The Virtuous CRM+ MailChimp sync feature allows users to connect Tags in Virtuous CRM+ with Lists in MailChimp, which will enable data to be synced in both directions between the two systems. When someone is added to a List in MailChimp, the corresponding Contact record in Virtuous CRM+ will be automatically tagged as part of that list. If the Contact does not exist in Virtuous CRM+, then users can optionally allow the sync to automatically create new Contact records in Virtuous CRM+. Tagging Virtuous CRM+ Contacts with any synced Tag will automatically add them to the corresponding Audience in MailChimp. Removing a synced Tag will Archive/Unsubscribe the corresponding contact(s) in Mailchimp.
Cool, huh?
So, let's get started.
Generate a New API Key
First, log in to MailChimp. Click on your username in the upper-right and select Account.
Then, on the Account screen, select the "Extras" menu and click on "API Keys."
Click on the "Create a Key" button. You can choose to label the new key "Virtuous CRM+," if you like. Then, copy that API Key.
Add Your Key to Virtuous CRM+
Log in to Virtuous CRM+, hover over the left sidebar, then select Settings. Under Settings, select All Settings.
Next, select the Connectivity tab - this will take you to a screen where you will find the Integrations box. Select the Integrations button.
Look for the blue "Add an Integration" button, then click to bring up the New Integration dialog box, and then select "MailChimp Synchronization" as the Integration Type.
Paste in the API key from MailChimp. You can enter a description if desired.
If you would like to allow MailChimp to create new Contacts, then be sure the check the "Import New Contacts" box. This is especially useful for organizations using MailChimp webforms to collect newsletter signups. With the "Import New Contacts" option selected, all new names will be added to Virtuous CRM+.
Click "Save" and then you'll see the MailChimp integration listed on the Integrations screen. Make sure that the integrations show as "Enabled."
Sync Tags
With the integration activated, it's time to start syncing Tags. For the Tag sync feature to work correctly, be sure to link each Tag in Virtuous CRM+ to a different list in MailChimp. The Tag sync feature is not designed to sync multiple Tags to a single list. Hover over the left sidebar, then select Settings. Under Settings, select Manage Tags.
Look for the edit icon to the right of the Tag you'd like to sync or click the button in the upper right to create a new Tag. On the Edit Tag form, you'll see a checkbox to sync the Tag to MailChimp. Click on the Audience field and begin typing the name of the MailChimp Audience to be synced. A drop-down list will populate showing the names of MailChimp Audiences that match and the text entered. Select the correct Audience and then click Save.
The synced Tag will now show with a link symbol when viewing the Tag list.
Any Contacts with the synced Tag will automatically be added to the corresponding Audience in MailChimp. Adding the synced tag to a Contact record will add that Contact to the synced Audience. Adding a new recipient to the Audience list in MailChimp will add the corresponding Tag to a Contact in Virtuous CRM+. Removing a synced Tag will Archive/Unsubscribe the corresponding contact(s) in Mailchimp.
When viewing a Contact record, synced Tags will also be identified with the link icon.
If a recipient unsubscribes from a specific MailChimp Audience, the Tag will be removed from that Contact in Virtuous CRM+. Re-adding the same Tag will not cause someone to be added back to the list, as the unsubscribe will prevent list addition in MailChimp. However, the Tag will remain in Virtuous CRM+.
Using MailChimp Both Raise And CRM+
For organizations using both Raise and CRM+, both integrations may be used in tandem. We recommend the following setup:
- Virtuous CRM+ <> MailChimp Integration: This integration ensures that offline donors (e.g. those who give cash or check Gifts) are still automatically added to your MailChimp email lists.
- Raise <> MailChimp Integration: This integration allows you to easily sync MailChimp lists to Raise Forms, streamlining your form-to-email marketing workflow.
Note: When configuring the CRM+ <> MailChimp integration, do not select the option to “Import New Contacts,” which allows MailChimp to create new CRM+ Contacts. This setting was designed for organizations using MailChimp's native email signup forms, as mentioned above. This option is not necessary and should remain disabled, as Raise Forms manage online signups instead. Click here to learn more about the Raise <> MailChimp integration.
Organizations using Raise will also need to ensure that the CRM+ <> Raise integration settings disable the toggle for Use for Email List Management in Raise, as only one email marketing platform can be synced with Raise. Click here to learn more about the CRM+ <> Raise integration.