Speed-to-Lead Automation in Follow Up Boss

The 5-Minute Gold Standard

MIT research shows that responding to a web lead within 5 minutes makes you 21x more likely to qualify that lead versus responding at 30 minutes. After 10 minutes, the odds of qualifying drop by 400%. Most agents average 30-60 minute response times because they are driving, in meetings, or simply busy with other clients. Ace's speed-to-lead automation fires within minutes of a new lead arriving in Follow Up Boss, hitting the 5-minute benchmark regardless of what you are doing. The 15-minute maximum ensures that even during system delays, your first touch happens before the lead moves on.

Day 1: The Three-Contact Blitz

When a new lead enters Follow Up Boss, the speed-to-lead system triggers three contacts on Day 1, spaced 2 hours apart. Contact 1 (immediate, under 5 minutes): a personalized SMS acknowledging their inquiry and introducing yourself. The message references the specific property or search criteria that triggered the lead. Contact 2 (2 hours later): a personalized email with more detail — property matches based on their search, a brief market snapshot for their target area, and a clear call-to-action. Contact 3 (4 hours later): a call task created for you with a script based on the lead's inquiry details. This three-channel approach (text, email, phone) maximizes the chance of reaching the lead through their preferred communication method.

Days 2-10: The Follow-Up Sequence

After Day 1, the sequence continues with daily or near-daily touchpoints across rotating channels. Day 2: property match email. Day 3: SMS check-in. Day 4: market data email with Federal Reserve stats for their area. Day 5: call attempt. Day 6: rest day. Day 7: new listings email. Day 8: timeline-focused SMS. Day 9: call attempt with different approach. Day 10: value proposition summary email. The Cadence Engine enforces the maximum 3 contacts per day rule and quiet hours (9 PM to 8 AM). If the lead responds at any point, the automated sequence pauses and you take over with human conversation.

Cadence Engine Integration

The speed-to-lead system is governed by the Cadence Engine, which prevents over-contacting while maintaining urgency. Maximum 3 touches per day prevents spam perception. Quiet hours (9 PM to 8 AM in the lead's timezone) prevent untimely messages. Engagement-based adjustment means a lead who opens emails and clicks links gets tighter cadence (more contacts) while a lead showing zero engagement gets wider spacing to avoid annoyance. Channel rotation across 5 content types (property-focused, market-data, personal check-in, value-add, call-to-action) prevents message fatigue. If you are also running other action plans on the same contact, the Cadence Engine coordinates across all active sequences to prevent overlap.

Speed-to-Lead Prompt Workflows

Ace includes 4 speed-to-lead-specific prompt workflows. Initial Response Drafter creates the immediate SMS and follow-up email for a new lead using their inquiry data. Sequence Performance Analyzer reviews your response time metrics against the 5-minute benchmark and identifies gaps. Lead Source Speed Comparison breaks down your average response time by lead source (Zillow, Realtor.com, website, referral) to identify which sources get slow responses. Sequence Optimization suggests timing and content adjustments to your 10-day sequence based on actual engagement data from your CRM — which days and channels get the most responses from your specific leads.

Frequently Asked Questions