Overview
Conversation Rules allow users to automate processes within Conversations. Users can configure rules that trigger customizable actions when specified conditions are met. The available actions include assigning conversations, adding participants, tagging, closing, replying, and running workflow rules. Conversation Rules provide a way to streamline conversation workflows based on defined criteria.
Rule Evaluation
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When Do Rules Apply?
Conversation Rules are evaluated in the following scenarios:
Inbound Messages with No Conversation History: The rules are applied to the first message of a new conversation that you receive. Conversations that you start yourself from the dashboard or a student's profile are not subject to these rules.
New Messages in Closed Conversations: If a conversation has been closed and a new message comes in, it's considered a new conversation, and the rules apply. It’s recommended to close conversations as they're finished to ensure the rules are evaluated correctly. It's recommended to close conversations as they're finished to ensure the rules are evaluated correctly.
Special Case: Bolt Assistants: Conversation rules do not apply to conversations with Bolt Assistants. However, there is one exception: if you have a rule with the "Bolt Assistant Handoff Intention" condition, it will be evaluated at the time of handoff. We will dive deeper into this topic in the conditions section below.
How are Rules Processed?
When an inbound message is received and matches the outlined criteria—a new message with no prior conversation history or a new message in a previously closed conversation—Element451 initiates a rule-checking process. The message is systematically compared against your custom rules in the Conversation Settings > General > Automation Settings.
This rule evaluation is conducted sequentially, from the top of your rule list to the bottom. This means the order in which your rules are arranged is critical; rules are checked in the order they appear.
The first rule that meets the conditions of the message is applied.
After applying this rule, the system ceases further checks for that message, ensuring that only the first matching rule is applied. Subsequent rules are bypassed.
Accessing Conversation Rules
To add rules, navigate to Engagement > Conversations > Settings > General.
Adding a New Rule
To create a new rule:
Click Add Rule at the bottom of the Automation Settings section. Once clicked, a slide-out sheet will appear, allowing you to configure your new rule.
Add a name for the rule at the top of the slide-out sheet.
Choose whether to enable it upon saving or leave it disabled (default). If you're going to test the new rule, we recommend leaving it disabled until you are ready to begin testing.
Add a description of the rule. This provides at-a-glance context of the rule when reviewing your list of rules on the Conversation Settings page.
Set your condition(s) for this rule. Each rule must have at least one condition. You can learn more about the conditions below.
Choose the action(s) for the rule to execute. Each rule must have at least one action. You can learn more about the actions below.
Click Save
If you still need to enable your rule in step three, remember to enable it once you're ready to test or go live.
Conditions and Actions
Conversation Rules are made up of conditions and actions.
Conditions
Conditions define the criteria for the conversation rule to trigger and execute the specified action(s). Conditions allow you to target automation rules to specific situations and populations.
If an inbound conversation meets the condition(s) of the rule, then the action will occur.
There are five types of conditions from which to choose, and you can combine multiple types:
Segment reference: This condition loads an existing user segment. For example, if you have a transfer student segment and want all inbound conversations by transfer students to be tagged 'transfer,' you could use this condition.
Segment builder: Creates a segment and filters your audience based on selected criteria.
Inbound condition: Allows the rule to apply only to messages from specific channels by specifying the conversation channel the message is received on, such as Email, SMS, WhatsApp, and Messenger (Live Chat).
Date condition: Triggers rules at specified dates and times. Multiple filters can create date ranges and combinations.
Bolt Assistant Handoff Intent: When using Bolt Assistants, you can use this condition to trigger actions on a specific "message intent" or all messages at the time of handoff. For a comprehensive understanding of how Bolt Assistant handoffs work, please review the Bolt Assistant Handoffs article.
Actions
Actions are the tasks executed when an automation rule is triggered by its conditions being met. Actions allow the automation rule to take valuable measures in response to the conversation.
There are six types of actions to choose from, and you can combine multiple types to accomplish more complex automation.
Assignment: Assign an individual or a Team to the conversation
Assignment is a single action and will only be executed by the first matching condition that the conversation meets
Conversations are only allowed one assignee
Add Participants: Add internal users to a conversation
Tag: Add a custom tag to a conversation for filtering
Close: Automatically close/end the conversation
Close is a single action and will only be executed by the first matching condition that the conversation meets.
Reply: Send an automatic message reply
Run Workflow Rule: Executes a workflow rule
Managing Rules
To manage your rules, navigate to Engagement > Conversations > Settings > General > Automation Settings.
Edit or Delete a Rule
To edit or delete a rule, click on the three dots to the far right of the rule.
Reorder Rules
A new inbound conversation is executed against all rules based on their order in your list of rules in the Automation Settings section of Conversation Settings. To reorder the rules, use the two horizontal lines to drag rules up or down.
Enabling/Disabling Rules
The enabled button should be turned on for active rules or turned off for unused ones.
Use Cases
Here are some ways that our partner institutions are using conversation rules:
Assign a conversation to an admissions counselor
Send an automatic reply when the office is closed for holidays
Send an automatic reply during nights and weekends
Assign a conversation or add a participant based on the intent of the conversation (e.g., financial aid or account balance)