In lemlist campaigns, sequencing and lead management determine when each step is executed (or skipped) for every lead. This guide explains how campaign sequences work, what you can and can’t change after launch, and how to troubleshoot common sequencing issues.
Before you start
You must have access to the campaign you want to review or manage.
It helps to know your campaign sending schedule (selected sending days/hours) and the delays configured between steps.
Step 1: Understand how lemlist campaign sequences work
Campaigns follow the sequence of steps you define during setup (for example: invitations, follow-ups, profile visits). Once launched, leads move through steps based on timing rules and conditions.
Branches based on lead behavior: If a lead doesn’t take the expected action (for example, doesn’t accept an invitation within the configured timeframe), lemlist can move them into a different branch (such as a “no” branch). This can trigger different follow-ups or actions than the “yes” path.
Delays are based on your sending schedule: Steps progress based on the delays you set, but the campaign schedule affects when those delays “count.” If your campaign only sends on certain days, the next step may occur later than expected because non-sending days are not considered active sending time.
Bounces stop future steps: If an email bounces at an earlier step, the lead is excluded from subsequent email steps.
Step 2: Know what you can (and can’t) change after launching a campaign
Once a campaign is active, there are important limitations due to how tasks and sending queues are created.
You can’t remove, reorder, or replace steps in an active campaign: If you need to change the sequence structure, create a new campaign with the updated steps and settings.
Automatic vs. manual step changes may not apply retroactively: If you change a step from automatic to manual, it will only apply to leads whose sending tasks haven’t been created yet. For leads with tasks already generated/scheduled, the change won’t affect those existing tasks.
Manual tasks and pausing:
what still happens: Manual tasks remain available even when a campaign is paused. If you mark a manual task as completed, the associated message can still be sent.
However, new tasks will NOT be generated in the Tasks section while a campaign is paused. When you pause a campaign, leads stop progressing through the sequence, so they don’t reach new steps that would trigger task creation. Any tasks that were already created before pausing will remain in the Tasks section.
Delay adjustments can help control pacing: You can adjust delays to influence how quickly leads move through steps. For example, starting with longer delays and reducing them later can help you control progression more carefully.
Step 3: Troubleshoot common sequencing issues
Issue: Step 2 doesn’t execute after Step 1
Check the delay + sending schedule: If your campaign only sends on specific days, the delay may appear longer than expected.
Check for bounces: If the lead bounced on Step 1, they won’t receive Step 2.
Issue: Messages appear to skip Step 1
Check branching logic: If the lead doesn’t respond or take the expected action in Step 1 (for example, ignores an invitation), they may be redirected to a different branch (such as a “no” branch), where a follow-up step becomes the next action.
Issue: An email is sent even though the sequence is paused
Confirm whether it was a manual task: Manual steps can still send if you mark the task as done, even while the campaign is paused.
To prevent sending: Don’t mark manual tasks as completed while the campaign/sequence is paused.
Best practices
Set appropriate delays upfront: Especially for large lead lists, use realistic delays between steps so leads progress consistently.
Finalize the sequence before launch: Because active campaigns have editing limitations, test your sequence logic and timing before going live.
Monitor campaign reporting regularly: Use campaign reporting to validate that leads are progressing as expected and to catch issues early.
Be careful with manual tasks: Treat manual tasks as “ready to send” actions—marking them done can trigger sending even during pauses.
Summary
Sequencing in lemlist is driven by your configured steps, delays, campaign sending schedule, lead behavior (including branching), and bounce handling. Since sequence structure changes are restricted after launch, planning and testing before activation, and careful management of manual tasks, are key to avoiding unexpected sends or timing gaps.