If you're trying to get actual results from outbound outreach—whether you're in sales, recruiting, or just want to get people to notice your company—going beyond email is basically required. But “multi-channel” sounds fancier than it is. Done right, it just means mixing up your emails, LinkedIn messages, phone calls, and maybe even SMS, to give yourself more chances to get a response.
This guide walks you step by step through setting up practical, no-nonsense multi-channel outreach campaigns using Goldenleads. If you want a real process, not just a list of features, you’re in the right place.
Step 1: Get Your House in Order Before You Start
Before you even log into Goldenleads, pause and make sure you’ve got these basics lined up:
- Who are you reaching out to? Define your audience. Is it B2B leads? Job candidates? Don’t try to target everyone.
- Do you have good data? Garbage in, garbage out. Sloppy contact lists will tank your results and can get your accounts flagged.
- Are your email and LinkedIn accounts warmed up? If you’re using new accounts, start slow and build up sending volume.
Pro tip: Don’t overthink your “ideal customer profile.” Get specific, then refine later. You’ll learn more from doing than planning.
Step 2: Connect Your Channels in Goldenleads
After logging into Goldenleads, you need to connect the channels you’ll actually use for outreach:
- Email:
- Go to “Settings” > “Email Accounts.”
- Connect your email (Gmail, Outlook, or custom SMTP). Follow the prompts.
- Use a dedicated domain or subdomain if you can. Keeps your main domain safe if things go sideways.
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Set your sending limits low to start—Goldenleads won’t save you from being too aggressive.
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LinkedIn:
- Go to “Integrations” > “LinkedIn.”
- Most tools use browser extensions or API keys. Goldenleads uses a Chrome plugin—install it.
- Log in to your LinkedIn account in the same browser.
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Beware: LinkedIn is sensitive. Don’t blast hundreds of messages a day, or you’ll get restricted fast.
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Phone/SMS:
- If you plan to call or text, connect your phone system (Twilio or whatever Goldenleads supports).
- Set up caller IDs and test sending a text to yourself.
What to ignore: Don’t get distracted by “connect Facebook Messenger” or “WhatsApp”—unless your audience actually uses those. Most don’t.
Step 3: Build (or Import) Your Lead List
Multi-channel is only as good as your list. You have two main options:
- Import a CSV: Go to “Leads” > “Import.” Map your columns. Always double-check email addresses and LinkedIn URLs.
- Use Goldenleads’ Data Tools: Some versions let you scrape or enrich leads. This can be handy, but always verify before blasting out messages.
Reality check: Most “enrichment” data is mediocre. Don’t blindly trust job titles or company sizes—review 10–20 records yourself.
Step 4: Craft Your Outreach Sequence
Here’s where most people overcomplicate things. The aim isn’t to create a 17-step “omnichannel nurture journey”—it’s just to try more than one way to reach someone.
A simple, effective multi-channel sequence:
- Day 1: Email
- Day 2: LinkedIn connection request
- Day 4: LinkedIn message (if connected)
- Day 7: Follow-up email
- Day 9: (Optional) Call or SMS
How to set this up in Goldenleads:
- Go to “Campaigns” > “New Campaign.”
- Name your campaign. Pick your audience segment.
- Add steps:
- For each step, choose the channel (Email, LinkedIn, Call, SMS).
- Write your message. Personalize it if possible—Goldenleads supports merge fields like {{first_name}} and {{company}}.
- Set delays (e.g., 2 days after last step).
- Review the sequence visually before turning it on.
What works: Simple, direct messages—especially at first. Don’t pitch on step one; try to start a conversation.
What doesn't: Overly complex sequences. If you’re spending more time building the sequence than you are talking to people, you’ve lost the plot.
Step 5: Personalize (But Don’t Go Overboard)
Goldenleads lets you personalize messages with fields like name, company, or even custom notes. This is good—just don’t pretend you’re writing a one-on-one note if you aren’t.
- Use {{first_name}} and {{company}} at a minimum.
- If your list is small and valuable, add a custom sentence or two.
- Don’t fake personalization (“Saw you’re crushing it at {{company}}!” screams automation).
Pro tip: Spend more time on the opening line than the rest of the message. If you can make it clear you’re not a bot, your reply rates go up.
Step 6: Set Sending Windows and Throttling
Nothing kills a campaign faster than tripping spam filters or getting your LinkedIn account restricted. Goldenleads lets you set:
- Send limits: Start slow—maybe 30–50 emails a day per account, and 10–20 LinkedIn actions.
- Sending windows: Only send during business hours. Don’t blast people at 2 a.m.
- Randomized delays: Some tools allow for “human-like” sending—use this if possible, but don’t trust it to make you invisible.
Ignore: Claims that any tool is “undetectable” by email or LinkedIn. No tool is magic. Play it safe.
Step 7: Test Your Campaign (Always)
Before launching to your whole list:
- Send test emails to yourself and a colleague. Check for formatting, typos, and spam triggers.
- Do the same with LinkedIn steps—make sure connection requests and messages look right.
- If using SMS, send a test message to your own phone.
Reality check: Most outreach platforms are buggy in little ways. Don’t assume it’ll look perfect for your prospects—test every channel.
Step 8: Launch and Monitor Closely
Now, you’re ready to start sending for real.
- Turn on your campaign in Goldenleads.
- Watch the first batches closely.
- Check for:
- Email bounces or replies
- LinkedIn connection acceptance rates
- Any account warnings or blocks
What to do if things go wrong: - If lots of emails bounce, pause and clean your list. - If LinkedIn sends you a warning, stop all actions for a week. - If SMS isn’t delivering, check carrier restrictions.
Pro tip: Don’t panic if your reply rates are low at first. Tweak your messaging, timing, and targeting before blaming the tool.
Step 9: Iterate Based on Real Results
The best campaign is the one you improve as you go:
- Review responses after a week. What’s working? What’s getting ignored?
- Adjust your sequence—swap out steps that flop.
- Test one change at a time (subject lines, message body, timing).
Ignore: Vanity metrics like “opens” or “clicks” unless you’re actually seeing replies and conversations.
Step 10: Keep It Legal (Seriously)
Don’t ignore compliance. Depending on your region and channel, you may need to:
- Include opt-out language in emails.
- Avoid certain data sources (especially in Europe).
- Respect do-not-call lists for phone/SMS.
Goldenleads has some compliance features, but the responsibility is on you. It’s boring, but it matters.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Overthink It
Multi-channel outreach isn’t magic—it’s just about giving yourself more ways to get in front of people. The biggest mistake is making things too complicated or trusting tools to do all the work. Start with a simple, well-defined process, pay attention to what actually gets replies, and tweak as you go. That’ll beat any “AI-powered” sequence builder every time.
Keep it simple. Ship it fast. Iterate often. That’s the real secret.