What Is a Sales Cadence?

Definition

A sales cadence is a structured, repeatable sequence of outreach touches — calls, emails, social, voicemails — spaced over a set period to engage a prospect. Cadences make prospecting consistent and persistent, so reps follow a proven rhythm instead of giving up after one or two attempts.

Key takeaways

  • A cadence is a planned sequence of outreach touches over time.
  • It enforces persistence — most replies come after multiple attempts.
  • The cadence is the plan; a tool like HubSpot Sequences executes it.

What a cadence includes

  • Channels — calls, emails, LinkedIn, voicemails.
  • Number of touches and the spacing between them.
  • Messaging tailored to each step.

Cadence vs sequence

A cadence is the methodology — the planned rhythm of outreach. A sequence (like HubSpot Sequences) is the software that automates executing it. You design the cadence, then build it as a sequence so reps run it consistently.

Frequently asked questions

What is a sales cadence?

A structured, repeatable sequence of outreach touches across channels, spaced over time, designed to persistently engage a prospect.

What's the difference between a cadence and a sequence?

A cadence is the planned outreach rhythm; a sequence is the tool that automates running it. The cadence is the strategy, the sequence the execution.

How many touches should a cadence have?

It varies, but effective B2B cadences usually span multiple channels and many touches over a few weeks — most replies come well after the first attempt.

Related service: Build cadences in HubSpot

Related terms