# Research a prospect, then add them to an Instantly campaign

Source: https://mcpforgtm.com/recipes/research-prospect-instantly (StackMCP, independent directory of official MCP servers)

## Goal

SDRs and founders who send cold email and want one researched, personalized first line per lead before it goes into a sequence.

## Connected tools

- Perplexity: https://api.perplexity.ai/mcp (setup: https://mcpforgtm.com/tools/perplexity)
- Apollo: https://mcp.apollo.io/mcp (setup: https://mcpforgtm.com/tools/apollo)
- Instantly: https://mcp.instantly.ai/mcp (setup: https://mcpforgtm.com/tools/instantly)

## Guardrails

- Use only facts you can cite with a link, and show the links.
- No flattery and no guessed details about the person.
- Show me the Instantly payload and only add the lead after I approve it.
- Only add leads to a paused campaign.

## Steps

1. Find the VP of Sales at {company} in Apollo and enrich their work email.
2. Use Perplexity to research {company}: recent news, funding, hiring, and anything the VP has posted publicly in the last 90 days. Cite sources.
3. Write one personalized opening line based on the research. No flattery and no made-up facts.
4. List my Instantly campaigns. Show me the payload for adding this lead to the campaign I pick, with the opening line in a custom variable. Add it only after I approve it.

## Expected output

Research notes and an opening line for one prospect. Example (all names fictional):

```
Prospect: Priya Raman, VP of Sales, Fernhill Software (fictional)
Email: priya.raman@fernhill.example (verified)

What changed recently (with sources):
- Series B announced 6 weeks ago; press release says the money goes to 'doubling the sales team' [1]
- 11 open SDR roles on the careers page [2]
- Priya posted about ramp time for new reps 3 weeks ago [3]

Opening line:
"Saw Fernhill is hiring 11 SDRs after the Series B. Your post on ramp time made me think the
first 90 days are where you'll feel it most."

Ready to add to campaign 'Q4 Fintech, paused'. Payload shown below. Add it?
```

## Watch for

- Invented personalization: The model may 'remember' a podcast or post that doesn't exist. Require a source link for every fact used in the opening line, and delete any line whose source you can't open.
- Wrong person: Similarly named VPs, or someone who changed jobs last month, get matched confidently. Confirm the title and company against a second source before writing.
- The lead starts receiving email immediately: Adding a lead to an active campaign can trigger sending. Only add leads to a paused campaign, and read the payload first.
- Stale news: Search results can include year-old funding news. Ask for the date next to each item, and ignore anything older than 90 days.