Mailchimp Email Setup Instructions


Accessing Email Settings

  1. Navigate to Hood Settings: Go to Hood > Hood Settings > Email.
  2. Email Integrations Collection: Click on the “Email” tab to see the “Email Integrations Collection.”
  3. New Configuration: Click the “Add Email Configuration” button in the top right corner to start setting up your email.

Step 1: Requirements

  1. Mailchimp Account: Ensure you have a Mailchimp account.
  2. Transactional Email Plan: Add the Mailchimp (formerly Mandrill) Transactional Email Plan.
  3. Ocamba Account: Ensure you have an Ocamba account.
  4. Domain and DNS Provider: You will need a domain you own and access to your DNS provider.

Step 2: Configure Your Domain for Email

  1. Navigate to Mailchimp Settings:
    • Go to the Mailchimp Transactional Email tool (formerly Mandrill).
    • Navigate to Settings > Domains > Sending Domains and add your domain if you haven’t done so already.
  2. View DKIM/SPF Setup Instructions:
    • Once your domain is added, click View DKIM/SPF Setup Instructions to get the appropriate DNS settings you need to update your domain.
    • Optionally, verify your domain by clicking View details and receiving an email to your domain.
  3. Update DNS Records:
    • Follow Mailchimp’s instructions to update your DNS records for your domain host.
    • Note that it may take up to 48 hours for the DNS changes to propagate. Mailchimp will email you once your domain is verified.

Step 3: Create API Key

  1. Generate API Key:
    • In Mailchimp’s Transactional Email Tool (formerly Mandrill), go to Settings and click + New API Key.
    • Optionally, name your API key something recognizable like “Ocamba API Key.”
    • Once the API key is created, highlight and copy it to your clipboard. Also, note your SMTP Username.
  2. API Key Security:
    • Keep your Mailchimp API Key secret, as it functions like a password.

Step 4: Enable Email Messaging in Ocamba

  1. Navigate to Email Settings:
    • In Ocamba, go to Settings > Platforms > Email.
  2. Select Mailchimp as a Provider:
    • Choose Mailchimp from the list of providers.
    • Paste in the API key and SMTP Username you copied earlier.
  3. Configure Delivery Defaults:
    • Add the default name and email address you want your emails to come from (these can be changed later).
    • Click Done when finished.

Step 5: Add Subscribers

Upload CSV:

  • If you have a list of emails ready, select Upload CSV to import email addresses.
  • Alternatively, use the Ocamba Email Web Prompt to collect emails from your website.

Step 6: Send Yourself a Test Email

Create Test Email:

  • In Ocamba, navigate to Messages > Email and select New Email.
  • Add a subject and click Send Test Email.
  • Input your email and press Send Test Message. An email should arrive in your inbox shortly.

Import Options

  • Dashboard Upload - Upload a CSV of emails and user data or manually add emails.
  • Server API: Programmatically add emails server-side.
  • SDK Method: Add emails using our client-side SDK, recommended if using our SDKs for push or in-app messaging.
  • Email Web Prompt: Use a web prompt to collect email addresses and phone numbers.
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