SMS Follow-Up Strategies: Texting Tips That Triple Lead Response Rates

Real estate agents often struggle to connect with leads at the right time. SMS follow-ups solve this problem by offering a direct and fast communication method. With a 98% open rate and responses averaging 90 seconds, texting outperforms emails and calls. Here’s what works:

• Personalization: Tailor messages to a lead’s preferences (e.g., property interests, past interactions).
• Timing: Respond within 1 minute of an inquiry for a 391% higher conversion chance. Text during peak hours (e.g., 4–7 PM).
• Automation: Tools like Ace AI integrate with Follow Up Boss to send personalized, timely texts automatically.
• Compliance: Follow legal rules like obtaining consent and offering opt-out options to avoid fines.

Ace AI simplifies SMS follow-ups by automating responses, analyzing lead data, and syncing with your CRM. This ensures faster replies, relevant messages, and fewer missed opportunities. Start by crafting short, action-oriented texts that include clear calls-to-action like “Reply YES for showing times.” Regularly track performance metrics, test message variations, and refine your strategy for better results.

How to Set Up Drip Texting in Follow Up Boss Using StreetText

Core Strategies for High-Response SMS Follow-Up

Crafting the ideal SMS follow-up means delivering the right message to the right person at the right time. Real estate agents who excel in this area see better response rates and stronger engagement with leads. The difference between a text that gets ignored and one that sparks a conversation often boils down to three main strategies: personalization, timing, and legal compliance.

Personalization: Speak Directly to Your Leads

Personalized messages resonate more because they address specific needs and interests. A generic text feels impersonal and is easy to ignore, while a tailored message makes the recipient feel like you’re speaking directly to them.

"A personalized approach in SMS real estate marketing significantly improves response rates. Messages should include the recipient's name, specific property information, and relevant details that cater to their interests." – Birdeye

Effective personalization goes beyond just using a first name. It incorporates details like a lead’s preferred neighborhood, desired home features, or past interactions. For example, instead of saying, "Hi there, any interest in viewing properties this week?" try, "Hi Sarah, a new three-bedroom home just listed in your preferred neighborhood. Would you like to schedule a tour?"

This level of detail shows that you’ve paid attention to their preferences, increasing the likelihood of a response. Tools like Ace AI make this process easier by analyzing your Follow Up Boss CRM data. The AI pulls key details - like property interests or past behavior - so you can quickly craft personalized messages without combing through every lead’s history.

Here’s a quick comparison to highlight the impact of personalization:

• Generic message: "Hello, [First Name]. This is [Agent Name] from [Real Estate Agency]. I wanted to inform you that a new property matching your criteria is available. Please let me know if you are interested. Regards, [Agent Name]"
• Personalized message: "Hey [First Name], I just found a home I think you'll love! It's in [desired location] and has [key feature they wanted]. Want to take a look? Let me know, and I’ll arrange a tour. – [Agent Name]"

The second example feels more conversational and relevant, making it much more likely to grab attention.

Timing and Frequency: Strike While the Iron’s Hot

Timing is everything when it comes to SMS follow-ups. Responding quickly to a lead inquiry can make the difference between winning their attention or losing them to another agent. Research shows that replying within one minute of an inquiry increases the chance of converting that lead by a staggering 391%. Even within five minutes, your chances are still strong, but waiting 30 minutes or longer drastically reduces your odds.

Automated SMS tools like Ace AI can respond instantly, ensuring no lead slips through the cracks, even when you're tied up with showings or meetings.

When it comes to timing, aim to send messages during peak engagement hours - typically mornings (but not too early) and late afternoons between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Avoid texting during rush hour or weekends, as these times tend to yield lower response rates.

Frequency also matters. Too few follow-ups, and leads might forget you. Too many, and you risk coming across as pushy. A good rule is to follow up no more than twice a week, gradually reducing frequency if there’s no response. Over a two-week period, aim for 3–6 follow-ups, spaced 3–5 business days apart.

Remember, persistence pays off: it often takes five contact attempts before closing a deal. Just make sure each message adds value - whether by sharing market updates, new listings, or helpful tips - rather than simply "checking in."

Legal Compliance: Protect Your Business While Communicating

Staying compliant with SMS marketing laws isn’t just about avoiding hefty fines; it’s also about maintaining a professional reputation. Real estate agents must navigate multiple regulations, with fines ranging from $500 to $1,500 per violation.

Here’s a breakdown of key compliance rules:

• TCPA Requirements: The Telephone Consumer Protection Act mandates prior express written consent before sending telemarketing texts via automated systems. This means you need clear, documented permission before adding leads to your SMS campaigns.
• CAN-SPAM Act: This law requires SMS messages to clearly identify themselves as advertisements, include a physical address, and offer an easy opt-out option.
• A2P 10DLC Registration: Registering for A2P 10DLC ensures your messages bypass carrier filters and actually reach recipients.

State-specific laws add extra layers of regulation. For instance, states like Florida, Oklahoma, and Washington impose stricter rules, such as limiting texting hours and message volume. To stay on top of these requirements, review your SMS practices regularly - quarterly updates are a good benchmark.

Practical compliance steps include:

• Obtaining written consent before sending texts.
• Registering for A2P 10DLC to avoid message filtering.
• Adding mandatory disclosures in your first message, such as your name, company, and purpose.
• Providing clear opt-out commands like "Reply STOP to unsubscribe" and honoring requests immediately.

Using a TCPA-compliant SMS platform can simplify these processes by automating consent tracking, opt-out management, and quiet-hour monitoring. This allows you to focus on crafting engaging messages without worrying about legal pitfalls.

Step-by-Step Guide to Automating SMS Follow-Ups with Ace AI

Ace AI works seamlessly with Follow Up Boss, giving you the power to automate personalized SMS follow-ups while you focus on closing deals. The setup takes less than 10 minutes, and once it's done, the system handles follow-ups automatically.

Setting Up SMS Automation in Follow Up Boss

Getting Ace AI integrated with Follow Up Boss is quick and straightforward. Once set up, your team can start using AI-driven SMS automation right away.

Initial Setup Process

To begin, your account admin should navigate to Admin > Integrations > Embedded Apps in Follow Up Boss and enable the Ace AI integration. This step connects your CRM to Ace AI.

Next, create an API key by going to Admin > API in Follow Up Boss. This key ensures secure data access. Copy the API key and paste it into Ace AI under the SETUP section to establish the connection.

Configuration and Customization

Once the API connection is active, you’ll configure Ace AI to match your team’s needs. This includes setting up team branding, assistant settings, enabling users, and crafting custom prompts to align with your communication style.

Ace AI syncs with your CRM, learning your tags, stages, action plans, and automations. This deep integration allows the system to craft SMS messages that feel natural and fit seamlessly into your workflow.

Creating Automated SMS Triggers

After setup, you can create triggers for automated SMS follow-ups. Ace AI monitors lead activity - like new inquiries, property views, or periods of inactivity - to decide when to send follow-ups.

For example, if a lead views a property, the system can automatically send a personalized message based on their activity. These messages are drafted using your CRM data and sent through Follow Up Boss texting tools without any manual effort.

With these triggers in place, you can also explore Ace AI's voice and chat features to streamline lead management even further.

Hands-Free Follow-Up with Voice and Chat Commands

Ace AI’s voice and chat features take automation a step further, helping agents manage follow-ups and update CRM records without lifting a finger. This is especially useful when you’re on the go or juggling multiple tasks.

Voice Command Functionality

Using the embedded interface in Follow Up Boss or the Ace Anywhere app, you can give voice commands to handle tasks like updating lead records, scheduling appointments, or drafting SMS messages.

For instance, after a property showing, you might say, "Add a note to Sarah Johnson’s record: she loved the kitchen but wants a bigger backyard. Schedule a follow-up call for Thursday at 2:00 PM and send her a text about similar properties with larger yards." Ace AI processes your commands, updates the CRM, and drafts the SMS automatically.

Chat-Based CRM Management

The chat feature offers instant, context-aware insights. While reviewing a lead’s profile, you can ask questions like, "What properties has this lead viewed?" or instruct it to "Draft an SMS about the new listing on Maple Street that matches their criteria."

Ace AI pulls from the lead’s communication history and preferences to provide relevant insights or draft targeted messages. This saves time and ensures your responses are on point.

Automated CRM Updates

Beyond drafting messages, Ace AI handles CRM updates automatically. It logs interactions, updates records, and even populates custom fields.

For example, if you send an SMS, Ace AI will log the interaction and update the lead’s profile accordingly. The system maintains near-perfect sync accuracy, ensuring your CRM stays reliable and up to date. Plus, sensitive data is anonymized during processing, so you can trust the system to maintain privacy.

Once your follow-ups are automated, you can focus on refining your approach by tracking performance.

Tracking and Optimizing SMS Workflows

Automation doesn’t stop at setup - it’s essential to monitor and fine-tune your SMS workflows for the best results. Ace AI provides detailed tracking and analytics to help you improve response rates and engagement over time.

Performance Analytics and Monitoring

Ace AI tracks key metrics like engagement rates, response times, and conversions. You can see how each SMS sequence performs, including open rates, click-through rates, and response patterns.

This data helps you identify which messages resonate with leads and which timing strategies work best, allowing you to fine-tune your approach.

A/B Testing Capabilities

The platform supports A/B testing, so you can experiment with different message styles, tones, and timing. For example, you could test whether leads respond better to texts sent in the morning versus the afternoon or compare formal versus casual messaging.

By testing variations, you can refine your strategy and consistently improve results. For instance, you might find that highlighting unique property features generates more interest than focusing on price.

Data-Driven Workflow Refinement

Ace AI analyzes your CRM workflows, identifying what’s working and suggesting adjustments. It learns from successful interactions and incorporates those insights into future messages.

Regularly updating your SMS sequences ensures your follow-ups stay effective, even as market conditions or lead preferences shift. By leveraging performance data, you can optimize message frequency, content, and timing, ultimately leading to better engagement and more closed deals.

This ongoing refinement turns your automated SMS follow-ups into a powerful tool for growing your business.

sbb-itb-b3b90a6

Proven Texting Tips to Maximize Engagement

The difference between a text that gets ignored and one that sparks a response often comes down to how well it’s executed. While your message will likely be seen, getting a reply requires thoughtful strategy. Here are some practical tips to craft and automate texts that encourage action.

Writing Short, Action-Oriented Messages

Real estate leads are making big decisions, so your SMS messages need to cut through the noise with clarity and purpose. The best texts follow a simple formula: personalization + value + clear next step.

Stick to 160 Characters or Less

Short texts work best because they stay within a single message. Longer ones get split, which can disrupt the flow and reduce impact. Focus on one main idea per text rather than cramming in multiple topics.

Instead of:
"Hi Sarah, I wanted to follow up on the 3-bedroom house you viewed yesterday on Maple Street. I know you mentioned wanting a larger kitchen and the granite countertops really caught your attention. I have three other similar properties that just came on the market this week that I think you'd love to see. When would be a good time to schedule showings?"

Try:
"Hi Sarah! Found 3 new homes with granite kitchens like the Maple Street property you loved. Free to see them this weekend?"

Include a Clear Call-to-Action

Every text should guide the recipient toward a specific next step. Vague phrases like "Let me know if you're interested" don’t create urgency or clarity. Instead, use direct calls-to-action like:

• "Reply YES for showing times"
• "Call me at 555-0123 to schedule"
• "Text back your availability this week"
• "Click here to view photos: [link]"

Make It Personal

Generic messages feel impersonal and are easy to ignore. Reference specific properties, preferences, or past conversations to show you’re paying attention and treating them as an individual.

Using Templates for Consistency and Speed

Once you’ve nailed down concise, action-driven messages, templates can help you stay consistent. Using tools like Ace AI, you can save time while still keeping your messages personal. The trick is to make templates feel tailored, not robotic.

Inquiry Template

"Hi [Name]! Thanks for your interest in [Property Address]. I’d love to show you the [unique feature they asked about]. Are you free for a quick showing [specific day/time]? - [Your Name]"

This works because it acknowledges their inquiry, highlights something they care about, and suggests a clear next step.

Post-Showing Follow-Up Template

"Hi [Name]! Thoughts on [Property Address]? I noticed you spent extra time in the [room/area]. Questions or want to see similar homes? - [Your Name]"

Send this within one hour of the showing to keep the property fresh in their mind and demonstrate attentiveness.

Market Update Template

"Hi [Name]! A new listing just hit the market: [Property Address]. It features [key detail matching their preferences]. Want to see it before it goes public? - [Your Name]"

This creates urgency while showing you’re keeping their preferences in mind.

Price Reduction Alert Template

"[Name] - Great news! [Property Address] just dropped to $[New Price] (was $[Old Price]). This won’t last long. Ready to make an offer? - [Your Name]"

Highlighting price drops is a natural way to create urgency and show you’re looking out for their best interests.

Open House Invitation Template

"Hi [Name]! Open house this [Day] from 1-3 PM at [Address]. Perfect for your [specific need they mentioned]. See you there? - [Your Name]"

Open houses provide a low-pressure opportunity for leads to explore properties while addressing their specific needs.

Engaging Leads Without Overwhelming Them

SMS marketing can be incredibly effective, with an average response rate of about 45%. However, it’s important to strike the right balance between visibility and brevity.

Stick to a Consistent Schedule

A regular texting schedule - like Monday through Friday - helps build trust and ensures your communication feels reliable. Reserve weekends for urgent updates or responses to lead-initiated messages. Avoid texting during rush hours (7–9 AM, 5–6 PM) or late at night, as these can feel intrusive.

Give Them Breathing Room

Even responsive leads need space. For non-urgent messages, wait at least 24 hours before following up. Active buyers may appreciate daily updates with new listings, while less engaged leads might prefer weekly insights.

Focus on Value

Every text should provide something useful, whether it’s a new listing, a market update, or a helpful tip. Mixing in helpful content - like advice on home maintenance or neighborhood updates - positions you as more than just a salesperson.

Pay Attention to Their Responses

If a lead takes days to reply or sends short, uninterested responses, scale back your communication. On the flip side, leads who respond quickly and ask questions may welcome more frequent updates.

According to Textellent, real estate agents should send daily updates to active buyers tailored to their preferences, while less active buyers benefit from weekly market insights. Post-showing follow-ups should always be sent within one hour to maximize impact.

The key is treating each lead as an individual with unique needs and preferences. With the help of Ace AI’s automation tools, you can keep your communication consistent and engaging without overwhelming your audience. Next, we’ll explore how to use data to refine these strategies and improve results.

Measuring and Improving SMS Follow-Up Performance

If you want to boost your response rates, tracking performance and refining your SMS strategy is key. Follow Up Boss offers robust reporting tools to help you identify what’s working and where you can improve.

Tracking Key Metrics in Follow Up Boss

Follow Up Boss provides detailed reports on SMS performance, tracking essential metrics like delivery rates, texts sent and received, opt-outs, and messages blocked by carriers.

Key SMS Metrics to Watch

Your delivery rate is the backbone of effective SMS outreach. Follow Up Boss uses these benchmarks to help you gauge your performance:

• Excellent: 97–100%
• Good: 95–96%
• Low: 90–94%
• Very Low: Below 89%

If your delivery rate dips below 95%, it’s time to revisit your messaging. Common issues include using link shorteners, sharing Google Drive links, or triggering spam filters with overly promotional language.

Another helpful tool is the Text Template Performance Score, which ranks your SMS templates on a bell curve based on global reply rates:

• Excellent (71–100): Top-tier effectiveness
• Good (30–70): Above average
• Needs Review (0–29): Templates that require immediate adjustments

Beyond these, Follow Up Boss tracks broader stats like the percentage of new leads, conversion rates, and average response time. Quick responses matter - reaching out within the first hour increases your chances of securing a contract by seven times. Once you’ve analyzed these metrics, start testing your messages to see what drives the best engagement.

A/B Testing SMS Templates

A/B testing is an excellent way to fine-tune your SMS campaigns. By comparing two versions of the same message, you can figure out what resonates most with your audience.

Setting Up Effective Tests

First, segment your audience and randomly divide them into two groups for testing. Focus on small but impactful tweaks, like adjusting call-to-action phrases, message length, or sending times.

For real estate professionals, useful A/B test scenarios might include:

• Message length: Compare a concise 80-character message with a longer 160-character version.
• Call-to-action placement: Test placing “Reply YES for showing times” at the beginning versus the end.
• Personalization: Try generic property updates versus messages tailored to specific preferences.
• Send timing: Experiment with morning messages (9–11 AM) versus afternoon ones (2–4 PM).

Measuring Test Results

Define your goal upfront - are you optimizing for response rates, appointment bookings, or lead progression? Let your objective guide which version wins.

"A/B testing is not just for immediate optimization. It's also for informing future marketing decisions based on precise audience preferences and behaviors."
– Ricky Hagen, Retention Marketing Manager, JAXXON

"The key to scaling your SMS program is through A/B testing! It's the only way to truly measure what your audience responds to."
– Keyshawna Johnson, Head of Retention Marketing, Avenue Z

Refining Workflows with Data-Driven Insights

Once you’ve crafted personalized messages and nailed your timing, use data insights to further enhance your SMS strategy. Follow Up Boss provides the tools to identify and address problem areas, ensuring your follow-up process stays effective.

Spotting Problem Areas

Pay attention to templates flagged with warning icons in Follow Up Boss, as these often indicate carrier filtering issues. Messages with spam triggers or insufficient personalization are common culprits. Fix these by including the agent’s name, company details, and a clear reason for reaching out in your initial SMS.

Keep an eye on opt-out rates as well. A sudden spike might mean you’re texting too often or failing to deliver value. Use smart lists to target active contacts and tailor your messages to those who expect to hear from you.

Optimizing Based on Performance Data

Templates with a "Needs Review" score (0–29) demand immediate changes. Some quick fixes include:

• Adding personalization based on lead preferences
• Removing language that triggers spam filters
• Using clearer calls-to-action
• Adjusting send times to better align with lead behavior

Leveraging AI for Better Results

Follow Up Boss’s Smart Messages feature offers AI-driven suggestions tailored to each lead. While these should always be reviewed before sending, they can inspire new approaches to test.

For even more efficiency, Ace AI automates tasks like logging calls, creating reminders, and drafting personalized messages using CRM data. This keeps your SMS follow-ups aligned with your overall lead management strategy, freeing you up to focus on higher-priority tasks.

Building Feedback Loops

Establish regular review cycles - weekly for active campaigns and monthly for overall strategy. Look for patterns in your top-performing templates and apply those insights to weaker ones. Also, track how SMS performance ties into broader metrics like deal progress and conversion rates.

Since most SMS messages are read within three minutes, timing is critical. Use your data to determine the best times and frequencies for different lead types, ensuring your messages hit when they’re most likely to spark action.

Conclusion: Mastering SMS Follow-Up with Ace AI

Refining your SMS follow-up strategy with a mix of proven methods and smart tools can make a real difference in how effectively you connect with leads. When done right, SMS follow-up becomes a game-changer, significantly improving lead response rates. By combining Follow Up Boss's texting features with Ace AI's intelligent automation, real estate agents can strengthen their relationship-building efforts with prospects.

The secret sauce here is striking the right balance between automation and a personal touch. Follow Up Boss and Ace AI work together to send automated messages that still feel personal, leveraging data from your CRM to craft texts that resonate. This integration underscores the importance of blending efficiency with authenticity in real estate communication.

The results speak for themselves. In 2024, Keller Williams agents saw a 28% increase in lead conversions, responded to inquiries 21 times faster, and achieved up to 35% higher conversion rates. These aren’t minor tweaks - they’re impactful changes that can directly influence your revenue.

From personalized messaging and perfect timing to fine-tuned workflows, these strategies shine when paired with the right technology. Ace AI’s voice and chat commands let you update records effortlessly, while its insight-driven messaging ensures every interaction is on point. Starting at $25 per user per month for embedded chat or $55 per user per month for the full voice and chat experience, these tools integrate seamlessly into your system, as outlined in this guide.

Consistency and value are the backbone of success. With half of secondary sales happening after the fifth touchpoint, a strong SMS follow-up strategy must be both persistent and engaging. Ace AI and Follow Up Boss make it easier to stay consistent by automating repetitive tasks while ensuring your messages remain relevant and personal.

Now’s the time to take action. Set up your templates in Follow Up Boss, configure Ace AI for routine updates, and monitor your performance metrics. By doing so, you’ll position yourself to stay ahead in a competitive market and turn more leads into loyal clients.

FAQs

How does Ace AI make SMS follow-ups more personalized for real estate marketing?

Ace AI takes automation to the next level by creating personalized SMS follow-ups tailored to each client’s specific interactions and their current stage in the real estate journey. By carefully analyzing client behavior and preferences, it ensures that every message feels timely, relevant, and perfectly suited to their needs.

This smart strategy allows real estate agents to deepen their connections with clients, address concerns more effectively, and increase engagement - all without spending extra hours crafting individual messages.

What legal guidelines should real estate agents follow for SMS marketing, and how can they stay compliant?

Real estate agents need to follow strict legal rules to keep their SMS marketing compliant. First and foremost, written consent is a must before sending any marketing texts. Every message should also include a clear opt-out option to allow recipients to stop receiving texts if they choose. Timing matters too - texts should only be sent between 9:00 AM and 8:00 PM to avoid disrupting recipients outside of reasonable hours.

Agents must comply with federal laws like the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), which requires explicit consent for automated messages. Staying updated on legal changes is essential, such as the 2025 rule that will require individual written consent for automated communications. By prioritizing transparency and respecting recipients’ preferences, agents can build trust while staying on the right side of the law.

What are the best ways for real estate agents to use A/B testing to improve their SMS follow-up strategies?

Real estate agents can leverage A/B testing to fine-tune their SMS follow-up strategies by experimenting with various aspects of their messages - like the tone, timing, or placement of the call-to-action. For instance, you could test whether a more conversational tone outperforms a formal one, or whether sending messages in the morning gets better response rates than in the afternoon.

Start by creating small test groups and tracking key metrics such as open rates, response rates, or click-through rates. By analyzing the results, you'll gain a clearer understanding of what resonates with your leads, allowing you to tweak your messaging for better engagement.