Mailchimp not to be used for internet marketing?

I don't use MailChimp myself, but it was my understanding that you can't do any third party marketing (affiliate offers, etc.) through them. I've heard that they only allow you to market your own products and services through your list.

Hi Jillycakes,

That would make sense to me. It is a little strange that some of the templates within mailchimp are specifically gearled towards sales prospecting. Such as their 'Amazon books', 'Coupon', 'Products' & 'Retail Postcard'.

I can understand the need to screen people importing lists into their system to keep out spammers, however I provided more than enough proof (including screenshots from within my legacy system) that my list was double opt-in.

I spent 3-4 hours researching new providers, and had migrated all my lists and was in the process of setting up campaigns within my account. So just more than a little annoyed by the ultra conservativeness showed by mailchimp.

Interestingly, my account is still open, I just can't send email at the moment. Perhaps I'll have luck appealing their decision.

P.S although I am not sure I like placing my list in the hands of a company that have their finger on the trigger ready to shoot me down any time they receive a spam complaint.

I use mail chimp for my buyers list. I always save it though before I send out a broadcast just in case, lol.

To get around the affiliate marketing thing I just send them to a presell page on my blog when applicable. MailChimp is super easy to use and has tons of great features. Just they have their moments, lol.

Good Luck

P.S. I should add that I also use Imnica, so If MC decides to get weird on me I can import them to Imnica without having to reconfirm. So I won't "lose my list"

its funny and ironic, mailchimp dosent want affiliate marketing in their shoulders, yet they have an affiliate program

I think they don't mind internet marketing, it's affiliate marketing they don't like. I'd imagine they don't want you simply sticking affiliate links in your email. I would be interested to see if you simply had a link to your webpage in your email which could then redirect your readers to a page on your site which may have affiliate links. I'm not sure if that is breaking any rules.

I don't like their Terms of Service. I stick to Aweber all the way!

Two Words, TrafficWave I tried about a dozen AR's and the best two were aWeber and TrafficWave although I don't like the pay-as-you-grow structure of aWeber, it's just money out of your prockets for the same job done, while TrafficWave is always the same price. TW will also help you to migrate, not had problems with them. The only thing is, your subscribers will be required to opt-in again.

The issue with TW is their forms aren't the "pretty" type like aWeber but I know how to take an aWeber form and slap a TW code on it, I can help ya if it's something you'd be interested in

MailChimp can't articulate their policy because their policy is inconsistent.

Basically, if they don't like what you're doing, you lose your account and your lists with it.

They can't exactly explain what they don't like, but they know it when they see it, and in general they don't like people who sell stuff.

True. But then don'taWeber, GetResponse, Imnica Mail <insert your favorite AR here> all have custody of your list? Is the alternative to self host? I tried that....hated it with a passion.

Hi Shaun,

Can you elaborate in terms of what software you use, and where you have it hosted to ensure best deliverability and a host that allows you to send larger amounts of email from that hosting account?

Cheers,

Leigh.
P.S I had a small win with MailChimp. They allowed me to re-instate one of my smaller lists.

Also looking at 1shoppingcart.com does anybody have any recent experience with them in terms of deliverability of emails etc?

I can't find anything in their TOS that says you can't promote 3rd party offers - only that you have to keep your lists for a single interest/purpose.

In other words, you can't build a list by giving away "make money online" ebooks, then market toll-free service to them. You have to keep it in the same vertical, in essence.

I've heard some issues with people importing their lists to MailChimp, but they're understandably cautious with mass list imports. Every case I've heard of where the marketer had a solid record of signups was accepted and reactivated without issue.

I'll stay with MailChimp for now - thought it's always smart to back up your lists.

@Capitalist_Pig,

Terms of Use | MailChimp

Part 1, 10. F.

This section has a bullet list of prohibited categories, and Affiliate Marketing is listed there.

I should add here since I mentioned that I use MC for my buyers list that I don't use the "free" version... My buyers list isn't that big so its fairly cheap to host them and I use MC mostly for a "place holder" b/c DPD (my delivery company) integrates with MC so buyers are added automatically... DPD does not integrate with Imnica yet or I could just kick MC out, lol.

Aweber is boss, but I left them after they got hacked the last time. Problem with being boss is everyone knows it and who are they gonna go after?

I still get spam emails from the Aweber hack (I know because I get them in email addresses that were never used for anything but receiving my AR messages (for testing) and were never given out anywhere else. So I know my subs and you folks too are still getting the Viagara spam emails from Aweber getting hacked.

From that list it really makes me wonder why MC are in business. Supplements, for weight loss or muscle gain DO work, but only as part of the overall plan. And affiliate products do work so long as you've done your research, actually bought the product to test it and can then truly recommend it. Moot point though, I use Imnica Mail. Stop thinking cheap, start thinking value. Remember that You can start for free with Get Response OR you can start at $9 with Imnica. Either way they both work, as does aWeber.

Thanks Shaun! Still though I gotta wonder, when aWeber and the big guns don't have this restriction. That certainly doesn't make them bad. And in my eyes to simply assume that (as they are inferring) anyone that promotes jazz like that deserves a banning, well, that's JPW - Just Plain Wrong.

But then again, I'm not considering doing business with them any time soon, just stating my opinion.

This Mailchimp thing is a dead horse... they don't like marketers... period!

I'd stay away and stick to the classics. Either GetResponse or Aweber - pick one and move onto something that will make you money .

I say that because whenever I sign up to something, there are always 2-3 "top" picks that I check out reviews for and do due diligence - but on the flip side, one important thing everyone should learn is to make decisions quickly and stick with them without wandering if the "grass is greener".

Take care,
Dean

Imnica. Owned by a WARRIOR.

I prefer aweber but mailchimp is a good alternative if u looking for something for free to start.

awerber is by far the best...do not go from cheaper alternatives.

U are beggin for must heartache.

What about Icontact? It seems to be very good for affiliate marketing. I have seen lots of top internet marketers using it

I use Mailchimp and am happy with it.

However, I'm not an affiliate, I advertise only my own products.

Hi
I tried to use it some while ago but I could not tell how good it was for the job since I got an alternative.

Does this also goes for Amazon links? I was intending to put my blog RSS imported for my readers, but I occasionally put in Amazon affiliate links in there, so should I worry about anything?

I've just put up a website to sell my own PLR products but I'll probably include affiliate links to other sites until I build up my inventory. I was thinking of using Mailchimp, but I see that's prohibited on Mailchimp, and I don't want problems from the gitgo.

Are affiliate links allowed with aweber?

I'm wondering, does the name "MailChimp" show up anywhere on your emails?...if so, that would be another reason not to use them. :-)
_____
Bruce

I've had a similar problem.

They also require double opt-in..

For one of my sites we wanted to use them so we created a custom API script to integrate with the site. This allowed us to do single opt-in with them.

I guess they figure you must be legit if you write your own code.

I stick with iContact if you wanna import leads..

It's getting harder and harder these days to mail via autoresponders, all it takes is a few complaints, even from folks who have signed up to your mailing list (and don't remember) for you to get in trouble with your host or ISP or both

I'd go with aweber if you can, great support. A little pricey but you should be able to cover if you're a decent marketer.

I use MC and I am about to switch to Aweber. I know that MC can just "not like" your e-mail and just cancel your account, it happened to a lot of people.

I never sent an affiliate link in the mail, and my mailing is usually consisted of informing people about new stuff on my blog where there are aff links.

However I receive an email sent from MC where the person has a "recommended sponsors" section, with direct affiliate links, about 5 of them, in every email and using the free version of MC.

I asked MC about this and they said "we can't discuss other people's lists" and "maybe it escaped our filters". Seriously? It has been escaping for months then!!!

Also they told me no affiliate links are allowed and it is non negotiable.

I asked them on another occasion if aff links are allowed and in what manner and the response was that I CAN include aff links in the email as long as that is not the sole purpose of the email.

So as an example, I used a post on my blog where I recommend a service (Fotolia) and asked them if I was telling my readers that I have this new post and tell them where it is, would I be able to also include my Fotolia aff link in the email, since that would not be the main purpose of the e-mail. The main purpose would be telling them about the post.

They said yes.

They themselves have no clue what they are talking about and obviously don't have strict rules. If they like you you can do what ever you want.

For me that is unprofessional, and as soon as I figure out how to move my list the easy way, I am going to Aweber.

I use mailchimp for some of my clients, but have told all of them that they barred me for having 1 or 2 complaints on a list of 1500 people. In order to get my account off the suspension I had to go through double opt-in with every single person again.