If you’re sick of sending cold emails that end up in the void, this is for you. Whether you’re a salesperson, founder, or just someone trying to get a response, personalized outreach works—if you don’t sound like a robot. This guide will show you exactly how to create outreach sequences in Humanlinker that don’t get ignored, skipped, or marked as spam.
Why bother with personalization (and why most people do it wrong)
Here’s the thing: personalization isn’t about swapping in a first name or company logo. Most so-called “personalized” outreach is still generic junk. The magic comes from showing you actually know something about the person you’re writing to—and that takes a bit of thought.
The good news? Humanlinker takes some of the grunt work out of this. But it’s not magic. You still need to use your brain, even if the tool does some heavy lifting.
Step 1: Get your data ready (don’t skip this)
Garbage in, garbage out. That’s true for outreach too. Before you touch Humanlinker, make sure you have:
- A clean list of prospects—no old leads or obvious dead ends.
- Accurate email addresses (verify them, seriously).
- At least a handful of notes or LinkedIn profiles for each contact.
Pro tip: Don’t buy “leads lists” from random sources. They’re usually terrible and will tank your results.
Step 2: Connect your accounts and set up basics
Once you’ve signed in to Humanlinker, the tool will walk you through connecting your email (Gmail, Outlook, whatever you use). Do this first. You can also connect your CRM, but honestly, if your CRM is a mess, fix that before you start automating anything.
Set your sending limits—don’t blast out 500 emails in a day. You’ll get flagged, and your deliverability will nosedive. Start small (30–50/day), watch your results, and ramp up slowly.
Step 3: Build your first sequence
Humanlinker works with “sequences,” which are just pre-set series of emails (and sometimes LinkedIn messages or calls). Here’s how to build one that doesn’t suck:
3.1 Pick a real goal
What do you want? A meeting? A reply? A demo booked? If you’re not clear, your prospect won’t be either. Write it down.
3.2 Choose your channels (be realistic)
- Email: Always a safe bet.
- LinkedIn: Good for B2B, but don’t send cheesy connection messages.
- Calls: Only if you’re comfortable and have a legit reason.
Don’t try to do everything. Start with email, add LinkedIn if it fits.
3.3 Decide on timing and spacing
- Don’t send all your messages in one week.
- 3–5 steps over 2–3 weeks is a good starting point.
- Leave at least 2 days between each touch.
Step 4: Write your templates (make them not suck)
This is where most people phone it in. Don’t.
4.1 Start from scratch (or heavily edit templates)
Humanlinker offers templates. They’re not terrible, but they’re not magic, either. Use them as rough drafts—never send them unchanged.
4.2 Personalize beyond “first name”
Here’s what actually works:
- Reference something specific from their LinkedIn or company site.
- Mention a recent post, event, or product launch.
- Show you understand their pain points (not generic “I saw you’re hiring” stuff).
Example (bad):
“Hi John, I see you’re at Acme Corp. I’d love to connect!”
Example (better):
“Hi John, read your LinkedIn post about remote onboarding—sounds like your team is growing fast. How are you handling training with everyone remote?”
4.3 Keep it short and clear
Aim for 3–5 sentences. If you’re writing a novel, you’re doing it wrong.
4.4 Use the “blunt friend” test
Before you send, ask: “Would I reply to this if a stranger sent it to me?” If not, rewrite it.
Step 5: Set up dynamic fields and variables
Humanlinker lets you add dynamic fields like {{first_name}}, {{company}}, and custom fields you define. These are handy, but here’s where most tools fall down: if your data’s messy, your emails will look broken or obviously automated.
- Double-check your CSV or CRM fields before uploading.
- Use fallback text (e.g., “there” if no first name is available).
- Don’t overdo it. One or two dynamic fields is enough.
Step 6: Review, test, and preview
Before you go live:
- Send a test email to yourself and a colleague.
- Check every dynamic field—broken personalization kills trust.
- Make sure links work and aren’t flagged as spam.
- Preview how your message looks on mobile and desktop.
Pro tip: If your test email lands in Gmail’s “Promotions” tab, tweak your subject line and cut any spammy phrases (“exclusive deal,” “limited time,” etc.).
Step 7: Launch your sequence (and don’t just “set and forget”)
Go ahead and set it live, but watch what happens. Humanlinker gives you stats: open rates, reply rates, bounces, and more.
Here’s what matters:
- Open rate below 30%? Your subject line or sender name probably stinks.
- Replies are all “unsubscribe” or “not interested”? Your message isn’t resonating.
- Lots of bounces? Your list is bad—clean it up.
Step 8: Tweak, iterate, and actually improve
Here’s the truth: your first sequence probably won’t be a home run. That’s normal.
- Change one thing at a time—subject line, opening sentence, call to action.
- Track your changes and results.
- Save the stuff that works, dump what doesn’t.
- Rinse and repeat.
Ignore: Anyone claiming there’s a single “magic template” that works for everyone. There isn’t.
What works, what doesn’t, and what to ignore
Works: - Real research—showing you know something about the person. - Short, clear asks (“Are you the right person for this?”). - Following up (politely) three or four times.
Doesn’t work: - Generic templates blasted to hundreds. - Overly clever or “personalized” fluff that’s clearly fake. - Gimmicks—like fake “RE:” subject lines.
Ignore: - Fancy HTML and graphics—plain text works better and looks more human. - Over-automation—if every step is automated, it’ll show. - Chasing every new “AI” feature. Most don’t move the needle.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Sending without testing: Leads to embarrassing mistakes.
- Overpersonalizing: If it feels forced, it is.
- Ignoring replies: The whole point is to start conversations—don’t drop the ball once someone writes back.
Wrapping up: Keep it simple, stay human, and iterate
Personalized outreach isn’t about tricking people—it’s about reaching out like a real person. Humanlinker can save you time, but it won’t fix a lazy message. Start simple, pay attention to what actually gets replies, and keep improving. Don’t overthink it or chase every new shiny tool. Just focus on sending good messages to the right people, and you’ll be ahead of most.