> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.dealerfunnel.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Automate Lead Follow-Up with Dealer Funnel Funnels
> Funnels send automated SMS sequences to leads at set intervals, keeping prospects engaged without manual effort from your sales team.
Most leads don't buy on the first contact — in fact, the majority of automotive sales close only after five or more touchpoints. Funnels take care of those follow-up touchpoints for you by automatically sending a pre-written sequence of SMS messages (and optionally emails) over days or weeks. Once a lead is enrolled, your team doesn't have to lift a finger until the prospect is ready to talk. Funnels keep your dealership top-of-mind without adding to your team's daily workload.
## How Funnels Work
A funnel is a series of messages tied to specific time delays. When a lead enters a funnel, Dealer Funnel starts the clock and delivers each message at the interval you define. For example:
| Step | Delay | Message Purpose |
| ------ | ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| Step 1 | Immediately | Warm introduction and invitation to connect |
| Step 2 | 3 days later | Follow-up with a value statement or inventory highlight |
| Step 3 | 7 days later | Soft urgency — limited availability or current offer |
| Step 4 | 14 days later | Check-in — still in the market? |
| Step 5 | 30 days later | Final touch with a fresh incentive |
The funnel pauses automatically the moment a lead replies, so your team never sends an automated message into an active conversation.
## Creating a Funnel
Click **Funnels** in the left navigation menu. This is your central hub for viewing and managing all funnel sequences.
Click **Create Funnel** in the top-right corner of the page.
Give the funnel a clear, descriptive name that identifies its purpose and audience — for example, **New Lead - 30 Day Follow-Up** or **Appointment No-Show Recovery**. A good name makes it easy to assign the right funnel at the right time.
Click **Add Step** and configure the first message:
* **Delay**: Set when this message sends relative to enrollment (for example, *immediately* or *1 day after enrollment*).
* **Message text**: Write your SMS copy. Use personalization variables like `{{first_name}}` to make the message feel one-to-one. Keep each message concise — one clear call to action per step.
* **Email (optional)**: If your account has email enabled, toggle on an email version for this step.
Click **Add Step** again to build out the rest of your sequence. Repeat the process for each touchpoint, spacing the delays to create a natural cadence across 7, 14, or 30 days.
When your steps are complete, toggle the funnel to **Active**. Only active funnels will enroll leads and send messages.
Create separate funnels for each lead source rather than one generic funnel for everyone. A shopper who submitted a form on your website has different expectations than someone responding to a radio ad. Tailored messaging by lead source consistently outperforms one-size-fits-all sequences.
## Enrolling Leads in a Funnel
You have three ways to get leads into a funnel — choose the method that fits your workflow.
Go to **Settings > Lead Sources**, open a source, and assign a funnel to it. Every new lead that arrives from that source enrolls in the funnel the moment they enter Dealer Funnel — no manual action required.
Open any conversation, find the **Lead Detail** panel on the right side, and click **Assign Funnel**. Choose the funnel from the dropdown. The lead begins the sequence immediately from Step 1.
When importing a lead list via CSV, the import wizard includes a funnel assignment step. Select a funnel and every imported lead enrolls automatically once the import completes.
## How and When Funnels Stop
Funnels are designed to be smart — they stop sending when continuing no longer makes sense. A lead exits a funnel in any of the following situations:
* **The lead replies**: As soon as a lead sends any inbound message, the funnel pauses and the conversation moves to your active inbox for a human to handle.
* **The lead is marked Sold or Dead**: Changing a lead's status to Sold or Dead immediately removes them from any active funnel.
* **The funnel completes**: When the final step sends and no reply is received, the funnel ends gracefully. The lead remains in your system and can be re-enrolled in a new funnel (such as a long-term nurture sequence) at any time.
## Personalizing Funnel Messages
Personalization variables pull lead-specific data into your messages automatically, making bulk sequences feel like individual outreach. Use these variables anywhere in your message text:
| Variable | What It Inserts |
| ------------------------- | ----------------------------------- |
| `{{first_name}}` | The lead's first name |
| `{{dealership_name}}` | Your dealership's name |
| `{{vehicle_of_interest}}` | The vehicle the lead inquired about |
| `{{salesperson_name}}` | The assigned salesperson's name |
For example: *"Hi {{first_name}}, this is {{salesperson_name}} from {{dealership_name}}. I saw you were interested in the {{vehicle_of_interest}} — still looking?"*
## Viewing Funnel Performance
On the main **Funnels** list, each funnel shows key performance metrics at a glance:
* **Enrolled**: Total number of leads currently in or who have passed through this funnel.
* **Response Rate**: The percentage of enrolled leads who replied to at least one funnel message.
* **Appointment Rate**: The percentage of enrolled leads who booked an appointment.
Click on any funnel to see a step-by-step breakdown, including how many leads received each message and how many responded at that step.
If your account has **double opt-in** enabled, leads must confirm their consent before receiving any funnel messages. A confirmation text goes out first, and the funnel only starts after the lead replies to opt in. Check with your administrator to understand whether double opt-in is active on your account — if it is, make sure your first funnel message acknowledges the opt-in flow so leads aren't confused.