Learn from the Best
The Best in Blogging series gives you proven strategies from top industry experts.
When it comes to reaching your subscribers and re-engaging them, your newsletter is key. So which of the Big Four companies is right for your needs? Constant Contact, MailChimp, Mad Mimi, or Get Response?
Free Accounts
- Constant Contact: Your free trial gives you 60 days to send to list of up to 10 contacts.
- MailChimp: If you have fewer than 2,000 subscribers, you can send up to 12,000 emails per month absolutely free.
- Mad Mimi: Lets you store 2,500 contacts and send 12,500 emails per month.
- Get Response: Within the 30-Day Free Trial you may host up to 250 Subscribers in your mailing list.
Prices
- Constant Contact: $30/mo for 2,500 contacts
- MailChimp: $30/mo for 2,500 contacts
- Mad Mimi: $16/mo for 2,500 contacts (with unlimited emails)
- Get Response: $20.50/mo for 2,5000 contacts
Features
- Constant Contact: Customizable templates, image editing, contact management, social integration, & analytics.
- MailChimp: Customizable templates, list segmentation, widespread service integration, & analytics.
- Mad Mimi: Customizable templates, widespread service integration, & analytics.
- Get Response: Customizable templates, A/B testing, form builder, inbox preview, & analytics.
So far so good?
Just looking at the basics, I’d begin by choosing either MailChimp or Mad Mimi – they both let me start with my small list and begin a paid plan as my needs expand, meaning I can get comfortable with the service without feeling like I’m actively trying to trial it before it ends. So let’s look into those further.
Templates
- MailChimp: Hundreds of templates to choose from. While some are too niche for a normal newsletter, there are plenty of others that can be branded to your site.
- Mad Mimi: No templates in the traditional sense. Instead there are pre-made color schemes to choose from and an easy template builder to use.
Ease of Use
- MailChimp: Better for the advanced user, MailChimp can be a little difficult to navigate, and some of the features aren’t explained in such a way that you understand exactly how useful they are!
- Mad Mimi: Quite easy to use, from setting up a campaign to taking advantage of their ‘addons’ which are powerful features made simple.
Other Considerations
- MailChimp has list segmentation, and A/B testing.
- Mad Mimi has a not-so-pretty web form for sign-ups.
The Verdict
That’s up to you, of course. How powerful do you need your email marketing to be? What do you want it to accomplish? What should your template look like?
I think for a lot of basic newsletters, with less technically inclined owners, Mad Mimi is the easier service to navigate, and won’t have you pulling your hair out. They’ve simplified a lot, and if you’re OK with a basic template as well as sign-up forms, you’ll probably find the fancier features easier to delve in to.
Honestly, I am a techie person, and I think Mad Mimi is probably my best fit. Even as someone whose first email marketing was with MailChimp.
Thoughts from the audience?
If you’re using MailChimp or Mad Mimi, why did you choose them as your service? And if you’ve used both – what are your opinions?
Leave a Reply