Communication
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      Texting Overview

      Overview 

      SMS text messaging is the most effective form of communication, and can help convert new internet leads into hot appointments and sales conversions.

      Texting Statistics to Keep in Mind

      • 98% of text messages are opened and read, regardless of the sending number. Be sure to mention who you are when you initially text your leads!
      • 62% of all home buyers prefer to receive property info through text messaging
      • Text messages have a 45% response rate, compared to 6% for email

       

      Setup Texting through Real Geeks

      To start using the Texting feature in Real Geeks, you must first set up the tool. This process takes less than 5 minutes to complete, and will help you with: 

      • Set up of your CRM's Texting Number
      • Set up  your CRM's Sign Up Responder Texts. These are automated texts that are sent to your leads when they sign up through your website
      • Establish Office Hours when automated communication is delivered to leads
      1. Go to you Text Messaging Settings , and click Start Here
      2. Press Start to initiate the Text Messaging Setup
      3. Agree to the Texting Terms of Service, then click Enable
      4. Enter your desired Area Code, then click Search
      5. Click Reserve next to a randomly generated Texting Number
        • This number will be the number your leads receive the text message from on their phones
      6. Select one of our expert-crafted Auto texts for Buyer leads
        • This can always be changed later
      7. Select an Auto Text message for Seller Leads
        • This can always be changed later
      8. Select how quickly your Auto Texts are sent to your leads
        • Experts recommend you stay below 5 minutes for a response
      9. Enter your team's personal phone numbers under User Call Routing
        • If a lead calls your Real Geeks Texting Number, the call will be forwarded to their assigned agent's phone
      10. Click Save

       

      Select a CRM Texting Number

      In order to send an SMS Text through the Real Geeks CRM, you must set up a "Texting Number."

      This will be the number that your leads will see on their phone when you text them through the Real Geeks CRM. 

      When a lead calls this number, the User Call Routing system will route the phone call directly to the lead's Assigned Agent . This means agents will never miss a call from their leads! 

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      Add your team's phone numbers to the User Call Routing, so you never miss a call!

      Steps to Choose a New Texting Number

      1. Visit the Text Messaging Tool
      2. Click Add Number
      3. Enter your preferred Area Code and click Search
      4. Browse the list of numbers. Select Reserve next to your chosen number

      Find the perfect CRM Texting number for your team with one of the following options:

      • State (US) or Province (Canada)
      • Local or Toll-Free
      • Numbers that contain a specific word or number
        • this helps with simplifying how customers can remember your texting number
        • Example: "972-555-SELL (7355)"

       

      How to Send a Text

      Initiate text conversation with leads in your Leads List page of the CRM by clicking SMS next to your target lead. 

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      You can also send an SMS Text to a lead by: 

      1. Click your Lead's name to open their profile page in the CRM
      2. Select SMS
      3. Select Open SMS

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      Text Notifications

      Receive notifications to your phone, email or through the CRM Mobile App to know when a lead responds to your text message. 

      Customize Text Notifications

      Go to the Lead Notifications page (Settings > Notifications) and select your preferred Notification Preference level. 

      All of our Notification Preferences will include notifications by email, text message and your CRM mobile app (Learn More ) to be instantly notified when a lead sends you a text through Real Geeks. 

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      Signup Responder Templates

      Automatically engage your lead through SMS text after they sign up on your website with the Signup Responder Template tool.

       

      Customize Sign Up Responder Texts

      Go to the Sign Up Responder page (Comms > Templates > Sign Up Responder Texts) 

      These messages are sent out automatically based on the lead's source. Source tells you where the lead originated from, and can be used to identify leads that want to buy or sell a home.

      Lead Sources & Matching Source Type:

      Use the list below to automatically send text messages to leads that are added to your CRM, through the website or with any of our Third Party Integrations !

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      Website Property Search Website Coming Soon Landing Page Website Property Landing Page Website Property Valuation Website Property Valuation Agent Landing Page Website Agent Landing Page RG FB Tool Lead Ad Facebook Leads Ads Website Custom Capture Form

       

      Signup Responder Library 

      Access a library of free message templates, that can be used for Free! You are free to edit the message as much as needed to make the message your own. 

      Learn More:

      1. Go to the Sign Up Responder Text page (Comms > Templates > Sign Up Responder Texts)
      2. Click Library
      3. Choose your template message
      4. Select Add to use the template as-written, or Add & Edit to personalize your message 

      Click Edit to change your message at any time, or delete to completely remove the message from your library.

       

      Create a New Sign Up Responder Text Message

      1. Go to the Sign Up Responder Texts page (Comms > Templates > Sign Up Responder Texts)
      2. Click Create New
      3. Select the Source that triggers when the message will be sent
        • See list above
      4. Enter your text in the Message field
        • Use the list of Merge Fields to insert data that will auto-populate data for your lead. This will personalize every message to be unique for each lead
        • Example: Use  to place the lead's First name in your text
      5. Check the box for Enabled (if it's not already checked)
      6. Click Save

       

      Text Templates

      Create a message that addresses your leads, and save time by selecting a pre-saved message from your template library. 

      This resource gives you quick access to your own custom library of message templates, that can be used whenever is appropriate for you. 

      Text Template Library

      1. Go to the Text Templates page (Comms > Templates > Texts)
      2. Click Library
      3a. Select Add & Edit to customize the message
      3b. Click Add to use the message as-is 

      Click Edit to edit your template at any time, or delete to completely remove the message from your library.

       

      Create a New Text Template 

      1. Go to the Text Templates page (Comms > Templates > Texts)
      2. Click Create New
      3. Enter the Name of your message
        1. This name is how you identify the message, so it's recommended to make this short and descriptive
      4. Enter your text in the Message field
        • Select Add Video to record a video in real-time, or upload a custom video, that will be sent to the lead. Click Here to learn more about video messaging with Real Geeks
        • Use the list of Merge Fields to insert data that will auto-populate data for your lead. This will personalize every message to be unique for each lead
        • Example: Use  to place the lead's First name in your text
      5. Click Save

       

      How to Use Text Templates

      To access your text templates: 

      1. Click SMS
      2. Use the Templates icon to select your template
      3. Select the Template Name. The full message will appear in the Message Box
        • This opportunity lets you make any necessary adjustments to your message
      4. Click Send

       

      FAQ

      What is the character limit for text messages?

      The CRM Texting character limit is 1024 characters.

      Best Practices Say:

      140 characters or less. Some cellphones may break up larger messages which can result in incomplete or broken up messages. This can sometimes lead to messages being sent out of order, and confusing your leads.

       

      I think someone else is using our text number to contact people

      In the event you believe someone outside of your company is using your text messaging number to contact people, please notify us immediately and include as much detailed information about the issue as possible including the affected texting number.

      We will contact our third-party texting service to investigate whether or not your number has been compromised. In the meantime, you will also want to replace the texting number to stop the malicious activity. The chances of this happening are very rare.