# Mailchimp Account Setup Checklist - FRE-650

**Quick Start Guide** - Complete in 30 minutes

---

## Step 1: Create Account (5 min)

- [ ] Go to **mailchimp.com**
- [ ] Click "Sign Up Free"
- [ ] Enter email: `hello@scripter.app` (or founder email)
- [ ] Create username and password
- [ ] Verify email address (check inbox)

---

## Step 2: Complete Profile (5 min)

**Company Information:**
- [ ] Company name: `FrenoCorp`
- [ ] Company size: `1-10`
- [ ] Industry: `Software/Technology`

**Sender Information:**
- [ ] From name: `Scripter Team`
- [ ] From email: `hello@scripter.app`
- [ ] Reply-to: `hello@scripter.app`
- [ ] Physical address: [Company address or registered agent]

**Note:** Physical address is required by CAN-SPAM law. Can use:
- Home address (if comfortable)
- Registered agent address
- PO Box

---

## Step 3: Add Domain for Authentication (10 min)

- [ ] In Mailchimp: Click account name → **Settings** → **Domains**
- [ ] Click **"Add Domain"**
- [ ] Enter: `scripter.app`
- [ ] Follow prompts to add DNS records

**DNS Records to Add** (in your domain registrar):

1. **SPF Record:**
   ```
   Type: TXT
   Name: @
   Value: v=spf1 include:spf.mailchimp.com ~all
   ```

2. **DKIM Record:** (Mailchimp will provide unique key)
   ```
   Type: TXT
   Name: k1._domainkey
   Value: v=DKIM1; k=rsa; p=[MAILCHIMP-PROVIDED-KEY]
   ```

3. **DMARC Record:** (recommended)
   ```
   Type: TXT
   Name: _dmarc
   Value: v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; rua=mailto:dmarc@scripter.app
   ```

**Full DNS instructions:** `/plans/FRE-650-dns-records.md`

---

## Step 4: Verify Domain (5 min)

- [ ] Wait 15-30 minutes for DNS propagation
- [ ] In Mailchimp → Settings → Domains, click **"Verify"**
- [ ] Confirm all checks show green ✓
- [ ] If failed, wait longer and retry (can take up to 48 hours)

---

## Step 5: Create First Audience (5 min)

- [ ] Click **Audience** → **Audience dashboard**
- [ ] Click **"Add Contacts"** → **"Import contacts"**
- [ ] Choose CSV upload
- [ ] Upload waitlist export (if available)
- [ ] Map fields:
  - Email Address → Email Address
  - First Name → First Name
  - Last Name → Last Name
  - Signup Date → Signup Date (if available)
- [ ] Tag as: `WAITLIST_ORIGINAL`
- [ ] Complete import

**If no waitlist yet:**
- [ ] Create manual segment for testing
- [ ] Add 5-10 test emails (team members)

---

## Step 6: Send Test Email (5 min)

- [ ] Click **Create** → **Email** → **Regular**
- [ ] Choose simple template (start with "Basic")
- [ ] Subject: `Test from Scripter team`
- [ ] Body: `Testing email setup!`
- [ ] To: Send to yourself first
- [ ] Click **Send**
- [ ] Check inbox - verify it arrived (not spam)

---

## Done! Next Steps

After completing this checklist:

1. **Build email templates** (see `/marketing/email-marketing-strategy.md`)
2. **Create email sequences** (waitlist, onboarding, etc.)
3. **Set up UTM tracking** for analytics
4. **Test with seed data** before launching campaigns

---

## Resources

- **Main Plan:** `/plans/FRE-650-email-platform-setup.md`
- **DNS Records:** `/plans/FRE-650-dns-records.md`
- **Email Strategy:** `/marketing/email-marketing-strategy.md`
- **Mailchimp Docs:** https://mailchimp.com/help/

---

## Troubleshooting

**Email went to spam:**
- Verify DNS records are correct
- Wait 24-48 hours for domain reputation to build
- Avoid spam trigger words ("free", "guarantee", etc.)

**DNS verification failed:**
- Double-check record values (no typos)
- Ensure TXT records are not proxied by Cloudflare (grey cloud, not orange)
- Wait longer - DNS can take 48 hours (usually 15-30 min)

**Can't import contacts:**
- Ensure CSV has headers: Email Address, First Name, Last Name
- Remove duplicates before import
- Start with small test batch (10 contacts)

---

**Time Estimate:** 30 minutes  
**Prerequisites:** Domain admin access, waitlist CSV (optional)  
**Owner:** CMO
