By the end of this guide, you'll know how to add manual tasks to your campaign sequence, manage them in the Tasks section, and use them to build effective multichannel outreach strategies.

Automated emails and LinkedIn messages aren't enough. To stand out, you need to diversify your outreach with actions lemlist can't automate, like commenting on a LinkedIn post or making a phone call.

Using manual tasks helps you:

A manual task is a custom action you add to your campaign sequence that lemlist cannot automate. When a lead reaches a manual task step, lemlist creates a reminder for you to complete the action.

Examples of manual tasks:

1. Assign the task: Select which lemlist teammate should complete it.

2. Title the task: Give it a clear title (e.g., "Comment on LinkedIn post", "Call prospect").

3. Add instructions: Remind yourself what to do (e.g., "Leave a thoughtful comment on their most recent LinkedIn post").

4. Include a URL shortcut (optional): Add a link to make the task easier (e.g., #{{linkedinUrl}} to open their LinkedIn profile directly).

Set the task assignee and add a title for the manual task

When you complete a manual task, choose one of three options:

1. Done ✅ The task is complete and the sequence continues.

Example: You called the lead but they didn't answer. Mark "Done" so the next step sends.

Open the task and click Mark as done

2. Interested 💚 The lead expressed interest and you want to stop the campaign.

Example: You called the lead and they booked a meeting.

Click Interested

Then (optionally) choose whether to pause other active campaigns for that contact/company, and click Confirm

3. Not Interested 💔 The lead said they're not interested and you want to stop the campaign.

Click Not interested

You can use custom variables to personalize each task.

Example:

Task title: "Comment on #{{firstName}}'s LinkedIn post"Instructions: "Find #{{firstName}}'s most recent post and leave a thoughtful comment."URL:#{{linkedinUrl}}

When the task is created, lemlist replaces variables with actual data:

Task title: "Comment on Jack's LinkedIn post"URL:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackdoe

Day 1: LinkedIn profile visit (automated)Day 2: LinkedIn message (automated)Day 4: 1st email (automated)Day 5: Comment on LinkedIn post (manual task)Day 7: Call (manual task)Day 9: 2nd email (automated)

This sequence mixes automated and manual actions to create multiple touchpoints across channels.

✓ Manual task appears in the sequence after you add it

✓ Task reminders appear in the Tasks section when leads reach that step

✓ You can complete tasks and choose "Done", "Interested", or "Not Interested"

✓ Sequence continues after you mark a task as "Done"

✓ Reply rates increase as you engage prospects on multiple channels

Issue: Manual task not appearing in Tasks section

Fix: Check the lead's status. They may not have reached that step yet. Verify the delay before the manual task step.

Issue: Task URL shortcut not working

Fix: Ensure the variable (e.g., #{{linkedinUrl}}) is populated for that lead. Use enrichment to find missing data.

Issue: Sequence stopped after completing task

Fix: Always click "Done" if you want the sequence to continue. "Interested" and "Not Interested" stop the campaign.

Limit manual tasks to 1–2 per sequence: Too many slow you down and reduce efficiency.

Use URL shortcuts with variables: Add #{{linkedinUrl}} or #{{companyWebsite}} to make tasks faster to complete.

Check Tasks section daily: Set a reminder to complete manual tasks every morning to keep campaigns moving.

Combine manual tasks with automated steps: Use automated emails to warm up leads before manual tasks (calls, comments).

Use manual tasks strategically: Add them at critical moments (e.g., after a lead clicks a link or opens multiple emails).