> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.avina.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Outreach Best Practices

> Get the most out of AI-drafted sequences and signal-triggered outreach.

Avina's [Outbound Agent](/features/ai-sequences) drafts personalized outreach using signal context, but the quality of the output depends on how you set it up.

***

## Give the Agent Good Instructions

When creating an AI Sequence, you provide **style instructions** and **templating instructions**. These are the single biggest lever for draft quality.

### Style Instructions

Tell the agent how to write:

> *"Keep emails under 100 words. Conversational, peer-to-peer tone. No marketing jargon. Sound like a helpful colleague, not a salesperson."*

> *"Formal but warm. Reference specific data points when available. End with a clear, low-commitment CTA."*

### Templating Instructions

Tell the agent what to include:

> *"Always mention the specific signal that triggered this sequence. Reference at least one relevant customer story."*

> *"First email: value-add with no ask. Second email: reference the signal and propose a 15-minute call. Third email: brief bump."*

***

## Match Tone to Signal Type

Different signals call for different approaches:

| Signal Type             | Tone             | Approach                                                          |
| ----------------------- | ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Pricing page visit**  | Direct, helpful  | Reference what they looked at, offer to answer questions          |
| **Champion movement**   | Warm, personal   | Congratulate them, reference your past relationship               |
| **New hire**            | Consultative     | Don't rush; offer resources for their first 90 days               |
| **Job posting**         | Strategic        | Connect the role they're hiring for to your product's value       |
| **Custom AI (funding)** | Informed, timely | Acknowledge the milestone, position yourself for their next phase |

***

## Keep Sequences Short

For signal-triggered outreach, shorter sequences outperform longer ones:

* **2-3 steps** is the sweet spot
* **Step 1**: Value-add or relevant insight (no hard ask)
* **Step 2**: Reference the signal, propose a specific next step
* **Step 3**: Brief bump or alternative CTA

Signals are time-sensitive. If a prospect doesn't respond to 3 well-timed, personalized emails, a 7-step sequence won't change that.

***

## Always Review Before Publishing

AI drafts are strong starting points, not finished products:

1. **Read every email out loud.** Does it sound like something your best rep would send?
2. **Check the signal reference.** Is the trigger mentioned naturally?
3. **Verify the CTA.** Is there a clear, low-friction next step?
4. **Remove filler.** Cut any sentence that doesn't add value.

***

## Choose the Right Sender

* **SDRs** for top-of-funnel, high-volume signals (web visits, job postings)
* **AEs** for high-value signals (champion movement, re-engagement)
* **Leadership** for executive-level contacts (use sparingly)

The sender should match the seniority and relationship context of the prospect.

***

## Measure and Iterate

After a week of running:

1. Which sequences have the highest reply rates?
2. Which signal types produce the best conversations?
3. Update style instructions based on what's working
4. Retire sequences that consistently underperform