--- title: Setting Up and Managing Email and Text Auto-Responders for Leads description: Learn how to create, activate, deactivate, and edit email and text auto-responders in Sierra Interactive CRM. Includes setup requirements for text messaging via the Sierra Dialer. image: https://www.sierrainteractive.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Website-Preview-V2A.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter/setting-up-and-managing-email-and-text-auto-responders-for-leads#main-content) [Contact Support](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) [![Sierra Interactive logo](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/hs-fs/hubfs/sierra%20interactive%20logo.png?width=250&height=34&name=sierra%20interactive%20logo.png)](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter?hsLang=en) - [Sierra CRM Login](https://client.sierrainteractivedev.com/login.aspx?sn=sierrainteractive.com) - [Sierra Support](https://share.hsforms.com/1-PkIvKPkRJ2Oe4iP28LPugcrxj0?__hstc=240356316.ca34a03f98730f420ad639300528f2a2.1764955183725.1783970890126.1783975123568.351&__hssc=240356316.31.1783975123568&__hsfp=3cbed2008eb4c720102b6f72b9dd6767) - [Training & Learning](https://info.sierrainteractive.com/live-training-learning-opportunities) Show submenu for Training & Learning - [Sierra Academy](https://info.sierrainteractive.com/sierra-academy) - [Live Training Sessions](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter/join-live-training-sessions-explore-sierra-learning-resources) Show submenu for Live Training Sessions - [Tuesdays 11AM ET](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81520282538) - [Wednesdays 1:30PM ET](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84246589732) - [Fridays 3PM ET](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86964951435) - [Sierra YouTube Channel](https://www.youtube.com/@sierrainteractive/featured) - [Sierra Facebook Mastermind](https://www.facebook.com/groups/sierrainteractive) - [Referral Dashboard](https://www.sierrainteractive.com/customer-referral-dashboard/) - [Operations & Closures](https://info.sierrainteractive.com/sierra-interactive-observed-holidays) - [System Status](https://status.sierrainteractive.com/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Sierra CRM Login](https://client.sierrainteractivedev.com/login.aspx?sn=sierrainteractive.com) - [Sierra Support](https://share.hsforms.com/1-PkIvKPkRJ2Oe4iP28LPugcrxj0?__hstc=240356316.ca34a03f98730f420ad639300528f2a2.1764955183725.1783970890126.1783975123568.351&__hssc=240356316.31.1783975123568&__hsfp=3cbed2008eb4c720102b6f72b9dd6767) - [Training & Learning](https://info.sierrainteractive.com/live-training-learning-opportunities) Show submenu for Training & Learning - [Sierra Academy](https://info.sierrainteractive.com/sierra-academy) - [Live Training Sessions](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter/join-live-training-sessions-explore-sierra-learning-resources) Show submenu for Live Training Sessions - [Tuesdays 11AM ET](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81520282538) - [Wednesdays 1:30PM ET](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84246589732) - [Fridays 3PM ET](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86964951435) - [Sierra YouTube Channel](https://www.youtube.com/@sierrainteractive/featured) - [Sierra Facebook Mastermind](https://www.facebook.com/groups/sierrainteractive) - [Referral Dashboard](https://www.sierrainteractive.com/customer-referral-dashboard/) - [Operations & Closures](https://info.sierrainteractive.com/sierra-interactive-observed-holidays) - [System Status](https://status.sierrainteractive.com/) - [Contact Support](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter/kb-tickets/new) Search Help Center - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Help Center](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter?hsLang=en) 2. [Lead Generation & Capture](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter/lead-generation-capture?hsLang=en) 3. [Email Marketing & Automation](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter/lead-generation-capture?hsLang=en#email-marketing-automation) September 8, 2026 # Setting Up and Managing Email and Text Auto-Responders for Leads ## Send automatic email and text replies to new leads the moment they come in with the Sierra Interactive CRM. ### Table of Contents 1. [Before You Begin](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter/setting-up-and-managing-email-and-text-auto-responders-for-leads#before) 2. [Access Auto-Responders](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter/setting-up-and-managing-email-and-text-auto-responders-for-leads#access) 3. [Edit an Auto-Responder](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter/setting-up-and-managing-email-and-text-auto-responders-for-leads#edit) 4. [Activate or Deactivate an Auto-Responder](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter/setting-up-and-managing-email-and-text-auto-responders-for-leads#active) 5. [Connect Auto-Responders to Lead Routing](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter/setting-up-and-managing-email-and-text-auto-responders-for-leads#connect) 6. [Best Practices](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter/setting-up-and-managing-email-and-text-auto-responders-for-leads#best) 7. [Troubleshooting Common Issues](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter/setting-up-and-managing-email-and-text-auto-responders-for-leads#issue) 8. [FAQs](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter/setting-up-and-managing-email-and-text-auto-responders-for-leads#faq) --- ### Before You Begin Depending on which auto-responder types you want to use, confirm the following prerequisites are in place: | Requirement | Needed For | Setup Guide | | --- | --- | --- | | Sierra Dialer enabled at the account level | Text auto-responders | Mastering the Sierra Dialer | | Sierra Dialer connected at the user level | Text auto-responders | [Getting Started with Your Sierra Dialer (Agent Guide)](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter/getting-started-with-your-sierra-dialer-agent-guide?hsLang=en) | | Email account connected in your user profile | Email auto-responders | [Connect Your Email to Sierra](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter/connect-your-email-to-sierra-for-seamless-communication?hsLang=en) | [back to the top](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter/setting-up-and-managing-email-and-text-auto-responders-for-leads#top) --- ### Access Auto-Responders 1. Click the **gear icon** in the upper-right corner of your Sierra CRM. 2. Select **Auto Responders**. ![gear\_auto\_responder](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/hs-fs/hubfs/gear_auto_responder.png?width=391&height=404&name=gear_auto_responder.png) [back to the top](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter/setting-up-and-managing-email-and-text-auto-responders-for-leads#top) --- ### Edit an Auto-Responder From the **Auto Responders** dashboard: 1. Locate the auto-responder you want to change. 2. Click **Edit**.![autoresponder\_edit](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/hs-fs/hubfs/autoresponder_edit.png?width=670&height=244&name=autoresponder_edit.png) 3. Update the email content, text message content, or both. 1. Fill in your message content. - For **text messages**: You can configure up to two messages per auto-responder. - **Message 1** — sent immediately or can be delayed - **Message 2** — optional; can be delayed 1–20 minutes after Message 1 ![autoresponder\_text](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/hs-fs/hubfs/autoresponder_text.png?width=323&height=255&name=autoresponder_text.png) 4. Save your changes. 💡When drafting your messages, use [merge fields](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter/how-to-use-merge-fields-to-streamline-communication-and-drive-results?hsLang=en) to save time and personalize your messages. [back to the top](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter/setting-up-and-managing-email-and-text-auto-responders-for-leads#top) --- ### Activate or Deactivate an Auto-Responder From the **Auto Responders** dashboard: 1. Locate the auto-responder you want to update. 2. Toggle its status to **Active** or **Inactive**. ![autoresponder\_activate](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/hs-fs/hubfs/autoresponder_activate.png?width=309&height=324&name=autoresponder_activate.png) ⚠️ An auto-responder will not send unless it is marked **Active** and either selected in your Lead Routing Rules or triggered by a listing page form [back to the top](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter/setting-up-and-managing-email-and-text-auto-responders-for-leads#top) --- ### Connect Auto-Responders to Lead Routing Auto-responders work in two ways depending on where the lead comes from. **Standard leads (via Lead Routing Rules)** For most lead sources, auto-responders are triggered through your [Lead Routing Rules](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter/configuring-lead-routing-rules-for-your-team?hsLang=en): 1. Open the Lead Routing Rule you want to update. 2. In the auto-responder setting, select **Use Corresponding Auto-Responder (When Active)**.![auto\_responder\_routing](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/hs-fs/hubfs/auto_responder_routing.png?width=591&height=416&name=auto_responder_routing.png) 3. Save the rule. **Listing Detail Page forms (automatic)** If a lead submits a **Request More Info** or **Schedule a Showing** form on a listing detail page, the corresponding auto-responder fires automatically no Lead Routing Rule configuration needed as long as the auto-responder is active. [back to the top](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter/setting-up-and-managing-email-and-text-auto-responders-for-leads#top) --- ### Best Practices - Keep text messages short and action-oriented. Leads are more likely to respond to a clear next step. - Use a warm, conversational tone in email auto-responders; avoid sounding templated. - Test different delays for Message 2 (try 5, 10, and 15 minutes) to find what improves engagement for your audience. - Review and refresh your auto-responder copy periodically. - Confirm your auto-responders are active before launching a new lead source or campaign. --- ### Troubleshooting Common Issues - **Auto-responder not sending** Confirm the auto-responder is set to **Active**. If it's tied to a lead routing rule, verify the rule is configured to use it. See [Configuring Lead Routing Rules](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter/configuring-lead-routing-rules-for-your-team?hsLang=en). - **Text message not delivered** Confirm the Sierra Dialer is enabled at the account level and that the sending user has connected their profile to the Dialer. - **Email auto-responder not sending** Confirm the sending user has connected their email account in their Sierra profile. See [Connect Your Email to Sierra](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter/connect-your-email-to-sierra-for-seamless-communication?hsLang=en). [back to the top](https://help.sierrainteractive.com/helpcenter/setting-up-and-managing-email-and-text-auto-responders-for-leads#top) --- ### FAQs - **Can I send both an email and a text auto-responder for the same lead?** Yes. As long as both are created, active, and selected in your Lead Routing Rules (or triggered by a listing page form), both will send. - **How many text messages can I include in one auto-responder?** Up to two. Message 1 sends immediately; Message 2 is optional and can be delayed 1–20 minutes. - **Do I need to configure Lead Routing Rules for listing page auto-responders?** No. Auto-responders tied to **Request More Info** and **Schedule a Showing** forms fire automatically when active — no routing rule required. - **How do I turn off auto-responders?**  You will need to toggle the auto-responder to "inactive." 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