How to Integrate the Stannp Send a Letter Endpoint with Mailchimp

This guide explains how to use Mailchimp’s automation tools and webhooks to send a letter through Stannp's API based on your Mailchimp audience activity

Prerequisites

1. Stannp Account & API Key:

   • You’ll need a Stannp account and an active API key.
   • Find your API key in Account Settings > API Keys on Stannp.

2. Mailchimp Account:

   • Have an active Mailchimp account with an audience or list set up.

3. Zapier, Make.com, or Server (Optional):

   • If you’re not directly handling webhooks, you may use automation platforms like Zapier or Make.com to bridge Mailchimp and Stannp.

Step-by-Step Integration Guide

Step 1: Set Up a Mailchimp Automation

1. Log in to Mailchimp.
2. Go to Automations and click Create Automation.
3. Choose a trigger based on the action you want to use (e.g., new subscriber, tag added, or campaign sent).
4. Follow the setup process to define your trigger conditions.

Step 2: Add a Webhook to Stannp's API

Since Mailchimp does not natively support custom API actions, you’ll need to set up a webhook to connect Mailchimp to Stannp. You can configure this webhook manually or through an automation tool.

Option 1: Use Zapier or Make.com

• Zapier:

  • Trigger: Use Mailchimp's trigger for new subscribers or tag updates.
  • Action: Use a webhook to call the Stannp Send a Letter endpoint.

• Make.com:

  • Module 1: Mailchimp trigger (e.g., new subscriber).
  • Module 2: HTTP action to call Stannp's API with the required parameters.

Option 2: Configure a Webhook Manually

1. Set Up a Server (if applicable):
   If you’re managing webhooks directly, ensure you have a server to process the Mailchimp webhook data.

2. Create a Stannp Request:
   When Mailchimp triggers the webhook, send the necessary data to Stannp’s Send a Letter endpoint:

   Endpoint: 
   https://api-us1.stannp.com/v1/letters/create?api_key=YOUR_API_KEY

   Parameters:

   • recipient: Pass subscriber data (e.g., name, address) from Mailchimp.
   • template: Use a predefined Stannp template ID, or send a file directly via the file parameter.
   • Optional fields: test, duplex, tags, and addons.

Step 3: Map Mailchimp Data to Stannp Parameters

When mapping data, ensure you use the following structure:

Required Parameters:

• Recipient Data: Map Mailchimp subscriber fields to Stannp's recipient array:

  "recipient": {
  "firstname": "{{merge_first_name}}",
  "lastname": "{{merge_last_name}}",
  "address1": "{{merge_address1}}",
  "city": "{{merge_city}}",
  "postcode": "{{merge_postcode}}",
  "country": "{{merge_country}}"
  }

Optional Parameters:

• Test Mode: Use test: true to create a sample without sending.
• Duplex: Set to false if you want to print on one side only.
• File: Directly upload a PDF or DOC file instead of using a template.
• Tags: Add tags for easy tracking in Stannp reports.

Step 4: Test Your Integration

1. In Mailchimp, add a test subscriber or perform the triggering action.
2. Verify that the subscriber data reaches Stannp correctly.
3. Check your Stannp dashboard to ensure the letter was processed.

Example JSON Request for Stannp:

Below is an example of the request sent to Stannp’s API, including the API key query parameter for authentication:

{
"test": false,
"recipient": {
"firstname": "{{merge_first_name}}",
"lastname": "{{merge_last_name}}",
"address1": "{{merge_address1}}",
"city": "{{merge_city}}",
"postcode": "{{merge_postcode}}",
"country": "{{merge_country}}"
},
"template": 12345,
"duplex": true,
"clearzone": true,
"tags": "mailchimp, campaign",
"addons": "FIRST_CLASS"
}

Endpoint URL Example (with the api_key query parameter):

https://api-us1.stannp.com/v1/letters/create?api_key=YOUR_API_KEY

Additional Notes:

• Mailchimp Merge Tags: Use Mailchimp’s merge tags like {{merge_first_name}} to dynamically pass data.
• Automation Flexibility: Combine this setup with Mailchimp conditions (e.g., segments or tags) to personalize letters further.