How to automate multichannel outreach campaigns using Bullseye workflows

If you're tired of chasing leads across email, LinkedIn, and SMS—juggling spreadsheets and praying you don’t double-message the same person—this guide is for you. We’ll walk through how to actually automate multichannel outreach using Bullseye workflows, without drowning in buzzwords or pointless features.

You’ll get the real step-by-step, things to watch out for, and a reality check on what works (and what doesn’t). Let’s get your outreach off autopilot—without making a mess.

Step 1: Get Your Outreach List Right

Let’s be honest: automation only helps if your audience is solid. Garbage in, garbage out. So before touching Bullseye, get your contact list sorted. Here’s what matters:

  • Clean data: Names, emails, LinkedIn URLs, and phone numbers should be correct. Don’t trust random exports—double-check.
  • Segmentation: Group people by role, industry, or whatever matters for your messaging. Generic blasts flop.
  • Opt-in status: Know who’s okay with being contacted on each channel. Spamming isn’t just annoying—it can get you blocked or worse.

Pro tip: Spend more time cleaning your list than you think you need. Automation just makes mistakes faster.

Step 2: Map Out Your Multichannel Sequence

You need a plan before you build anything. Sketch out what messages go out, when, and on which channel.

  • Start simple: Email → LinkedIn message → Follow-up email → SMS (if appropriate)
  • Spacing matters: Don’t hit people on all channels in one day. Give at least 2–3 days between steps.
  • Personalization: Figure out what info you’ll include (name, company, mutual connection). Bullseye can fill in merge fields, but only if you prep the data.

What to skip: Don’t overcomplicate with 10-step sequences. Most replies come from the first two touches. More isn’t always better.

Step 3: Set Up Bullseye Workflows

Now, the actual setup. Bullseye calls these “workflows,” but think of them as a series of automated tasks.

3.1. Choose Your Channels

Bullseye supports the usual suspects:

  • Email (your own inbox, not some generic sender—good for avoiding spam)
  • LinkedIn (via browser plugin—watch out for connection limits)
  • SMS (make sure you’re compliant with local laws)
  • Sometimes others like WhatsApp or Slack, but stick with what your audience uses.

Honest take: Don’t try to use every channel just because you can. Stick to where your prospects actually respond.

3.2. Build Your Steps

For each step in your sequence:

  1. Pick the channel. Add an “Email” action, for example.
  2. Write your message. Use merge fields for personalization—don’t just say “Hi {{FirstName}},” and call it good. Make it sound human.
  3. Set the timing. Decide how long Bullseye should wait before the next step.
  4. Add conditions. For example: “If replied, stop sequence.” Or “If LinkedIn connection not accepted in 5 days, send follow-up email.”

Reality check: Conditional logic is powerful, but it can get confusing fast. Test with a small list before scaling up.

3.3. Test Everything

Before you hit “go” on 500 contacts:

  • Run the workflow with your own email/LinkedIn/SMS as a test.
  • Check for typos, missing merge fields, and odd delays.
  • Make sure opt-outs or “do not contact” folks aren’t included.

Ignore the hype: “AI” personalization tools often sound better than they are. Keep your messages simple and clear—don’t rely on bots to sound like you.

Step 4: Launch and Monitor

You’re ready to actually start your campaign. But don’t just walk away.

  • Start small: Run it with 20–30 contacts to catch issues early.
  • Watch the logs: Bullseye gives you a timeline of what’s sent, delivered, bounced, or failed. Check it daily at first.
  • Reply fast: Automation gets you in the door, but real conversations still win deals. Respond to replies yourself.

What to ignore: Don’t obsess over “open rates” or vanity metrics. Focus on actual replies and booked calls.

Step 5: Fine-Tune and Improve

No workflow is perfect out of the box. Here’s how to iterate:

  • A/B test messages: Try two subject lines or intro messages and see what gets replies.
  • Adjust timing: If people aren’t responding, maybe you’re too aggressive (or too slow).
  • Prune steps: If your third LinkedIn message never gets replies, cut it.
  • Keep data fresh: Remove bounced emails and wrong numbers from your list.

Pro tip: Save what works as a template in Bullseye. Skip re-inventing the wheel every time.

What Actually Works (and What’s a Waste of Time)

Let’s cut through the noise:

  • Personalization beats automation tricks. A thoughtful first line trumps any fancy sequence.
  • Fewer, better channels. Don’t use SMS just because it’s there. If your prospects hate texts, skip it.
  • Respect opt-outs. Nothing kills your reputation faster than ignoring “no thanks.”
  • Don’t believe “set it and forget it.” Outreach needs attention. People notice when you’re phoning it in.

What doesn’t work:

  • Sending 10 LinkedIn messages in a week. (You’ll get flagged.)
  • Relying on AI to write your copy. (It sounds robotic. People spot it a mile away.)
  • Ignoring replies for days. (Why bother automating if you’re slow to follow up?)

Common Pitfalls (and How to Dodge Them)

  • Sending too fast, too soon: You burn bridges and get marked as spam.
  • Forgetting to test: Broken merge fields make you look sloppy.
  • Overcomplicating with conditions: Keep logic simple until you’re confident it works.
  • Neglecting compliance: GDPR, CAN-SPAM, and other laws matter. Bullseye helps, but it’s on you to check.

Keep It Simple, Iterate Fast

Automating outreach with Bullseye isn’t magic, but it’s a lot better than doing everything by hand. Start with a small, clean list. Build a straightforward workflow. Test, tweak, and don’t sweat getting it perfect on the first try.

The best outreach is human, helpful, and respectful of people’s time. Use automation to free up your brain—not to blast more noise. Keep what works, cut what doesn’t, and always keep an eye on the replies.