# Mission 2: Launch Your First Sequence

> Create a multi-step outreach sequence, add contacts, and activate it

Source: https://docs.graph8.com/training/sdr/first-sequence/

## What you'll learn

- How to create a new sequence with steps
- How to add contacts to a sequence
- How to review and activate your sequence
- How to monitor sequence performance

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## Create a Sequence

1. **Open the Sequencer**

   Go to **Engage --> Sequences** and click **Create Sequence** in the top-right corner.

2. **Name your sequence**

   Enter a clear name, for example "Q2 VP Engineering - Cold Outreach". Select the **mailbox** you want to send from.

3. **Add your first step**

   Click **Add Step**. Choose **Email** as the step type. Write your subject line and email body. Use merge fields like `{{first_name}}` and `{{company_name}}` to personalize automatically.

4. **Add follow-up steps**

   Click **Add Step** again to add follow-ups. A typical first sequence has 3-5 steps:

   | Step | Type | Delay | Purpose |
   |------|------|-------|---------|
   | 1 | Email | Day 0 | Initial outreach |
   | 2 | Email | Day 3 | Follow-up with new angle |
   | 3 | Phone | Day 5 | Call attempt |
   | 4 | Email | Day 7 | Value-add content |
   | 5 | Email | Day 14 | Breakup / final touch |

   Set the **delay** between steps using the delay selector on each step.

> **Tip:**
> Keep your first sequence simple: 3 email steps over 10 days. You can always add more steps later once you see what works.

---

## Add Contacts to Your Sequence

1. **Add from the sequence page**

   From your sequence, click **Add Contacts**. You can search for individual contacts or select an entire list.

2. **Or add from the Contacts table**

   Go to **Data --> Contacts**, select contacts using the checkboxes, and click **Add to Sequence** in the bulk actions bar. Choose your sequence from the dropdown.

3. **Review the contact list**

   Back on your sequence page, click the **Contacts** tab to see everyone enrolled. Verify the count matches what you expect.

> **Tip:**
> Start with a small batch (10-20 contacts) for your first sequence. This lets you test messaging before scaling up.

---

## Activate Your Sequence

1. **Review before activating**

   Click through each step to proofread your emails. Check that merge fields render correctly in the preview. Verify your sending schedule and delays.

2. **Activate**

   Click the **Activate** button at the top of the sequence page. Confirm the activation prompt. Your first step sends according to the schedule you set.

3. **Verify sends are going out**

   After activation, check the **Activity** tab on your sequence. You should see emails queuing and sending within the first scheduled window.

---

## Monitor Performance

1. **Check sequence metrics**

   On the sequence page, review the summary stats at the top: **Sent**, **Opened**, **Replied**, and **Bounced** counts.

2. **Review individual contact status**

   Click the **Contacts** tab to see where each contact is in the sequence. Statuses include: **Active**, **Replied**, **Completed**, **Paused**, and **Bounced**.

3. **Handle replies**

   When a contact replies, they are automatically removed from the sequence. Check your **Inbox** (under **Engage --> Inbox**) to respond to replies promptly.

> **Tip:**
> Check your sequence metrics daily for the first week. If open rates are below 30%, revisit your subject lines. If reply rates are below 3%, revisit your messaging.

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## Mission 2 Complete

You have created, populated, and launched your first outreach sequence. Contacts are receiving personalized emails on autopilot.

**Next mission:** [Master Company Intelligence](https://docs.graph8.com/training/sdr/intelligence/)