In lemlist campaigns, sequencing and lead management are crucial for ensuring the timely and accurate delivery of messages to your leads. Below, we explain how sequences are designed to function, limitations and constraints during active campaigns, and offer solutions to common issues users encounter.
Understanding Lemlist Campaign Sequences
Lemlist campaigns follow a sequence of steps defined during setup. These steps may include invitation messages, follow-ups, and profile visits. Once a campaign is launched, sequencing rules and conditions govern how each step progresses:
Branches Based on Invitation Responses: If a lead does not accept the invitation within the specified time, they are moved to a predefined branch in the sequence, such as a 'no' branch. As a result, specific actions—like profile visits or follow-ups—may execute.
Timely Execution of Steps: Steps progress sequentially based on delays set during campaign setup. For example, if a delay of 2 days is configured, and only certain days are selected for sending messages, the system counts those days only. Hence, a delay might seem longer depending on the schedule.
Bounce Handling: Email bounces in earlier steps automatically exclude affected leads from receiving subsequent steps.
Limitations in Modifying Campaigns
Once a campaign is launched, modifications to its sequence are limited due to system constraints:
Step Rearrangement or Removal: Steps cannot be removed, rearranged, or replaced in an active campaign. To implement changes, a new campaign must be created with updated settings
Manual vs Automatic Tasks: Steps changed from automatic to manual will apply only for leads for whom sending tasks have not yet been created. Changes made after tasks are already scheduled will not affect those leads. Manual tasks also persist even when a sequence is paused, and marking these tasks as completed will execute the associated message.
Delays and Message Cadence: Users can adjust delay values to better control sequencing. Setting long delays between steps and then reducing them later can help ensure a more controlled progression through them.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Why Step 2 Doesn't Execute After Step 1:
Delays might not count non-sending days in the schedule, causing perceived delays or skipped steps.
Leads excluded from Step 2 might have bounced during Step 1 delivery.
Messages Skipping Step 1:
When leads do not respond to Step 1 actions (e.g., ignoring an invitation), they are redirected to a 'no' branch, where follow-ups or other steps may start instead
Email Sent Despite Paused Sequence:
Manual steps marked as 'done' will still send messages even if the sequence is paused. To avoid this, do not mark manual tasks as done.
Best Practices for Campaign Management
Set Appropriate Delays: Increase the delay between Step 1 and Step 2 during setup, especially for large lead lists, to ensure all leads progress uniformly.
Plan Campaigns Thoroughly: Given the restrictions on campaign edits once launched, ensure your sequence logic is tested and finalized beforehand.
Monitor Reports Regularly: Use campaign reports to track lead progress and troubleshoot sequencing issues proactively.
Handle Manual Tasks Carefully: Avoid unintended sends by properly managing manual tasks in paused sequences.
By understanding and applying lemlist's sequencing rules effectively, you can ensure that your campaigns run smoothly and achieve the desired impact.