How to Set Up Lemlist Without the Hassle

How to Set Up lemlist for Maximum Deliverability

Setting up lemlist correctly is crucial for ensuring your cold emails land in your prospects’ inboxes, not their spam folders. A proper setup maximizes deliverability, boosts open rates, and ultimately, drives more leads. This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step walkthrough of configuring lemlist for optimal performance, focusing on technical aspects to avoid common pitfalls. We’ll cover warming up your inbox, configuring custom tracking domains, setting up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records, and implementing proper email authentication practices to build sender reputation and avoid deliverability issues. By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to achieving consistently high deliverability rates with lemlist.

Table of Contents

• Connecting and Warming Up Your Inbox
• Configuring a Custom Tracking Domain
• Setting Up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC Records
• Optimizing Sending Schedule and Volume
• Implementing Email Authentication and Monitoring

Connecting and Warming Up Your Inbox

Connecting your email account to lemlist is the first step, but it’s equally important to “warm up” your inbox before sending large volumes of cold emails. Warming up involves gradually increasing your sending volume over several weeks to establish a positive sender reputation with email providers like Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo. This process signals that you’re a legitimate sender, reducing the likelihood of your emails being flagged as spam.

Connecting Your Email Account

lemlist supports connecting various email providers, including Gmail, Outlook, and custom SMTP servers. Here’s how to connect a Gmail account:

• Navigate to “Settings” in your lemlist dashboard.
• Click on “Email Accounts.”
• Click the “Connect Email Account” button.
• Choose “Gmail” from the options.
• Follow the prompts to grant lemlist access to your Gmail account. You may need to enable “less secure app access” in your Google account settings if you haven’t already, but it’s highly recommended to use “Sign in with Google” to avoid this issue. This is the most secure method.

For Outlook or custom SMTP servers, the process is similar, but you’ll need to provide the necessary SMTP server details, including the server address, port, username, and password. Double-check that the SMTP settings are correct for your specific email provider. Using incorrect settings will prevent you from sending emails.

The Importance of Inbox Warm-up

Inbox warm-up is absolutely critical. Sending a large volume of cold emails from a new or relatively unused email address immediately will almost guarantee that your emails end up in the spam folder. Email providers view sudden spikes in sending volume as a red flag, especially from accounts with little or no prior sending history.

The warm-up process allows you to gradually build trust with email providers by demonstrating consistent, low-volume sending behavior. It also gives you time to identify and fix any deliverability issues before they become major problems.

Implementing a Gradual Warm-up Strategy

lemlist offers a built-in warm-up feature, but it’s essential to understand how it works and how to adjust it based on your specific needs. Here’s a general warm-up schedule you can adapt:

Week	Daily Sending Volume	Actions
Week 1	5-10 emails	Focus on sending to internal team members and close contacts. Mark all replies as “not spam” in your email client.
Week 2	10-20 emails	Begin sending to a small segment of your target audience. Monitor open and reply rates closely.
Week 3	20-30 emails	Increase sending volume gradually. Continue to monitor deliverability metrics.
Week 4	30-50 emails	Reach your target sending volume. Maintain consistent sending habits.

Example 1: Using lemlist’s Built-in Warm-up: In lemlist, navigate to “Settings” -> “Email Accounts” and select the email account you want to warm up. Enable the “Warm-up” feature and adjust the daily sending volume according to the schedule above. lemlist will automatically send emails to a network of other lemlist users to simulate genuine email activity.

Example 2: Manual Warm-up: If you prefer a more hands-on approach, you can manually send emails to a list of contacts, gradually increasing the volume each day. Use a spreadsheet to track the number of emails sent and the open/reply rates. This method requires more effort but gives you greater control over the process.

Example 3: Monitoring Deliverability: Regularly check your email deliverability using tools like GlockApps or Mail-Tester. These tools send test emails to a network of email addresses and report on whether your emails land in the inbox, spam folder, or are blocked entirely. Analyzing the results will help you identify potential issues and adjust your warm-up strategy accordingly. For example, if Mail-Tester gives you a score below 8/10, investigate the reasons provided and address them (e.g., missing SPF record, low domain reputation).

Expert Tip: Always prioritize quality over quantity during the warm-up phase. Focus on sending personalized, relevant emails to a targeted audience. Encourage recipients to reply to your emails, as this signals to email providers that your emails are valuable and not spam.

Configuring a Custom Tracking Domain

Using a custom tracking domain is essential for improving email deliverability and maintaining brand consistency. When you send emails through lemlist, the platform tracks opens and clicks to provide you with valuable insights. By default, lemlist uses its own tracking domain for this purpose. However, this can negatively impact your sender reputation because email providers may flag emails with generic tracking domains as suspicious.

Configuring a custom tracking domain allows you to use your own domain (or a subdomain) for tracking opens and clicks, which strengthens your brand identity and improves email deliverability. This makes your emails look more legitimate and trustworthy to email providers, reducing the likelihood of them being marked as spam.

Why Use a Custom Tracking Domain?

• Improved Deliverability: Using your own domain for tracking builds trust with email providers, leading to higher inbox placement rates.
• Brand Consistency: Maintaining consistent branding throughout your emails, including the tracking domain, reinforces your brand identity.
• Enhanced Reputation: A custom tracking domain associates your domain with positive email behavior, improving your overall sender reputation.

Setting Up a Custom Tracking Domain in lemlist

The process of setting up a custom tracking domain involves adding specific DNS records to your domain’s DNS settings. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

• Choose a Subdomain: Select a subdomain to use for tracking, such as “track.yourdomain.com” or “click.yourdomain.com.” Avoid using your primary domain to prevent potential deliverability issues.
• Access lemlist Settings: In your lemlist dashboard, navigate to “Settings” and then “Tracking Domain.”
• Enter Your Subdomain: Enter the subdomain you’ve chosen in the designated field.
• Update DNS Records: lemlist will provide you with two CNAME records that you need to add to your domain’s DNS settings. These records point your subdomain to lemlist’s tracking servers.

Example 1: Adding CNAME Records in Cloudflare: If you’re using Cloudflare to manage your DNS, log in to your Cloudflare account, select your domain, and navigate to the “DNS” section. Add two new CNAME records with the following values (replace “track.yourdomain.com” with your actual subdomain and the lemlist provided target domain):

Type: CNAME
Name: track
Target: [lemlist provided target domain]
TTL: Auto

Type: CNAME
Name: _domainkey.track
Target: [lemlist provided target domain]
TTL: Auto

Example 2: Adding CNAME Records in GoDaddy: If you’re using GoDaddy, log in to your GoDaddy account, select your domain, and navigate to the “DNS Management” section. Add two new CNAME records with the values provided by lemlist, similar to the Cloudflare example.

Example 3: Verifying DNS Propagation: After adding the DNS records, it may take up to 48 hours for the changes to propagate across the internet. You can use online tools like “whatsmydns.net” to check if the CNAME records have been correctly configured. Enter your subdomain (e.g., track.yourdomain.com) and select “CNAME” as the record type. Verify that the results point to lemlist’s tracking servers.

lemlist Verification: Once the DNS records have propagated, return to the “Tracking Domain” section in lemlist and click the “Verify” button. lemlist will check if the records are correctly configured. If everything is set up correctly, lemlist will confirm that your custom tracking domain is active.

Expert Tip: It’s highly recommended to use a dedicated subdomain for tracking purposes. Avoid using your main domain, as any deliverability issues associated with tracking could potentially impact your primary domain’s reputation. Choose a descriptive and professional-sounding subdomain to further enhance trust and credibility.

Setting Up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC Records

Sender Policy Framework (SPF), DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM), and Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance (DMARC) are essential email authentication protocols that help verify the legitimacy of your emails and prevent spoofing. Properly configuring these records is crucial for improving email deliverability and protecting your domain’s reputation.

These records tell email providers that you have authorized lemlist to send emails on behalf of your domain. Without these records, email providers are more likely to flag your emails as spam or reject them entirely.

Understanding SPF, DKIM, and DMARC

• SPF (Sender Policy Framework): Specifies which mail servers are authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain. It prevents spammers from using your domain to send unauthorized emails.
• DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail): Adds a digital signature to your emails, allowing email providers to verify that the email was sent by an authorized sender and that the content hasn’t been tampered with during transit.
• DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance): Builds upon SPF and DKIM by providing instructions to email providers on how to handle emails that fail SPF or DKIM checks. It also allows you to receive reports on email authentication results, helping you identify and address potential issues.

Configuring SPF Records

To set up an SPF record, you need to add a TXT record to your domain’s DNS settings. The SPF record should include the IP addresses or domain names of all authorized mail servers that can send emails on behalf of your domain, including lemlist’s servers.

Example 1: Creating an SPF Record: Log in to your domain registrar or DNS provider (e.g., Cloudflare, GoDaddy) and add a TXT record with the following values (replace “yourdomain.com” with your actual domain):

Type: TXT
Name: @ (or leave blank)
Value: v=spf1 include:servers.lem ответственности.com ~all
TTL: Auto

Explanation:

• v=spf1: Specifies the SPF version being used.
• include:servers.lem ответственности.com: Includes lemlist’s authorized mail servers. This is crucial.
• ~all: Specifies that emails from other servers should be treated as soft fails. They may still be accepted, but are flagged as potentially suspicious. A stricter policy would be -all which means fail, reject emails not matching SPF.

Important: Ensure that you only have one SPF record for your domain. Multiple SPF records can cause authentication issues. If you already have an SPF record, you need to modify it to include lemlist’s servers.

Configuring DKIM Records

To set up DKIM, you need to generate a DKIM key pair (a public key and a private key). You then add the public key as a TXT record to your domain’s DNS settings and configure lemlist to sign your emails with the private key.

Example 2: Adding a DKIM Record: lemlist will provide you with the DKIM record details. In your lemlist account, follow their instructions to generate a DKIM key. You’ll then need to add the provided TXT record to your DNS settings.

Type: TXT
Name: lemlist._domainkey
Value: v=DKIM1; k=rsa; p=[Your DKIM Public Key]
TTL: Auto

Explanation:

• v=DKIM1: Specifies the DKIM version being used.
• k=rsa: Specifies the key type (RSA).
• p=[Your DKIM Public Key]: Your DKIM public key provided by lemlist. This is a long string of characters.

Configuring DMARC Records

To set up DMARC, you need to add a TXT record to your domain’s DNS settings. The DMARC record specifies how email providers should handle emails that fail SPF or DKIM checks and provides instructions on where to send reports on email authentication results.

Example 3: Adding a DMARC Record: Add a TXT record with the following values (replace “yourdomain.com” with your actual domain and “email@yourdomain.com” with your email address for receiving DMARC reports):

Type: TXT
Name: _dmarc
Value: v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:email@yourdomain.com; aspf=r; adkim=r;
TTL: Auto

Explanation:

• v=DMARC1: Specifies the DMARC version being used.
• p=none: Specifies the policy for handling emails that fail SPF or DKIM checks. “none” means the email provider should take no specific action. Other options include “quarantine” (send to spam) and “reject” (reject the email). It’s best to start with “none” and gradually move to stricter policies as you gain confidence in your email authentication setup.
• rua=mailto:email@yourdomain.com: Specifies the email address to which aggregate DMARC reports should be sent. These reports provide insights into email authentication results and can help you identify and address potential issues.
• aspf=r and adkim=r: Specifies relaxed alignment for SPF and DKIM.

Important: It’s recommended to start with a “p=none” policy and gradually move to stricter policies (e.g., “p=quarantine” or “p=reject”) as you monitor your DMARC reports and ensure that your legitimate emails are passing authentication checks. This prevents you from accidentally blocking legitimate emails.

Expert Tip: Regularly monitor your DMARC reports to identify and address any email authentication issues. These reports provide valuable insights into your email sending practices and can help you improve your deliverability rates. Use a DMARC reporting service to simplify the process of analyzing DMARC data.

Optimizing Sending Schedule and Volume

Optimizing your sending schedule and volume is crucial for maximizing email deliverability and avoiding spam filters. Sending too many emails at once or sending emails at times when your target audience is unlikely to engage can negatively impact your sender reputation and lead to lower inbox placement rates.

Importance of Sending Schedule

The timing of your emails can significantly impact open and reply rates. Sending emails when your target audience is most likely to be active and engaged increases the chances of your emails being read and acted upon. Consider factors such as your audience’s time zone, work habits, and industry when determining the optimal sending schedule.

Importance of Sending Volume

Your sending volume should be consistent and gradual. Avoid sending large volumes of emails at once, especially from a new or relatively unused email address. Sudden spikes in sending volume can trigger spam filters and negatively impact your sender reputation. Instead, gradually increase your sending volume over time as you warm up your inbox and establish a positive sending history.

Configuring Sending Schedule in lemlist

lemlist allows you to configure your sending schedule to specify the days and times when your emails are sent. This allows you to target your audience when they are most likely to be active and engaged.

• Navigate to “Settings” in your lemlist dashboard.
• Click on “Sending Schedule.”
• Specify the days of the week and the time ranges during which you want your emails to be sent.
• Consider your target audience’s time zone and work habits when setting your sending schedule.

Example 1: Setting a Sending Schedule: In lemlist, set your sending schedule to send emails between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM Monday through Friday in your target audience’s time zone. Avoid sending emails on weekends or during off-peak hours when your audience is less likely to be active.

Adjusting Sending Volume in lemlist

lemlist allows you to control the number of emails sent per day. This helps you gradually increase your sending volume and avoid triggering spam filters.

• Navigate to “Settings” in your lemlist dashboard.
• Click on “Email Accounts.”
• Select the email account you want to adjust the sending volume for.
• Specify the maximum number of emails to send per day.
• Gradually increase your sending volume over time as you warm up your inbox.

Example 2: Gradual Increase of Sending Volume: Start with a low sending volume (e.g., 5-10 emails per day) and gradually increase it by 5-10 emails per day each week as you monitor your deliverability rates. Avoid sudden spikes in sending volume, as this can negatively impact your sender reputation.

Best Practices for Optimizing Sending Schedule and Volume

• Segment Your Audience: Segment your audience based on factors such as industry, job title, and location. This allows you to tailor your sending schedule and volume to the specific needs of each segment.
• Monitor Your Metrics: Closely monitor your open, click-through, and reply rates. If you notice a decline in these metrics, it may be a sign that your sending schedule or volume needs to be adjusted.
• A/B Test Different Schedules: Experiment with different sending schedules to see what works best for your audience. A/B test different days of the week and times of day to identify the optimal sending times.
• Pause Sending to Unengaged Leads: Automatically pause sending to leads who haven’t engaged with your emails after a certain period of time. This helps you maintain a clean email list and avoid sending emails to recipients who are unlikely to be interested.

Example 3: Using lemlist to Pause Sending: In lemlist, you can set up automated rules to pause sending to leads who haven’t opened or replied to your emails after a certain number of days. This helps you focus your efforts on engaged leads and avoid wasting resources on uninterested recipients.

Expert Tip: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different sending schedules and volumes to find what works best for your specific audience. Continuously monitor your metrics and make adjustments as needed to optimize your email deliverability and engagement rates.

Implementing Email Authentication and Monitoring

Implementing email authentication is a crucial step in ensuring your emails reach your intended recipients’ inboxes. By verifying your identity and domain ownership, you build trust with email service providers (ESPs) and reduce the likelihood of your emails being marked as spam. This section focuses on the practical steps to implement email authentication within lemlist and monitor its effectiveness.

Importance of Email Authentication

Email authentication protocols such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC help verify that the sender of an email is who they claim to be. This prevents spammers from forging your email address and sending malicious emails on your behalf. By implementing email authentication, you improve your sender reputation, increase email deliverability, and protect your brand from phishing attacks.

Verifying SPF, DKIM, and DMARC Records

After setting up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records (as discussed in a previous section), it’s essential to verify that they are correctly configured. Several online tools can help you check the validity of your DNS records.

Example 1: Using MXToolbox: MXToolbox offers a suite of free tools for diagnosing email delivery issues. Use the “SPF Record Lookup,” “DKIM Record Lookup,” and “DMARC Record Lookup” tools to check if your records are valid and properly configured. Simply enter your domain name and click “Lookup” to view the results.

[Visit MXToolbox: mxtoolbox.com]
Enter your domain: yourdomain.com
Select the appropriate lookup tool (SPF, DKIM, or DMARC)
Click "Lookup"

Example 2: Using Google Admin Toolbox: If you’re using Google Workspace, you can use the Google Admin Toolbox to check your DNS records. Navigate to the “Dig” tool and enter your domain name, selecting the appropriate record type (TXT for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC). The results will show you the current DNS records for your domain.

[Visit Google Admin Toolbox: toolbox.googleapps.com/apps/dig/]
Enter your domain: yourdomain.com
Select "TXT" as the record type
Click "Resolve"

Monitoring Email Deliverability

Regularly monitoring your email deliverability is crucial for identifying and addressing any issues that may be preventing your emails from reaching the inbox. Several tools and techniques can help you track your email deliverability rates.

Example 3: Using GlockApps: GlockApps is a popular email deliverability testing tool that sends test emails to a network of email addresses and reports on whether your emails land in the inbox, spam folder, or are blocked entirely. It provides detailed insights into your email deliverability performance, including information on SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication results.

Example 4: Using Mail-Tester: Mail-Tester is another useful tool for checking your email deliverability. It provides a unique email address to which you can send a test email. Mail-Tester then analyzes your email and provides a score based on various factors, including SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and spam filter results. It also provides detailed recommendations on how to improve your email deliverability.

Example 5: Analyzing DMARC Reports: As mentioned earlier, DMARC reports provide valuable insights into your email authentication results. Regularly analyze your DMARC reports to identify any emails that are failing SPF or DKIM checks. This can help you identify potential spoofing attempts or misconfigured email sending practices.

Expert Quote: “Email authentication is not a one-time setup; it’s an ongoing process. Continuously monitor your email deliverability and authentication results to ensure your emails reach the inbox and protect your brand reputation.” – Email Deliverability Expert

By consistently implementing email authentication strategies, diligently monitoring performance, and promptly addressing any identified deliverability issues, you establish a solid foundation for successful cold email campaigns with lemlist and significantly improve the odds of your emails landing in the inbox.