So you’ve signed up for Authoredup and you’re ready to send your first outbound campaign. Maybe you’re looking to drum up leads, get feedback, or just see if you can get anyone to reply. Either way, you want a guide that actually tells you what to do—without the fluff. This is for anyone who’s new to outbound, or at least new to how Authoredup runs things. Let’s get to it.
Step 1: Get Your List Together
Before you even open Authoredup, you need a solid list. This sounds obvious, but it’s where most people mess up. Don’t just grab a pile of LinkedIn emails and hope for the best.
What you need: - A CSV file with at least first name, last name, and email. More columns (like company, role) help with personalization, but don’t overthink it. - Clean data. No blanks, no weird symbols, no “info@” emails unless you really want to get ignored.
Pro tips: - Double-check for duplicates. Sending someone the same email twice is a fast way to the spam folder. - Use a tool (or just Excel) to check for invalid emails—bad addresses will hurt your deliverability.
What to skip:
Don’t pay for a giant list if you can’t vouch for its accuracy. It’s far better to have 50 good leads than 500 bad ones.
Step 2: Log In and Start a New Campaign
Now, head into Authoredup and log in.
- Look for a button or menu called “Campaigns” or “New Campaign.” It’s usually right on the dashboard.
- Click “Create New Campaign.” Give it a name you’ll recognize later (not just “Test”).
Honest take:
Some platforms bury the “New Campaign” button or make you go through a setup wizard. If you get lost in menus, look for a help icon or support chat. No shame in it.
Step 3: Upload Your Contacts
You’ll see an option to upload contacts. Here’s what matters:
- Click “Upload Contacts” or “Import List.”
- Choose your CSV file.
- Map the columns in your file to the fields Authoredup uses (e.g., “First Name” → “First Name”).
Watch out for: - Fields not matching up. If your column is called “fname” but Authoredup wants “First Name,” make sure to map it correctly. - Errors after upload. If you see a warning, fix your file and re-upload.
Don’t stress:
If you only have an email and a first name, that’s enough to start. You can always get fancier data later.
Step 4: Write Your Email Sequence
This is where most people overcomplicate things. Your first outbound sequence should be simple.
The basics
- Email 1: Short, direct, relevant. Say who you are, why you’re reaching out, and what you want.
- Follow-up 1 (2–3 days later): Quick reminder, maybe a new angle or question.
- Follow-up 2 (3–5 days later): Still interested? If not, you can close the loop.
How to set it up in Authoredup: - Use the built-in sequence editor. Start with the first email, then add follow-ups. - Use merge tags like {{First Name}} for personalization. But don’t go overboard—people can spot “fake” personalization from a mile away.
What actually works: - Keep it under 100 words if you can. - Avoid buzzwords and “I hope this finds you well.” - Ask a clear question or give a simple call to action (CTA).
What to ignore: - Fancy HTML templates. Plain text gets better replies. - Gimmicks (“Did my last email go to spam?”). Just be real.
Step 5: Set Sending Rules and Schedule
Sending rules matter more than you think—sending too many emails at once gets you flagged as spam.
- Set daily limits: If you have a new sending domain, start slow (20–30 emails a day).
- Schedule: Send during local business hours for your audience. Avoid weekends unless you know they check email then.
- Randomize sending: Most platforms, including Authoredup, can stagger sends so they don’t all go out at 9:00 a.m. on the dot.
Why this matters:
Dumping a hundred emails at once is a great way to never reach the inbox again. Slow and steady wins.
Step 6: Connect Your Sending Email Account
Authoredup will ask you to connect an email account (like Gmail or Outlook). This is where your emails will come from.
- Choose an email you trust, but avoid your main personal or company account in case you run into deliverability issues.
- If possible, use a “warm” domain—one that’s been used for real conversations, not just cold outreach.
- Set up domain authentication (SPF/DKIM): This sounds technical, but Authoredup should walk you through it. It’s worth it, because it helps your emails land in inboxes, not spam.
Pitfall to avoid:
Don’t use a brand-new domain that’s never sent mail. It’ll get flagged fast. Warm it up with real conversations first if you can.
Step 7: Test Your Campaign Before Sending
Always, always send test emails.
- Send a test to your own inbox. Check for formatting, broken links, or weird merge tags.
- Send another to a colleague (or a different email address you own) to make sure it looks good in Gmail, Outlook, etc.
- If you spot “Hi {{First Name}},” something’s wrong—fix it before you send to your whole list.
Why bother?
A typo or broken link to a hundred people is embarrassing. Five minutes of testing saves a lot of headaches.
Step 8: Launch Your Campaign
Now, the fun part. Hit “Start,” “Launch,” or whatever button Authoredup uses.
What to expect: - Emails will start sending based on your schedule and rules. - You’ll get stats on opens, replies, bounces, and more in the campaign dashboard. - Don’t panic if you don’t get replies right away. Outbound is a numbers game.
What’s normal: - Open rates of 40–60% are solid for clean lists. - Reply rates vary wildly—1–10% is typical. If you’re not getting replies, tweak your message, not just your subject line.
Step 9: Monitor, Reply, and Adjust
A campaign isn’t “set and forget.” Here’s what to actually do:
- Reply fast. If someone responds, answer quickly—even if it’s just to say “Thanks, I’ll get back to you soon.”
- Watch your stats. High bounce rates? Your list is bad. Low open rates? Change your subject. No replies? Rethink your ask.
- Pause if needed. If you see lots of bounces or get blacklisted, pause the campaign and fix the problem.
What not to do:
Don’t argue with people who ask to be removed. Just take them off your list.
Step 10: Clean Up and Iterate
After your first campaign wraps up:
- Download your results. See who replied, who bounced, and who never opened.
- Remove bounced emails or unsubs from future lists.
- Save your best-performing templates for next time.
Keep it simple:
Don’t try to automate everything on your first go. Outbound is trial and error. What works for someone else’s audience might flop for yours.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Overthink It
Setting up your first outbound campaign in Authoredup isn’t rocket science, but there are enough steps that it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Stick to the basics: clean list, simple message, slow sending, and real follow-up. Don’t get distracted by fancy features until you’ve mastered the fundamentals.
Start small, pay attention, and tweak as you go. That’s how you actually get results—without driving yourself nuts.