# How to set up follow-up sequences and drip campaigns

Source: https://wassuply.com/docs/sequences-and-drip/
Updated: 2026-10-30 · Wassuply 1.0.4 for Windows and macOS

> 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: Sidebar → Content → Sequences (Drip: Sidebar → Broadcasts → Drip)

## 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](https://wassuply.com/docs/broadcast-campaigns/).

## How do I build a sequence?

Open **Content → Sequences**, click **New Sequence**, add your steps and click **Create Sequence**.

**How to build a WhatsApp follow-up sequence in Wassuply**

1. **Name it**: Enter a **Name** (required) and an optional **Description**.
2. **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}`.
3. **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.
4. **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.
5. **Choose the reply rule**: Set **If contact replies to this step** for each step.
6. **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](https://wassuply.com/docs/contacts-lists-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](https://wassuply.com/docs/health-and-risk/) 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.

**How to create and start a drip campaign in Wassuply**

1. **Create the drip**: In **Broadcasts → Drip**, click **New Drip**, enter a **Campaign Name** and optional **Description**.
2. **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**.
3. **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](https://wassuply.com/docs/sending-safety/).
- Sequences do not appear in the [Message Queue](https://wassuply.com/docs/send-message-and-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](https://wassuply.com/docs/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.

Wassuply is independent software. It is not made, endorsed or sponsored by WhatsApp or Meta.