--- name: sequencing-toolkit description: >- Complete outreach sequencing toolkit — Smartlead, Instantly, Salesloft, Outreach, Lemlist setup and optimization. Covers mailbox rotation, warmup, A/B testing, deliverability monitoring, and multi-channel orchestration across all major sequencing platforms. Use when setting up or optimizing an outreach sequencing platform. Triggers on: "sequencing toolkit", "Smartlead setup", "Instantly optimization", "outreach platform comparison". license: MIT compatibility: Claude Code, Codex, GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Gemini CLI, OpenCode, Goose, Hermes, Jesse, Windsurf, Zed metadata: version: "1.1.0" author: LeadMagic category: tools tags: [sequencing, smartlead, instantly, salesloft, outreach, lemlist, cold-email, mailbox-rotation] related_skills: [smartlead-workflows, instantly-sequences, salesloft-cadences, outreach-sequences, lemlist-setup, email-deliverability, domain-infrastructure, inbox-setup, gtm-spend-management] frameworks: - "Smartlead — Unlimited mailboxes, auto-rotation, AI reply categorization" - "Instantly — Warmup pool, campaign optimization, unified inbox" - "Salesloft — Rhythm cadences, Conversations, multi-channel orchestration" - "Outreach — Enterprise sequencing, triggers, analytics" - "Lemlist — Personalized images/video, multi-channel sequences" --- # Sequencing Toolkit ## Overview Sequencing platforms send your cold emails — but only if configured correctly. The mistake: importing a list, writing one template, hitting send, and wondering why deliverability is 40%. This skill is the **cross-platform router**: platform selection, sequence architecture, and shared best practices. For platform-specific setup, load the sibling skills under `tools/`: `instantly-sequences`, `smartlead-workflows`, `lemlist-setup`, `salesloft-cadences`, `outreach-sequences`, `hubspot-sequences`. ## Authoritative Foundations - **Smartlead — Unlimited mailboxes, auto-rotation, AI reply categorization** — Unlimited mailboxes, master inbox, and agency-scale cold email ops. - **Instantly — Warmup pool, campaign optimization, unified inbox** — Mailbox rotation, campaign caps, and deliverability-first sending setup. - **Salesloft — Rhythm cadences, Conversations, multi-channel orchestration** — Cadence + coaching rhythm; rhythm-based pipeline management. - **Outreach — Enterprise sequencing, triggers, analytics** — Sequence governance, task-based selling, and CRM-locked cadences. - **Lemlist — Personalized images/video, multi-channel sequences** — Multichannel sequences — email, LinkedIn, calls in one enrollment. ## When to Use Trigger phrases: "sequencing platform setup", "Smartlead configuration", "Instantly optimization", "Salesloft cadences", "Outreach setup", "Lemlist sequences", "sequence optimization" Comparison: `references/platform-comparison.md` · Sequence template: `templates/sequence-architecture.md` ## Platform Selection | Platform | Best For | Key Features | Cost | |---|---|---|---| | **Smartlead** | High-volume, multi-mailbox | Unlimited mailboxes, auto-rotation, master inbox | $89-249/mo | | **Instantly** | Warmup-first, agencies | Largest warmup pool, campaign optimization | $37-97/mo | | **Salesloft** | Enterprise, multi-channel | Rhythm cadences, Conversation intelligence | $125-165/seat | | **Outreach** | Enterprise, complex workflows | Sequencing engine, triggers, analytics | $100-160/seat | | **Lemlist** | Personalized outreach, SMB | AI images/video, multi-channel | $59-99/mo | ## Artifacts ### Standard Sequence Architecture (All Platforms) ``` Email 1 (Day 0): Introduction — problem-focused, 50-75 words Email 2 (Day 3): Value add — case study or insight, 75-100 words Email 3 (Day 7): Social proof — customer result, 50-75 words Email 4 (Day 12): "Breaking up" — last attempt, direct ask LinkedIn touch (Day 2): Connect request or DM Call (Day 5): Short voicemail if no answer Total: 4 emails + 2 multi-channel touches over 14 days ``` ### Mailbox Configuration (Smartlead/Instantly) ``` Per domain: 3 mailboxes max. 30 emails/day per mailbox. 3 domains × 3 mailboxes = 9 mailboxes. 9 × 30 = 270 emails/day capacity. Warmup: 2 weeks minimum before full volume. Start at 5/day. Increment 5/day. Rotation: Auto-rotate between mailboxes. Randomize send times. ``` ## Implementation Checklist - [ ] Mailboxes warmed up (2+ weeks) before full volume - [ ] SPF/DKIM/DMARC configured for all sending domains - [ ] Custom tracking domain set up (not shared) - [ ] A/B test running (subject lines + copy variants) - [ ] Reply handling: AI auto-categorization + human escalation rules - [ ] Bounce rate under 3% (investigate if higher) - [ ] Daily send limits per mailbox respected ## Common Pitfalls 1. **No warmup.** New mailbox sends 50 emails/day day 1. Spam folder. Burned domain. Fix: 2-week warmup. Start at 5/day. Increment slowly. 2. **One mailbox doing everything.** 200 emails/day from one mailbox. Instant spam. Fix: Multiple mailboxes per domain. 30/day per mailbox max. 3. **No A/B testing.** Same copy forever. Ignorance about what works. Fix: Always run at least one A/B test per sequence. ## Output Format The agent delivers a sequencing platform setup and optimization plan matched to the user's volume, persona, and budget: - **Platform Recommendation** (when selection is requested): side-by-side comparison of Smartlead, Instantly, Salesloft, Outreach, and Lemlist on mailbox limits, warmup capability, multi-channel support, and price per seat/mailbox - **Mailbox Configuration Plan:** domain count, mailboxes-per-domain (max 3), daily send cap per mailbox (30), warmup timeline (2-week minimum with daily increment schedule), and auto-rotation setup - **Sequence Architecture:** 4-email + 2 multi-channel touchpoint plan with day-gap, word-count target, and stated objective per step (intro → value → social proof → break-up + LinkedIn connect + call) - **A/B Test Setup:** subject line and copy variants, split percentage (50/50 or 33/33/33), winning metric (positive-reply rate), and minimum sample size before declaring winner - **Deliverability Checklist:** SPF/DKIM/DMARC status per sending domain, custom tracking domain confirmation, warmup progress gate, bounce rate threshold (< 3%), and spam-trap monitoring setup ## Quality Check Before delivering, verify: - [ ] All required sections complete - [ ] Output matches the user's stated need - [ ] No vague or unsupported claims - [ ] Frameworks cited where applicable ## Execution Artifacts - `references/framework-notes.md` — named frameworks, citation anchors, and operating assumptions - `templates/output-template.md` — copy-paste deliverable structure for the user - `scripts/check-output.py` — local checklist validator for required sections This skill includes lightweight artifacts the agent can load on demand: - `references/platform-comparison.md` — Smartlead, Instantly, Salesloft, Outreach, Lemlist - `templates/sequence-architecture.md` — 14-day multi-channel cadence Use the artifacts when the user asks for an implementation-ready deliverable, a repeatable workflow, or a quality check rather than generic advice. ## Related Skills - `smartlead-workflows` — Smartlead-specific setup - `instantly-sequences` — Instantly-specific setup - `cold-email-strategy` — Sequence architecture and cadence - `email-deliverability` — SPF/DKIM/DMARC, warmup, reputation