Texting Guide for Lead Generation

Generating leads means making every first contact count. Whether you are nurturing inbound prospects, reactivating old lists, or following up on form submissions, speed and personalization matter.

TextUs helps sales and marketing teams connect with leads instantly using clear, data-driven SMS that can turn interest into booked meetings.

How TextUs Fits Lead Generation Workflows

TextUs Campaigns can reach segmented lead lists from your CRM or marketing automation tool with short, action-oriented messages. You can attach PDFs or images like product one-pagers, case studies, or event invites so prospects can see value fast.

Keywords like DEMO, INFO, or START can route replies into short Sequences that acknowledge interest and can send links or follow-ups automatically.

Replies appear in the Shared Inbox where SDRs, AEs, and marketers can assign ownership and respond using templates. Integrations can sync messages and contacts to your CRM so every conversation is logged.

You can monitor deliveries, replies, and clicks, then export CSVs to measure meetings booked and pipeline created.

What to Set Up First

Connect your CRM so lists, contacts, and conversations can sync both ways. Register 10DLC numbers and keep opt-out handling active so STOP and UNSUBSCRIBE can process automatically. Align messaging with compliance and branding guidelines to stay consistent.

Create templates for high-volume moments, including initial outreach, qualification, demo scheduling, and follow-up. Assign Shared Inbox coverage by region or segment so replies can get fast attention.

Build audience segments such as New Inbound Leads, Reactivations, Event Registrants, and Cold Prospects. Smaller lists can improve personalization and performance.

How to Create an SMS Campaign With TextUs

1. Choose your audience: Open Campaigns in TextUs and select a segment from your CRM, such as “New Leads From Landing Page.” This can make sure your messages reach engaged prospects.
2. Write your message: Keep it short and specific. Example: “Hi {{first_name}}, saw your interest in [Product]. Want to see how it works in 10 minutes? Reply DEMO for times.”
3. Attach media: Add a one-pager, case study, or quick intro PDF. Attachments can help leads see value before booking.
4. Set up an A/B test: Create a second version with a different opener or CTA to test tone. Compare reply and demo-booking rates.
5. Schedule your campaign: Send during business hours in each time zone. Use recurrence for nurture sequences or event follow-ups.
6. Create a keyword: Add a keyword such as DEMO, INFO, or YES and reference it in your message. When a lead replies, TextUs can handle the response automatically.
7. Link to a sequence: Connect the keyword to a two-step sequence. Example: “Step 1: Send the booking link. Step 2: Follow up in 24 hours if there’s no response.”
8. Send and monitor: Launch your campaign, watch reply rates, and follow up quickly through the Shared Inbox.

Example sequence messages:

• Step 1 (auto-reply): “Thanks for your interest. Here is the demo link: [short URL]. Text HELP if you want a one-pager first.”
• Step 2 (reminder): “Hi {{first_name}}, just checking if you had a chance to book your demo. I can send another time slot if easier.”

Segmentation and Personalization Strategy

Segment by lead source, funnel stage, and persona. Examples include Website Form Submissions, Webinar Attendees, Trade Show Leads, and Reactivated Accounts. Exclude recent opt-outs and duplicates to protect deliverability.

Personalize lightly but purposefully. Use first name and one context field like product, event, or outcome. Example: “Hi {{first_name}}, thanks for checking out [Product]. Want a quick overview of how it helps with [Pain Point]?” This can keep messages relevant while still scalable.

Refresh segments daily for inbound leads and weekly for long-term nurtures. Hourly syncs work best when connecting TextUs directly with CRM automations.

Template Library for Lead Generation Scenarios

Keep a small set of reusable templates your team can send immediately. Each should drive one action.

• “Hi {{first_name}}, saw your interest in [Product]. Want to see how it works? Reply DEMO and I’ll text a booking link.”
• “Hey {{first_name}}, quick question—are you the best person to chat about [Product/Topic]? Reply YES or POINT ME to who is.”
• “We just released a short guide on [Problem]. Reply GUIDE and I’ll send it to you.”
• “Hi {{first_name}}, [Event] is coming up. Want a free ticket or a demo slot while there? Reply INFO.”
• “Thanks for your interest in [Product]. Want to chat tomorrow morning or afternoon? Reply AM or PM.”

Review the template performance monthly with compliance. Track which messages can convert best by source or audience.

Reporting and Attribution Workflow

Export deliveries, replies, and clicks from TextUs each week. Join that data with CRM metrics such as meetings booked, opportunities created, and pipeline value. Preserve campaign name, keyword, and segment labels so you can run cohort analysis.

Track reply-to-meeting and meeting-to-opportunity conversion rates. Include A/B test results to see which tone or send time performs best. Publish a one-page report showing delivery rate, reply rate, and meetings scheduled per 100 sends.

Lead Follow-Up and Nurture Best Practices

Use TextUs for real-time lead follow-up while staying human. When a form submission arrives, trigger a short TextUs message within minutes. Example: “Hi {{first_name}}, saw your request for [Product]. Want me to text available demo times?” Speed alone can double your connect rate.

For older leads, reactivation campaigns can remind them of value. Example: “Hi {{first_name}}, we’ve updated [Product] to make [Outcome] easier. Want to see what’s new? Reply DEMO.” You can attach a product update PDF or case study.

Avoid long sequences that feel robotic. Two or three touches spaced 24–48 hours apart can perform best.

Managing Replies in the Shared Inbox

All replies appear in the Shared Inbox, where sales and marketing can see the same thread. The first responder can assign ownership so follow-ups stay consistent. Templates can keep answers clear while short personal notes build rapport.

Use tags like Demo, Info, Nurture, Event, and Reactivation to organize threads. Add short notes before forwarding to sales or marketing managers so context can stay intact. If a lead stops replying, move them into a low-frequency nurture Sequence.

Keep notifications on during business hours. Fast, friendly replies can increase booking rates and reduce drop-off.

Compliance and Deliverability for Lead Generation

Use registered 10DLC numbers for all business messaging. Keep opt-out handling active so STOP and UNSUBSCRIBE can process automatically. Include a short line in the first message such as “Reply STOP to opt out.”

Avoid spam triggers by limiting links and punctuation. Do not send sensitive personal or financial data by SMS. Use secure links for sign-ups or meeting scheduling.

Keep attachments small and relevant. Product one-pagers, case studies, or event flyers can open quickly on mobile. Send during local business hours and limit frequency to preserve trust.

FAQs About Texting Guide for Lead Generation

Can I attach brochures or case studies to my texts?

Yes. TextUs allows PDFs, images, or GIFs in both campaigns and one-to-one messages. Lead gen teams often attach one-pagers, case studies, or product previews so prospects can see value fast.

Can I automate follow-ups after a demo request?

Yes. You can schedule and repeat campaigns or connect Keywords and Sequences. A reply with DEMO or INFO can trigger automatic replies and reminders so prospects can book easily.

How do Keywords and Sequences help with lead conversion?

When leads reply with a keyword like DEMO or GUIDE, TextUs can enroll them in a Sequence. The first message can send the link or asset, and a second can check back later if they didn’t respond.

How does the Shared Inbox improve alignment between sales and marketing?

All replies appear in one shared view so both teams can see the full context. You can assign owners, tag threads, and use templates for consistent messaging that can maintain tone across the funnel.

What metrics should I track to measure success?

Start with delivery, reply, and booking rates. Export TextUs data and match it to CRM pipeline metrics. Weekly reviews can show which messages can convert most effectively by channel or segment.