> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.avidra.net/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Follow-up Automation

> Control automated follow-up behavior after lead recovery and conversation events.

Follow-up Automation controls whether your workspace sends additional messages after the initial recovery text. Use it to keep leads warm without manual effort.

## What you configure

| Setting           | Purpose                                                                |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Follow-up enabled | Toggle automated second-touch messaging on or off                      |
| Follow-up timing  | Delay before the follow-up is sent (e.g., 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours) |
| Follow-up content | The message copy used for automated follow-ups                         |

## When to use follow-up automation

Follow-up works best for:

* Leads that received a first text but did not respond — a gentle nudge can re-engage them
* Reducing manual reminder work for your team — Avidra handles the timing
* Standardizing a consistent second-touch workflow across all missed calls

### Example follow-up message

> **First text (immediate):** Hi, this is Mike's Plumbing. Sorry we missed your call — what can we help you with?
>
> *(30 minutes later, no reply)*
>
> **Follow-up:** Just checking in — did you still need help with something? We're available and happy to assist.

<Tip>
  A well-timed follow-up can recover leads that ignored the first text. Keep it short and action-oriented — ask a question rather than just repeating the first message.
</Tip>

## Choosing the right timing

| Timing        | Best for                                                         |
| ------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| 15–30 minutes | High-urgency industries (plumbing, HVAC, emergency repair)       |
| 1–2 hours     | Standard service businesses (electricians, roofers, landscaping) |
| 3–4 hours     | Non-urgent services (dental, med spa, commercial maintenance)    |

## What to monitor

Review follow-up automation if:

* Customers are being contacted too aggressively — reduce frequency or extend timing
* Follow-up messages are firing at the wrong time — check the timing setting
* Operators are manually doing work that should be automated
* Lead response quality drops after automations are enabled — review the message copy

## Common mistakes

<Warning>
  Automation is not a substitute for a strong first response. If your initial text-back is weak, adding a follow-up will not fix the root problem.
</Warning>

* Enabling follow-up without reviewing the actual message copy — generic messages get ignored
* Using automation to compensate for a weak first-response setup
* Forgetting to adjust automation when business hours or staffing changes
* Setting the timing too short — 5-minute follow-ups feel aggressive

## Related pages

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="AI Behavior" icon="brain" href="/configuration/ai-behavior">
    Control AI participation in conversations.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Business Hours" icon="clock" href="/configuration/business-hours">
    Align automation with open hours.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Leads" icon="user-plus" href="/using-avidra/leads">
    Monitor follow-up results.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>