Keeping Email Simple and Friendly with Mailchimp

Like most things on my blog, I like to keep my email system simple — and free. That’s why I use Mailchimp. It’s an email service that helps you send newsletters or updates to your readers. I’ve only scratched the surface, but so far it’s doing everything I need.

I don’t have a fancy paid plan, and I don’t use many of the bells and whistles. Just the basics — and that’s enough for now!

Why Mailchimp?

• It’s free (up to 500 subscribers)
• It works with WordPress
• I can create emails that look tidy
• You don’t need to know code
• It gives you stats — so you know who’s opening your emails

How I Use It

1. To Send Updates
   I use Mailchimp to send occasional updates about new recipes, wellness tools, or travel posts. Not every blog reader comes back regularly, so it’s nice to give them a gentle nudge when there’s something new. I keep the emails short and friendly, like a quick postcard.
2. To Stay Connected
   Even though I’m not a regular newsletter person (yet!), Mailchimp lets me build a list. That way, if I want to send out something special — a new template, a seasonal recipe collection — I can reach people directly. No social media needed.
3. To Match My Blog Style
   Mailchimp lets me add my blog logo, pick colours, and keep things tidy. I like a clean layout with clear sections, a short hello, a link to the new posts, and a nice image at the bottom. It’s not cluttered, just a little touchpoint with my readers.

How to Start Using Mailchimp (It’s Free)

1. Sign up at mailchimp.com and create a free account. It gives you up to 500 contacts on the free plan — that’s plenty to start with.
2. Set up your Audience — this is where your email list lives. You can name it something simple like “Blog Readers.” Add your own email to test things. You can also add subscribers collected from forms (like Tally).
3. Create a Campaign (that’s just an email). Click “Create” and choose “Email.” It’ll guide you through writing a message, adding images, and choosing your recipients. You can preview and test it before you send.
4. Personalise it with a friendly tone — like how I write blog posts. A little greeting, a link to the latest post, and maybe a smiley face or emoji.
5. Add new people manually (or from Tally). Sometimes I collect emails using Tally — like when someone downloads a free template.

How to Add Subscribers (Including from Tally Forms)

Once people start filling out your Tally forms—whether to download a freebie or leave feedback—you’ll want to add those emails to Mailchimp. It’s not automatic on the free plans, but it’s easy enough to do manually every now and then.

I use both Tally and Mailchimp because each tool does a different job well. Mailchimp is great for sending emails and managing my list, but its form builder can feel a bit clunky and limited.

Tally, on the other hand, has a clean and simple layout that looks good and is easy for visitors to use. It also lets me build different kinds of forms quickly, without needing any plugins.

So, I collect emails with Tally forms, then add those contacts manually to Mailchimp to keep everything tidy and ready for sending updates. Using both tools lets me keep things simple, professional, and user-friendly.

Here’s how I do it:

1. Check your Tally form submissions: Log into Tally, open the form you used to collect emails (e.g., “Download My Template”), click “Submissions,” and export your responses as a CSV file.
2. Clean up your file (optional): Open the CSV in Excel or Google Sheets
   Remove any duplicates or test entries. Make sure the email column is tidy (no spaces or errors). Add a new column for tags (must be tags, not tag) — this helps you organise your contacts by source, like “Tally Freebie” or “Download Form”.
3. Log into Mailchimp, go to your Audience tab, click “Add Contacts” > “Import Contacts,” then choose “Upload a CSV file” and follow the steps. You can tag these contacts (e.g., “Tally Freebie” or “Download Form”) so you know where they came from.
4. Avoid duplicates: Mailchimp automatically checks for duplicates and won’t add someone twice — so it’s safe to re-import your full Tally list if you’re not sure who you’ve already added.
5. Only add people who said yes: Make sure you only add email addresses from people who clearly agreed to receive emails from you. For example, your Tally form might say:
   “Your information is 100% secure and will never be shared with anyone. By entering your email, you agree to receive the occasional update from me. You can unsubscribe at any time.”
   That way, you’re sure you’re respecting their consent.

What About WordPress Subscribers?

I also get email followers through WordPress when people click the “Follow” button on my blog. You can check their status by going to your WordPress dashboard, clicking Users > Subscribers. This list shows who’s a confirmed subscriber and who isn’t.

When you export this list as a CSV file, it also includes their subscription status. I only add confirmed subscribers to Mailchimp — those who have clicked the confirmation link and want to receive updates. I don’t add non-subscribers or not-sending people who haven’t confirmed, or those who just liked a post without opting in.

This keeps my email list clean and ensures I only email people who really want to hear from me.

Unsubscribing and Privacy

One thing I like about Mailchimp is that every email it sends includes an “Unsubscribe” link at the bottom. So if someone changes their mind, they can easily stop getting updates — no awkwardness, and no need to contact me. It’s also good to know that Mailchimp follows privacy laws, so I’m doing the right thing by my readers.

WordPress subscriptions are a bit different. If someone follows my blog through WordPress, they have to manage their subscription through their own WordPress account. I can’t unsubscribe them myself, but they can do it anytime by adjusting their settings. Either way, it’s their choice — and I respect that.

There isn’t a single universal unsubscribe URL because it’s unique to each subscriber and email. But generally, if someone wants to unsubscribe, they can:

• Click the Unsubscribe or Manage Subscriptions link at the bottom of any WordPress notification email they got from your blog.
• Alternatively, they can log into their WordPress.com account, go to Reader > Following, and manage their subscriptions there.

A Few Tips

• Keep your sender name consistent (I use “Life With Janet”)
• Make sure your email has a little personality — just be you
• Don’t worry about doing it perfectly. Start simple.

That’s how I’m using Mailchimp — slowly, simply, and without stress. If you’ve been putting off setting up an email list because it sounds too technical, give it a go. You might surprise yourself!

What do you do to keep your readers interested? Do you worry about emails feeling like spam? I’d love to hear your thoughts — please share in the comments! ♡ Janet