====== Mailchimp Integration ======

[[http://www.mailchimp.com/|MailChimp]] is an external emailing service that populates lists of leads and allows users to setup bulk emails, automate email campaigns and even build newsletters. The Real Geeks Lead Manager has direct integration with MailChimp allowing users to target specific groups of leads by sending their contact information automatically to MailChimp.

===== Getting Started =====

The first thing you need to do is create lists in MailChimp for the Lead Manager to send to. This is required for the integration to function properly. If there are no lists in your MailChimp, the Lead Manager will have no lists to target and won't be able to send leads over.

This can be accomplished from within MailChimp by going to Lists > Create List > Create List

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You can create a few different mailing lists on your MailChimp account -- for this example, I'm going to create:

  * //All Leads// - A list of all my leads, so I can tell them about promotions, specials, absences, etc.  
  * //Gold Mines// - The big spenders who are looking at properties that will let me retire to the Disneyland Resort.

{{ :screen_shot_2013-02-06_at_10.09.41_am.png?nolink |}}


===== Linking the Lead Manager to MailChimp =====


  * Click on "Settings"
  * Click on "3rd Party Integration Settings"
  * Click on "Click here to link to MailChimp"
  * Fill in your username and password and you're done

{{ :3rdpartymailchimp01.png?nolink |}}

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==== Exporting all of the leads to "All Leads" ====

  * Click on "Leads"
  * Click on "MailChimp"
  * Select "All Leads" from the dropdown
  * Click on "Export to MailChimp"

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Now, all of your entries in the leads list will be immediately migrated over to the MailChimp list you've selected.  Additionally, any //new// leads will also move over automatically.


==== Exporting a subset of leads to "Gold Mines" ====

  * Click on "Advanced Search"
  * Fill out your search query -- in my case I want only people who look at properties worth more than $8-million.
  * Click on "Search"
  * When your new results appear, click on "MailChimp" in the top right, the way we did before
  * Select "Gold Mines" (or whatever your list is called) form the dropdown
  * Click "Export to MailChimp"

{{ :screen_shot_2013-02-06_at_10.21.48_am.png?nolink |}}

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===== Managing your Exports =====

Lets assume that you at some point want to remove one of your queries.  Maybe because you, like me, have set the price-point on your query too high for your region in your advanced search.  I chose to export $8,000,000+ average price leads over to a list called "Gold Mines", but the average price of a house in my area is only $250,000.  While it would be great if that were to work out for me, it's a pipe-dream for now.  So lets sort that out by deleting it and then feasting upon a big tub of ice-cream looking at old photos of your trip to the Disney Land Resort.  (Editors note: You'll have to do that last part by yourself.)

To delete a query that is exporting to MailChimp.  Click on "Settings" at the top of your Lead Manager, much like you did before.  It will take you back to where you setup your integration.  However, there //should// be some new stuff there.  You should see something similar to the following.

{{ :screen_shot_2013-02-09_at_12.34.27_pm.png?nolink |}}

Click on the little "x" beside the query you want to remove and you're done!  If you login to MailChimp, you shouldn't see any more listings move over.

===== Automating your lists =====

Mailchimp supports a lot of conditional automation that plays pretty nicely with our Lead Manager.

Within the Automation options (located on the top bar) you are able to automatically move users from list to list if they are on other lists.

For example let's say you want to move new leads that become client from one Mailchimp list to another.

What you'll need to do is create a new list on Mailchimp and point a lead manager advanced search that lists all your active clients at it.

Now, you'll go to Mailchimp's automation menu and click on your old list. In there there's a small link that says, "Or remove subscribers from workflow." Give it a click, and create a rule that removes any users who are on your new list.

This will automatically remove clients from the "new lead" mailing list and place them onto your "active client" list.

===== Troubleshooting & Miscellaneous =====

Q: //Why aren't all of my leads showing up in MailChimp?//

A: Sometimes when you click on "Export to MailChimp" you will notice that many of your leads are not being pushed over to the MailChimp list.  This is because MailChimp is doing some magic-"email validation" and it will decide if an email is valid or not, without our help.  Sometimes it will decide an email is invalid, so it just won't import that lead.

Q: //Why is the menu blank when I attempt to send leads to MailChimp?//

A: You likely need to set up your lists on MailChimp. Once lists are created in MailChimp, the Lead Manager will be able to find these lists and makes them selectable options.

Q: //How many integrations can I run with MailChimp?//

A: MailChimp integrates at the administrator level and it is set up on a company basis. Even though there is only one integration joining the Lead Manager to MailChimp, you can build multiple lists for multiple agents to utilize.
==== Final Thoughts ====

You can setup any number of advanced search queries to deliver to your mailing lists.  If you have any problems, please don't hesitate to [[http://www.realgeeks.com/support/|get in contact with us using our support form]].  Good luck and have fun!