How to Give and Request Access to a Mailchimp Account

Whether you’re a freelancer taking on a new client or a business owner working with a marketing agency, getting (or giving) access to a MailChimp account shouldn't involve sharing passwords. MailChimp is a popular email marketing tool with a free plan of up to 250 contacts, perfect for small businesses and entrepreneurs to test it out before committing.

In this guide, we’ll show you the right way to:

• [Business owners] Give access to a MailChimp account to an individual.
• [Agencies and freelancers] Request access to a client’s MailChimp account professionally.

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User types and roles

There are five types of users, but the number you may see (or be able to assign) is limited by your MailChimp plan.

Summary of the five user roles in MailChimp:

1. Viewer - View campaigns, reports, and dashboards, but can’t create or edit campaigns.
   🔑 Best for: Clients or stakeholders who only need reporting data.
2. Author - Create and edit emails and templates, but can’t manage billing, audience settings, or integrations.
   🔑 Best for: Content creators and designers.
3. Manager* – They can do everything an Author can, plus manage audiences, templates, and automations. They don’t have access to billing or manage users.
   🔑 Best for: Email marketing specialists, in-house marketers, agencies, and consultants who execute campaigns,
4. Admin – Admins have the same level of access as Owners, which makes it possible for them to manage users, edit billing information, campaigns, audiences, and even delete the account.
   🔑 Best for an in-house marketing lead or a trusted agency partner
5. Owner – Usually the person who created the account. There can only be one owner, and this role has full control over the MailChimp account.

*The Manager role is the most useful if you work with agencies and freelancers, but it is only available on the Premium plan.

💡Pro tip: Assign users just enough access to do their work, to minimize risk to your account and billing.

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Part 1: Giving access to a  Mailchimp account

Before we start: If you have received a request to access your account via email, you don’t have to follow the steps below. All you have to do is log in to your MailChimp account, select the correct level of permissions (see User types above), and click ‘Grant Access.’

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Owners and Admins of a MailChimp account can add new users from their dashboard.

Step 1: Click the people icon near your profile image in the top right corner, or go to 🔗 https://admin.mailchimp.com/settings/users/invite/

Step 2: Enter the email address and an optional message to the person you want to invite.

Step 3: Select an appropriate level of access for the new user from the dropdown list.

Step 4: Click ‘Invite’

Step 5: Ask the invitee to check their inbox for the invitation email. They will appear in your Users list once they accept.

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Part 2: Requesting access to a MailChimp account

Before we start: If you’re an email marketer, freelance designer, growth or marketing agency, we suggest you convert to a MailChimp & Co account to unlock extra features and benefits.

Here are the two easiest ways to get access to your client’s MailChimp account:

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Method 1: Connect accounts via MailChimp & Co

Becoming a part of the MailChimp & Co program means getting quick access to multiple accounts, no matter what plan you’re on. The best part? It doesn’t count towards 

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Firstly, join the MailChimp & Co program if you haven’t done so:

1. Visit https://mailchimp.com/andco/
2. Click ‘Join Mailchimp & Co’
3. Sign in with your existing account

Secondly, you’ll need to enable client account access and know the email address of the Owner or Admin of your client's Mailchimp account to request access.

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Step 1: Click on your profile picture in the top right corner.
Step 2: Select ‘Add a client’

Step 3: Enter your client’s email address and a message. We recommend that you state the user role you want them to assign you.

💡Pro tip: To invite multiple clients at once, please add a comma (,) between the email addresses.

Step 3: Click ‘Send’

Step 4: Have your client check their inbox and go through the steps to give you access.

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Method 2: Request access to MailChimp via Leadsie

Leadsie is the easiest way to get MailChimp access when onboarding new clients. Save time by avoiding the usual email loops. You won’t have to waste hours fixing the wrong permission levels assigned by cautious clients.

Instead, you can request the right level of access to MailChimp and 31+ marketing, social media, and advertising platforms (including Facebook and Instagram) at once.

Here’s how Leadsie makes the onboarding process simple for your new clients: 

1. You create a Leadsie request link for all the accounts and platforms you need, in addition to MailChimp access.
2. Send the secure link to your client
3. They’ll be able to give you access to all the requested accounts without going through half a dozen different websites’ dashboards.
4. Receive notifications when access is granted! No guessing, no chasing 🥳

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Curious to try Leadsie for your agency or freelance business?

Get Leadsie free for 14 days – no credit card needed.

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