Migrating from MailChimp to Constant Contact

Alon Banks

If we currently use MailChimp and keep unsubscribe information there and migrate to Constant Contact how do we ensure that any unsubscribes from MailChimp are synchronized with RE and Constant Contact?

Matthew Montoya

Hi there @Alon Banks !

When moving from Mailchimp to Constant Contact, you handle your unsubscribes as a high-priority "Suppression List." This ensures that your history of opt-outs is respected from Day 1 in your new system and reflected in Raiser's Edge NXT.

1. The Migration Workflow (Mailchimp → Constant Contact)

You don't just "import" unsubscribed people into your regular lists; you import them specifically as Unsubscribed status:

• Step 1: In Mailchimp, export your "Unsubscribed" or "Cleaned" segments as a CSV file.
• Step 2: In Constant Contact, use the "Add Unsubscribed email addresses" tool (found at the bottom of the Add Contacts page). https://knowledgebase.constantcontact.com/email-digital-marketing/articles/KnowledgeBase/33118-Import-a-list-of-unsubscribed-contacts-from-another-provider?lang=en_US
• The Result: These emails are immediately flagged as "Unsubscribed" in Constant Contact. Even if you accidentally upload them later in a regular list, the system will "shield" them, preventing any emails from being sent to them.

2. The Sync to Raiser's Edge NXT

Once those contacts are marked as Unsubscribed in Constant Contact, the integration takes over to update your "Source of Truth" in RE NXT:

• Initial Update: If those email addresses already exist on constituent records in RE NXT, the integration will recognize the "Unsubscribed" status.
• Consent Mapping: As part of your integration setup, you can map these statuses to specific RE NXT Consent Categories. This will update the constituent’s record to show they have opted out of that specific channel or category.
• The 24-Hour Cycle: These updates typically flow back to RE NXT during the standard overnight sync, ensuring your database reflects the most current opt-out data.

3. Best Practice: A "Clean Slate" Import

If you want to be 100% sure your RE NXT records are updated before you even send your first email from Constant Contact:

• You can use the Blackbaud Data Enrichment or Global Change tools to bulk-update records in RE NXT using your Mailchimp export.
• By marking them as "Requests No Email" or updating their Consent records in RE NXT first, the Constant Contact integration will "see" that status as soon as you connect the systems, keeping everything perfectly in sync.