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🚀 The 3-Message Sequence That Gets Replies

Learn the exact 3-message sequence agencies use to get founders to reply - using real timing, hiring signals, and context from Revli’s weekly funding data.

Mike Ford avatar
Written by Mike Ford
Updated over 2 weeks ago

🧩 Before You Start — READ THIS

The emails in this article are NOT meant to be copied and pasted word-for-word.

You have a different offer than the next agency.


Your prospects face different pressures.


Your positioning, pricing, ICP, and capabilities are unique.

These examples are meant to inspire, not define your voice.

The only way to know what works is to A/B test:

  • subject lines

  • angles

  • openers

  • CTAs

  • length

  • tone

Top outbound performers test constantly, because:

  • The message you love might flop.

  • The message you think is “meh” might outperform everything.

  • There is no one-size-fits-all template.

Use these examples as starting points — then run your own experiments.


1️⃣ Why You Need a Sequence - Not One Message

Founders who just raised are dealing with:

  • product deadlines moving

  • hiring sprints

  • investor pressure

  • GTM planning

Relevance isn’t enough - timing matters.

A simple, respectful 3-message flow ensures:

  • your message gets seen

  • your name becomes familiar

  • you show you understand their stage

  • you stay present without being pushy

This is the structure used by Revli’s best-performing users.


2️⃣ Message #1 — Context Wins (Not Generic Congrats)✉️

Founders ignore surface-level outreach.


They respond to messages that tie their situation to a real outcome you help them achieve.

Use this pattern:


signal → pressure → outcome → soft CTA

Below are excellent examples broken down by agency type.


Examples by Positioning / Agency Type


A) Marketing / Demand Gen / Paid Ads / Content

Example 1 — Hiring for sales

Noticed {{company}} just raised and is already hiring for sales — revenue targets usually start rising before those reps are fully ramped.  If it helps, we can start driving top-of-funnel immediately so momentum doesn’t slip.  Worth a look?

Example 2 — No marketing lead yet

Saw you raised and don’t have a senior marketing lead in place yet. Early growth often slows here.  If needed, we can cover acquisition until the right hire lands.  Want a quick look?

Example 3 — New product launch coming

Noticed your raise + new product release. Usually means pressure to create demand fast.  We can help build predictable pipeline so the launch lands strong.  Worth exploring?

B) Sales Services / SDR-as-a-Service

Example 1 — Scaling AE team

Saw your raise and early sales hires. Pipeline usually becomes urgent before those reps are fully ramped.  If useful, we can start conversations immediately so reps aren’t waiting on leads.

Example 2 — Founder-led sales

Noticed you don’t have a dedicated outbound function yet. After a raise, founder-led sales gets stretched thin fast.  We can help spark new conversations while you scale the team.

Example 3 — New territory expansion

Saw the raise + new geo hires. Teams often need outreach in motion before those roles fully activate.  We can help you open those markets quickly.

C) Engineering / Dev / AI Agencies

Example 1 — Hiring multiple engineers

Saw your raise and the engineering roles you're hiring for. Product deadlines usually tighten faster than recruiting can support.  If you need it, we can add near-term engineering capacity so nothing stalls.

Example 2 — Accelerating the roadmap

Funding + roadmap expansion usually creates a bandwidth crunch.  We can help ship key features while the internal team scales.

Example 3 — Technical debt creeping in

Noticed the raise + new hires. It’s common for teams at this stage to need short-term engineering support to clear blockers.  We can help keep things moving while the team grows.

D) Product / Design Agencies

Example 1 — Big roadmap ahead

Saw your raise and roadmap update — design/UX tends to become the bottleneck right at this stage.  If useful, we can help speed up execution so releases stay on schedule.

Example 2 — No design lead yet

Noticed you don’t have a design lead in place yet. Early-stage momentum can slip here.  We can support product design while you hire.

E) Staffing / Recruiting Agencies

Example 1 — Hiring across departments

Saw your raise and all the open roles. Without a talent lead, this hiring sprint can slow execution fast.  If helpful, we can run that first wave to keep momentum high.

Example 2 — Engineering + sales hiring

Noticed you’re hiring across sales and engineering — usually a sign bandwidth gets stretched thin.  We can help you fill those roles quickly so growth isn’t delayed.

F) Infra / DevOps / Compliance Agencies

Example 1 — Scaling soon

Saw the raise — this stage usually triggers infra and stability upgrades before scaling users.  We can tighten things quickly so you can grow without risk.

Example 2 — New enterprise customers

Noticed your enterprise angle. Teams often need security/compliance handled early to avoid blocking deals.  We can help you get there fast.

Reminder:


These are examples. Your offer is unique.

Test everything.


3️⃣ Bonus Step — Send a LinkedIn Request (No Message) 🔗

Send a LinkedIn connection request with no note.

Why it works best:

  • Increases acceptance rate

  • No sales pressure

  • Makes you recognizable in inbox

  • Helps Email #2 land stronger

  • Takes 2 seconds (Revli gives you the LinkedIn link already)

This “silent touch” boosts reply rates significantly.


4️⃣ Message #2 — The “You’re Slammed, Here’s the Outcome” Touch (2–3 Days Later)

Message #2 must add value, not repeat message #1.

Key rules:


❌ no “circling back”
❌ no “checking in”
❌ no “just following up”

Strong follow-ups:


✔ acknowledge their reality
✔ anchor to ONE specific outcome
✔ keep it simple & founder-friendly

Here are multiple high-quality second-email examples across agency types.


A) Marketing / Demand Gen

Example 1

Hey {{first_name}} — quick note since top-of-funnel pressure usually shows up early after a raise.  If you need pipeline moving while hiring ramps, we can support that immediately.

Example 2

Hey {{first_name}} — these early weeks often make revenue targets feel real fast.  If useful, we can help lift the front of the funnel right away.

B) Sales / SDR Support

Example 1

Hey {{first_name}} — most teams need conversations flowing before new reps fully ramp.  If that’s already hitting, we can help kickstart meetings quickly.

Example 2

Hey {{first_name}} — early-stage sales motion can get stretched thin fast.  If you need support starting conversations right away, we can help.

C) Engineering / Dev / AI

Example 1

Hey {{first_name}} — product timelines usually move faster than recruiting early on.  If engineering feels tight already, we can add bandwidth quickly.

Example 2

Hey {{first_name}} — if you're trying to keep roadmap velocity high while hiring, we can support that lift immediately.

D) Product / Design

Example 1

Hey {{first_name}} — early post-raise weeks tend to expose design bandwidth gaps.  If you're trying to accelerate a few pieces, we can help move them faster.

E) Staffing / Recruiting

Example 1

Hey {{first_name}} — juggling multiple hires without a talent lead can slow things quickly.  If you want to keep execution smooth, we can run that early sprint.

F) Infra / DevOps / Compliance

Example 1

Hey {{first_name}} — infra and stability usually come into focus fast after raising.  If you need things tightened quickly, we can support that lift.

These examples:


✔ avoid every bad phrase
✔ offer clear outcomes
✔ feel real
✔ spark replies

Again — test everything.


5️⃣ Message #3 — The “Priorities Are Clearer Now” Touch (4–8 Weeks Later)

Founders rarely know their real priorities in Week 1.


By Week 4–8, the fog lifts.


Deadlines appear.


Hiring slows.


Investors push.


Projects need acceleration.

This touch hits at the perfect time.

Example:

Hey {{first_name}} — now that you’re a few weeks past the raise, priorities are probably clearer than they were on day one.  If there’s anything you’re trying to speed up, we can support the lift.

Soft.
Founder-aware.
High reply rate.


6️⃣ Why This Sequence Works

Because it matches real founder psychology:

Message 1: Momentum + early planning


LinkedIn: Identity + trust


Message 2: Chaos → clarity


Message 3: Reality → execution gaps

This is a timing strategy, not a volume strategy.


7️⃣ Your Next Steps

  • Write 10 Message #1 emails using Revli signals

  • Send LinkedIn requests (no message)

  • Add Message #2 48–72 hours later

  • Add Message #3 after 4–8 weeks

  • Test everything

Consistency + iteration = revenue.


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