When it comes to cold email, automation can be a game-changer. It saves time, scales your campaigns, and keeps you consistent. But if you don’t follow the rules, it can quickly backfire.

Spam filters are smarter than ever, and one misstep can hurt your deliverability or even get your domain blacklisted. And that’s not good, my friend.

The good news? By following these outreach automation rules, you can stay on the right side of email providers while maximizing your results.

Key Rules for Safe Outreach Automation

1. Start Small, Then Scale Up

   Never send 500 emails on day one from a single account. Instead, start small—10-20 emails per day per inbox—and gradually increase your sending volume over a few weeks.

   This “warm-up” period builds trust with email providers and reduces the chances of your emails landing in spam.

   👉 With Premium Inboxes, your accounts come pre-configured with the right base cap volume to keep your campaigns safe. This means you can scale your outreach without worrying about deliverability issues.

2. Personalize Every Email

   Even if you’re automating, make sure your emails feel personal. Use placeholders like [First Name], [Company], or [Pain Point] to show prospects you’ve done your homework.

3. Follow the 1-10-100 Rule

   • Inbox: Don’t send more than 10-20 emails per day per account.
   • Domains: Use multiple domains to distribute your email volume safely.
   • Inboxes Per Domain: Use only 2-3 email accounts per each domain.

   For example, if you’re using 10 domains, you can set up 30 email accounts, and send 300-600 emails per day altogether.

   Premium Inboxes makes it easy to manage multiple domains and accounts, and they’ll even notify you if a domain’s health isn’t optimal anymore, so you can switch it out for better results.

4. Monitor Your Email Reputation

   A dip in reputation is a red flag. If you start seeing a high bounce rate—it’s time to review your sending practices or switch out your domain.

   🚀 Bonus: Premium Inboxes offers unlimited email refreshers. If your accounts need to be replaced for better deliverability, they’ll set you up with fresh ones, ensuring your campaigns never skip a beat.

5. Respect the Unsubscribe Rule

   Always include an easy way for prospects to opt out. It’s not just about compliance—it keeps your list healthy and engaged.

6. Use Automation Tools Wisely

   Platforms like Instantly, Smartlead, and Saleshandy are great for managing your campaigns, but they’re only as good as the rules you set. Keep sending volumes realistic, ensure you’re rotating accounts, and prioritize personalization.

Pro Tips for Smooth Automation

• Spread Out Your Sending Times: Avoid sending emails all at once. Set your automation tool to send emails at random intervals throughout the day.
• Segment Your Lists: Target smaller, focused groups of prospects to keep your campaigns relevant.
• Always Warm Up: Make sure new inboxes are properly warmed up before diving into outreach. Tools like Mailwarm or Lemwarm are great for this.

Automation is powerful, but only if it’s done the right way. By setting the right rules, monitoring your accounts, and partnering with a reliable provider like Premium Inboxes, you can scale your outreach safely and effectively.