If you’re tired of outreach campaigns that go nowhere, you’re not alone. Spray-and-pray emails, dead-end DMs, and “just checking in” follow-ups don’t work anymore (if they ever did). This guide is for anyone who wants to actually get replies—and maybe a little respect—from their prospects.
We’ll walk through setting up multi channel outreach campaigns in Emelia, step by step. You’ll get plain advice on what’s worth your time, what’s just noise, and how to avoid the common mistakes that make people hit delete.
Why Multi Channel Outreach (But Not Every Channel)
First things first: Multi channel isn’t about being everywhere. It’s about showing up where your prospects actually pay attention. So yes, email and LinkedIn usually matter. SMS or Twitter? Maybe, but only if you know your audience is there and open to it.
Multi channel helps you: - Get seen by people who ignore their inbox but check LinkedIn. - Build familiarity—so you’re not just another cold email. - Reach people where they’re most likely to reply.
But watch out for overkill. Hammering someone with messages on every platform is a quick way to get ignored, blocked, or reported.
Step 1: Get Your Prospect List Right
Before you touch Emelia, start with a solid list. If your inputs are garbage, your outputs will be too.
What works: - Hand-picked lists: Time-consuming, but higher quality. - Scraping tools: Fine, but always double-check for accuracy. - Enriching data: Use tools to add LinkedIn URLs, company info, etc.
What to skip: - Buying giant lead lists. They’re mostly outdated and full of dead ends. - Relying only on email addresses—multi channel means you’ll want LinkedIn profiles, too.
Pro Tip: Don’t just collect contact info—note down context for each prospect (their role, recent activity, mutual connections). You’ll use this later.
Step 2: Connect Your Channels in Emelia
Alright, now fire up Emelia. The platform lets you connect email, LinkedIn, and sometimes SMS or other channels. Here’s how to do it without getting tripped up:
- Email: Connect your sending accounts (Google, Outlook, etc.). Use domains you control, not your main company email, to protect your reputation.
- LinkedIn: You’ll need to link your account and possibly set up a LinkedIn session cookie. Don’t try to automate at crazy volume—LinkedIn will notice.
- SMS (if you really must): Only use if you have explicit permission or an existing relationship. Otherwise, it’s just spammy.
Watch out: Each channel has its own limits and quirks. Emelia will warn you if you’re about to overdo it, but don’t ignore those warnings.
Step 3: Map Out Your Sequence—Don’t Overcomplicate
This is where most people get lost in the weeds. You don’t need a 12-step sequence that bounces prospects between three channels. Start simple:
Example sequence: 1. Email #1: Short, personal intro. 2. Wait 2-3 days. 3. LinkedIn connection request (with a note). 4. Wait 2 days. 5. LinkedIn follow-up message. 6. Email #2: Reference your LinkedIn touchpoint.
That’s it. You can add more steps if you see real engagement, but don’t start there.
What actually works: - Keep messages short. Nobody wants to read your life story. - Make every touch feel personal—reference something specific. - Give people a reason to reply (not just “Let’s connect” or “Just following up”).
What to ignore: - Templates that sound like templates. - Automated LinkedIn profile visits—doesn’t fool anyone. - Gimmicks like “just checking if my email went to spam.”
Step 4: Personalize (But Don’t Waste Hours)
Personalization is tricky. Yes, it boosts replies. No, you don’t need to write a novel for each person.
How to do it in Emelia: - Use custom fields: Add company names, job titles, or recent news to your messages. - Batch by segment: Write one version for each industry, persona, or trigger event, then tweak as needed. - Reference specifics: “Saw you just launched X product”—but only if it’s true.
Don’t bother with: - Fake “personalization” like {FirstName} in a generic message. - Overly familiar openers (“Hey friend!”) if you’ve never met.
Pro Tip: Spend more time personalizing your first message. Later follow-ups can be lighter, as long as you’re not repeating yourself.
Step 5: Set Up Tracking and Replies (So You Don’t Miss the Good Stuff)
Emelia lets you track opens, clicks, replies, and more. Use it, but don’t obsess.
- Track replies first. Opens and clicks are nice, but replies pay the bills.
- Set up notifications so you don’t miss responses. The faster you reply, the higher your chances.
- Pause sequences automatically when someone replies. No one likes getting more outreach after they’ve already answered.
What not to do: - Don’t chase every open or click. Focus on real engagement. - Don’t send 10 follow-ups. One or two is plenty.
Step 6: Launch, Test, and Tweak
No campaign survives first contact with real prospects. Expect to adjust on the fly.
- Start with a small batch. Send to 20-30 people, see what happens.
- Track what works: Which messages get replies? Which channels flop?
- Tweak and repeat: Change one thing at a time—subject lines, LinkedIn notes, timing. Don’t overhaul everything at once.
What’s overrated: - Fancy graphics or HTML emails. Simple, text-based messages get better deliverability. - Sending at “optimal” times. You’ll hear lots of theories—just test and find what works for your audience.
Step 7: Don’t Be a Robot (And Don’t Sound Like One)
Multi channel is about being human, not a bot with a spreadsheet. If you wouldn’t send it to a real person you know, don’t send it at all.
- Reply like a person. Drop the scripts in your responses.
- Cut your losses. If someone’s not interested, move on. Pestering never works.
- Stay compliant. Respect opt-outs, don’t connect with people who clearly say no, and follow email/LinkedIn rules.
A Few Common Pitfalls (And How to Dodge Them)
- Too many channels, too fast: Looks desperate and gets you flagged.
- No clear call to action: If you don’t ask a real question, you won’t get a real answer.
- Over-automation: It’s tempting, but the more you automate, the less people care.
Reality check: Outreach is hard. Even with the best tools, most people won’t reply—and that’s okay. You’re looking for the few who do.
Wrapping Up: Keep It Simple, Iterate Fast
You don’t need a 14-touch, data-driven omnichannel campaign to get results. Start with a couple of channels, keep it personal, and watch what actually gets replies. Every audience is different, and you’ll learn way more from 30 real conversations than from reading another “ultimate guide.”
Set up your first campaign in Emelia, keep it simple, and tweak as you go. The best outreach is the one you actually do—and improve.