Tools
Cleverly vs MailShake: Ultimate Comparison for LinkedIn and Cold Email Outreach
Dive into an in-depth comparison between Cleverly and MailShake for LinkedIn lead generation and cold email outreach. Choose the right tool.
Jul 21, 2024
Understanding Cleverly and MailShake
When diving into the world of LinkedIn lead generation and cold email outreach, two names often pop up: Cleverly and MailShake. Both tools aim to streamline your marketing efforts, but each shines in distinct ways. Here’s what you need to know about them:
Cleverly
Cleverly excels in LinkedIn lead generation. It offers a comprehensive service that makes LinkedIn marketing less of a chore. Its standout feature is the AI-driven message creation, which crafts compelling outreach messages tailored to your prospects. This means you can focus on other tasks while Cleverly handles the heavy lifting.
Another plus is its ability to dispatch outreach campaigns efficiently. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by managing multiple campaigns, Cleverly's got you covered. It integrates with powerful tools like Rocket Reach and Hunter.io to find and validate work emails, ensuring your messages land where they should.
Pro Tip: Integration streamlines your workflow. When tools like Rocket Reach and Hunter.io collaborate seamlessly, your email finding and validating process becomes faster and more accurate.
Pricing-wise, Cleverly's top-tier LinkedIn lead generation package costs $697. For what you’re getting, it’s a deal below the industry average.
MailShake
MailShake focuses on cold email outreach. It’s all about making your email campaigns efficient and effective. Its user interface is simple yet robust, allowing you to set up campaigns without a steep learning curve.
A key feature is its comprehensive analytics. With MailShake, you get detailed insights into your email performance—think open rates, response rates, and click-through rates. This data helps you tweak your campaigns for maximum impact.
MailShake also offers automated follow-ups. This means you can schedule follow-up emails to be sent automatically, saving you from the tedium of manual tracking.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
A common mistake people make is thinking one tool fits all. Cleverly is superb for LinkedIn, while MailShake excels in email outreach. Know where each tool shines to use them effectively.
Another misconception is relying entirely on automation. These tools are powerful, but they need a human touch. Customize your messages to fit your audience’s needs and preferences.
Practical Tips
Personalize Your Outreach: Don’t fall into the trap of sending generic messages. Use the AI-driven message creation in Cleverly as a base, then tweak it to make it personal.
Leverage Analytics: Use MailShake’s analytics to understand what works and what doesn’t. Tweak your campaigns regularly for better results.
Automate Follow-ups: Set up automated follow-ups in MailShake to ensure no lead falls through the cracks without constant manual intervention.
Techniques and Variations
For LinkedIn outreach, consider combining Cleverly’s services with personal touches, such as referencing mutual connections or recent posts by your prospects. On the email side, use MailShake’s various templates but always personalize the introductory lines.
Segment Your Audience: Both tools offer segmentation options. Use these to target specific groups rather than a broad audience.
Test Different Approaches: A/B testing is crucial. Try different messages, subject lines, and timings to see what resonates best.
Integrate with Other Tools: Use Growleady with Instantly to add another layer of effectiveness in your cold email outreach. These integrations can amplify your reach and results.
By understanding the unique strengths of Cleverly and MailShake, you can optimize your LinkedIn and cold email outreach, turning prospects into tangible leads more efficiently.
Key Features of Cleverly
Cleverly is packed with valuable features designed to supercharge your LinkedIn lead generation efforts, especially if small to medium-sized businesses are your target. Let’s jump into what each feature offers you:
LinkedIn Lead Generation
Cleverly excels at generating qualified leads and steering them straight into your sales funnel. By leveraging LinkedIn's vast network, Cleverly connects you with potential clients who are most likely to benefit from your offerings.
A/B Copywriting
Testing different approaches to your LinkedIn outreach can significantly improve your results. Cleverly’s A/B Copywriting lets you experiment with various messages to see which resonates most with your audience. For instance, you might test the tone or length of your messages to find the winning formula.
Personalized Outreach
One-size-fits-all messages seldom work. Cleverly personalizes each outreach message, improving your chances of grabbing attention and initiating meaningful conversations. Think of this feature as crafting a tailored suit for each prospect, rather than handing out generic t-shirts.
Four-Step Messaging Sequence
Keeping prospects engaged requires a strategic approach. The four-step messaging sequence allows you to send a series of messages systematically. For example, your first message could be an introduction, followed by a value proposition, a case study, and finally, a call-to-action.
Campaign Management
Tracking the performance of your outreach campaigns is vital. Cleverly offers robust tools for managing and monitoring these campaigns. By having a clear overview, you can identify what works and make adjustments on the fly.
Data Management
Good data is the backbone of a robust lead generation strategy. Cleverly helps you manage this data efficiently. It provides insights that can guide your strategy and help you make informed decisions, like which segments of your audience are most responsive.
Outreach Messaging
Sending personalized messages to thousands of contacts might sound like a mammoth task, but Cleverly makes it simple. You can automate the process while still maintaining a personal touch in each message. This feature saves you time and keeps your outreach consistent.
List Management
Effective list management ensures you're reaching the right people. Cleverly allows you to manage your contacts easily and import lists without hassle. By organizing your contacts, you can tailor your messages to specific groups and improve engagement.
Personalize Your Outreach: Avoid generic messages. Tailor your content to the recipient's interests and needs.
A/B Test Frequently: Don’t stick to one message. Test various approaches to find what works best.
Monitor Your Campaigns: Keep an eye on your campaign’s performance and adjust as needed for optimal results.
Use Data Insights: Leverage the data Cleverly provides to refine your strategy continually.
Engage Consistently: Follow the four-step messaging sequence to keep prospects engaged from the first contact to closing the deal.
By understanding and leveraging Cleverly’s features, you can enhance your LinkedIn lead generation strategy effectively. Take full advantage of each tool and watch your outreach efforts transform into successful connections and conversions.
How Does MailShake Stand Out?
Mailshake distinguishes itself from Cleverly and other competitors in several crucial areas. These distinctions provide advantages for those seeking effective and efficient lead generation through cold email outreach.
Deliverability
Mailshake excels in deliverability, ensuring your emails land in inboxes rather than spam folders. High deliverability rates are vital for successful cold outreach campaigns. Consider the frustration of having carefully crafted emails, only to have them buried in spam. Mailshake addresses this by using advanced algorithms and maintaining strong domain reputations to improve email placement.
Personalization
Personalization is key to engaging your audience, and Mailshake offers robust features to help with this. Tailoring each email to the recipient can significantly increase engagement rates. Mailshake allows for A/B testing, letting you experiment with different approaches, and integrates with LinkedIn for targeted outreach. Imagine sending a message that speaks directly to your recipient's needs or pain points — Mailshake makes this possible, enhancing the effectiveness of your campaigns.
Ease of Use
One of Mailshake's strongest points is its user-friendly interface. You don't need to be a tech wizard to use it. The platform is designed to be intuitive, making it easy for your team to follow best practices consistently. This simplicity reduces the learning curve and ensures you can focus on crafting compelling messages rather than struggling with complex software.
Sending Calendar Feature
Unique to Mailshake is its Sending Calendar feature. This tool helps you optimize your email campaigns by timing your sends for the most significant impact. For example, you can avoid sending emails on holidays or weekends when your recipients might not check their inboxes. This feature allows you to plan, schedule, and manage your outreach strategy efficiently, ensuring your emails are sent at the best times.
Cold Email Templates
Mailshake provides numerous cold email templates that you can customize and save for future use. These templates are designed to be effective and save you time. Instead of starting from scratch every time, you can modify a template to fit the specific context of your outreach. This ensures consistency and efficiency across your campaigns, helping you maintain a professional and personalized touch.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One common mistake in cold outreach is failing to personalize emails. Generic messages often get ignored. Using Mailshake's personalization features, including their LinkedIn integration, can help you avoid this pitfall. Another error is not tracking your campaigns. Without tracking, you won't know what's working and what isn't. Mailshake provides detailed analytics to help you monitor and adjust your strategies accordingly.
Practical Tips and Techniques
To maximize the effectiveness of Mailshake, take advantage of its A/B testing feature. This enables you to test different subject lines, email copy, and sending times to find what resonates best with your audience. Also, use the Sending Calendar to schedule emails when your recipients are most likely to engage.
When incorporating these practices, remember to keep your messages concise and focused on the recipient's needs. Highlighting benefits and using a clear call to action can significantly boost your response rates.
Mailshake stands out in deliverability, personalization, ease of use, and unique features like the Sending Calendar and cold email templates. Using these tools effectively can streamline your lead generation efforts and improve your outreach success.
Comparative Analysis: Performance and Speed
Performance
Cleverly excels by offering an omnichannel approach. This means you can engage with prospects on multiple platforms—starting on LinkedIn and following up via email if they don’t respond. This layered strategy can increase your chances of getting a reply since you're reaching your prospects in different ways. For instance, if a contact doesn't engage through LinkedIn, they'll receive a follow-up email, keeping the conversation going.
Cleverly allows you to export your contact lists directly from its dashboard. This feature helps you manage your contacts efficiently, whether using other email tools like MailShake or MixMax. Also, Cleverly provides guidance on crafting effective email sequences. Following this advice might help you improve your outreach success rates. One key tip: don’t hesitate to follow up multiple times. Persistence often pays off in lead generation.
MailShake, on the other hand, focuses on optimizing email outreach. It streamlines your cold email campaigns and offers robust personalization options to make your emails stand out. MailShake's user-friendly interface and features like the Sending Calendar help you time your emails for maximum impact. Remember, timing can be crucial for your email's effectiveness.
Speed
With Cleverly, you’ll find a multi-step process for setting up your outreach. First, export your contacts. Next, validate their emails using tools like RocketReach or Hunter.io to ensure your emails reach the right inboxes. Finally, upload these validated contacts to your email tools. This thorough approach might take a bit more time, but it can improve the accuracy and success of your outreach.
MailShake aims for simplicity and speed. It integrates directly with your email and CRM tools, reducing the time it takes to get your campaigns up and running. You'll find built-in features for email validation, so you spend less time on prep work. By streamlining the process, MailShake lets you focus more on personalization and follow-up strategies.
Common Mistakes and Practical Tips
Common Mistakes: One frequent mistake is neglecting to personalize your messages. Both Cleverly and MailShake offer tools to help with this, so use them. Sending generic emails can hurt your outreach efforts. Another mistake is giving up too soon. Follow-ups are crucial, and both tools emphasize their importance. Finally, not validating email addresses can lead to high bounce rates, affecting your reputation and deliverability.
Practical Tips:
Personalize Your Emails: Use the personalization features in MailShake to include your prospect’s name, company, and specific pain points. Cleverly's guidance can help you craft compelling sequences.
Follow Up: Don’t stop after one email. A sequence of follow-ups can make a significant difference.
Validate Emails: Tools like RocketReach, Hunter.io, and MailShake’s built-in validator ensure your emails reach the right people.
Techniques and Methods
Use Cleverly’s omnichannel approach to initiate contact through LinkedIn first, then follow up via email. This method works well for B2B sales, where decision-makers might be more active on LinkedIn.
For high-volume cold email campaigns, MailShake is your go-to. Its streamlined process and built-in tools help quickly launch and manage campaigns. This tool is perfect if you need to send out large numbers of emails without sacrificing personalization.
Combine Platforms: Use Cleverly to start conversations on LinkedIn and follow up with MailShake for email outreaches.
Leverage Scheduling: MailShake’s Sending Calendar lets you optimize email timing to match when your prospects are most likely to engage.
Incorporate A/B Testing: Test different subject lines and email content to see what resonates best. MailShake makes this process straightforward.
Maintain a Consistent Follow-up: According to Growleady, an Instantly partner, consistent follow-ups are crucial to success. Don’t rely on a single touchpoint.
By incorporating these practices, you can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your lead generation efforts.
User Interface and Experience
Cleverly
User Interface: Cleverly's dashboard is your control center for email outreach and follow-ups. It comes packed with features like exporting contacts, finding and validating email addresses, and uploading these contacts to email sending tools. You might think of it as your Swiss Army knife for email outreach, streamlining various processes to make your tasks simpler.
User Experience: Cleverly guides you through a structured process, essentially holding your hand as you navigate through setting up email sequences and exporting contacts. If you ever tripped over how to avoid common pitfalls in follow-up emails, Cleverly offers detailed steps to keep you on track. Think of it like following a GPS—it ensures you take the right turns and avoid the typical roadblocks.
Mailshake
User Interface: Mailshake offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface that makes setting up and managing email campaigns almost second nature. Customizing email templates, performing A/B testing, and managing follow-up sequences become easy tasks. Imagine it like a well-organized desk where everything you need is within reach, making your workflow more efficient.
User Experience: Mailshake's experience centers on automation and personalization, catering to the needs of sales professionals looking to save time yet add a personal touch. Similar to having a personal assistant who can automate your routine tasks, Mailshake allows you to focus more on crafting personalized emails and less on manual processes.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When diving into email outreach, it's easy to make mistakes like lack of personalization or failing to follow up. Cleverly helps you structure email sequences to ensure your emails don't feel like spam. On the other hand, Mailshake’s A/B testing allows you to see what’s working and what’s not, helping you fine-tune your approach.
Always validate email addresses to avoid high bounce rates. Both Cleverly and Mailshake have tools for this but doing so manually ensures that your list stays updated. It's like scrubbing your window to ensure the light gets through—dirty data will only cloud your results.
Recommended Techniques
Combining platforms like Cleverly and Mailshake enhances your outreach. Use Cleverly to build and validate your contact list, then import it into Mailshake for personalized, automated email campaigns. It’s like using a sharp knife to prep your ingredients and a high-quality pan to cook them to perfection.
A/B testing different email templates in Mailshake helps you find the most effective approach. Conditional statements—like offering a special deal if a recipient opens the first email—can boost engagement. Cleverly can guide you in setting up these sequences, ensuring each step is precisely executed.
Practical Integration and Best Practices
Integrating these practices keeps your email outreach robust. If you’re also using Instantly for your cold email campaigns, Growleady, an Instantly partner, is an excellent resource. Instantly further streamlines this process, optimizing the entire workflow from A to Z. Imagine clearing hurdles with ease, staying ahead in the lead game, and achieving better results.
Incorporating email validation, A/B testing, and personalized follow-ups into your email outreach strategy allows you to maximize your efforts. Choose routes that leverage automation while maintaining a human touch, ensuring that your emails are not only delivered but also read and appreciated.
Pricing and Subscription Models
When choosing between Cleverly and Mailshake for your outreach needs, understanding their pricing and subscription models is pivotal. Both platforms offer various features, but their costs and subscription plans vary.
Mailshake Pricing and Subscription Model
Mailshake provides two main plans: Email Outreach and Sales Engagement. The pricing depends on the number of users, where each user can connect one mail account. Here's a detailed look at Mailshake's offerings:
Email Outreach Plan: $45/user/month (billed annually)
For $45 per user each month, this plan supports mail accounts from any provider, including Gmail, Outlook, and SMTP. You'll benefit from email warm-up services and get access to AI-driven email writing with SHAKEspeare. The plan includes advanced scheduling, email personalization, automated email sequences, and support for up to 5,000 recipients per campaign. Integrations with Salesforce, Pipedrive, Hubspot, and over 1,000 other tools via Zapier are available. It also features A/B testing, 5k list-cleaning credits monthly, an email deliverability setup assistant, and much more.
Cleverly Pricing and Subscription Model (Hypothetical Example)
While specific pricing details for Cleverly aren't provided here, platforms typically offer tiered pricing based on features and user count—similar to Mailshake. For instance:
Gold Plan: This might provide essential outreach features, including basic email personalization and analytics.
Platinum Plan: This could add advanced tracking, integration options, and AI-driven tools for message creation.
Teams Plan: This would likely offer comprehensive features, such as high email sending limits, dedicated support, and advanced analytics.
Practical Tips to Choose the Right Plan
Estimate Your Needs: Start by evaluating how many users will need access and how many emails you'll send monthly.
Review Features: Ensure the plan you choose includes essential features like email personalization, scheduling, and integration options.
Think Scalability: If you plan to grow your outreach efforts, consider higher-tier plans that provide additional functionality.
Consider Integrations: Check if the platform integrates with the tools you already use, such as your CRM system.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Overlooking Plan Limits: Exceeding the email limit or user count of your plan can result in additional charges. Always choose a plan that matches your projected usage.
Ignoring Integration Needs: Failing to consider which tools integrate with your outreach platform can lead to inefficient workflows. Review integration options before committing.
Forgetting Scalability: If your business grows, switching plans frequently can be disruptive. Choose a plan that can accommodate growth.
Methods to Optimize Your Outreach Strategy
Combine Platforms: Integrating other tools like Instantly and Growleady with Mailshake or Cleverly can enhance your email outreach drastically. Instantly, for example, helps automate cold emails efficiently.
Use A/B Testing: Regularly test different email content and subject lines to see what resonates best with your audience.
Personalize Emails: Avoid sending generic emails. Use the personalization features to tailor your messages to each recipient.
Set Up Automation: Take advantage of automated email sequences to streamline your outreach efforts.
Monitor Analytics: Always keep an eye on your email performance metrics to understand what's working and what needs adjustment.
Stay Updated with Features: New features and updates can significantly optimize your outreach efforts. Keep track of what’s new on your chosen platform.
Choosing the right email automation tool should align with your specific needs. Evaluating pricing plans and leveraging key features will ensure your outreach efforts are both effective and efficient.
Case Studies and User Reviews
Cleverly Case Studies
Let's jump into how Cleverly has helped businesses like LeaseLock achieve remarkable results. Their case study reveals that Cleverly helped LeaseLock generate a whopping $1 million in revenue. How did they do it? By building brand recognition on LinkedIn and executing targeted outreach campaigns. These efforts resulted in generating 386 leads and enrolling 1 million apartments. Imagine boosting your business to such heights with tailored outreach!
MailShake Case Studies
MailShake also boasts impressive success stories. Take Phil Chambers, for instance. MailShake helped him generate over $100,000 in revenue from a single campaign. That's the power of MailShake's streamlined email outreach, user-friendly interface, and powerful automation features. If you’re looking to send out a massive number of emails without breaking a sweat, MailShake could be your champion.
User Reviews
Cleverly
Cleverly has amassed hundreds of five-star reviews. Users often praise the platform for its efficiency in winning thousands of leads. Satisfied customers highlight the ease of generating meaningful connections and valuable conversations on LinkedIn. When customers feel this positive, it’s a good indicator of reliable service. If maximizing LinkedIn for lead generation sounds like your cup of tea, Cleverly could be a perfect match.
MailShake
MailShake users rave about the simplicity and effectiveness of the platform. Many users appreciate the easy email campaign management, simple user interface, and excellent personalization features. The email deliverability tools ensure that your messages land in the recipient’s inbox, while good customer support makes problem-solving a breeze. Consistent positive feedback reflects strong user satisfaction, making MailShake a trusted option for smooth email campaigns.
Common Mistakes and Practical Tips
Ignoring Personalization: One common mistake is sending generic messages. Personalizing your emails and LinkedIn messages can significantly increase response rates. For example, mention the recipient’s name and something specific about their business. A personalized touch makes recipients feel valued.
Neglecting Email Validation: Another pitfall is not validating email addresses. Invalid emails can harm your sender reputation. Use email validation tools like those offered by Instantly to ensure your emails reach the right inboxes.
Skipping A/B Testing: Many overlook the power of A/B testing. Test different subject lines and messages to see what resonates best with your audience. This practice helps refine your approach for better outcomes.
Techniques, Variations, and Methods
Automated Follow-Ups: Both Cleverly and MailShake support automated follow-ups. This feature ensures you stay on your prospects' radar without manual effort. For instance, if a recipient doesn’t reply within a week, the system can send a polite reminder.
Segmented Campaigns: Divide your audience into segments for more targeted outreach. Tailor your messages to different groups based on interests or pain points. This increases relevance and engagement.
LinkedIn vs. Email: Consider using LinkedIn for professional outreach and emails for a broader audience. LinkedIn messages can be more personal, while emails can be more scalable. Combining both can enhance your reach and effectiveness.
Integrate Platforms: Combine tools like Cleverly for LinkedIn and MailShake for email to cover more ground. Using platforms together maximizes your chances of success.
Focus on Quality Content: Ensure your messages provide value. Share insights, offer solutions, and address pain points to grab attention and build trust.
Stay Updated: Both platforms frequently update features. Staying informed about new functionalities can help you leverage the latest tools for better outreach.
Partnering with platforms like Growleady, which collaborates with Instantly, ensures you’re always ahead in the cold email game. When you combine robust tools and smart strategies, getting more leads through cold email and LinkedIn outreach becomes easier and more effective.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Tool for Your Needs
Selecting between Cleverly and MailShake depends on your specific goals and preferences. Cleverly shines with its AI-driven personalized outreach and detailed analytics, making it ideal for structured lead generation processes. On the other hand, MailShake's user-friendly interface and robust automation tools offer a seamless experience for cold email campaigns.
Both platforms have proven success stories, with Cleverly driving significant revenue for LeaseLock and MailShake delivering impressive results for Phil Chambers. User reviews further validate their effectiveness, highlighting Cleverly's efficiency and MailShake's ease of use.
To maximize your outreach efforts, focus on personalization, validate your emails, and leverage A/B testing. Integrating these tools with platforms like Growleady can enhance your lead generation strategy. Eventually, staying updated on features and continuously refining your approach will ensure you make the most of either Cleverly or MailShake.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main differences between Cleverly and MailShake?
Cleverly focuses on AI-driven message creation and personalized outreach through LinkedIn, while MailShake excels in email automation and personalization. Both offer analytics and dashboards, but Cleverly is praised for structured processes and lead generation efficiency, whereas MailShake is known for its user-friendly interface and effective campaign management.
Can you provide examples of successful campaigns using Cleverly and MailShake?
Yes! LeaseLock generated $1 million in revenue using Cleverly, and Phil Chambers earned over $100,000 from a campaign with MailShake. These case studies highlight the effectiveness of both platforms in achieving significant business results through their respective strengths.
What common mistakes should be avoided in LinkedIn lead generation and cold email outreach?
Avoiding personalization and failing to validate email addresses are common mistakes. To increase success, tailor your messages to your recipient, ensure email validity, and continuously A/B test your campaigns to find what works best.
How can I enhance my outreach campaigns?
Enhance your outreach by automating follow-ups, segmenting your campaigns, and utilizing both LinkedIn and email platforms. Keep your content high-quality, stay updated on platform features, and consider partnering with specialists like Growleady for effective lead generation through cold email and LinkedIn outreach.
Why is personalization important in outreach campaigns?
Personalization increases engagement and response rates by making your message relevant to the recipient. It shows that you've taken the time to understand their needs or interests, which can significantly improve the effectiveness of your outreach campaigns.
How do Cleverly and MailShake handle analytics?
Both platforms offer dashboards and analytics to track campaign progress and performance. Cleverly provides detailed insights into structured processes, while MailShake offers intuitive analytics to help you tweak and optimize your email campaigns for better results.
What role does A/B testing play in improving outreach?
A/B testing allows you to experiment with different subject lines, message content, and sending times to see which variations achieve the best results. This continuous testing and optimization can significantly enhance your outreach effectiveness and conversion rates.
