Columns:
Unread Column:
These are your unread messages, these are messages you have not yet manually actioned.
Responding to will automatically mark the conversation as read, you can do this in the message composer:
In order to keep this area tidy, respond or mark messages as read (See below under "Mark as Read Button"), and the notification indicator will reduce in quantity, indicating fewer unread messages:
Recent Column:
This is all of your recent communication including unread and read messages.
Starred Column:
Marking conversations as starred will put them into this column, which is handy for keeping track of important conversations
All Column:
The "All" column includes all of your messages including:
Both Unread and Read messages
Both Inbound and Outbound messages (For example from your automations)
Buttons within Conversations:
Archive Button:
Archiving a message moves it out of recent, and can only be viewed in the All column. If you unarchive a message it will once again show in your Recents.
To Archive a message click on the 📁 icon:
Star Button:
To mark a conversation as starred and move it into the Starred column, click the ☆ in the top right of your conversation:
Mark as Read Button:
To mark messages as read, you can click the ✉ icon in the top right:
Delete Button:
To delete a thread, press the 🗑️ icon and you will lose your conversation history:
Filter Button:
Using this button you can filter the contact's conversation history based on the activity you wish to see:
Responding via email:
Editing "From" address:
Keep in mind the "from" address may be a personal email address if your Zipleads account is using a personal address to login with.
If you do not want this public-facing, click on the address to edit it, and change it to a business address:
Message Composer Buttons:
Formatting:
This button is used to format and change the look of the text, for example, changing the font size and colour.
Attach files:
This button is used to attach files to your email such as documents or photos.
Embed Links
This button is used to embed links in the text to direct the lead to a URL you want them to click on.
Insert Image:
This button is used to put an image into the body of the message.
Emoji:
This button is used to insert an emoji inline, within the email.
Templates:
This button is used to insert the templates you have created in Zipeads to save time drafting an email from scratch.
Request Payment:
This button uses a Stripe integration to request a payment, which will insert a payment link the customer can pay you through, into the message.
(+) More button:
This button is where you can insert your 'Custom Fields,' 'Custom Values', and 'Trigger Links' into your message.
Templates (Snippets)
How to create a Template:
Text:
To create a text template, make sure you are in the Templates (Snippets) menu:
Then Click on the "+ Add Template (Snippet)" Button in the top right-hand side of your screen:
Then click on "Add Text Template (Snippet):"
Give your Template a name in the Name box:
Now fill out the message you'd like to be sent to the contact, remembering this is a template, so it can be applied to many leads/customers. Use your Custom Values and Trigger links to apply the latest information from your account into the message, and personalise it for each customer:
(Optional) At the bottom, you can choose to attach a file, such as an image, although the cost for sending images is much higher than just text:
(Optional) In the bottom right you can also choose to send a test message to your phone by inputting your number and hitting the "send test" button:
Finally, hit Save to save your Template for use within the SMS composer. See below under Using Templates.
Email:
To create an Email template, make sure you are in the Templates (Snippets) menu:
Then Click on the "+ Add Template (Snippet)" Button in the top right-hand side of your screen:
Then click on "Add Text Template (Snippet):"
Give your Template a name in the Name box:
For an email, we will also need a subject line, which you can enter into the next box:
Now fill out the message you'd like sent to the contact, remembering this is a template, so it can be applied to many leads/customers. Use your Custom Values and Trigger links to apply the latest information from your account into the message, and personalise it for each customer:
(Optional) At the bottom you can choose to attach a file, such as an image or document for example:
(Optional) At the bottom you can also choose to send a test email by inputting a sender email address, and your email address, and hitting the "send" button:
Finally, hit Save to save your Template for use in the email composer. See below under Using Templates.
Message Composer:
Select the channel you are messaging on:
There are multiple channels that can be fed into Zipleads to consolidate your customer communication into one place, these can be selected above the message composer to choose where you reply:
You will see a collection of the following options:
The options available to you depend on the platform the customer messaged you on, and SMS and Email will be available if their contact is updated with a mobile number and email address.
Using Templates:
SMS:
To use an SMS template, click on the template button in the SMS composer at the bottom of your Conversations window:
Select the template you wish to use:
Then select "Use Template" to insert it into the message composer:
You now have an opportunity to edit your message in the composer before sending it to your customer:
Once the message has been sent, the customer will see the Custom Values filled in, for example:
Email:
To use an Email template, click on the template button in the email composer at the bottom of your Conversations window:
Select the template you wish to use:
Then select "Use Template" to insert it into the message composer:
You now have an opportunity to edit your message in the composer before sending it to your customer:
Once the message has been sent, the customer will see the Custom Values filled in, for example:
Right hand menu within Conversations:
The right side menu in conversations includes some information and menus from the Contact Card, you can open the Contact Card by clicking on the profile picture above the contacts name.
