Outreach sequences skill

Outreach Sequences

Overview

Outreach is the enterprise-grade sales engagement platform. Sequences here manage complex multi-channel, multi-touch cadences with team routing, analytics, and compliance controls that simpler tools lack.

Authoritative Foundations

• Outreach Support — Sequences and rulesets — Configure sequence settings, rulesets, and task types so reps follow the same cadence and replies auto-exit prospects.
• Google and Yahoo — Bulk sender requirements (2024) — Authenticate with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, keep spam complaints below 0.3%, and respect per-mailbox volume.
• The Bridge Group — SDR metrics research — Benchmark activity and conversion per rep against published SDR data before judging cadence performance.

When to Use

• "Set up Outreach sequences"
• "Design Outreach cadences"
• "Outreach sequence optimization"
• "Build Outreach workflows"

Step-by-Step Process

Phase 1: Sequence Design

Outreach supports complex branching:

• Linear: A → B → C → D → E. Simple, predictable. Best for SDR outbound.
• Branching: If reply positive → AE handoff. If OOO → pause and retry. If no reply → continue.
• Multi-channel: Email → Call → LinkedIn → Email → Call → Social
• Trigger-based: Enroll on Salesforce field change, intent signal, or event

Phase 2: Cadence Architecture

Standard 5-touch cold outbound cadence:

• Day 1: Email (problem hypothesis, 50-90 words)
• Day 3: LinkedIn connection + note (reference email hint)
• Day 5: Call + voicemail (if number available)
• Day 8: Email (different angle, proof point)
• Day 14: Email (breakup, "closing your file")

Phase 3: Deliverability Controls

• Max 50 emails/day per mailbox in Outreach
• Rotate across 3-5 mailboxes per rep
• 45-second minimum between sends
• Custom tracking domain for open/click tracking
• Sunset sequences after 3 consecutive bounces

Phase 4: Team Workflows

• Round-robin assignment from inbound queues
• AE handoff triggers: positive reply, meeting booked, opportunity created
• Manager approval gates for sequences targeting C-suite
• Daily task dashboards per rep with prioritized actions

Phase 5: Analytics & Optimization

• Funnel metrics: emails sent → opened → replied → meetings → opportunities
• Sequence comparison: which sequence has highest meeting rate per persona
• Rep performance: meetings per 100 touches by rep
• A/B test: subject line and opener variants

Output Format

Sequence blueprint with: cadence map, step configuration, routing rules, deliverability settings, and analytics dashboard design.

Quality Check

Before delivering, verify:

• All required sections are complete
• Output matches the user's stated need
• Named frameworks are cited for key recommendations
• No vague claims — every recommendation has a specific action
• Deliverable is ready for operational use, not just conceptual

Common Pitfalls

1. Skipping research. Building output without understanding the specific context. Fix: always gather required inputs before producing deliverables.
2. Generic output. "Improve your process" without concrete steps. Fix: every recommendation must include a specific action, timeline, and owner.
3. Missing framework citations. Advice without named authorities. Fix: ground every recommendation in a cited framework from a recognized authority.

Execution Artifacts

• references/framework-notes.md — Outreach triggers, Clay→CRM path, Eric agency scale
• templates/output-template.md — CRM map + triggers + sequence deliverable
• scripts/check-output.py — local checklist validator This skill includes lightweight artifacts the agent can load on demand:
• references/enrichment-enrollment-gate.md — verify gate + trigger architecture
• references/pat-spielmann-outbound-copy.md — verify-before-enroll (Pat Spielmann)
• references/eric-nowoslawski-outbound.md — Clay agency execution (Eric Nowoslawski)
• references/gtm-table-blueprints.md — clay-toolkit table → CRM upsert
• the n8n-toolkit skill (gtm-flow-catalog.md) — OUT-01 API enrollment
• references/gtm-experts-outbound-index.md — expert router Use the artifacts when the user asks for an implementation-ready deliverable, a repeatable workflow, or a quality check rather than generic advice.

Implementation Depth

Use this section when the user asks for a finished asset, not a high-level explanation.

Diagnostic Questions

1. What is the primary motion: founder-led, sales-led, product-led, partner-led, or lifecycle-led?
2. Which ICP tier is the output for: small business, mid-market, enterprise, or mixed?
3. What proof is available today: customer stories, usage data, third-party validation, screenshots, or none?
4. What system will execute the work: CRM, sequencer, warehouse, support desk, product analytics, or manual workflow?
5. What decision will the user make from this output: launch, prioritize, route, rewrite, score, coach, or measure?

Framework Application

Map the recommendation explicitly to the named frameworks in this skill:

• Outreach Sequence Best Practices: apply only the part that directly improves the requested deliverable.
• ColdIQ Cadence Design: apply only the part that directly improves the requested deliverable.
• Outreach — Sales Engagement Cadence Design: apply only the part that directly improves the requested deliverable.

Deliverable Standard

A strong output from this skill includes:

• A crisp diagnosis of the current situation
• A recommended path with tradeoffs, not a generic list
• A concrete artifact the user can use immediately: table, script, checklist, scorecard, sequence, dashboard spec, or implementation plan
• A measurement plan with leading and lagging indicators
• Risks and edge cases called out before execution

Adaptation Rules

• For small business: reduce complexity, shorten time-to-value, and prioritize owner/operator clarity.
• For mid-market: include workflow ownership, handoffs, integrations, and enablement assets.
• For enterprise: include governance, risk, procurement, stakeholder mapping, and proof requirements.

Related Skills

• cold-email-strategy, multi-channel-outreach, email-deliverability, sending-platforms, pipeline-management