====== Leads ======

After clicking the **Leads** tab, you will be taken to the leads listing page. If you just logged in, the //All// saved search [1] is used. If you've been logged in for a while and selected other saved searches, the most recent one will be used. The search starts at page 1, and you can changes pages right below the saved searches list [2]. Initially, the leads are sorted by //Start Date// [3] in descending order (most recent first). The sort criteria can be changed by clicking on any of the other column headings, and the sort order can be changed by clicking a column header a second time.

{{:leads_list.jpg|}}

===== Finding Leads =====

Under the **Leads** tab, there are several links to saved searches. These are handy for filtering different kinds of leads, for example, unassigned leads if you're an admin, or buyer and seller leads if you're an agent.

You can also search through the leads by entering terms into the search field on the right to perform a simple search. For complex searches, click **Advanced Search** to expand the advanced form. Here you can set up several search criteria by filling out the drop-downs and other fields and clicking the **Search** button, all on a single row of the advanced search form. Note: The criteria for a given row isn't added until you click that row's **Search** button.

{{:leads_advanced_search.jpg|}}

==== Saving Searches ====

If you choose to save an advanced search, first, you'll be asked to name the search. Then, a new saved search link will appear near the top of the page. This saved search will look and work like the default saved searches (such as //New//), except you can delete it by clicking its X.


===== Creating a Lead =====

Usually, leads are generated automatically by user activity on the site. You can, however, create a lead manually by clicking the **New Lead** button from the **Dashboard** or **Leads** tabs. This takes you to a lead creation form, with required fields marked with asterisks. Fill this form out to your satisfaction, then click **Save** to create the lead. If you're an admin, you may now [[#lead_assignment_and_status|assign it to someone]].

===== Importing Leads in Bulk =====

Sometimes you will have the need to add more than one or a large number of leads to the Lead Manager. Maybe you are bringing over your existing client list, or collected a lot of contacts at an Open House. Whatever the reason you can accomplish this with our [[https://leads.realgeeks.com/lead_imports/new|Bulk Import Tool]].  Simply follow the instructions, you will download our template CSV file and copy over your existing leads in the correct format using a spreadsheet program like Excel or Numbers. The Bulk Import tool can also be navigated to via the [[https://leads.realgeeks.com/leads/new|New Lead Page]]. 

===== Lead Assignment =====

Discussed [[settings#lead_assignment|here]].

===== Lead Details =====

A lead is a potential customer and his contact information [1] (and possibly information about a secondary contact [2]), details on the sort of home he'd like to buy or sell [3], and information about the transaction [4].

{{:lead_detail.jpg|}}

==== Follow-ups ====

You can schedule follow-ups right from the //Lead Detail// page. Click the **Schedule Follow-up** tab on the right side below the gray horizontal divider. Then fill in the fields and click //Save//. Here is an example follow-up:

{{:example_followup.jpg|}}

Notice how a reminder will be sent to the owner of the lead. The owner of the lead is indicated in the drop-down labelled **Agent** just to the left of the //Update// button).

Upcoming follow-ups are listed in the [[dashboard|Dashboard tab]]. Completed follow-ups are recorded in just above **Activity History** on the //Lead Detail// page. Both completed and upcoming follow-ups are listed in the [[calendar|Calendar tab]].

==== Activities ====

An activity can be one of a few different events relevant to a lead. The types of activities are:

  * automatic
    * search performed
    * saved search created
    * saved search removed
    * favorite property added
    * favorite property removed
    * user logged in
    * user visited site
    * contact emailed
    * property viewed
  * manual
    * called
    * left voicemail
    * bad number
    * emailed
    * met in person
    * made an offer
    * contract accepted
    * note

The manual activity types can be created from the //Lead Detail// page. To do so, make sure the **Add Activity** tab is selected. Then fill in the three fields and click the //Add// button.

{{:add_activity.jpg|}}

Previous activities for the lead in question are available under //Activity History// on the //Lead Detail// page. There is an Activity History search box, and the activities can be sorted by name or date.

==== Interacting with leads ====

From the lead detail page, there are several ways of interacting with the person behind the lead. Obviously, you can use various bits of contact information attached to the lead. You can even send an email from the lead detail page by clicking the **Write Email** button.

It can also be useful to log in as a user, for example to create a saved search for him or to provide one-on-one support. This is done by click the **Login As User** button near the top right of the lead detail page.