Sequences are multi-step outreach campaigns you build yourself — you write the messages, set the delays, and control exactly when each step fires. Unlike Smart Outreach, sequences give you full control over the copy and timing.
Sequences are currently in Beta. They work, but the UI and features are still being refined.
Creating a sequence
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Go to Outreach → Sequences in the sidebar
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Click New sequence
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Give it a name (e.g. "Q2 cold outreach") and click Create
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You land on the sequence detail page — this is where you build it out
Adding steps
Each step is one message sent at a specific time after enrollment (or after the previous step).
Click Add step and configure:
| Field | What it does |
|---|---|
| Channel | Email or LinkedIn |
| LinkedIn action | (LinkedIn only) Connection request or direct message |
| Delay | How many days after enrollment (or previous step) to send |
| Timing anchor | Count from enrollment date, or from when the previous step was delivered |
| Send time | What time of day to send (e.g. 9:00 AM in your timezone) |
| Subject / Body | The message content — supports {{variables}} |
Example 3-step sequence
| Step | Channel | Timing | Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LinkedIn invite | Day 0 | Connection request with a short note |
| 2 | Email | Day 2 after step 1 | Follow-up email once connected |
| 3 | LinkedIn message | Day 5 after step 2 | Brief DM to close the loop |
Using variables in messages
You can personalise messages with {{variable}} placeholders:
| Variable | Inserts |
|---|---|
| {{first_name}} | Contact's first name |
| {{name}} | Full name |
| {{company}} | Company name |
| {{title}} | Job title |
| {{email}} | Email address |
| {{sender_name}} | Your name |
Important for LinkedIn steps: If a variable can't be resolved (e.g. the contact has no company on file), the LinkedIn step is skipped entirely rather than sending a message with {{company}} in it literally. Make sure your LinkedIn templates only use variables that your contacts have data for, or keep LinkedIn messages variable-free.
Email steps have a fallback — if a variable can't resolve, AI rewrites the sentence to remove the placeholder naturally.
Choosing an execution mode
Sequences can run in Scout natively or delegate to an external CRM:
| Mode | How it sends | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Scout (default) | Sends via your connected Gmail + LinkedIn | You want everything in one place |
| HubSpot | Enrolls contacts in a HubSpot sequence | You're already running HubSpot sequences |
| Apollo | Enrolls in an Apollo emailer campaign | Your team uses Apollo for email |
| Instantly | Adds to an Instantly campaign | You use Instantly for email volume |
| Constant Contact | Adds to a Constant Contact list | You run newsletters via CC |
To change the mode, open the sequence → Settings tab → select execution mode → Save settings.
Stop on reply
Under sequence settings, toggle Stop on reply on. When enabled, as soon as Scout detects a reply to any email in the sequence, all remaining steps for that contact are automatically cancelled.
This is on by default and strongly recommended — you don't want to keep following up after someone has already responded.
Enrolling contacts
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Open your sequence
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Click Enroll contacts
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Pick the list you want to enroll from
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Select contacts (or select all)
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Click Enroll
Contacts start on Step 1 immediately. Step 2 and beyond are scheduled according to the delays you set.
Monitoring progress
The sequence detail page has two tabs:
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Contacts — one row per enrolled contact, showing their current status (active, completed, replied, cancelled)
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Touchpoints — one row per individual message sent, with sent/opened/replied/failed status
Pausing or cancelling an enrollment
To stop a specific contact's sequence mid-run:
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Go to the Contacts tab on the sequence
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Find the contact → click the menu → Cancel enrollment
Their pending steps are cancelled immediately. Any steps already sent remain.
Frequently asked questions
Can I edit steps after enrolling contacts?
Yes, but changes only apply to future enrollments. Contacts already enrolled follow the steps as they were when they enrolled.
What happens if Gmail isn't connected?
Email steps are skipped. Connect Gmail under Account → Integrations to enable email sending.
What if LinkedIn isn't connected?
LinkedIn steps are skipped. Connect LinkedIn under Account → Integrations to enable LinkedIn actions.
Can I reuse a sequence for multiple lists?
Yes — enroll as many lists as you want. Each enrollment is tracked separately.