You’re probably drowning in DMs, struggling to keep up with leads, and wasting hours on manual outreach. What if I told you there’s a way to automate your Facebook and Instagram prospecting while keeping it personal? That’s where sequential marketing comes in – and it’s a game-changer.
What the hell is sequential marketing?
Think of it like dating: you don’t propose marriage in the first message (unless you’re really desperate). Sequential marketing is about building relationships through strategic messaging over time. On Facebook, this means sending a series of tailored DMs that guide prospects toward your offer.
I tested this myself last month – sent 3 automated messages over 7 days to cold leads. The result? 37% more replies than my usual one-and-done spam approach. People actually engaged because it felt human.
Why Facebook is perfect for sequential outreach
Unlike email (where your message dies in promotions tab), Facebook DMs get seen. The platform’s algorithm favors personal connections, and let’s be real – everyone’s glued to their Messenger app 24/7.
Building your killer sequence (step by step)
Step 1: The hook message
This isn’t your lame « Hey bro want to make $10k? » garbage. Your first message should:
– Reference something from their profile (their last post, bio, etc.)
– Ask a genuine question
– Provide immediate value (free tip, resource, meme – yes, memes work)
Example that crushed it for me: « Hey [Name], saw your post about struggling with ads – have you tried this weird targeting hack? (sending screenshot) Works like crazy for ecom stores. »
Step 2: The follow-up (2-3 days later)
Now that they’ve seen your name once, hit them with:
– Social proof (« My client Sarah used this and 3x her sales »)
– A specific result you can help with
– Zero pitch – just value
Pro tip: Use voice notes here. They feel 10x more personal and get way higher open rates.
Step 3: The close (day 5-7)
By now they’re warm. Time to:
– Reference your previous convo
– Show transformation (« Imagine hitting $10k months consistently »)
– Make a clear CTA (« Let’s hop on a quick call? »)
Automating without sounding like a robot
Here’s where most people screw up. Your sequences need:
– Personalized openers (use their name, biz name, etc.)
– Natural delays between messages
– Varied content types (text, images, voice notes)
– Opt-out options (not everyone will be interested)
That’s exactly why I built Instant Flow – it lets you set up these sequences once, then automates the whole process while keeping it human. No more copy-pasting DMs like some 2005 call center employee.
Sequences that actually convert
Let me break down two proven frameworks:
The « Problem-Agitate-Solve » sequence
1. Message 1: Identify their struggle (« Noticed you’re doing X – most people hit this wall »)
2. Message 2: Make it hurt (« This is why that approach keeps failing »)
3. Message 3: Present your solution (« Here’s how we fix it »)
The « Social Proof » sequence
1. Message 1: Share a client result (« Just helped @user go from 0 to 50 sales »)
2. Message 2: Show methodology (« Here’s the exact system we used »)
3. Message 3: Invite to apply (« Could this work for you? »)
Tracking what matters
Sequential marketing isn’t « set and forget. » You need to monitor:
– Open rates (are they reading?)
– Reply rates (are they engaging?)
– Conversion points (where do they drop off?)
– Time between messages (too fast = spam, too slow = forgotten)
My rule: If a sequence gets below 40% open rate after 50 sends, scrap it and rewrite. Your words are either boring or irrelevant.
Advanced Facebook sequencing tactics
Retargeting with custom audiences
Create audiences based on who:
– Opened but didn’t reply
– Clicked links
– Replied but didn’t convert
Then hit them with specialized follow-ups. This one hack doubled my conversions last quarter.
Using comments to warm up cold outreach
Before DMing, engage with 2-3 of their posts. Suddenly your « cold » message feels warmer because they’ve seen your name.
The « breakup » message
For non-responders after 3 messages: « Hey [Name], noticed you’re not responding – should I stop messaging you? » Sounds counterintuitive, but 20% of people actually reply to this.
