:

• Affiliate Networks: Amazon Associates, ShareASale, Impact, CJ Affiliate, ClickBank.
• Link Tracking Tools: Pretty Links or Bitly (to shorten and track affiliate links).
• Content Hosting: Blog or website to publish detailed reviews and collect organic subscribers.

Main Strategy and Target Audience:

The main strategy is to educate first, sell second. Send helpful content (guides, reviews, tutorials) that builds trust, then recommend products as solutions.

Quick Income Plan:

Start with one high-converting affiliate product, send an email series to your list, and offer an exclusive bonus (like a free PDF guide) for anyone who buys through your link.

Estimated Income:

• Beginner: $15–$50/day | $100–$300/week | $400–$1,200/month (with a list of 300–500 subscribers).
• Experienced Affiliate Marketer: $200–$500/day | $1,500–$3,500/week | $6,000–$12,000/month (with 3,000+ subscribers and multiple product offers).

Real-World Success Story:

Diego Romero from Mexico built a small email list focused on home fitness enthusiasts. He recommended a $50 set of resistance bands through his affiliate link and ran a three-part educational email series about home workouts. Within two months, he was earning $900/month in commissions, as shared in /Reddit’s r/AffiliateMarketing and /Twitter threads where he documented his conversion rates.

7. Offer Paid Memberships or Subscription Content

Another profitable way to monetize Mailchimp is by creating a membership site or subscription-based content service. This model works by charging subscribers a monthly or annual fee to access premium content, exclusive tools, or private communities. Mailchimp is a great platform for this because it allows you to manage subscriber lists, deliver members-only newsletters, and automate payment confirmations.

This approach is ideal for coaches, educators, influencers, and niche experts who have deep knowledge in a subject area and can create exclusive value — such as a private mastermind group, premium research reports, fitness challenges, or step-by-step learning modules. By leveraging Mailchimp, you can provide a seamless experience where subscribers receive automated onboarding emails and ongoing content delivery.

How It Works (Step-by-Step):

1. Define Your Membership Offer: Decide what members will get (exclusive content, live Q&As, templates, a private community).
2. Choose a Pricing Model: Select a monthly or yearly subscription fee (e.g., $10–$50/month).
3. Create a Signup Landing Page: Use Mailchimp’s landing page builder to promote your membership and collect sign-ups.
4. Connect a Payment Processor: Integrate Stripe, PayPal, or Memberstack to handle recurring payments.
5. Segment Paying Members: Separate paying subscribers from free users in Mailchimp so you can deliver premium content only to them.
6. Create a Welcome Sequence: Automate emails that introduce members to the platform, provide access links, and set expectations.
7. Deliver Content Regularly: Send weekly or monthly members-only newsletters, lessons, or resources.
8. Engage Your Members: Run polls, surveys, and Q&A sessions to keep members involved.
9. Offer Exclusive Bonuses: Add new resources or live sessions occasionally to boost retention.
10. Promote on Social Media: Encourage followers to join by teasing exclusive content available only inside the membership.
11. Monitor Retention Rates: Use Mailchimp analytics to track open rates and identify inactive members.
12. Upsell Higher Tiers: Offer VIP memberships with extra perks at a higher price.

Capital Required:

Expect to spend around $50–$150/month on Mailchimp (for segmentation features), payment processing fees, and potentially a membership platform (if you’re using a hosted solution like Memberstack, Podia, or Patreon).

Third-Party Platforms Required:

• Membership Platforms: Podia, Memberstack, Patreon, or Ghost.
• Payment Gateway: Stripe or PayPal.
• Community Tools (Optional): Discord, Circle, or Slack for member discussions.

Main Strategy and Target Audience:

The main strategy is to create exclusive value that people can’t get for free elsewhere. This works well for professionals who can offer expert knowledge, niche research, or unique community support.

Quick Income Plan:

Launch with a low-priced “founding member offer” to attract your first 20–30 members quickly, then raise the price as you add more value and content.

Estimated Income:

• Beginner: $10–$30/day | $100–$250/week | $400–$1,000/month (with 20–40 paying members).
• Experienced Creator: $200–$500/day | $1,500–$3,500/week | $6,000–$12,000/month (with 300+ members and multiple pricing tiers).

Real-World Success Story:

Elena Novak from Poland launched a $15/month membership for freelance designers, offering exclusive tutorials, design templates, and monthly group coaching calls. Using Mailchimp, she automated sign-ups, member onboarding, and monthly newsletter delivery. Within six months, she grew to 180 members, earning $2,700/month in recurring revenue. Elena shared her growth journey and retention strategies in /IndieHackers forums and /Facebook membership business groups.

Comparison Table: Mailchimp Money-Making Methods

Method	How It Works	Supporting Platforms	Target Market	Capital Required	Estimated Income
Sell Digital Products	Create a lead magnet, capture emails, and send automated sales sequences for e-books, templates, or courses.	Canva, Gumroad, Teachable, Stripe/PayPal	Creators, freelancers, students, hobbyists	$0–$50/month + $50–$200 for product creation tools	Beginners: $600–$1,200/month • Experts: $3,000–$6,000/month
Offer Email Marketing Services	Manage campaigns, automations, and reporting for small businesses or entrepreneurs.	Upwork, Fiverr, WordPress (portfolio), Zoom	Local businesses, e-commerce stores, coaches, nonprofits	$0–$20/month (Mailchimp plan) + optional $50–$100 for website	Beginners: $800–$1,400/month • Experts: $3,000–$8,000/month
Build & Monetize a Newsletter	Grow an engaged audience and monetize through sponsorships, affiliates, or paid subscriptions.	Substack, WordPress, Canva, Affiliate Networks	Readers interested in niche topics (finance, travel, tech, lifestyle)	$0 initially, optional $50–$150/month for ads	Beginners: $400–$800/month • Experts: $3,000–$10,000/month
Run Paid Webinars	Host live workshops, collect registrations, and upsell premium offers.	Zoom, Google Meet, WebinarJam, Stripe/PayPal	Entrepreneurs, professionals, learners seeking skills	$50–$100/month (Mailchimp + Zoom Pro)	Beginners: $1,000–$2,000/month • Experts: $8,000–$15,000/month
Launch an E-commerce Store	Integrate store with Mailchimp to automate cart recovery, upsells, and product promotions.	Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy, Printful/Printify	Online shoppers, niche product enthusiasts	$50–$150/month + product costs	Beginners: $600–$2,000/month • Experts: $6,000–$15,000/month
Promote Affiliate Products	Send educational and promotional emails with affiliate links to generate commissions.	Amazon Associates, ShareASale, Impact, ClickBank	Niche-focused audiences (fitness, tech, beauty, finance)	$0, optional $50–$100/month ads	Beginners: $400–$1,200/month • Experts: $6,000–$12,000/month
Offer Paid Memberships	Build a subscription community or content hub with automated delivery.	Podia, Memberstack, Patreon, Discord	Professionals, hobbyists, learners seeking exclusive content	$50–$150/month (Mailchimp + membership tools)	Beginners: $400–$1,000/month • Experts: $6,000–$12,000/month

Tips for Beginners Just Starting Out

Starting with Mailchimp can feel overwhelming at first, but following a few smart practices can make the learning curve much smoother and help you start earning money faster. Here are some expert-backed tips:

• Start Small and Simple
  Don’t try to master every Mailchimp feature on day one. Begin with one campaign, one list, and one clear goal — such as growing your audience or selling a single product.
• Focus on Building a Quality Email List
  The size of your list matters less than its relevance. Offer valuable lead magnets (e-books, checklists, templates) to attract subscribers who are genuinely interested in your niche.
• Use Automation Early
  Mailchimp’s automation tools can save hours of manual work. Set up welcome emails, abandoned cart reminders, and follow-up sequences right away to keep your list engaged automatically.
• Craft Compelling Subject Lines
  Your subject line is the first thing subscribers see. Write clear, curiosity-driven headlines that encourage people to open your emails.
• Personalize Your Content
  Use Mailchimp’s personalization tags (like first name) and segment your audience by interest to make your messages more relevant and engaging.
• Track and Learn from Data
  Open rates, click-through rates, and conversions are your guide. Analyze which campaigns perform best, then adjust your strategy based on real numbers.
• Stay Consistent
  Send emails on a regular schedule — weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly — so your audience knows when to expect your content and stays connected with your brand.
• Avoid Hard Selling
  Too many sales emails can drive unsubscribes. Balance your content with helpful tips, stories, and value before pitching products or services.
• Test and Improve Over Time
  Try A/B testing for subject lines, calls-to-action, and send times. Small improvements can significantly boost your revenue.
• Leverage Mailchimp Resources
  Mailchimp has an extensive Help Center and free tutorials. Take advantage of these to learn best practices quickly.

Mistakes to Avoid

Even though Mailchimp is beginner-friendly, many new users make simple errors that hurt their results or slow their path to monetization. Here are the most common mistakes you should avoid:

• Buying Email Lists
  Purchasing lists might seem like a shortcut, but it leads to low engagement, high spam complaints, and even account suspension. Always build your own list organically.
• Neglecting Mobile Optimization
  Over 60% of emails are opened on mobile devices. Failing to use mobile-friendly templates can make your messages hard to read, leading to lower conversions.
• Sending Too Many Emails Too Soon
  Bombarding new subscribers with daily emails can cause them to unsubscribe quickly. Gradually warm up your audience with a balanced content schedule.
• Ignoring Segmentation
  Sending the same email to everyone on your list reduces relevance. Use Mailchimp’s segmentation features to send targeted campaigns based on subscriber interests or behavior.
• Skipping A/B Testing
  Without testing, you miss opportunities to improve open rates and click-through rates. Always test subject lines, content, and send times to find what works best.
• Failing to Comply with GDPR/Privacy Laws
  Not adding proper opt-in checkboxes or unsubscribe links can put you at legal risk. Always follow email marketing regulations like GDPR, CAN-SPAM, and CASL.
• Not Reviewing Analytics
  Many beginners ignore Mailchimp’s reports, missing valuable insights. Track your performance regularly and adjust your strategy based on what the data reveals.
• Overloading Emails with Images
  Too many large images can slow loading times and trigger spam filters. Maintain a good text-to-image ratio for better deliverability.
• Using Weak Calls-to-Action
  If you don’t tell readers what to do next, they won’t take action. Make your CTAs clear, direct, and compelling.
• Stopping After the First Campaign
  Some people quit too early if they don’t see instant results. Email marketing is a long-term game — consistency pays off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mailchimp is best for email marketing, audience management, and marketing automation. It’s ideal for small businesses, creators, and entrepreneurs who want to build relationships with their audience, promote products, and drive consistent sales without spending a fortune on ads.

No, you don’t need a website to start. Mailchimp lets you create free landing pages, sign-up forms, and even a simple online store. However, having a website or blog can help you build authority and grow your email list faster.

Yes, Mailchimp has a free plan that allows you to manage up to 500 contacts and send 1,000 emails per month. This is perfect for beginners to test the platform before upgrading to a paid plan for advanced features like automations and A/B testing.

It depends on your strategy. If you already have an audience or product, you could start seeing results within a week. For beginners building a list from scratch, expect 1–3 months before generating consistent income.

Absolutely. Mailchimp integrates with hundreds of platforms including Shopify, WooCommerce, WordPress, Facebook Ads, Stripe, and PayPal — making it easy to connect your marketing efforts across channels.

If you go beyond your plan’s contact limit, Mailchimp will prompt you to upgrade to a higher tier. Your campaigns will still work, but some features may be paused until you upgrade. It’s best to monitor your list size regularly.

What Our Readers Say

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