So, you want to get your outbound campaigns up and running in Lonescale, but you’re tired of vague advice and endless “best practices” that don’t actually get the job done. This guide is for you. Whether you’re a solo operator or running a small team, I’ll walk you through every step—minus the fluff. If you’re staring at Lonescale’s dashboard wondering where to start, you’re in the right place.
Let’s cut to the chase. Here’s how to set up and automate outbound campaigns that actually get results (and not just vanity metrics) in Lonescale.
Step 1: Get Clear on Your Campaign Goal
Before you even log in, be brutally honest: what do you want out of this outbound campaign? More demos? Newsletter signups? Product trials? “Awareness” isn’t a goal—it’s an excuse. Write your goal down. You’ll need it later.
Pro tip: Keep your goal specific and measurable. “Book 15 product demos this month” beats “get more leads.”
Step 2: Clean Up Your Target Audience
Lonescale is only as good as the data you feed it. Garbage in, garbage out.
- Build or import a list: You can upload your own CSV, hook up a CRM, or use Lonescale’s built-in filters to scrape data.
- Be picky: Narrow down by industry, job title, company size, geography, or whatever actually matters to your offer.
- Don’t overreach: A massive, unfocused list just wastes credits and annoys people. Less is more.
What works: Tight, specific lists see higher engagement. Don’t fall for the “spray-and-pray” approach—it’s a rookie move.
Step 3: Set Up Your Campaign in Lonescale
Now, let’s actually build something that runs itself (mostly).
a. Create a New Campaign
- Click “Create Campaign” or the nearest equivalent. Lonescale’s UI changes sometimes, but this is usually obvious.
- Name your campaign something you’ll recognize later. “Q2 SaaS CEOs - Demo Offer” is better than “Campaign 6.”
b. Define Your Audience
- Choose your contact list or set your filters if you’re pulling directly from Lonescale’s database.
- Preview the results. If 80% of the list looks wrong, fix your filters before moving on.
c. Choose Your Channels
Most people default to cold email, but Lonescale can often automate LinkedIn or other channels too (depends on your plan).
- Start simple: Don’t try to juggle 3 channels on your first go. Nail one, then add more later.
- Email works: It’s still the backbone for most outbound. LinkedIn can get you past some crowded inboxes, but it’s slower.
Step 4: Write (or Import) Your Message Sequence
Here’s where most campaigns fall flat—bad messaging.
- No templates: Lonescale has built-in templates, but so does everyone else. Tweak them or write your own.
- Keep it short: Your first message should be two or three sentences, max. No one reads essays from strangers.
- Personalization matters: Lonescale lets you use merge tags (like {{first_name}}). Use them, but don’t overdo it. “Hey {{first_name}}, I saw you went to {{university}}” is creepy, not clever.
Sequence basics: - 1st message: Short intro and clear ask. - 2nd message (2–4 days later): “Bumping this up” or offer something useful. - 3rd message (optional): Last call or a “no worries” close.
What to ignore: Don’t get distracted by “AI copywriting” features unless you’re really short on time. They’re still hit or miss and tend to sound robotic.
Step 5: Set Automation Rules and Scheduling
This is where you tell Lonescale what to do, and when.
- Send windows: Only send messages during business hours in your recipient’s time zone. Nobody likes 2am spam.
- Throttle your sends: Start slow (50–100 per day) while you get the hang of it. If you get no bounces or spam complaints, ramp up.
- Replies: Tell Lonescale what to do if someone replies. Usually, you want to stop the sequence for that contact.
Pro tip: If you’re using your own email domain, warm it up first. Otherwise, you might end up in spam hell.
Step 6: Connect Your Email (and/or LinkedIn)
You have to connect Lonescale to your sending accounts.
- Email: OAuth connection is safest (Google, Outlook, etc.). IMAP/SMTP works if you know what you’re doing, but it’s fussier.
- LinkedIn: Lonescale may use browser extensions or cookies. This can be fragile—expect to reconnect now and then.
What works: Dedicated sending domains and inboxes. Don’t risk your main company address on cold outreach.
Step 7: Test Everything Before You Hit “Go”
Don’t trust automation blindly.
- Send test messages to yourself: Make sure merge tags work and your emails don’t land in spam.
- Check links: Broken links kill campaigns.
- Preview as a recipient: Would you reply to this? If not, rewrite.
What to ignore: Don’t obsess over your email’s “spam score” unless you’re seeing real deliverability issues.
Step 8: Launch and Monitor
Now, start the campaign. Here’s what to actually watch:
- Replies: Real human responses are gold. Prioritize these over click or open rates.
- Bounce and spam rates: If you see more than 5% bounces or get blocked, pause and fix your list.
- Unsubscribe or complaints: A few are normal, but if you’re getting a lot, your messaging or targeting is off.
What works: Respond fast to positive replies. Automation gets your foot in the door, but humans close deals.
Step 9: Optimize and Iterate
You’re not done once you launch—now you tweak.
- A/B test subject lines or messages: But only change one thing at a time.
- Trim your list: Remove non-responders after 2–3 attempts. Don’t waste time or risk your sender reputation.
- Review campaign analytics: Lonescale gives basic stats. Don’t get hung up on open rates—focus on replies and meetings booked.
Pro tip: Keep a swipe file of what got replies. Real-world data beats marketing blogs every time.
What to Ignore (and What to Watch)
- Ignore: Shiny features like AI “insights” or endless integrations—just get the basics working first.
- Watch: Deliverability, reply rates, and your own sanity. If you’re spending hours fiddling with settings, you’re doing it wrong.
Wrapping Up (and Keeping It Simple)
That’s it. Automating outbound campaigns in Lonescale isn’t rocket science, but it’s easy to overcomplicate. Focus on a real goal, a tight audience, and clear messaging. Don’t chase every new feature—just get one campaign running, see what happens, and improve from there. Iterate, don’t overthink.
Remember, the best automation still needs a human touch. Use Lonescale to take the grunt work off your plate, but keep an eye on what actually works. Good luck—and keep it simple.