Opt-in Methods for Offline Subscribers

Sometimes you may collect subscribers offline, like at an event or in your store. Offline collection can be tricky, because you don't always have proof of permission if someone claims they never opted into your email marketing.

In this article, you'll find information on how to convert your offline subscribers to a more effective, online process.

Send an opt-in email

If you import offline subscribers to your audience, send them an email with a link to your Mailchimp signup form. The email should remind the person how they signed up and offer them a chance to opt in electronically. After they submit the form, we'll add them to your audience as subscribed contacts. This activity will be tracked behind the scenes with Mailchimp to ensure you have permission.

To send an opt-in email, follow these steps.

1. Click Audience, then click Audience dashboard.
   
2. If you have more than 1 audience, click the Current audience drop-down and choose the one you want to work with.
3. Click the Manage Audience drop-down, then choose Signup forms.
4. Scroll to the Form builder tile, then click Manage forms.
   
5. Copy the URL into the Signup form URL field.
6. Use your personal email address and provider to send an email to the potential contact.

As individuals begin to subscribe electronically, they'll be added to your Mailchimp audience along with proof of opt-in, and you can begin sending emails to them.

If you already have contacts you've collected offline without taking any of these steps, we recommend that you reconfirm them.