What to ask for

Ask for: Manager on Premium; Author on Standard User access
Client needs: Owner or Admin on the Mailchimp account (only they can invite users), on a plan that includes the level you need.

Ask for Manager on Premium; Author on Standard and nothing broader. The smallest role that does the job is easier for the client to approve, easier to audit later, and simpler to remove when the work ends. If the scope of work grows, ask again for the larger role rather than requesting it up front.

Permission levelsscroll →

Permission	Level	Lets the agency
Manager (Premium only)	Mailchimp account	Build and send campaigns, import audiences
Author (Standard or Premium)	Mailchimp account	Write and edit emails and templates
Viewer (Standard or Premium)	Mailchimp account	Read reports only

What the client clicks

Send these steps to the person who holds owner or admin on the mailchimp account (only they can invite users), on a plan that includes the level you need. Tick them off as you go.

Mailchimp: Mailchimp account0 / 5

Click your profile icon, then click Account & billing.
Click the Settings drop-down, then click Users.
Click Invite A User.
Enter the agency's email and choose the user type (Manager, or Author if Manager isn't offered). Add an optional message.
Click Send Invite. The agency accepts from the email within 7 days.

What breaks if the role is wrong

GotchaUser levels depend on plan: Owner on any plan; Admin on Essentials, Standard or Premium; Manager on Premium only; Author and Viewer on Standard or Premium. The plan also sets the number of extra seats. Up to 25 new users can be invited per 24 hours.
GotchaManager is Premium-only. On Standard, ask for Author; Author can create and edit emails and view reports, but importing audiences needs Manager or higher.
GotchaInvitation links expire 7 days after they're sent; the client can re-send from Settings → Users.
GotchaAdmin has the same permissions as the Owner, including billing and API keys. Don't ask for it for a retainer.
GotchaWhen a user's access is revoked, any API keys they created in the account are removed, so don't build integrations on an agency user's key.
GotchaManagers, Authors and Viewers can leave an account themselves from Profile → Leave Account.

Copy this access request

Fill in the blanks and paste it into your email to the client. Nothing you type leaves this page.

Client nameYour agency emailAuthHub link (optional)

Hi [Acme], to run your email program we need a Mailchimp user invite (not Admin). Click your profile icon → Account & billing → Settings → Users → Invite A User, enter [access@youragency.com], choose Manager (or Author if Manager isn't listed on your plan) and click Send Invite. The invite link expires in 7 days. Or send one AuthHub link: it walks your client through these clicks. [your AuthHub link]