Hello there, Saleshandy users! 👋
Creating an effective email sequence for cold outreach is no small feat. It takes time, effort, and careful consideration to cover all the bases and maximize your chances of success.
Before you hit that "send" button, there's one crucial step you shouldn't overlook: checking the Sequence Score! 📊
📊Sequence Score
What is Sequence Score?
A Sequence Score📊measures the effectiveness of your cold email sequences. Essentially, it is a combination of three key elements: Email Account Setup, Sequence Setup, and Email Writing.
These components are evaluated individually, and their scores are combined using weighted averages⚖️to calculate the final Sequence Score.
📺Video Guide
Let's dive deep into Each Score individually.🚀
📧Email Account Health Check
Email Account Health helps you check on all the technical setups related to your account and ensures that you have done all that is required to maintain the sender’s reputation and land in the primary inbox. 🚀💼📥
The calculation of this score is based on the following parameters:
✉️ SPF (Sender Policy Framework) is a technical setup that helps verify the authenticity of the sender's domain and prevents email spoofing.💌To learn more, Click Here.
You can check the status of SPF for your connected email account inside Saleshandy. If it shows a green checkmark in SPF ✅ column, it means an SPF record has been added to that domain, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it is correct.
You can click on SPF, and it will show the SPF value added in the DNS manager. You can review that value to check whether the SPF value is correct or not.
🌐 Custom Tracking Domain allows you to use your own domain for tracking email opens and clicks, enhancing brand credibility and ensuring accurate tracking data.🚀 To learn more, Click Here.
🔒 DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) is a policy that helps protect your email domain from unauthorized use and improves email deliverability by aligning sender policies. To learn more, Click Here.
In email account health if DMARC shows ✅ for your email account, it means a DMARC record has been added to that domain.
You can click on DMARC, and it will show the DMARC value added in the DNS manager. You can review that value to check whether the DMARC value is correct or not.
DKIM is an email authentication method that adds a digital signature to outgoing emails. It enhances security by verifying the authenticity of the sender. This digital signature, unique to your domain, ensures that the email hasn't been tampered with during transit.
In Saleshandy Email Account Health under sequence score you can check if DKIM is set for your connected email account or not. If not you can follow the steps here.
IP blacklist is a list of IP addresses that have been flagged as sources of spam, malicious activity, or other harmful behavior. Email servers and security systems use these lists to block or filter incoming emails from blacklisted IPs, preventing spam and ensuring security.
Domain blacklist is a list of domains that have been identified as sources of spam, phishing, or other malicious activities. If a sender’s domain is blacklisted, emails sent from that domain may be blocked or sent to spam folders.
You can easily identify if your IP or Domain are listed in any blacklists or not in Saleshandy Email Account Health.
You can also know where you are delisted inside saleshandy and then apply for removal request in the blacklist provider.
To know more about the delisting process refer to this article.
Note: Free Domains and IP are excluded from IP and Domain Blacklist check as they pose minimal risks.
Mail Exchange (MX) records are DNS (Domain Name System) records that specify which mail servers are responsible for receiving emails for a particular domain. They direct incoming emails to the correct email servers.
You can easily know in Saleshandy email account tab which mail servers are responsible for incoming emails for your domain by clicking on the tick under MX record column for your email account.
⏳ Email Age refers to the duration of your email account's existence, and it can impact your email deliverability as older accounts tend to have a better reputation.
Here is what email age mean in Saleshandy:
0-90 days (🔴 Red) → Your email is very new, warm it up gradually for better deliverability."
90-180 days (🟡 Yellow) → Your email is fairly new but gaining credibility.
>180 days (🟢 Green) → Your email is well-established and ready for sending."=
📈 Daily Sending Quota refers to the maximum number of emails you can send per day, and it is important to stay within the limits imposed by your email service provider to avoid potential issues.
Daily Sending Quota in Saleshandy:
Less than 51 emails → Your daily sending limit is ideal for inbox placement.
50-150 emails → Your daily sending limit is slightly high; monitor engagement.
Greater than 150 emails → "High sending volume detected—this may impact deliverability.
⏰ Sending Intervals Between Two Emails refers to the time gap you maintain between sending consecutive emails, ensuring you avoid overwhelming recipients and maintain a healthy sending pattern.
Sending interval in Saleshandy:
>180 seconds → Your sending pace is ideal.
61-180 seconds → Your sending pace is fast and may increase spam risk.
0-61 seconds → Your sending pace is too fast, which can trigger spam filters.
Important📢
The system will automatically refresh the below parameters as mentioned in the table and the updated status of your parameters will be reflected in your email account health score.
However, you can manually refresh your Email Account Health Score by clicking on the refresh button once a day to verify the latest authentication.
Parameter | Manual Refresh | System Refresh |
SPF | Once a day | 7 Days |
DKIM | Once a day | 7 Days |
DMARC | Once a day | 7 Days |
CTD | Once a day | 7 Days |
IP Blacklist | Once a day | 7 Days |
Domain Blacklist | Once a day | 7 Days |
Email Age | Once a day | 1 Month |
CTD | Once a day | 1 Day |
Time Interval | Once a day | 1 Day |
Daily Sending Quota | Once a day | 1 Day |
🔧Sequence Setup Score
Sequence Setup Score🔧checks the steps within the sequence and quantifies key parameters to enhance performance and yield better results.
The calculation of this score is based on the following parameters:
✅ Link tracking On/Off and Open Tracking On/Off indicate whether tracking is enabled for links and email opens, providing insights into recipient engagement.
🔌 Disconnected Email Accounts in the sequence refer to email accounts that are no longer connected or active, which can impact the effectiveness of your outreach.
📧 Number of Active Email Accounts linked in the sequence is the count of currently connected email accounts participating in the sequence, influencing the reach and response rate.
⏸️ Sequence Status, if paused by the system, decreases the score by a certain amount, reflecting the impact of a halted sequence on its overall effectiveness.
🔒 Unverified Prospects represent the percentage of prospects left to be contacted who haven't been verified, affecting the accuracy and success of the outreach.
🔄 Number of Follow-Ups Added signifies the total number of steps or follow-ups in the sequence, highlighting the depth and persistence of your email engagement.
🎭 Number of Variants Used in the first step relates to the different versions or variations of the initial email message, allowing you to test and optimize your approach.
📝Email Writing Score
Email Writing Score✍️evaluates the email's sequence steps, structure, and content, quantifying writing skills and providing opportunities to rectify any potential email composition and structure mistakes.
The calculation of this score is based on the following parameters:
🔗Merge Tag used in the Subject Line: This parameter evaluates whether you have utilized Merge Tags, which dynamically populate personalized information, in the subject line of your email's initial step.
🔢Number of Merge Tags Used in the Email Body: It quantifies the count of merge tags employed in the body of your email's first step, allowing for personalized content and enhanced recipient engagement.
🌀Spintax Used: Spintax refers to the use of syntax to generate multiple variations of a specific phrase or sentence. This parameter assesses whether you have utilized spintax in the first step of your email, providing versatility and diversity in your message delivery.
⚠️Number of Spammy Words Used: It measures the presence of potentially spammy or intrusive words in the content of your email's first step, ensuring that your message is conveyed in a professional and respectful manner.
Plain Text📄 vs. Newsletter/HTML Content🌐: This parameter assesses whether you have chosen to send your email in plain text or as a newsletter/HTML format, affecting your email's visual presentation and layout.
❌Merge Tags Used that Don't Exist in the User’s Account: It evaluates whether you have used merge tags in your email that are not available or defined in your user account, ensuring accurate personalization and preventing errors.
📝Number of Words Email Body Contains: This parameter counts the total number of words in the body of your email's first step, influencing the length and readability of your message.
When it comes to technical setups, it's crucial to pay attention to these factors to ensure optimal deliverability and maintain a good email-sending reputation. By properly configuring these parameters, you can enhance the chances of your emails reaching recipients' inboxes. 📧✨
Why Sequence Score?
The Sequence Score plays a crucial role in evaluating the performance of your cold email sequences. It provides valuable insights into how effectively you have set up your email account, structured your sequence, and crafted your emails.
By understanding the Sequence Score, you can identify areas for improvement and optimize your cold email outreach strategy for better results.✨
How to Set Up Sequence Score?
Ready to skyrocket your deliverability, open rates, and reply rates? Let's get started and unlock the secrets to a high-performing Sequence Score! 🌟🚀
📺Video Guide
🪜Steps to Follow
1️⃣👋 Log in to your Saleshandy account. In the Sequence tab, you'll find an overview of your sequences along with their status, such as active or finished. 📩📊
2️⃣To evaluate your Sequence Score and identify areas for improvement, Click on the Sequence Score tab in the Sequence Section.
Here, you can analyze what factors are affecting your sequence score and understand why it might be low. 📈🔍❓
3️⃣Alternatively, you can directly visit the Sequence >> Sequence Score tab for a quick check. ⏩📈❓
Once you locate your position on the score chart in the Score tab, you'll receive actionable suggestions to optimize your sequence score. Implementing these suggestions can enhance your emails' deliverability, open rates, and reply rates. 📈🚀✉️
Score Range | Category |
1-30 | Poor |
31-50 | Below Average |
51-60 | Average |
61-70 | Good |
71-85 | Very Good |
85+ | Excellent |
💡Important: Remember to always check the sequence score before sending your emails. A healthy Sequence Score directly impacts the performance of your sequences and contributes to better overall results. ✅📈📧
Mission accomplished; you've successfully Configured Sequence Score.📊👏
Wishing you a delightful experience! ❤️
Happy Selling. 🤝
Warmest regards,
Saleshandy Team
FAQ
1. What is Email Account Health?
Email Account Health ensures that your email account has the proper technical setup to maintain a good sender reputation and land in the primary inbox.
2. What factors determine Email Account Health?
The score is based on several key parameters, including:
SPF (Sender Policy Framework)
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)
DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance)
Custom Tracking Domain (CTD)
IP and Domain Blacklist Status
Mail Exchange (MX) Records
Email Age
Daily Sending Quota
Sending Intervals Between Emails
3. How do I check my Email Account Health?
You can check your Email Account Health score in Saleshandy under the Email Account Health tab in Sequence Score.
4. What do the SPF, DKIM, and DMARC settings mean?
SPF: Prevents email spoofing by verifying the sender’s domain.
DKIM: Adds a digital signature to your emails, ensuring authenticity.
DMARC: Protects your domain from unauthorized use and improves deliverability.
You can review their statuses in Saleshandy and update them in your DNS manager if needed.
5. How do I check if my domain or IP is blacklisted?
Saleshandy automatically checks if your IP or domain is blacklisted in Email Account Health in Sequence Score. If listed, you can find the Blacklist name and apply for a removal request by going to the listed blacklist provider.
6. What does Email Age mean?
Email Age affects deliverability:
0-90 days (🔴 Red): New email, needs gradual ramp-up.
90-180 days (🟡 Yellow): Gaining credibility still needs ramp-up
180+ days (🟢 Green): Well-established, good for outreach.
7. What is Daily Sending Quota, and how does it affect deliverability?
Your daily sending volume impacts email performance:
Less than 51 emails/day ✅ Ideal for inbox placement.
50-150 emails/day ⚠️ Slightly high, monitor engagement.
150+ emails/day 🚨 May trigger spam filters.
8. What should be my sending interval between emails?
180+ seconds ✅ Ideal pace.
61-180 seconds ⚠️ A bit fast, can increase spam risk.
0-60 seconds 🚨 Too fast, might trigger spam filters.
9. Why are changes not reflected in Email Account Health? How often is my Email Account Health score updated?
If your authentication changes are not reflected in your email account health even after refreshing it might happen you have exhausted the refresh limit for the day.
Check out the refresh limit:
Automatically every 7 days for most parameters.
Manually: You can refresh once a day for updates.
10. What should I do if my Email Account Health score is low?
Verify SPF, DKIM, and DMARC settings.
Check if your domain or IP is blacklisted and request removal.
Warm up and Ramp-up new email accounts properly.
Maintain proper sending limits and intervals.
👉 Next Steps
Check out the below article If you want to know more about
💡 Tip
Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. We're available on chat and ready to provide you with prompt assistance. 🤗