TL;DR:

Create your first campaign in 5 steps: Choose creation method (AI, Manual, or Template), build your sequence, import leads, configure settings (tags, tracking, schedules), and launch. CSV imports for AI campaigns require LinkedIn URLs as a mandatory field. Takes 15-30 minutes to set up properly.

Who Should Use This

New users ready to launch their first outreach campaign
Sales teams preparing multichannel sequences
Anyone who completed technical setup and wants to start sending
Users testing AI-generated campaigns for the first time

Why This Matters

Your first campaign sets the foundation for all future outreach. Getting the sequence, settings, and lead import right from the start prevents deliverability issues and wasted effort.

Understanding campaign creation options helps you choose the right approach. AI campaigns generate sequences automatically but require specific data like LinkedIn URLs. Manual campaigns give you full control over every step. Templates provide proven frameworks you can customize.

Step 1: Create Your Campaign

Click Create New Campaign from the left sidebar or dashboard
Choose your creation method:

Option A: Create with AI

AI generates your entire sequence based on your inputs. This option saves time but requires complete lead data.

Important for AI campaigns: When importing leads via CSV for AI campaigns, LinkedIn URL is a mandatory field. The AI uses LinkedIn data to generate personalized sequences, so missing URLs will prevent proper campaign creation.

Option B: Create Manually

Build your sequence step by step with full control. Add automatic steps (email, LinkedIn message, voice message) or manual steps (call, task, API call).

Option C: Create from Template

Start with proven templates from lemlist's library. Customize the pre-built sequence to fit your needs.

Step 2: Import Your Leads

lemlist offers multiple import methods:

CSV Upload (max 40,000 leads in batches of 10,000)
LinkedIn Extension (max 999 leads, 2,500 with Sales Navigator)
CRM Integration (HubSpot/Pipedrive: 10,000 leads, Salesforce: 2,000)
Manual Entry
API Integration

CSV Import Requirements for AI Campaigns:

LinkedIn URL column is mandatory
URLs trigger LinkedIn enrichment for AI sequence generation
Without URLs, AI cannot generate personalized content

Step 3: Configure Campaign Settings

Click the settings icon to access:

General Settings:

Add tags for organization
Pause campaign when leads reply, book meeting, or click links
Create automatic tasks for replies or clicks

Tracking Settings:

Enable email opens, clicks, and reply tracking
Set up custom tracking domain for link clicks

Schedules:

Choose sending days (delays only count selected days)
Set sending hours based on recipient timezone
Add minute delays for new leads (first step only)

Step 4: Review Your Leads

Before launching, review each lead for accuracy. You can customize individual steps for specific leads if needed.

Step 5: Launch Your Campaign

Select the leads you want to start (or keep All leads selected), then click Launch for X leads.
In the Campaign launch recap pop-up, review the launch details (number of leads, time between each lead, stop conditions, and sending schedule). If needed, click Edit settings.
When you’re ready, click Launch campaign for X leads to start sending.