Configuring communication steps

Communication steps are the actions that send messages to contacts across Email, LinkedIn, and WhatsApp. Well-configured steps increase deliverability, improve engagement through personalisation, and scale intelligently within rate limits.

Message timing

Every step can be configured to send:

• Immediately after the previous step completes
• Wait X minutes/hours/days (optionally restricted to business days only)

Send windows respect the global Scheduled Send Window (default: 9 AM–6 PM, Monday–Friday, in the contact's timezone).

Sender configuration

Email senders: Select team members whose accounts can send. The system prioritises the contact's assigned Owner; otherwise distributes randomly among selected senders.

LinkedIn senders: Only users with connected LinkedIn accounts can send messages or connection requests.

WhatsApp senders: Pro plan users with connected WhatsApp numbers. Uses the same Owner-first priority logic as email.

Personalisation with merge tags

Merge tags pull contact data into messages:

Tag	Example output
{{first_name}}	Sarah
{{last_name}}	Chen
{{company_name}}	Acme Corp
{{title}}	VP of Sales
{{owner}}	James (the assigned rep)
{{custom_field}}	Any custom field value

Personalised messages achieve 3–5× higher open rates compared to generic versions.

Send Email step

1. Add Send Email step in the sequence Editor
2. Select a template or compose a custom email
3. Write the subject line (40–60 characters; avoid spam triggers)
4. Compose the body with merge tags
5. Configure timing
6. Select senders (minimum one required)
7. Configure rate limits (default: 50 emails/24h per sender)

Best practices:

• Include the contact's first name in the subject
• Use a personalised hook referencing the company or recent news
• Keep paragraphs to 2–3 sentences
• Include a single, clear call-to-action
• Avoid generic openers like "I hope this finds you well"

LinkedIn Message step

Prerequisite: Recipients must be existing LinkedIn connections. The sender must have a connected LinkedIn account.

1. Add LinkedIn Message step
2. Compose plain text (300–500 characters recommended)
3. Use line breaks for readability
4. Configure timing (typically 2+ days after email)
5. Select senders
6. Respect rate limits (30 messages/24h default)

Best practices:

• Avoid URLs — they reduce acceptance rates
• Open with a personalised hook
• End with a soft call-to-action
• Keep it concise

LinkedIn Connection Request step

1. Add LinkedIn Connection step
2. Compose an optional personalised note (max 300 characters)
3. Configure timing
4. Select senders

WhatsApp Message step

Prerequisites:

• Contact must have a phone number in CRM in international format (+country code)
• Contact must have WhatsApp installed

1. Add WhatsApp Message step
2. Compose plain text (1,600 character limit)
3. Include one clear call-to-action
4. Configure timing (typically late in a sequence)
5. Select WhatsApp account/number
6. Respect rate limits (20 messages/24h)

Best practices:

• Lead with value or curiosity
• Keep it personal and brief
• Use emojis sparingly
• Avoid links if possible

LinkedIn Profile Visit step

A non-message action that visits the contact's LinkedIn profile to create a notification on their end. Configure timing (typically before messaging) and select the sender account.

Rate limits summary

Channel	Default limit
Email	50 sends/24h per sender
LinkedIn messages	30 messages/24h per sender
LinkedIn connections	20 requests/24h per sender
WhatsApp	20 messages/24h per sender

Dalil enforces these limits automatically to protect your accounts from restrictions.