I want to instantly engage a new lead. What tool should I use?

Use **Lead Routing**. It is designed for immediate, automated engagement as soon as a new lead enters your system. You can set up rules to assign the lead and trigger an initial text or email.

I need to send a one-time message to a large group of leads. What is the best tool?

Use **Mass Text & Email**. This tool is ideal for sending announcements, market updates, or targeted messages to a filtered list of contacts simultaneously. It is not for automated, sequential follow-up.

I want to automate long-term follow-up for my leads. Which tool is right?

Use **Action Plans**. These are sequences of automated tasks, emails, and texts that are dripped to a lead over a period of days, weeks, or months. They are perfect for nurturing leads that aren't ready to transact immediately.

I need to make a lot of phone calls efficiently. What should I use?

Use the **Dialer**. It allows you to create a call list and move through your calls systematically, with features to log notes, drop pre-recorded voicemails, and send follow-up texts, maximizing your one-on-one phone outreach.

Choosing the Right Communication Tool to Engage and Convert Leads

Why This Feature Matters
Quick Comparison Matrix
Best Practices for Building a Nurture Funnel
Pro Tips
FAQs
Related Resources

Summary

Sierra provides several communication tools—Drip Campaigns, Traditional Action Plans, Fully Automated Action Plans, E-Alerts, and Market Updates. Each serves a different purpose in engaging leads, from real-time property alerts to long-term nurture emails. This guide helps you quickly compare their features, audiences, and triggers, then apply best practices for building a well-rounded communication strategy.

Why This Feature Matters

Choosing the right tool (or mix of tools) impacts how effectively you:

Respond to new leads with timely, automated touches.
Balance automation and personal outreach with the right mix of channels.
Keep buyers and sellers engaged across their entire lifecycle.
Maximize efficiency by letting the system handle repetitive tasks while you focus on closing deals.

Quick Comparison Matrix

Feature	Drip Campaigns	Traditional Action Plans	Fully Automated Action Plans	E-Alerts	Market Updates
Use Case	Sphere/past client email nurture	Multi-channel, semi-automated follow-up	High-efficiency, hands-free nurturing	Real-time listing updates	Ongoing local market activity for sellers
Trigger Type	Scheduled by start date or fixed calendar dates	Start date or completion of prior steps	All steps are auto-executed (no manual processing needed)	Property match from saved searches	Market trend match based on seller’s area
Delivery Method	Email	Multi-channel (email, text, onsite msg, call, tasks)	Multi-channel (email, text, voicemail)	Email	Email

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Best Practices for Building a Nurture Funnel

Combine for Full Lifecycle Coverage
- E-Alerts: Engage new buyers with real-time listing updates.
- Market Updates: Keep seller leads informed on local activity.
- Fully Automated Action Plans: Ensure instant, hands-free outreach to new leads.
- Traditional Action Plans: Blend automation with personal tasks like calls or texts.
- Drip Campaigns: Stay top-of-mind with sphere/past clients using newsletters or evergreen emails.
Pause or Prioritize Based on Lead Activity
- Use Smart Filters or Tags to shift leads between campaigns.
- Pause Drip Campaigns if a lead starts engaging with Action Plans or E-Alerts.
Match Messaging Variety to Intent
- Use calls and texts in Action Plans for high-intent buyers/sellers.
- Use Drip Campaigns for light-touch, long-term follow-up.
- Personalize Onsite Messages so they appear when leads are actively browsing.

Pro Tips

Use tags (Buyer/Seller/Hot Lead, etc.) to trigger the right plan automatically.
Layer communication: a lead might get an E-Alert in the morning, a task-triggered text that afternoon, and a drip campaign email on a holiday—all coordinated, not duplicated.
Preview Action Plan calendars to avoid overwhelming leads with too many touches.

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FAQs

Q: Can I include phone calls or tasks in a drip campaign?
A: No. Drip Campaigns are email-only. Use a Traditional Action Plan for calls, tasks, or multi-channel outreach.

Q: Which plans pause automatically when a lead replies?
A: Drip Campaigns and Fully Automated Action Plans auto-pause on replies.

Q: Can I mix manual and automated steps?
A: Yes, but only in Traditional Action Plans.

Q: Where do I set up voicemail drops?
A: In the Voice Messages Manager, used exclusively with Fully Automated Action Plans.