If you’re about to send cold emails, or you’ve just got a new domain, you’ve probably heard you need to “warm up” your email account first. You might wonder what that actually means, why it matters, and if it’s all just marketing hype. The truth: warming up isn’t magic, but it does help you avoid the spam folder—if you do it right.
This guide is for anyone who wants a clear, no-nonsense way to use Mailrush’s warmup tools and not wreck their sender reputation in the process.
Why Warming Up Your Email Account Matters
Here’s the short version: Email providers (like Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo) are paranoid about spam. When they see a brand new email account suddenly blasting out hundreds of messages, alarm bells go off. Even if you’re legit, you’ll probably end up in spam—or worse, get blocked entirely.
Warming up is about teaching those providers that you’re a real person, sending real emails, with real replies. Do it right, and your emails are more likely to land in the inbox. Skip it, and you’re fighting uphill from day one.
What Mailrush Warmup Tools Actually Do
If you’re not familiar with Mailrush, it’s an email outreach platform that includes automated warmup tools. Here’s what those tools do (and don’t do):
- They send gradual, low-volume emails from your account to a network of real inboxes.
- They open, reply, and mark your emails as "not spam" when needed.
- They mimic normal human activity, so mailbox providers get used to seeing your emails.
What they don’t do: guarantee you’ll never hit spam, or fix a truly bad reputation. If you’re already blacklisted, no tool can wave a wand and fix it overnight.
Step-by-Step: How to Warm Up Your Email Account Safely with Mailrush
Let’s cut to the chase. Here’s how to actually do it, pitfalls and all.
1. Set Up Your Sending Domain and DNS Properly
Before you touch a warmup tool, you need to get your technical basics right. Otherwise, you’re building on quicksand.
- Set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records. These are authentication methods that prove your emails are legit. If you skip this, you’re basically begging to go to spam.
- Use a dedicated sending domain or subdomain. Don’t send cold emails from your main company account. If things go south, you want to be able to start over.
- Double-check DNS propagation. Sometimes changes take a while. Use tools like MXToolbox to confirm everything’s live.
Pro tip: If you’re not sure about DNS, ask your domain registrar for help. Guessing leads to headaches later.
2. Connect Your Email Account to Mailrush
Once your domain is set up, log into Mailrush and hook up your email account.
- Use OAuth or app-specific passwords if your provider supports them. This is more secure than just plugging in your main password.
- Start with a fresh account if possible. If the account’s already been flagged for spam, warmup won’t fix it.
- Avoid connecting personal or sensitive accounts. Warmup tools send automated replies; you don’t want them mingling with your real conversations.
3. Configure the Warmup Settings
Mailrush gives you some levers to pull. Here’s how to keep things safe and realistic:
- Start slow. Don’t jump to 40 emails a day right away. Begin with 5–10 per day, increasing gradually over 3–4 weeks.
- Set up a natural ramp-up curve. Mailrush lets you automate this, so it adds a few more emails each day. Don’t tweak this to go faster—it’s tempting, but risky.
- Enable automatic replies and "move to inbox." This helps show providers that your emails are wanted.
Ignore: Any setting that promises “hyper-fast warmup” or claims you’ll be inbox-ready in a few days. That’s wishful thinking.
4. Monitor Your Progress (Don’t Just Set and Forget)
Automated tools are handy, but they’re not infallible. You still need to keep an eye on things.
- Check deliverability reports. Mailrush shows you how many emails land in spam, promotions, or inbox. Watch for sudden drops.
- Look for real replies. If your emails are getting opened and replied to by the warmup network, you’re on track.
- Don’t panic over a few spam placements. Some will slip through—what matters is the trend, not perfection.
Pro tip: If you see a spike in spam folder placements, pause and investigate. Don’t just keep ramping up.
5. Keep Up “Human” Activity
Even with automation, mailbox providers still look for signs of real humans.
- Send some manual emails. Reach out to colleagues, friends, or yourself. Get real replies.
- Don’t use the same subject line over and over. Mix it up. Templates are fine, but add variety.
- Avoid links and attachments at first. Wait until your account is warmed up before sending anything that looks remotely “salesy.”
6. Gradually Move Into Real Outreach
After 3–4 weeks (sometimes longer), your account should be in decent shape to start actual cold outreach.
- Don’t go from 40 warmup emails to blasting 500 prospects overnight. Ramp up your campaign volume slowly—think 10–20 extra emails per day.
- Mix in real conversations. The more replies and positive engagement you get, the healthier your reputation.
- Keep using the warmup tool in the background. Even when you start real campaigns, Mailrush can keep running a handful of warmup interactions to maintain your reputation.
What to Watch Out For (And What Isn’t Worth Worrying About)
Let’s be honest: not everything you hear about warmup is true. Here’s what actually matters:
- Don’t reuse burned domains. If a domain has a bad sending history, starting over is usually faster than trying to fix it.
- Ignore anyone selling “instant inbox placement.” There’s no shortcut. Warming up is about building a history, not gaming the system.
- Don’t warm up accounts you don’t control. It’s not ethical and can get you (and your provider) in hot water.
- Don’t expect miracles if your content is spammy. Warmup helps, but bad emails still go to spam.
Honest Pros and Cons of Using Mailrush’s Warmup Tools
What works:
- Automates a tedious process, saving you time.
- Their warmup network is large enough to mimic real interactions.
- The reporting is clear and actionable.
What doesn’t:
- It won’t fix a terrible sender reputation overnight.
- If you try to game the system (too many emails, too fast), you’ll get flagged.
- Some mailbox providers are getting smarter about automated warmup—so mixing in real interactions is still important.
Keep It Simple and Iterate
Warming up your email account isn’t rocket science, but it does take patience and a bit of care. Use a tool like Mailrush to automate the grunt work, but don’t treat it as a silver bullet. Go slow, stay consistent, and keep an eye on your results. If something’s not working, adjust. The simplest approach is usually the safest.
If you play it straight and don’t rush, you’ll have a healthy sender reputation—and your emails will actually reach real people. That’s what matters.