If you’re juggling too many prospects and still sending one-off emails, it’s time to fix that. This guide is for anyone who wants to actually use sales automation—without losing the personal touch that gets replies. Whether you’re new to Gorattle or just tired of reading fluffy how-tos that skip the real stuff, you’re in the right place.
Below, I’ll walk you step-by-step through creating and managing sales sequences that don’t sound canned. We’ll cover setup, writing messages people actually want to read, automating without sounding like a robot, and what to skip if you’re short on time.
1. Understand What a Sales Sequence Really Is
Before you touch a button, let’s clear up what a sales sequence is (and isn’t):
- A sales sequence is a series of timed, semi-automated messages (usually email, sometimes calls or LinkedIn touches) that help you follow up consistently with leads.
- The goal: Stay top of mind without nagging, and make it easy to personalize each step.
- It’s not a “set it and forget it” solution. If you want real results, you’ll need to tweak, test, and adjust.
Pro tip: If you only want to blast generic emails, Gorattle probably isn’t the tool for you. It’s built for people who care about getting replies, not just sending messages.
2. Map Out Your Outreach Before Building Anything
Don’t rush to click “create sequence.” Start by sketching out your process:
- How many touches? Most good sequences are 4-7 steps, spread over 2-3 weeks.
- Which channels? Start with email, but consider adding LinkedIn or a call if it fits your audience.
- What’s your goal? Book a meeting? Get a reply? Make it clear.
- What info do you need to personalize? E.g., company name, job title, a recent news mention.
Write this down. It’ll save you from building a clunky, one-size-fits-none sequence later.
3. Create Your First Sequence in Gorattle
Once you know your flow, it’s time to get into Gorattle:
- Log in and find “Sequences.”
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Usually in the left sidebar. Hit “Create Sequence.”
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Name your sequence clearly.
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“June SaaS Prospects – 2024” beats “Cool new test.”
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Choose your steps.
- Gorattle lets you pick email, manual tasks (like LinkedIn), or calls.
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Start simple: two emails, one LinkedIn touch, and a final email works for most.
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Set timing for each step.
- Don’t stack messages back-to-back. A good rule: Wait 2-4 days between each.
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Gorattle lets you set delays (e.g., “2 days after previous step”).
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Draft your messages (but don’t overthink it yet).
- Add personalization tokens (like {{first_name}}) where it makes sense.
- Write like a human. If you wouldn’t say it, don’t send it.
What to ignore: Don’t get lost in the weeds with advanced triggers or branching logic right away. Start with a basic sequence and get it working first.
4. Write Messages That Don’t Sound Automated
This is where most people mess up. A few honest tips:
- Ditch the templates (or at least, rewrite them). Gorattle gives you canned templates, but so does every other tool. If you use them as-is, you’ll sound like everyone else.
- Personalize more than just a name. Mention something recent about the prospect or their company. Even one line makes a difference.
- Keep it short. Five sentences or less. Lead with value or a genuine question.
- Subject lines matter. But not in the “tricks and hacks” way. Just be clear and specific. No “Quick question…” unless you’re actually asking a question.
Example (weak):
Hi {{first_name}}, I wanted to see if you’re interested in our solution to streamline your business. Let me know if you have time for a call.
Better:
Hey {{first_name}}, Saw your team just rolled out [new product feature]—impressive move. Curious if you’re tackling [problem your product solves] this year, or if it’s on the back burner? Either way, happy to share ideas if helpful.
Pro tip: Save your best-performing emails as new templates, not the default ones.
5. Add Your Prospects (The Right Way)
Garbage in, garbage out. If your contact list is bad, no fancy sequence will save you.
- Import clean data. Gorattle lets you upload CSVs or sync with a CRM. Double-check your fields: missing names or companies will make your emails look sloppy.
- Segment before you start. If you’re emailing SaaS CEOs and manufacturing VPs, don’t lump them together. Build separate sequences or at least separate messaging.
What to ignore: Don’t bother with “enriching” every field automatically. Focus on the few details you’ll actually use to personalize your outreach.
6. Launch Your Sequence (But Monitor Closely)
You’ve built your sequence, loaded your prospects, and triple-checked your messages. Here’s how to launch without blowing it:
- Send a test to yourself. Always. You’ll catch embarrassing merge tag errors or typos this way.
- Start with a small batch. Don’t blast 500 people on your first go. Ten is enough to see if you’ve got problems.
- Watch for bounces and replies. Gorattle shows delivery, opens, and replies. If you see a lot of bounces, pause and fix your list.
- Pause or edit live sequences if needed. If you spot mistakes or low replies, fix them on the fly. Don’t “set and forget” for weeks.
Pro tip: If you get even one “Hey, this seems automated…” reply, revisit your copy.
7. Manage Replies and Tasks Without Losing Your Mind
Automation is great—until a real person responds. Here’s how to handle it:
- Replies pause the sequence automatically. Gorattle does this for you, so you don’t keep spamming someone who’s written back.
- Use manual tasks. If your sequence includes “Call” or “LinkedIn” steps, Gorattle adds these to your daily to-do. Don’t skip them; they’re often where deals actually happen.
- Don’t over-automate. Resist the urge to auto-respond everything. A real, human reply is your best shot at a deal—don’t waste it.
8. Track What’s Working (and What’s Not)
The only way to improve is to measure honestly. Gorattle gives you decent analytics, but don’t get obsessed with vanity metrics.
- Metrics that matter: Reply rate, positive reply rate, meetings booked.
- Ignore: Open rates (they’re unreliable with privacy changes), “impressions,” or clicks unless your goal is a click.
- A/B test one thing at a time. Try changing your subject line or first sentence, but don’t overhaul everything at once.
Pro tip: Every few weeks, kill off steps or sequences that aren’t getting replies. Don’t keep sending messages just because they exist.
9. Refine and Iterate—Don’t Overthink It
No one gets it perfect on the first try. The best teams:
- Review their sequence results every few weeks.
- Swap out underperforming steps.
- Try new personalization angles or timing.
Don’t wait for “the perfect sequence.” It doesn’t exist. Good enough and sent beats perfect and never launched.
Final Thoughts: Keep It Simple, Keep It Human
The biggest mistake with sales sequences is making them too complicated—or too generic. Start simple, focus on writing like a person, and tweak as you go. Gorattle makes it easy to run outreach at scale without sounding like a robot, but only if you put in the work upfront.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, pick one sequence, add a personal detail to each step, and launch to a small batch. Learn, adjust, and repeat. That’s how you’ll see real results—no hype, just honest effort.