If you’re sending LinkedIn messages one by one and praying people write back, you’re wasting hours you’ll never get back. Sales, recruiting, and networking all run on follow-ups—but nobody likes sending them manually. This guide is for anyone who’s tired of chasing ghosts and wants to use automation to save time and get more replies. Here’s how to set up follow-up sequences in Icereach so you can focus on conversations, not copy-pasting the same message.
Why Follow-Ups Matter (and Where Automation Actually Helps)
Here’s the truth: Most people don’t reply to your first message. They’re busy, distracted, or just not interested yet. But polite, well-timed follow-ups almost always boost your response rates. The problem? Keeping track of who needs a nudge, when, and what you said last week gets messy fast.
Icereach automates this grunt work. It lets you set up sequences—think “if no reply in X days, send this message”—so you’re consistently following up without annoying people or losing your mind.
What automation does well: - Saves you hours every week - Keeps your outreach consistent (no more “oops, forgot about that guy”) - Lets you test what actually works, instead of guessing
What it doesn’t do: - Write magical messages that make everyone reply - Fix bad targeting or spammy tactics - Replace real, human engagement (automation gets you in the door, not the sale)
Step 1: Get Your List Right (Don’t Skip This)
Let’s be blunt: No tool can fix bad targeting. If you’re blasting generic messages to everyone with a LinkedIn profile, you’re wasting your time and risking your account.
Before you set up anything in Icereach: - Define your ideal prospect. Be picky. Who actually benefits from what you offer? - Build your list carefully. Use LinkedIn filters, Sales Navigator, or export from your CRM. - Personalize where it matters. If you have fields like “First Name,” “Company,” or “Industry,” make sure they’re accurate before importing.
Pro tip:
Don’t rely on Icereach (or any tool) to clean up a messy CSV. Spend 10 extra minutes now to avoid embarrassing mistakes later (“Hi {FirstName}!” is a terrible look).
Step 2: Connect Icereach to LinkedIn
Setting up Icereach isn’t complicated, but it does require a few steps. Here’s what you need to do:
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Sign up and log in to Icereach.
Go to your Icereach dashboard. -
Connect your LinkedIn account.
You’ll need to authenticate with your LinkedIn credentials. Icereach runs through a Chrome extension or web app, depending on the latest version. -
Heads up: Avoid logging in from multiple devices or IP addresses at once. LinkedIn is touchy about “unusual activity.”
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Warm up your account (if you’re new or inactive).
Don’t go from zero to a hundred real quick. Start slow—maybe 10-20 connections per day—and ramp up over a couple weeks. - Automation tools can get you banned if you act like a spam bot.
Step 3: Upload Your Prospects
Your list should be ready from Step 1. Here’s how to get it into Icereach:
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Import your CSV or connect your CRM.
Most people upload a CSV. Double-check the field mapping (First Name, Last Name, LinkedIn URL, etc.). -
Check for duplicates and errors.
Icereach has basic validation, but don’t trust it to be perfect. Manually spot-check a few rows. -
Segment your list (optional but smart).
If you’re reaching out to different types of prospects (e.g., founders vs. recruiters), create separate campaigns.
What to skip:
Don’t import your entire 10,000-person list “just in case.” Start with a smaller, high-quality batch. Test, tweak, then scale.
Step 4: Write Your Message Sequence (Less Is More)
This is where most people blow it. Automation doesn’t fix bad messages—if anything, it makes them worse because you’ll annoy more people, faster.
Best practices: - Keep it short. Your first message should sound like a real person wrote it, not a sales robot. - Personalize, but don’t overdo it. A line or two about their company or role is enough. - Space out your follow-ups. Typical cadence: Day 0, Day 3, Day 7, Day 14. - Stop after 2-3 follow-ups. More than that just feels desperate.
Example Sequence
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Message 1 (Connection request):
“Hi {FirstName}, saw you’re working on {Company}—would love to connect and swap notes on {Industry} trends.” -
Message 2 (3 days later, if no reply):
“Hey {FirstName}, just wanted to see if my note landed. Happy to chat if you’re open.” -
Message 3 (7 days after that):
“No worries if now’s not the right time. If {Problem you solve} ever comes up at {Company}, feel free to reach out.”
What doesn’t work:
- Long pitches or links in your first message
- Guilt-tripping (“Why haven’t you replied?”)
- Fake urgency or gimmicks
Pro tip:
Write your follow-ups like you’re texting a busy colleague. Less formal, more human.
Step 5: Build and Activate Your Sequence in Icereach
Here’s how to actually set up your follow-ups in Icereach:
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Create a new campaign.
Name it something clear (“June SaaS Founders Outreach” beats “Campaign 1”). -
Add your prospects.
Pick your list or segment. -
Set up your message steps.
- Add your initial connection message.
- Add follow-up messages and set the timing (e.g., 3 days after no reply).
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Use variables for personalization ({FirstName}, {Company}, etc.).
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Review your sequence.
Preview every message. Double-check for awkward merge fields or typos. -
Schedule and launch.
Set a daily sending limit (start low—maybe 20-30 per day). Icereach will send your messages automatically, following your schedule.
What to ignore:
- Don’t turn on “send as fast as possible.” LinkedIn’s algorithms look for spammy patterns.
- Ignore “AI copywriting” features for now—your own words are better than generic, over-polished fluff.
Step 6: Monitor Replies and Adjust
Automation doesn’t mean “set it and forget it.” Check your campaign dashboard at least daily.
What to watch: - Who’s replying? Respond quickly—automation gets you the opening, but humans close the deal. - Are your messages getting ignored or marked as spam? Tweak your wording and cadence. - If you get warnings from LinkedIn, slow down or pause.
Metrics that actually matter: - Connection acceptance rate (shoot for 30%+) - Reply rate (aim for 10-20%—higher if your targeting is tight) - Positive vs. negative replies (not all replies are good)
What to skip:
Don’t obsess over open rates or “impressions.” Focus on real replies and booked calls.
Step 7: Keep Improving (But Don’t Overthink It)
The best campaigns are simple and human. Here’s how to get better results over time:
- Test one thing at a time. Change your first message, or your follow-up timing—not both at once.
- Recycle what works. If you find a message that gets replies, use it as your new baseline.
- Don’t chase hacks. “Secret” LinkedIn strategies come and go. Consistent, respectful follow-ups always work better.
Wrapping Up
Automating your follow-ups in Icereach isn’t rocket science, but it does take a bit of upfront work. Start with a solid list, keep your messages short and real, and don’t get greedy with volume. Watch what happens, tweak as you go, and don’t let the “automation” part fool you—real conversations are still what moves deals forward.
Keep it simple, iterate, and let Icereach handle the boring bits so you can actually talk to people.