Lead Gen's Best Kept Secret: Inbox Managers

Lead generation is continuously evolving. Even the changes between 2023 and 2024 have significantly impacted how lead gen agencies operate.

Apart from deliverability or the fact that cold email strategy has been overhauled in the last year, inbox managers are the unsung heroes of the industry. 

Why? Because lead gen is all about engaging with prospects in a personalized and attentive manner. You need someone who can respond within five minutes in a personalized way, or you risk losing the potential lead.

What is Inbox Management?

Inbox management goes beyond handling email accounts. It involves managing critical lead interactions that are crucial for the success of your clients’ campaigns. 

So, why should you care if you can just get AI to do the job? 

Inbox managers can help you create a tailored internal system to manage responses for your clients which means more customized and personalized engagement. 

The last thing you want is to incorrectly respond to leads which can impact whether or not the lead converts. 

That shouldn’t be taken as an invitation to overlook AI completely. There should be a balance between people and tools.

Strategies for Effectively Managing Inboxes

1. Updating Your DNC Weekly 

Regularly updating your Do Not Contact (DNC) list is vital to avoid wasted resources and ensure your lead generation efforts remain focused and efficient. 

Inbox managers should perform weekly audits to update and verify these lists. Regular updates help in refining your lead lists and improving overall engagement and conversion. 

2. Scheduling Email Responses 

Predictive scheduling allows inbox managers to plan and automate responses to common queries or follow-ups. 

By using tools that schedule emails based on predefined triggers, you can ensure timely and consistent communication. This helps in maintaining a steady flow of engagement without overwhelming your inbox managers.

3. Managing Subsequences (For Smartlead users)

If you’re using a tool like Smartlead, inbox managers can leverage its features to streamline inbox management, including the addition of subsequences.

Subsequences allow you to automate every response based on lead activity. 

Smartlead also provides functionality for tracking lead interactions and managing follow-ups. Effective use of such tools can significantly enhance the efficiency of managing inboxes and improve your overall conversion.

The Top 3 Ways Inbox Managers Add Value

‍1. Categorizing Responses‍

Inbox managers excel at sorting and categorizing responses into relevant groups, such as “interested”, “not interested”, or “needs more information”.  This structured approach ensures that leads are handled appropriately. Proper categorization also helps in prioritizing high-value leads and addressing potential issues. 

2. Optimizing Response Times

Optimizing response times is a key responsibility of inbox managers as swift responses can significantly improve lead conversion rates. 

By monitoring incoming messages and setting up efficient workflows, inbox managers ensure that every lead receives the attention they deserve. 

3. Nurturing Leads

Inbox managers play a critical role in nurturing leads. 

They can tailor responses based on lead interactions and preferences, including customized responses or any information that needs to be shared with leads. Effective lead nurturing results in better client outcomes.

Inbox managers come at a cost. But they’re doing more than simply keeping inboxes tidy. They’re guarding your most valuable asset – the leads you generate for your business. 

With their ability to categorize, optimize, and nurture, they’re the unsung heroes turning potential into profit. 

Even with the most sophisticated tech, you still need someone to ensure the responses you’re sending out address the prospect’s concerns. Your inbox manager is that someone.

If you're curious about how to hire your own inbox manager, check out this video from our founder below: 

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