Chimp Essentials is a video course created by Paul Jarvis, a veteran of the online tech world who's worked with corporate clients like Microsoft, Yahoo, Mercedes-Benz, Warner Music, and even Shaquille O'Neal. We discovered this course has educated over 13,564 paying students, which immediately caught our attention.
The course delivers over 45 bite-sized video lessons focused on Mailchimp fundamentals through to intermediate automations, integrations, and deliverability strategies. What sets it apart is its practical, no-fluff approach, teaching not just where to click, but why and when to use specific features.
We found the curriculum covers essential topics like list management, audience segmentation, campaign automation, A/B testing, and analytics interpretation. The teaching style is refreshingly direct, avoiding technical jargon while focusing on real-world applications that drive business results.
One interesting aspect we noticed: while the course was originally created in 2017, it focuses heavily on timeless email marketing strategy rather than just software mechanics. This means even if Mailchimp's interface has evolved (which it has), the core principles remain valuable.
The course doesn't attempt to cover advanced design techniques or enterprise-level campaigns. Instead, it zeroes in on helping non-technical users, freelancers, and small business owners gain full confidence in running their own email marketing campaigns effectively.
Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)
light Light (1–5 Hours/Week)
Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)
Learn A New Skill
We found overwhelmingly positive feedback from users, particularly freelancers and solo entrepreneurs who previously felt overwhelmed by Mailchimp's interface. Most praise centers on clarity and practical takeaways, though some advanced marketers find it too basic for their needs.
"Finally got my Mailchimp account organized, Chimp Essentials was worth every penny." - Forte Labs review
"Paul makes email marketing feel painless and even kind of fun." - Reddit user
"This is the course I wish I took before wasting hours Googling Mailchimp tips." - Course alumni
"The only resource that made sense for a non-techie like me." - Verified purchaser
"Could use some Mailchimp updates, but the automation section was a lifesaver." - Email Drips comment
Reddit users consistently describe it as "the best quick-start for Mailchimp I found." We noticed Twitter mentions highlighting how it "helped me finally get automations running." On Quora, Paul Jarvis is routinely referenced as a trustworthy tech educator. The main concern across platforms? The age of the content relative to Mailchimp's frequent updates.
Chimp Essentials excels for beginners and intermediate users seeking Mailchimp mastery. If you need platform-agnostic strategies or enterprise-level techniques, you'll likely outgrow it quickly.
The promise to teach "Mailchimp the right way" is subjective but supported by over 13,564 paying students and consistently positive feedback. The focus on strategy over mechanics delivers lasting value.
Originally priced around $199, the course maintains consistent pricing without frequent sales or discounts (contrary to some claims we investigated).
Refreshingly absent. No aggressive backend offers or constant upgrade pitches detected.
Forte Labs published a detailed positive review. Multiple users report successfully launching campaigns within days. However, recent success stories are harder to find, likely due to the course's age.
Honest, ethical marketing that accurately represents the course content. No hype, no unrealistic promises, just straightforward value proposition.
Hosted on chimpessentials.com. While functional, the platform lacks modern features like progress tracking or note-taking tools that we've seen in newer courses.
Lifetime access to streaming videos. Downloads aren't clearly available, which could be inconvenient for offline learning.
Videos play on mobile devices, but we found the experience better on desktop, especially when following along in Mailchimp.
Standard internet connection sufficient. No special software needed beyond a web browser and Mailchimp account.
The delivery platform is basic but reliable. It gets the job done without bells and whistles. For a $199 course, we expected a slightly more polished learning environment.
We found no major complaints about undelivered value or scam practices. The primary issue users mention is outdated interface screenshots, which is expected for a course created in 2017.
Here's a concern: the refund policy isn't clearly stated on the official website. We recommend contacting support directly before purchasing if this matters to you.
The marketing is refreshingly straightforward. No inflated income claims, no fake urgency tactics. Paul Jarvis was famously against aggressive marketing, and this philosophy shows.
The absence of an active community or direct creator support is notable. While not a "red flag" per se, it's a significant downgrade from what early students received.
No serious red flags detected. The main consideration is you're buying a legacy course with potentially dated visuals, though the strategic content remains solid.
At $199 (Mid Ticket pricing), Chimp Essentials delivers solid value if you specifically need Mailchimp training. The strategic principles taught are worth the price alone, even if some interface elements have changed since 2017.
We found Chimp Essentials to be a legitimate, well-structured course that delivers on its core promise: teaching Mailchimp effectively. Paul Jarvis's expertise (with clients like Microsoft and Warner Music) shines through in the strategic approach. Yes, the interface screenshots are dated, and no, you won't get personal support from Paul anymore. But for someone who wants to master Mailchimp quickly without wading through scattered YouTube tutorials or dense documentation, this course provides a clear, proven path. The lack of recent updates and missing refund policy transparency prevent a higher score, but it remains a solid choice for its target audience. Just go in with eyes open about what you're buying: excellent strategic content wrapped in slightly dated packaging.
At $199 (Mid Ticket pricing), Chimp Essentials delivers solid value if you specifically need Mailchimp training. The strategic principles taught are worth the price alone, even if some interface elements have changed since 2017.
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