How do I set up outbound AI calling with follow-up attempts for a list of contacts?

Outbound AI calling runs from a simple workflow in the agent.

1. Optionally send an SMS right before the call, for example saying who you are and that you are about to call. Keep the delay to one minute at most, because speed to lead matters.
2. Add the Call step. Set the number to call (the contact's number), the caller ID that shows when the call goes out, and the call answered workflow that runs when the call is answered. That workflow controls what the AI says, for example greeting the contact by first name.
3. When the call finishes, the workflow continues down a branch: answered, not answered, voicemail or failed.
4. For a failed call, add the Do Not Disturb step so the person gets no more calls or texts. A failed call usually means a bad number, for example a typo.
5. For no answer or voicemail, add a Wait step and then another Call step. Chain call, wait, call, wait, call for as many attempts as you want, and add SMS and email steps in between if you like. If the person answered, do not connect another call.

How many attempts: three is a good starting point, though you can do more or fewer. Call more often at the start and less often as time goes on, so wait a short time, such as fifteen minutes, rather than a day between the first attempts. Votel recommends calling a new lead within the first minute, about three times on the first day, then once a day for a few days. A simple system of around seven calls and a few text messages is many times better than what most businesses do, where a busy receptionist calls the next day, calls once, gets no answer and decides the lead was bad. The AI calls right away and the correct number of times when you tell it to.

To start the sequence, the trigger can be manual, a form submission or a webhook (for example a lead received from another service). To start it manually:

1. Go to Contacts and select the contacts (filter to find specific ones, or select all).
2. Choose assign to an agent.
3. Use the drip campaign option, which is the one to use for calling, and set a pace, for example 30 an hour, Monday to Friday, 9 to 5.
4. Click Schedule.

To review results, open the contact's activity, where you can see the call log, play the recording and read the transcript.