Campaigns
How to set up follow-up sequences and drip campaigns
Quick answer
A Wassuply sequence is a series of timed WhatsApp messages sent to each enrolled contact from one number: step 1 goes out on enrolment and each later step after a wait in hours, and by default a reply stops it. A drip campaign is a day-based text series that creates a sequence when you start it. For one message to a list, use a broadcast.
In the app SidebarContentSequences (Drip: SidebarBroadcastsDrip)
Key facts
- In a Wassuply sequence, step 1 is sent on enrolment and every later step waits a whole number of hours after the previous one: at least 1, and 24 by default.
- Wassuply checks for due sequence steps every 15 minutes and straight after you enrol or resume contacts, so a step can go out up to about 15 minutes after it falls due.
- Before sending a follow-up, Wassuply opens the chat and looks for a message from the contact since the previous step; by default a reply stops the sequence for that contact.
- Every step of a Wassuply sequence goes from the number the contact was enrolled with and is never moved to another number.
- A failing sequence step is tried 3 times, 30 minutes apart, before the enrolment is marked failed.
- Starting a Wassuply drip campaign creates a new sequence named after the drip, with each day delay turned into 24-hour blocks.
- Wassuply sequences have no gap or batch setting: contacts that fall due at the same check are sent one after another.
What are sequences and drip campaigns?#
A sequence is a list of timed messages that each enrolled contact receives in order, from one of your numbers, until the steps run out or a stop condition such as a reply applies. A drip is a day-based shortcut: you write text steps, start it with a list of numbers, and Wassuply turns it into a sequence.
| Broadcast | Sequence | Drip | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Messages per contact | One | One per step | One per step, text only |
| Timing | Random waits in seconds, batches, schedule | Step 1 at once, then waits in hours | Step 1 at once, then waits in days |
| Sending number | Several, taking turns | One per enrolled contact | One, picked at start |
| Gap between contacts | A planned wait before every message | None | None |
| Replies | Opt-out replies skip the contact | Stop, continue or jump (per step) | Stop |
| Attachments | Yes | Yes, per step | No |
Sequences live in Content → Sequences; drips in Broadcasts → Drip. For one message to a list, see broadcast campaigns.
How do I build a sequence?#
Open Content → Sequences, click New Sequence, add your steps and click Create Sequence.
Name it
Enter a Name (required) and an optional Description.
Write step 1
Step 1 is labelled Send immediately on enroll. Write the Message with
{name},{phone},{custom1},{custom2}and spintax such as{Hi|Hello}.Add follow-ups
Click Add Step and set Wait N hours after previous step (minimum 1, default 24). Reorder with the arrows or remove a step; the first step's wait is always 0.
Attach files if needed
Attach File (optional) takes JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP, MP4, MOV, PDF, DOC or DOCX. With a file, the message is an optional caption.
Choose the reply rule
Set If contact replies to this step for each step.
Limit the hours
Optionally switch on Sending Window, then click Create Sequence.
- Stop sequence (default)
- A reply ends the sequence for that contact (status replied).
- Continue to next step anyway
- The next step is sent as planned.
- Jump to Step N
- The contact moves to that step, which is sent after its own wait, counted from when the reply was found.
- Sending Window
- Start and end hour (9 to 21 when switched on) and active days (Monday to Friday by default). A step due outside the window is tried again an hour later.
Caution: Saving changes replaces the steps for everyone already enrolled. Each person carries on from the same step number, so check the order before editing a sequence that is running.
How do I enrol contacts in a sequence?#
Enrol from the sequence's page with Enroll Contacts, or let a campaign enrol each contact it messages.
- Enroll Contacts: choose Send from account (connected numbers only), then Paste Numbers (one per line, 10 to 15 digits with the country code, optional name, custom1, custom2, then Parse Numbers), Saved Contacts (opted-out contacts are not listed) or From Campaign (Sent only or All contacts of a campaign).
- From a campaign: choose Use Sequence on the Message step, or write the message, click Add Follow-up and Save as Sequence. Each contact who receives the campaign message is enrolled from the number that sent it. If step 1 has no wait and matches the campaign message, they start at step 2.
- A number already active in the sequence is skipped. A Resend from a campaign does not enrol anyone again.
- See contacts, lists and segments for saved contacts.
Tip: For contacts enrolled by a campaign, the reply check only starts once the sequence itself has sent a step. In version 1.0.4 a normal reply to the campaign message does not stop the first follow-up; an opt-out reply such as STOP does.
When does a sequence stop or pause for a contact?#
Each enrolment has its own status, shown on the sequence's page with Pause, Resume and Remove buttons.
| Status | Why |
|---|---|
| active | Waiting for its next step. Next Send shows when it is due. |
| replied | A reply was found and the step's rule is Stop. |
| done | Every step has been sent. |
| paused | You paused it, or its sending number was removed from Wassuply. |
| no reply | Wassuply has already sent that number at least 3 campaign messages or sequences without a reply, one over 48 hours ago. |
| disconnected | Its number is not connected. It resumes by itself when the number reconnects. |
| unsubscribed | The number is opted out or blacklisted, checked before every step. |
| failed | The step could not be sent after 3 tries. |
Some checks only delay a step: a number busy with a campaign or warm-up is retried every 5 minutes, a number at its daily limit an hour later, and with Smart Send protection on, a high-risk number 2 hours later. Resume on a paused, no reply or disconnected enrolment makes it due at once.
How do drip campaigns work?#
A drip is a saved list of text steps with day delays; each time you start it, Wassuply creates a sequence from it and enrols the numbers you paste.
Create the drip
In Broadcasts → Drip, click New Drip, enter a Campaign Name and optional Description.
Write the steps
Step 1 - Day 0 (Send immediately) comes first. Add step and set Send after N day(s) (minimum 1). Every step needs text. Click Create Drip.
Start it
Click Start, pick the WhatsApp Account, paste contacts (one per line: phone, or phone,name) and click Start Drip.
- The new sequence appears in Content → Sequences under the drip's name; follow and manage contacts there.
- Opted-out and blacklisted numbers, repeated lines and numbers already active in this drip are skipped. Only
{name}and{phone}have values;{custom1}and{custom2}stay empty. - A drip cannot be edited after it is created. Deleting it does not stop people already started: pause or remove them in the sequence.
Caution: Each Send after counts from the previous step, not from day 0, although the drip list labels steps Day N. With the suggested values 0, 1 and 2, messages go out on day 0, day 1 and day 3.
What are the limits of sequences and drips?#
Sequences send follow-ups on a timer, not at a paced rate, so keep enrolments small.
- No gaps between contacts: contacts due at the same 15-minute check are sent one after another. Enrol in small groups or let a broadcast send the first message.
- Waits are whole hours (sequences) or days (drips). Nothing is sent while Wassuply is closed; overdue steps go out at the first check, about 45 seconds after launch.
- Every step uses the enrolment's number. Sequence sends count toward that number's daily limit (the Global Daily Send Limit is 80 by default). See sending safety.
- Sequences do not appear in the Message Queue.
- Reply checks open the chat before a follow-up. Opt-out replies are handled sooner by auto opt-out; see opt-outs and blacklist.
Frequently asked questions#
What is the difference between a sequence and a broadcast?
A broadcast sends one message to a list with a planned wait before every message. A sequence sends several timed messages to each contact from one number and stops on a reply.
Does a sequence stop when someone replies?
Yes by default: before each follow-up, Wassuply checks the chat for a reply since the last step and stops if it finds one. An opt-out reply such as STOP stops it as soon as it is picked up.
Can I send follow-ups minutes apart instead of hours?
No. The shortest wait between sequence steps is 1 hour, and steps are checked every 15 minutes.
Can a follow-up come from a different number?
No. Every step goes from the number the contact was enrolled with. If that number disconnects, the enrolment waits and resumes when it reconnects.
What is the difference between Drip and Sequences?
A drip is a quicker, text-only builder with waits in days that you start from a pasted list. Starting it creates an ordinary sequence, which has attachments, waits in hours and per-step reply rules.
Do sequences keep sending while Wassuply is closed?
No. Due steps go out at the first check after you open Wassuply again, about 45 seconds after launch.
Why does a contact show no reply?
That number has had at least 3 messages or sequences from you without a reply. Click Resume to send the next step anyway.
Still stuck?
Email support@wassuply.com, open a ticket in the customer portal, or book a free 20-minute call.
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