What's the best to use for eNews? Aways used MailChimp but now I have to pay!

6 replies
I've been using MailChimp to send regular newsletters to my clients for a few months now and I've always used the free version which I've coped well with, so far it's done exaclty what I need it too.

I've recently imported a new batch of subscribers and it's saying that I now need to pay as I've gone over the number of subscribers that I can have if I want to use the free services.

That's not the problem as such, but a monthly subscription isn't cheap and before I signed up I just wondered what everyone else was using to send their newsletters and if you're getting good value for money?

I love that MailChimp provides email templates so I can keep my themes consistent and it's not too much of a drama to mix it up.

I also get lots of use from their data analysis especially the 'unsubscribe' data. This helps me a) see what kind of content works and b) review my strategies regarding where my email list is coming from.

If anyone's got any input regarding the newsletter service that they use, I'd be really grateful for your input. There's lots of information on the web obviously but I don't think anything beats firsthand user experience as a recommendation (or non-recommendation!)
#aways #enews #mailchimp #pay
  • Profile picture of the author desireedavid
    Mailchimp is a good service and they are tried and tested already. I believe Mailchimp has a good email platform. I also get a lot of emails from other mailchimp users, and it looks pretty good. But I tried another service just to compare.

    I use ActiveTrail now. My 1-month free trial is almost up, and I am satisfied so far. I am also a template user, and they have free templates. They also provide A/B testing and other statistical reports. I am thinking of subscribing as it seems more affordable than the more popular email marketing services. I think it's because ActiveTrail is fairly new. Hope this helps!
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    • Profile picture of the author wordsandthebees
      Originally Posted by desireedavid View Post

      Mailchimp is a good service and they are tried and tested already. I believe Mailchimp has a good email platform. I also get a lot of emails from other mailchimp users, and it looks pretty good. But I tried another service just to compare.

      I use ActiveTrail now. My 1-month free trial is almost up, and I am satisfied so far. I am also a template user, and they have free templates. They also provide A/B testing and other statistical reports. I am thinking of subscribing as it seems more affordable than the more popular email marketing services. I think it's because ActiveTrail is fairly new. Hope this helps!
      Thanks Desiree for your advice.
      Free trials are a great way to test the program but unfortunately I only send newsletters monthly which would mean it would be more of a one-off test rather than a day to day experiment.
      I think the opinions of people who have used programs are extremely valuable in making a decision for this reason.

      New programs often come in at lower, much more affordable rates which is great but I do worry that as they grow bigger they won't be able to cope with demand and the service you receive will suffer!

      I'm a bit of a 'better the devil you know' person which makes me reluctant to change from a service that I know works. That being said, I don't have any problems with MailChimp as such, I was just putting the feelers out for anything else that's out there.

      Thanks for your input
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  • Profile picture of the author agmccall
    You had free service up to 2000 subscribers, that is a more generous offer than most if not all autoresponder services. Once you have to pay in mailchimp you will be paying a price that is in line with the other big name autoresponders out there.

    So with more than 2000 subscribers you should be making more than enough to cover the mailchimp monthly fee

    al
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    • Profile picture of the author wordsandthebees
      Originally Posted by agmccall View Post

      You had free service up to 2000 subscribers, that is a more generous offer than most if not all autoresponder services. Once you have to pay in mailchimp you will be paying a price that is in line with the other big name autoresponders out there.

      So with more than 2000 subscribers you should be making more than enough to cover the mailchimp monthly fee

      al
      Thanks for your input.
      It's good to know that MailChimp is in line with other services which I wasn't really in any doubt about; my question was really regarding the value that they provide compared to their competitors rather than the cost itself.

      MailChimp still seems to be sitting up there which is great to know.
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  • Profile picture of the author writeaway
    I use Yahoogroups for my free lists

    Works like a charm

    Very scalable

    You just have to be creative in motivating people to join your list by emailing a subscription email address
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  • Profile picture of the author William Kelley
    I use Yahoogroups .. it works good for me
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