✉️ Ready to create your first campaign using Mailchimp MCP? This tutorial walks you through the entire process, from installation to sending your first AI-powered email campaign.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

• Mailchimp MCP installed
• Paid license (required for creating campaigns)
• Claude Desktop running and connected to Mailchimp MCP
• Mailchimp account with an audience set up

Step 1: Verify Your Connection

First, let's make sure everything is connected properly.

1. Open Claude Desktop

2. Test the connection by asking Claude:

   Can you run mc_ping?
   

3. Verify response: Claude should confirm the connection is working

If you get an error, check the installation guide for troubleshooting steps.

Step 2: Choose Your Campaign Type

For your first campaign, we'll create a simple Regular Campaign (one-time email). You can ask Claude:

What types of campaigns can I create with Mailchimp MCP?

Claude will explain the available campaign types:

• Regular Campaigns
• Automated Campaigns
• A/B Test Campaigns
• RSS Campaigns

Step 3: Create Your First Campaign

Now let's create a simple welcome email. Ask Claude:

Create a welcome email campaign for new subscribers. 
Use a friendly tone and include a 10% discount code.

Claude will:

1. Ask clarifying questions if needed (subject line, audience, etc.)
2. Create the campaign in Mailchimp
3. Confirm when it's ready

What Claude Needs to Know

For your first campaign, Claude might ask:

• Subject Line: What should the email subject be?
• Audience: Which Mailchimp audience should receive this?
• From Name: What name should appear as the sender?
• From Email: Which email address should send the campaign?

Step 4: Review and Customize

After Claude creates the campaign, you can:

View the Campaign

Ask Claude:

Show me the campaign you just created

Make Changes

You can ask Claude to modify the campaign:

Update the subject line to "Welcome! Here's 10% Off"

Preview the Campaign

Ask Claude:

Show me a preview of the welcome campaign

Step 5: Schedule or Send

Once you're happy with the campaign, you can:

Send Immediately

Ask Claude:

Send the welcome campaign now

Schedule for Later

Ask Claude:

Schedule the welcome campaign for tomorrow at 10 AM

Save as Draft

The campaign is automatically saved. You can send it later by asking:

Send the welcome campaign

Real Example: Complete Workflow

Here's a complete example of creating a product launch campaign:

You: "Create a product launch campaign for our new widget. Use our brand colors and schedule it for next Tuesday at 10 AM."

Claude: "I'll create a product launch campaign for you. Which audience should receive this campaign?"

You: "Send it to our main audience"

Claude: "Perfect! I've created the campaign with:

• Subject: 'Introducing Our New Widget'
• Scheduled for Tuesday at 10 AM
• Sent to your main audience
• Brand colors applied

Would you like me to customize the subject line or content?"

You: "Change the subject to 'You're Going to Love This'"

Claude: "Done! The subject line has been updated. The campaign is ready to send on Tuesday at 10 AM."

Advanced: Using Templates

For your second campaign, try using a template:

Create a newsletter campaign using our standard template

Claude can:

• Use existing Mailchimp templates
• Create new templates
• Customize template content

Tips for Success

Be Specific

Instead of "create a campaign," try:

• "Create a welcome email for new subscribers"
• "Create a product announcement for our new widget"
• "Create a weekly newsletter campaign"

Use Natural Language

Don't worry about technical terms. Just describe what you want:

• "Send to everyone who signed up this week"
• "Use our brand colors"
• "Include a discount code"

Iterate and Refine

You can always ask Claude to make changes:

• "Make the subject line more exciting"
• "Add a call-to-action button"
• "Change the send time to 2 PM"

Review Before Sending

Always preview your campaign before sending:

Show me what the campaign will look like

Common First Campaign Ideas

Welcome Series

Create a welcome email for new subscribers with a 10% discount

Product Announcement

Create a product launch campaign for our new widget

Newsletter

Create a weekly newsletter with our latest updates

Re-engagement

Create a campaign to re-engage subscribers who haven't opened emails in 3 months

Troubleshooting

Campaign Not Created

• Verify you have a paid license
• Check that your Mailchimp API key has write permissions
• Ensure Claude Desktop is connected to Mailchimp MCP

Can't Find the Campaign

Ask Claude:

List all my campaigns

Need to Edit

Ask Claude:

Update the [campaign name] campaign: [your changes]

Next Steps

Now that you've created your first campaign, explore more advanced features:

• 5 Transformative Features - Learn about powerful Mailchimp MCP capabilities
• Advanced Workflows - Master complex automation
• 10 Powerful Use Cases - See real-world examples

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Related Articles:

• Installation Guide
• 10 Powerful Use Cases
• 5 Transformative Features
• Free vs Paid License