Mailchimp
Close Contacts4 fieldsHow to import Mailchimp data into Close
Export your Mailchimp audience and bring those subscribers into Close. The template combines First Name and Last Name into Close's single Name field, then maps email, phone, and the per-subscriber notes column into Close's Description field. Close models prospects as Leads with associated Contacts; this template creates the Contact records, and you associate them to Leads after import using Close's bulk-edit tools.
Field-by-field mapping
This is the complete column mapping from Mailchimp to Close. The left column is the header in your CSV export. The right column is the Close field it should map to.
| Mailchimp column | Close field | |
|---|---|---|
| First Name + Last Name | Name*name Close uses a single Name field on the Contact, so we combine the two Mailchimp columns into one. TransformFirst Name and Last Name combined with a space | |
| Email Address | Emailemail TransformLowercased and trimmed | |
| Phone Number | Phonephone TransformStandardized to international format (+1, +44, etc.) | |
| NOTES | Descriptiondescription Mailchimp's per-subscriber notes land in Close's native Description field on the contact. The free text is preserved verbatim. |
Required by Close.
Columns we don't use
Your Mailchimp export includes 8 columns this template doesn't map. Each one below explains why, plus the workaround if you want the data in Close.
- Address, City, State, Zip, Country
Close contacts don't have a default address block. Addresses are typically captured on the Lead in Close's data model.
If you need it. Add custom address fields on the Close Lead, or update the matching Lead records' addresses after import.
- MEMBER_RATING, OPTIN_TIME
Mailchimp's engagement score and opt-in timestamp are Mailchimp-specific. Close contacts don't have equivalent fields by default.
If you need it. Add custom number and date fields on the Close Contact called Member Rating and Opt-in Time, then re-run this template to map them.
- TAGS
Mailchimp tags export as a comma-separated string. Close uses Lead Statuses on the Lead record (separate from the Contact), not free-form tags.
If you need it. After import, set the Lead Status on each associated Close Lead to match the Mailchimp tag values. Close's bulk-edit tools handle this in batches.
Formatting and cleanup
Mailchimp exports rarely match the format Close expects. Fix these before you import.
- 1.Combines First Name and Last Name into Close's single name field
- 2.Lowercases and trims email addresses
- 3.Standardizes phone numbers to international format (+1, +44, etc.)
Or skip the manual work
Operelio runs this cleanup and mapping for you. Upload your Mailchimp export and download a clean, import-ready file for Close.
Mailchimp to Close FAQ
How do I export my Mailchimp audience?
In Mailchimp, go to Audience, click View Contacts, then click Export Audience. Download the CSV when it's ready.
Does this create Leads or Contacts in Close?
This template creates Contact records. Close models prospects as Leads with associated Contacts. After import, use Close's bulk-edit tools to associate the Contacts to Leads.
Why do you combine First Name and Last Name?
Close Contacts use a single Name field, not separate first/last. The template combines the two Mailchimp columns with a space so each Contact record displays correctly.
What about unsubscribed contacts?
Mailchimp exports include subscribed and unsubscribed addresses. Filter unsubscribed rows out of the CSV before upload to avoid importing people who opted out.
Will this create duplicate contacts in Close?
Close groups contacts under their Lead (company) record. Within a Lead, Close dedupes contacts on email; across different Leads the same email can appear twice. If a Lead with the same Company name already exists, new contacts attach to it, otherwise a new Lead is created. Spot-check or use Close's bulk-merge tools if you re-import the same export.
