Pipelines in Bonzo is a robust feature designed to streamline your sales process, providing a structured way to track and communicate with your contacts. By creating customizable stages, you can seamlessly move prospects through different phases of your sales cycle, ensuring no lead falls through the cracks. With the ability to automate messages and tasks at each stage, Bonzo Pipelines enhances your workflow efficiency and keeps all your sales activities organized in one place.

Getting Started

Currently, Pipelines is an add-on feature. To include Pipelines in your system setup, navigate to "Settings," down to the "Company" tab, and select "Add-ons." Click on the "+" symbol to add Pipelines to your monthly billing cycle. Once you click "Update Add-ons," Pipelines will be available for you and your team.

Please note that only top-level users, such as SuperUsers and Team Leads, have access to the Company tab and can add or remove add-ons. If you are a Team Member and would like to include Pipelines in your Bonzo setup, please contact your account administrator.

Once Pipelines has been added for you and your team, it will appear in your navigation sidebar. Simply click on it to get started.

1. Your main Pipelines page is organized into 3 separate tabs labelled "Default," "Shared," and "Templates."
   
   

   
   
   
   Default Pipelines:

   Created by you and/or authorized members on your team (Team Members and Team Leads). Team members with the necessary permissions can fully manage and customize these pipelines to align with their specific operational requirements.

   Shared Pipelines:

   Created by SuperUsers (top-level users or admins) and standardized for use across an entire organization or large team, promoting uniform processes. Typically, shared pipelines are locked, limiting modifications to stages and event messages. They are only available on accounts with a SuperUser seat.

   Templates:

   Developed by Bonzo and or by top-level users, these templates are available for distribution across your team. Team members with the necessary permissions to create and edit pipelines can utilize these templates to craft customized versions tailored to their specific needs.

2. In Default, you have the ability to create a new pipeline by clicking the "+ Create Pipeline" button in the top right of the screen.
   
   

   

    

    

3. By clicking the "Settings" button next to "Create," you can configure global settings for "Default" pipelines. Global setting act as default settings for any new pipeline created in your account. For more specific adjustments, click on an individual pipeline and access its settings directly.
   
   

   

    

   The following global settings impact the way "Default" pipeline event messages trigger for your account.

   Use a Prospect's Local Timezone: sets a cutoff start time based on the prospect's area code or state, while the cutoff stop time remains defined by the team's timezone. This ensures that prospects won't be responding to your messages at inconvenient hours due to timezone differences.

   Exclude Major Holidays: if toggled on, pipeline event messages will not send of listed holiday dates. For list, scroll over the "i" icon next to this setting.

   Cutoff Time: establish your pipeline event messages start and end times based on your account's timezone.

   Sending Days: select the days of the week when event messages should be sent. If a message is scheduled to send on one of the days not selected, it will be sent on the next available sending day.

    

4. Utilize the filter feature by clicking on the three vertical lines and search through your list of pipelines by "User."
   
   
   

   

    

5. Scrolling over to the right on a selected pipeline will and clicking on the three vertical dots or breadcrumbs will give you additional management options
   
   

   

    

   Settings: directs you to the local settings for the selected pipeline, providing more options than the global settings such as the ability to lock the pipeline and provide unique events for prospects.

   Manage Stages: brings you into the pipeline edit view and allows you to change the order of the stages and edit stage details.

   Delete: will delete the pipeline. Any shared team members will also lose access once a pipeline is deleted.

   Duplicate: creates a copy that appears in you and your team's "Default" tab. Any user who has the appropriate permissions can access and edit this copy.

   Copy as a Template: makes a copy of the template and brings it into the templates section of your library for further review.

    

6. Access and edit an existing pipeline by clicking on it. Once in the design screen, you update stages, modify event triggers, or refine the workflow. Be aware that making changes to active pipelines could interrupt the progression of prospects or the delivery of event messages.

Create & Edit Your Pipeline

1. To create a new pipeline, click the pink "+ Create Pipeline" button at the top right of the page and name your pipeline. You can start from scratch, copy an existing pipeline, or choose a pre-made Bonzo template.
   
   

   

    

2. The pipeline selector in the top right will allow you to jump to different pipelines in your account. Click the "Options" dropdown to explore some additional settings.
   
   

   

    

   Settings: directs you to the local settings for the selected pipeline, providing more options than the global settings such as the ability to lock the pipeline and provide unique events for prospects.

   Manage Stages: brings you into the pipeline edit view and allows you to change the order of the stages and edit stage details.

   Exclude Days: allows you to specify a start and end date for an exclusion window, during which pipeline event messages will not be sent.

   Delete: will delete the pipeline. Any shared team members will also lose access once a pipeline is deleted.

   Duplicate: creates a copy that appears in you and your team's "Default" tab. Any user who has the appropriate permissions can access and edit this copy.

   Copy as a Template: makes a copy of the template and brings it into the templates section of your library for further review.

    

3. To preview a pipeline template, click the eye icon at the bottom of the pipeline card. If you want to use that template, click the "Import ->" button.
   
   

   

    

4. Once in the design view, you will see a horizontal view of all the stages in your pipeline. Eventually, prospects will be listed vertically under each stage and can be dragged and dropped manually into other stages.
   
   

   

   In this view, you can use the search bar to quickly find prospects by name, email, or phone number. By default, you will see only your prospects in each pipeline stage. To view shared prospects in the same pipeline, click on the "Team prospects" toggle. The filter dropdown provides a quick way to filter information related to stages and prospects. Additionally, click on the three vertical lines to search prospect and task assignments.
   
   
   

   

    

5. The icons on each individual stage give you some quick insights into the functionality of that stage.
   
   

   

    

   People: lists the number of prospects in this stage of your pipeline. By scrolling vertically down under the stage you will be able to see the corresponding number of contacts.

   Events: list the number of event messages setup for this stage of your pipeline. These messages trigger when prospects enter this stage.

   Campaign: the megaphone icon lists any campaign attached to this stage in your pipeline. Whereas pipeline event messages act as single automations, campaign event messages are a string of automations. By attaching your campaigns to pipeline stages, you are able to ensure that every prospect receives a series of targeted messages at the right times, guiding them through the sales process.

    

6. By clicking on the three vertical dots on the right hand side of the stage card, you will gain access to additional functionality.
   
   

   

    

   Find in People: brings you into your People tab using a custom filter for everyone found in this stage of your pipeline. Once in your People view, you can take additional actions by selecting the prospects and utilizing the Quick Action Toolbar at the bottom of the screen.

   Create New Prospect: allows you to create a new prospect from scratch and adds them to this Pipeline stage.

   Edit: brings you into the edit stage screen (see next section below for more details).

   Broadcast: enables you to send out a broadcast text, email, or voicemail message to every prospect within this stage of your Pipeline.

    

7. Further, by clicking the "+" underneath a given stage, you can "Attach" an existing contact from your People database OR "Create" and add a new one while remaining in your Pipeline. 
   
   
   

8. Finally, in the "Options" dropdown, you can establish some more granular settings for this specific pipeline.
   
   
   

   

    

   Locked Pipeline: when toggled, you and other team members shared on this Pipeline will not be able to delete pipeline stages.

   Unique Events Per Prospect: prevents prospects from receiving duplicate event messages. This ensures that if a prospect receives an event message upon entering a specific stage of your pipeline, they won't receive the same message again if they are moved out of that stage and then back in. This preserves the integrity of the automation

   Cumulative Column: adds additional information to each pipeline stage base on your business needs.
   
   

   

    

   If you set global settings for your pipelines on the main Pipeline's page, you will notice that some settings like "Prospect's Local Timezone," "Exclude Major Holidays," and "Sending Days" are also available in the local settings. It's important to note that local settings override global settings, as they are more finely tuned and specific to the pipeline you have created.

    

9. Click on "Edit" within the three vertical dots next to the stage or on "Manage Stages" in the options dropdown to be taken to the stage design page.
   
   

   

    

Manage and Edit Your Pipeline Stages

Once on the stage design page, your stage view will switch to a vertical layout. This allows you to reorder the stages by dragging and dropping them into different positions, and to add event messages to each stage.

1. Click on the "+" symbol or on the button in the top right "Add Stage" to create an additional stage in your Pipeline. As stated above you can drag and drop it into place, creating a new order in your Pipeline.

   

    

    

2. Selecting a stage will display two additional icons. The trash can icon removes the stage from your pipeline, while the pencil icon allows you to edit the stage. With the pencil icon, you can change the stage name, create a unique color label, attach campaigns, and access other options.
   
   

   

    

3. When editing an individual stage, you can make cosmetic changes such as selecting a new name and color label. Additionally, you have access to powerful automation options within these settings.
   
   

   

    

   Campaign: allows you to link a campaign to this specific pipeline stage. Whereas pipeline event messages act as single automations, campaign event messages are a string of automations. By attaching your campaigns to pipeline stages, you are able to ensure that every prospect receives a series of targeted messages at the right times, guiding them through the sales process.

   Shared Users: this feature allows your team to view all prospects shared in this stage. Team members with access to this stage will be able to see and communicate with these prospects.

   Tags: automatically adds a tag to prospects who enter this stage. It's important to note, Bonzo will not remove the tag when they exit the stage. If the prospect enters another stage with a separate tag automation, they will now have two tags. You can manually remove tags using the Quick Action Toolbar.

   Enable Notifications: sets up an automation that notifies you if a prospect remains in this stage for more than a specified number of days.

   Is Collapsed: will collapse a stage within your pipeline and direct prospect to appear in another one of your stages. It's important to note, this is the best way to visually cleanup your LOS pipelines (Arive, Encompass, etc.) without deleting the stage and potentially disrupting the Integration.

   Move to Different Stage... : sets up an automation that moves a prospect to another pipeline stage after they have been in the current stage for a specified number of days. For example, if a new lead remains in the "New Leads" stage for 30 days, Bonzo can automatically move them to a "Nurture" stage.

    

4. Click "Update" after making changes to an individual stage and click "Done" in the top right to return to the horizontal view of your pipeline.
   
   

   

    

    

Customize Your Pipeline Event Messages

Pipeline event messages are automated messages that trigger once a prospect enters that specific pipeline stage. Similar to Bonzo Campaigns, you can send email, text, and voicemail messages, as well as create internal tasks for you and your team. But unlike Campaigns, you have the powerful ability to create event Actions.

1. From the stage design page, select a stage and then add events by clicking on the "+" symbol.

   

    

   Like Campaigns, email, text, and voicemail events are external events that allow you to connect with prospects. Task events are internal reminders for you and your team. Action events, which we will cover in more detail down below, allow you to move a contact to another campaign or pipeline stage based on certain conditions.

   It's important to note that when editing email events, the subject line must be filled out in order to save the email and include it in your automated workflow. Without a subject line, you will receive the error message listed below.

    

   

2. To edit an event, click on the message type. Here you will not only be able to customize the message using merge tags, videos, gifs, emojis, etc., but you will also be able to create separate message automations for the "Primary," "Co-borrower," "Buying Agent," "Listing Agent," and "External" contact attached to the "Primary."
   
   

   

    

   For example, you can set up an SMS automation to go out to the "Primary" (prospect record), letting them know they are 'pre-approved.' By tabbing over to the "Co-borrower" and "Buyer Agent," you can send separate messages letting them know that the "Primary" has been 'pre-approved.'

   As a reminder, you can attach contacts like a co-borrower and buyer agent, by navigating to your "People" tab, selecting a prospect, and assigning them to the prospect in the "Loan Contacts" section under "Prospect Data."
   
   

   

    

3. Back in the event message edit window, you can add notes to this message for you or your shared teammates and set up specific routing conditions.
   
   

   

    

   For instance, if you want to establish routing conditions for this SMS event, you can click the "Add conditions" button and then the "+Add group" button to create a new routing group.

   

    

   Clicking on the "pencil" icon will allow you to edit and add conditions to this group. For example, you could set up a routing condition for this group where "Source" - "is equal to" - "Lending Tree." When this routing is saved, only new leads from Lending Tree will receive this SMS event message. Create another SMS event message and group and condition where the "Source" - "is equal to" - "Zillow." When this routing is saved, only new leads from Zillow will receive this SMS event message.

   This is just one example, but multiple routing conditions can be set up based on various data points in Bonzo. Routing groups can be customized to suit your specific needs, allowing for flexible configuration.

4. Utilize "Action" events to customize separate campaign assignments to the "Primary," "Co-borrower," "Buyer Agent," and "Listing Agent," or automatically move them to another pipeline stage after they receive the previously listed messages.
   
   

   

    

    

   Event Name: give the action event a name. This is useful for organizational purposes, especially on shared pipelines.

   Type: choose the type of action event: either a campaign (continuous automated outreach) or pipeline stage (one-off messaging and movement in your sales funnel). Once the type is selected, the drop down box below will allow you to select the specific Campaign or Pipeline Stage.

   If Campaign... when the "Primary" receives this action event, they will be moved to the selected campaign after any previously scheduled events. In the below example, SMS and email event messages will be sent sent to the "Primary" in your "New Lead" stage. Once they receive those messages, they will start receiving the "Long Term Nurture Campaign."
   
   

   

    

   Separate campaigns can be established for the other "Loan Contacts." In the below example, the "Buyer Agent" will receive an SMS and email message and then be put on the "Nurturing Agents" campaign.
   
   

   

    

   If Pipeline Stage... when "Primary" receives this action event, they will immediately be moved to the selected pipeline stage. In the below example, you might have an SMS and email sent to the "Primary" in your "New Lead" stage, once they receive those messages, they will automatically move to the selected Pipeline stage (i.e. "Nurture Purchase").
   
   

   

    

   Separate Pipeline Stages from other Pipelines can be established for the remaining "Loan Contacts." In the below example, it doesn't make sense to move the "Buyer Agent" to another stage in this prospect driven "New Sales" pipeline, so they will moved to the "New Realtors - Auto Nurture" stage in my "Realtor Appointments" pipeline.
   
   

   

    

5. Just like the other types of event messages, Action events can have specific routing groups and conditions. To establish these groups and conditions, click the "Add Conditions" button next to "Toggle Note."
   
   

   

    

Note: To learn more about Action events, including setting up groups and conditions, as well as use case examples, click on the box below.
Pipelines: Action Events

Enable & Add Prospects to Your Pipeline

After you have configured your pipeline stages and established your settings, the final step is activating your pipeline and adding prospects.

1. You can enable your pipeline in your main Pipelines page or from the design page. Simply slide the toggle, re-confirm your settings, and click "Yes, enable."
   
   

   

    

2. There are a few ways you can move prospects into your new pipeline. One way is by manually moving them from your "People" tab under the "Data" dropdown. Select the prospect or list and click on the "columns" icon on the Quick Action Toolbar.
   
   

   

    

   You will then be able to select the pipeline and pipeline stage for transfer.

3. You can automatically route prospects to your new pipeline via the import process during an import from a file or from a webhook transfer. For a file import, navigate to "Imports" under your "Data" dropdown, click on "New Import," then "Import from file." On the main import page, you will see a tab and dropdown that allows you to select your new pipeline and pipeline stage.

   

    

   For a webhook, navigate to "Webhooks" from "Settings" and down to "Webhooks" under the "Integrations" tag. Utilize an existing webhook or create a new one. On the editing screen, you will notice a dropdown that allows you to select your new pipeline and pipeline stage.

   Certain webhooks, like MMI, offer enhanced features that allow you to create groups and conditions for directing prospects into different pipelines or pipeline stages based on the criteria you set and your specific use case. For more information, click on the links provided in the next section.
   
   

   

    

4. You can also assign or move prospects to your new pipeline during an auto-dial session. Select the prospect or list of prospects from your People tab, then click on the phone icon to setup your auto-dial session. Once in the session, click on the "Actions" tab and then on "+Assign" under "Pipelines" to move them to the appropriate stage in your new pipeline.
   
   

   

    

Note: To learn more about the above mentioned features, click on the links below.
People: Quick Action Toolbar
People: Formatting, Custom Fields & Views, Importing
Integrations: MMI Enhanced Webhook

Bonzo's Pipelines feature offers a powerful tool to streamline your sales process by providing a structured approach to managing and communicating with your contacts. By customizing stages, you can effortlessly guide prospects through each phase of your sales cycle, ensuring that no lead is overlooked. The ability to automate messages and tasks at each stage further enhances your workflow efficiency, keeping all your sales activities organized and centralized in one convenient location.