Lead Collectors & OTTO
Creating a Lead Collector
A Lead Collector is the core campaign unit in TextingOnly — it captures inbound SMS leads, runs OTTO’s qualification conversation, and delivers structured lead records to your team. Configure one in under 10 minutes, no developer needed.
Lead Collectors
OTTO
Entry Points
⏱ Under 10 minutes · No developer needed
What is a Lead Collector?
A Lead Collector is a TextingOnly campaign that receives inbound SMS contacts and runs them through an automated qualification conversation powered by OTTO. When a prospect scans a QR code or taps a SmartLink, the Lead Collector activates immediately — asking questions, capturing replies, and building a structured lead record without any human involvement required at first touch.
Every Lead Collector automatically generates a QR code and a SmartLink — the entry points you place on your website, signage, social media, or direct mail. One collector can receive contacts from all of these placements simultaneously, with each tracked separately in your Engagement Funnel reports.
The Five Lead Collector Types
Choose the type that matches your campaign goal. You can create multiple collectors — each type serves a different use case.
01
Custom Questions
A free-text question sequence you design. OTTO asks each question in order and captures the contact’s open-ended replies as structured data fields.
Best for: service intake, scheduling, general inquiries
02
Custom Questions — Capture Name
Starts by asking for the contact’s first name, then continues with your custom question sequence. The name is stored as a field and used in all subsequent automated messages for personalization.
Best for: personalized lead capture where the rep will use the contact’s name in follow-up
03
English to Spanish
Enables bilingual opt-in and content creation — both the opt-in message and the question sequence can be configured in English and Spanish. Contacts self-select their language preference at the start of the conversation.
Best for: businesses serving Spanish and English-speaking markets simultaneously
04
List
Captures contacts for automated list opt-in — including email-to-SMS conversion. Used to build opted-in SMS lists from existing email audiences or event registrations.
Best for: list building, email-to-SMS conversion, event opt-ins
05
Interactive Text Response Menu (ITR)
A numbered self-service menu — contacts reply with 1, 2, 3, etc. to navigate options. OTTO routes automatically based on each reply, branching into different qualification paths per selection.
Best for: routing by service type, department, urgency, or location — the most powerful qualification tool for complex campaigns
How to Create a Lead Collector
1
Go to the desired subgroup
Each subgroup has its own isolated Lead Collectors, numbers, and reporting. Select the correct subgroup before creating.
2
Click Create New Lead Collector
The button appears in the Lead Collectors section of the subgroup dashboard.
3
Select the Lead Collector type
Choose from the five types above based on your campaign goal. The type determines how OTTO handles replies — you can always create additional collectors with different types in the same subgroup.
4
Assign a registered phone number
The collector requires an active phone number to receive inbound SMS. If no numbers are available, order one under the Numbers section. The number you assign determines the local area code contacts will see when OTTO texts them.
5
Set the initial message
The message pre-filled in the prospect’s SMS app when they scan or tap. Default is “Please Send this Message to Get Started” — customize it. The initial message is what the contact sees before they opt in, so it should clearly communicate what they’re about to receive.
6
Click Edit Questions to build your conversation
Add, reorder, or remove questions from the sequence. Keep each question short — one topic per message. Most effective collectors use 3–5 questions. Every question becomes a separate SMS exchange.
✓
Access your QR code and SmartLink
Go to Options & Details → QR Code Details. The QR code and mobile SmartLink are generated automatically. Use the QR code for print and physical placements. Use the SmartLink URL for website buttons, emails, and social media. Both connect to the same collector and are tracked separately.
Collector Properties — Quick Reference
📞 Phone Number
The number OTTO texts from when responding to contacts. Must be registered (10DLC) and assigned to this collector for it to be active.
✉ Initial Message
The pre-filled text the prospect sees in their SMS app before sending. Customize it — this is your first impression and TCPA opt-in trigger.
🖼 Initial Image
Optional — add a logo or branded image that appears with the initial message for visual reinforcement.
❓ Questions
The qualification conversation sequence. Add, edit, reorder, or remove questions at any time — changes apply to new conversations immediately.
📷 QR Code
Auto-generated for print placements. Download and use on signage, direct mail, vehicle wraps, print ads — each placement can be tracked separately with unique QR codes.
🔗 Mobile Link (SmartLink)
The URL version of the entry point. On mobile it opens the SMS app directly. On desktop it shows a QR code. Use this for website buttons, social posts, and email campaigns.
Tip — one collector, many entry points
A single Lead Collector can be reached via multiple QR codes, SmartLinks, and placements simultaneously. Create separate QR codes for each physical placement (yard sign, door hanger, truck wrap) so you can compare performance by placement in your Engagement Funnel reports — without needing separate collectors for each.
See Lead Collectors in Action
These Insights articles show how Lead Collectors are used in real campaigns across different industries and use cases.
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