In this article, I’ll show you how to create an automated system for generating email newsletters using Make.com and MailChimp. This powerful automation not only saves time but also allows for monetization through embedded affiliate links.
By leveraging AI and RSS feeds, you can effortlessly produce engaging, content-rich newsletters on a regular basis.
The system we’ll build automates the entire process, from gathering news to generating custom content and populating your email template. This approach ensures consistently high-quality newsletters without the manual effort typically required.
I go through the entire process in the video below:
System Overview
The automation process involves several key components:
- An email template with dynamic sections for news, upcoming events, and merchandise
- RSS feeds for content aggregation
- OpenAI’s GPT-4o for content analysis, selection, and generation
- Make.com for orchestrating the automation workflow
- MailChimp for email campaign creation and distribution
Setting Up the Email Template
The first step is to create an email template in MailChimp. This template should include sections for:
- An introduction
- Multiple news items
- An upcoming event section (e.g., next race for a Formula 1 newsletter)
- A merchandise section
Each section should have a unique MC:EDIT attribute, which allows Make.com to populate the content dynamically.
Content Aggregation with RSS Feeds
To gather news and updates, we use RSS feeds. If a website doesn’t offer an RSS feed, we can create one using a tool like RSS.app. This approach allows us to aggregate content from multiple sources easily.
Content Analysis and Selection
Once we have our content sources, we use OpenAI’s GPT-4 to analyze and select the most relevant news items. The process involves:
- Fetching the latest articles from RSS feeds
- Using GPT-4o to score each article based on significance and interest
- Selecting the top-scoring articles for inclusion in the newsletter
Content Generation
With our selected articles, we use GPT-4 to generate:
- Custom headlines for each news item
- Brief, engaging summaries of each article
- An introduction for the newsletter
- A subject line for the email
We also generate HTML content for each section, ensuring it fits seamlessly into our email template.
Populating the MailChimp Template
Using Make.com, we create a new campaign in MailChimp and populate the template with our generated content. This includes:
- Setting the campaign title and subject line
- Inserting the generated HTML content into each section of the template
- Adding any additional dynamic content (e.g., next event details, merchandise listings)
Monetization Through Affiliate Links
To monetize the newsletter, we include affiliate links in relevant sections, such as:
- Ticket packages for upcoming events
- Merchandise listings
By joining affiliate programs related to your newsletter’s niche, you can earn commissions on purchases made through these links.
Finalizing and Scheduling
Once the campaign is populated, you can review it in MailChimp, make any final adjustments, and schedule it for sending. The entire process, from content gathering to campaign creation, can be completed in just a few minutes.
Tips for Effective Templates
To ensure your automated newsletters are effective:
- Design an engaging, mobile-responsive email template
- Use clear, descriptive MC:EDIT attributes for each dynamic section
- Test your template thoroughly before setting up the automation
- Regularly review and refine your content sources and selection criteria
