If you’re in B2B sales and tired of "spray and pray" email blasts that go nowhere, multichannel outreach probably caught your eye. Done right, it means more conversations with real buyers. Done wrong, it’s just more noise. This guide is for folks using Salesforge who want to set up multichannel sequences that actually work—without the fluff, the hype, or the wasted hours.
Let’s break down what matters, what doesn’t, and how to cut through the noise.
1. Understand What “Multichannel” Really Means (and Why Most People Mess It Up)
Before you start clicking around, let’s get clear: multichannel outreach just means using more than one way to reach prospects. Usually, that’s email, LinkedIn, phone calls, and sometimes SMS. The goal isn’t to annoy people on every platform—it’s to catch folks in the spot where they actually pay attention.
What works: - Using each channel for a reason (not just because you can) - Respecting the unwritten rules of each channel (don’t pitch on LinkedIn like it’s cold email) - Timing your touchpoints so you’re present, not pushy
What to skip: - Blasting the same generic message everywhere - Treating LinkedIn InMail like email spam - Thinking more channels automatically means better results
Pro tip: If you’re just starting, stick to two channels—usually email plus LinkedIn. You can always add more later if you’re seeing real traction.
2. Map Your Outreach Sequence Before You Touch the Software
It’s tempting to dive into Salesforge and start building steps, but you’ll thank yourself for sketching out your flow on paper (or a whiteboard, or a napkin) first. Here’s why: a clear sequence keeps you from sending mixed messages or accidentally spamming someone twice in a day.
Basic multichannel sequence example: 1. Day 1: Send a personalized email 2. Day 3: View their LinkedIn profile 3. Day 4: Send a relevant LinkedIn connection request 4. Day 7: Email follow-up (short and to the point) 5. Day 10: LinkedIn message if connected (not a pitch—something useful) 6. Day 14: Optional phone call or voicemail drop
Keep it simple at first. Most sequences are too long and too complicated. If you can’t explain your flow in 30 seconds, it’s probably overkill.
3. Clean Your Data—Or You’re Wasting Your Time
This is the boring part, but it’s where most outreach falls apart. If your contact data is a mess, you’ll get bounced emails, angry replies, or worse—blacklisted.
What to do: - Use verified email addresses. There are plenty of cheap and decent verification tools out there. - Make sure you’re not reaching out to people who already said no or opted out. - Double-check job titles and company names. Nothing says “I don’t care” like “Hi [First Name], I see you’re the CEO at [Company Inc]!”
Pro tip: If you’re importing lists into Salesforge, take five minutes to scan them for obvious errors. It’s not glamorous, but it saves headaches.
4. Build Your Sequence in Salesforge (The Right Way)
Now, on to the tool. Salesforge has a lot of features, but you don’t need to use all of them on day one. Here’s how to set up a multichannel sequence that doesn’t make you look like a robot.
Step 1: Create a New Sequence
- In the dashboard, click to create a new sequence.
- Name it something descriptive. “Q2 Outbound - SaaS CEOs” is better than “Test Sequence 7.”
Step 2: Add Email Steps
- Start with your initial email. Keep it short, specific, and focused on their challenges—not your features.
- Use merge fields for first names, company names, etc., but check your preview. Salesforge does a decent job here, but nothing’s perfect.
- Add a follow-up email (3-5 days later). This should reference your first note and give a new reason to reply.
Step 3: Add LinkedIn Steps
- Insert a “LinkedIn profile view” step. This just lets the prospect see you’re interested—no message yet.
- Next, add a “LinkedIn connection request.” Don’t pitch here. Just a quick, relevant note: “Saw your recent post on [topic], would love to connect.”
- If they accept, send a helpful message—not a hard sell. Share an article, ask a question, or offer something useful.
Step 4: Optional—Add a Call or SMS Step
- Only if it makes sense for your audience. Senior execs often ignore cold calls, but mid-level folks sometimes pick up.
- Keep call steps late in the sequence, after you’ve tried other channels.
- SMS is risky—only use if there’s a prior relationship or clear opt-in.
A few honest takes: - Don’t rely on Salesforge’s AI to write your messages. It’s fine for inspiration, but most AI-generated stuff sounds like AI—prospects can tell. - Do set up reply detection and auto-pausing for each step. If someone replies, you don’t want the sequence to keep going. - Don’t get fancy with triggers or branching logic until you’ve run a few simple sequences and know what works for your audience.
5. Write Messages That Sound Like a Human (Not a Salesbot)
This is where most outreach dies. If your messages sound like everyone else’s, you’ll get ignored. Here’s how to stand out (without being weird):
- Use their name and company, but don’t overdo it. (“Hi Sarah, I saw you’re at Acme Corp…” is fine. “Hi Sarah Acme Corp!” is not.)
- Don’t open with “I hope this email finds you well.” No one talks like that.
- Be direct about why you’re reaching out, and keep it under 100 words.
- Ask a question or offer something genuinely useful—a resource, a relevant insight, or a quick idea.
- If you’re reaching out on LinkedIn, keep it even shorter. No one wants to read a wall of text in their DMs.
Bad example:
“Hi [First Name], I wanted to reach out to discuss how Acme Corp can leverage synergies with our cutting-edge solutions. Let’s connect!”
Better example:
“Hi Sarah, saw you’re hiring SDRs. I’ve got a few data points on what SaaS teams are doing to speed up onboarding—happy to share if you’re interested.”
6. Set Cadence and Timing—Then Leave It Alone
It’s easy to overthink timing. Here’s what matters:
- Space your outreach steps by at least 2-3 days. Anything more frequent feels desperate.
- Avoid Mondays and Fridays for first touches—Tuesdays to Thursdays get more replies.
- Don’t send emails at weird hours. 8-10am or 2-4pm in their local time is fine.
Salesforge lets you set working hours and time zones—use these settings so you’re not pinging people while they’re asleep.
Pro tip: More touchpoints aren’t always better. Most replies come in the first two steps. If you’re not getting traction by the third or fourth touch, it’s time to rethink your messaging—not add more steps.
7. Track, Tweak, and Delete What Doesn’t Work
Once your sequence is live, resist the urge to “set it and forget it.” But don’t obsess over opens and clicks, either—focus on replies and meetings booked.
What to watch: - Reply rate: This matters more than open or click rate. - Positive vs. negative replies: If you’re getting “not interested” or “remove me,” it’s a signal. - Channel performance: Are people replying more on LinkedIn or email? Double down on what works.
What to ignore: - Vanity metrics (like open rates, since Apple kills tracking anyway) - Fancy dashboards showing “engagement scores”—stick to the basics.
If a step isn’t working: Cut it. Don’t cling to a 7-step sequence if only the first two steps get replies. Simpler is usually better.
8. Don’t Neglect Compliance and Deliverability
It’s not glamorous, but you need to cover your bases so you don’t get blocked or end up in spam.
- Warm up new email domains before blasting. There are tools for this; just Google “email warm-up tool.”
- Make it dead simple for people to opt out. Salesforge can add unsubscribe links—use them.
- Keep an eye on bounced emails and spam complaints. If they spike, pause your sequence and fix the issue.
Pro tip: If your open rates nosedive, it’s probably a deliverability problem—not your copy. Fix that first.
9. Keep It Real: What Actually Works (and What Doesn’t)
Here’s the honest truth:
- Most “multichannel” sequences fail because they’re too complicated, too generic, or too aggressive.
- You don’t need AI to write your copy or “predict” the best time to send. The basics still work.
- The best results come from simple, direct outreach that respects the prospect’s time.
Ignore the folks selling “secret” hacks or 12-step magic sequences. Focus on clear messaging, clean data, and a cadence you’d accept if you were on the receiving end.
Quick Wrap-Up: Less Is More
Setting up multichannel outreach in Salesforge doesn’t have to be a science project. Start with two channels, keep your messages human, and check your results every couple of weeks. If it feels too complicated, it probably is. Simple sequences, honest messages, and a willingness to tweak—those are what actually move the needle.
Get started, keep it practical, and don’t wait for perfect. You’ll learn what works faster by doing.