Using the Connect App in ContactDrive

The Connect app in ContactDrive is a powerful tool for streamlining your outreach efforts. This guide will walk you through setting up and using the Connect app to manage your calling sessions efficiently. Get a complete overview in the video below, or keep scrolling for a detailed guide to the Connect App.

Step 1: Create Your Contact List (Audience Filter)

Before you start a Connect session, you need to define the group of people you want to contact.

1. Navigate to Contacts: Open the Contacts section of ContactDrive.

   Apply Filters: Use the available filters to narrow down your contact list. You can filter by:

   • Location
   • Prior history
   • Custom fields (e.g., past activities, customer journey stage)
   • To add more fields for filtering, click on Columns and select the desired fields.

   • Example: To reach out to people who have attended a past event, apply a filter for "prior attendees."

     Save Your View: Once you have your filtered list, save it as a new view.

   • Click Save New View.
   • Crucially, select the option to "select the filters" to ensure the view is limited to your filtered group.
   • Give your view a descriptive name (e.g., "Prior Attendees").

Step 2: Access and Configure the Connect App

If you haven't already, ensure the Connect app is added to your ContactDrive account. You can find it in the ContactDrive Plus Marketplace under the Apps section. You can also find a Help Article with more information here.

1. Open the Connect App: Once added, navigate to the Connect app.
2. Create a New Session: Click on Create New Session.
3. Select Your Audience: Choose the saved view you created in Step 1 (e.g., "Prior Attendees") as your session's audience.
4. Name Your Session (Optional): You can rename the session if desired.
5. Assign a User: Assign the session to a specific user. This is useful if you are setting up a calling list for someone else. If you're doing the calling yourself, assign it to yourself.
6. Start Calling: Once your session is set up, click Start Calling to view your call list.

Step 3: Navigating the Calling Interface

The Connect app offers a comprehensive interface for managing your calls and interactions.

Desktop View:

• Contact History: See a full-screen view of your prior engagement with the current contact, including past calls, emails, and notes.

  Contact Details: View relevant information about the contact (e.g., location).

  Communication Options:

  • Send Email: Send an email directly from the app. You can also pre-program email templates.

  • Send Text Message: Send a text message (more on this in Step 4).

    Notes and Tags:

  • Add detailed notes about your conversation.
  • Add tags to categorize contacts (e.g., "Derby Attendee," "Derby Sponsor").
• Next Contact: Click to move to the next person on your list.

Mobile View:

• Optimized Display: The Connect app interface is optimized for mobile devices, providing a streamlined experience for on-the-go calling.

  QR Code/Link:

  • Click the mobile icon (usually in the top right corner) to display a QR code. Scan this with your phone to open the session in your mobile browser.
  • You can also copy the session link to share with others or save for later use on your mobile device.

Step 4: Enhancing Your Connect Session (Settings and Features)

To make your calling even more efficient, explore the Connect session settings.

1. View Contacts (within a session):
   • In an active session, click View Contacts.
   • Prioritize Contacts: Drag and drop contacts to reorder your call list.
   • Change Status: Update a contact's status (e.g., "Complete").

   • Add Briefing Notes: These are small notes that appear on the screen while you're calling. They are useful for quick reminders or for others setting up call lists. Remember to save your changes after adding notes or reordering contacts.

     Manage Settings: Access these options by going into your session and clicking Manage Settings.

     Session Name and Assignment: Change the session name or reassign it to a different user.

     Quick Mode:

     • Enabled: After sending a text message, the app immediately advances to the next contact. This is ideal for quickly sending personal messages to a group.

     • Disabled: The app stays on the current contact's screen after a text message is sent. This allows you to add more detailed notes or attempt other forms of contact (e.g., call and then text).

       Quick Fill Options:

       These are pre-defined buttons that allow you to quickly apply notes, tags, and set completion status based on call outcomes.

       To set up Quick Fill:

       • Click Add Option.
       • Give the button a name (e.g., "Will Attend," "Can't Attend," "Left Voicemail").
       • Add a corresponding note that will auto-fill.
       • Select relevant tags (you can create new tags here).
       • Choose whether this action marks the contact as "Complete."

       • You can add up to five Quick Fill options.

         Template Message (Text/Email):

     • Text Message Template: Create a draft text message that will pre-fill for each contact. This opens your phone's messaging app with the personalized draft, speeding up your direct outreach.
     • Email Template: Set up a pre-filled email draft similarly.
     • Remember to save your changes!

Step 5: Resetting a Session

If you need to call through a list again (e.g., for follow-up), you can reset the session's status.

1. Go to Session Settings: In your active session, go to Manage Settings.
2. Reset Session: Click Reset Session and confirm.
3. Outcome: This action clears the "Status" column for all contacts in that session, allowing you to go through the list again. All notes and order remain intact.

Step 6: Making Calls and Recording Outcomes

Now that you've configured your session, you're ready to make calls.

1. Start Calling: From your session, click Start Calling.

   Briefing Notes: Any briefing notes you added will be visible on the screen.

   Communication:

   • Call: Use your phone to call the contact.

   • Text/Email: Use the pre-filled templates or compose new messages.

     Quick Fill (if enabled):

   • Click the Quick Fill button to access the options you created.
   • Select the outcome that applies to your conversation. This will automatically add notes, tags, and update the contact's status.
2. Manual Notes and Tags: Even with Quick Fill, you can still add custom notes and tags to capture specific details from your conversation.
3. Complete Call: Once you've finished with a contact, click Complete (or equivalent button) to move to the next person on your list.

Step 7: Dashboard Integration and Team Collaboration

The Connect app integrates with the ContactDrive dashboard, making team collaboration seamless.

• Connect Widget: A "Connect" widget is available on your ContactDrive dashboard. This allows you to quickly jump back into your calling session right where you left off.
• Real-time Updates: If the Dashboard app is enabled, you and your team can see real-time results of calls made by others. This allows for immediate follow-up by support staff, enhancing efficiency and improving the customer experience.

By following these steps, you can leverage the ContactDrive Connect app to streamline your outreach, maintain detailed records, and work effectively as a team to achieve your goals.