Launch your first cadence

Pick a template, enroll a small test group, and understand pause rules before scaling.

7 min readUpdated June 2026

Before you begin

  • Connect email before email steps; Phone & SMS before text or call steps
  • Verify contact or lead emails when the template includes verify steps (uses credits)
  • Admins manage templates at Cadences → Templates
Video walkthrough placeholder for choosing a cadence template, enrolling a small test audience, and reviewing cadence safety rules.
Video: Launch your first cadence
Video walkthrough placeholder for choosing a cadence template, enrolling a small test audience, and reviewing cadence safety rules.

Templates vs instances

  • Template — reusable blueprint at /dashboard/cadences/templates
  • Instance — active run on one contact or lead from My Cadences (/dashboard/cadences)
Cadences page showing reusable templates and active cadence instances.
Cadences page showing reusable templates and active cadence instances.

Safe launch sequence

  • 1. Cadences → Templates → duplicate or create a short 2–3 step template
  • 2. From contact or lead detail, enroll 25–50 test records (not your whole database)
  • 3. Enable smart pause on reply where available
  • 4. Review first sends in Inbox and cadence queue tabs
  • 5. Tune subject lines and timing before scaling
Cadence template builder with email, SMS, call, and wait steps arranged in sequence.
Cadence template builder with email, SMS, call, and wait steps arranged in sequence.
Enroll contacts or leads modal showing a small test audience before launch.
Enroll contacts or leads modal showing a small test audience before launch.
Cadence queue page showing scheduled steps, skipped steps, and paused contacts or leads.
Cadence queue page showing scheduled steps, skipped steps, and paused contacts or leads.

Start from a contact or lead

Open a contact or lead → enroll in cadence, or use inbox quick-start when offered after a reply.

Contact or lead detail page with an Enroll in cadence action available from the record actions menu.
Contact or lead detail page with an Enroll in cadence action available from the record actions menu.

What you should see

The cadence instance should show scheduled steps for each enrolled contact or lead. Replies, missing contact details, opt-outs, failed verification, or manual pauses should explain why a step did not send.

Common issues

  • Steps skipped — contact or lead missing email or phone, unsubscribed, or failed verify
  • Send blocked — connect mailbox (Pro) or check workspace sending limits
  • Cadence paused — reply detected or manual pause; resume from instance detail

Ready to try this in FlowForce?

Start free — set up your workspace and follow along with this guide.

Start freeEmail support