How to Call a Lead from Master Inbox

SmartDialer lets you call your leads directly from Smartlead - with full email context, automatic call logging, recording, and AI-powered transcripts.

This guide walks you through:

1. Setting up your calling number

2. Making your first call

3. Using the dialer during a call

4. Logging call details

5. Reviewing recordings and transcripts

6. Handling common issues

1. Getting Started: Purchase a Calling Number

Before you can call leads, you need a dedicated phone number.

Step 1: Open a Lead in Master Inbox

• Go to Master Inbox (From left hand navigation >> click on Engage tab » and then Master Inbox)

• Open any lead conversation

• Click Call Lead

If you don't have a number yet, you'll see:

"You don't have a calling number yet."

Click Buy a Number.

Step 2: Choose Your Number

You can:

• Search by area code (e.g., 415, 212)

• Choose from available US local or toll-free numbers

Each number shows:

• Phone number

• Country

• Region / Area code

• Monthly cost

Select your preferred number and click Confirm and Purchase.

Step 3: Complete Payment

You'll see:

• Monthly cost breakdown

• Notes on auto-renewal and compliance

Key details:

• Numbers auto-renew monthly

• Mid-cycle cancellations are non-refundable

• Each number is tied to one workspace

• Usage and recording comply with telecom regulations

Click Make Secure Payment to complete via Stripe.

Once payment is successful:

• Your number is provisioned automatically

• You can start calling immediately

• No manual setup required

2. Making Your First Call

Once your number is active:

1. Open a lead conversation in Master Inbox

2. Click Call Lead (refer to the first screenshot)

You'll see the Start a Call modal (see below screenshot).

Note: Client Number is hidden in the above screenshot.

If the lead does not have a phone number, the Call Lead button will be disabled. Add a phone number to the lead before proceeding.

Start a Call Modal

You can:

• Select Your Number (if you own multiple numbers)

• Confirm the Client Number

• Toggle Record Call (ON by default)

Click Start Call.

International Calling: you're not limited to calling domestic leads. Your US number can also call international numbers - no separate local number needed per country.

If your browser blocks microphone access, SmartDialer will not initiate the call. Allow microphone permissions in your browser settings, refresh the page, and try again.

3. During the Call

The SmartDialer interface appears as a floating panel.

In the call active state, you'll see:

• Call timer

• Recording indicator

• Lead name and phone number

• Mute button

• End Call button

• Add Context option

• Voicemail Drop option - drop a pre-recorded voicemail and automatically hang up if the call goes unanswered

For how to record, upload, and manage your saved voicemails, and how to drop one mid-call, see: How to Create a Voicemail in SmartDialer.

Important:

• Email history remains visible in the background.

• You can reference past conversations while speaking.

Recording

• Recording is enabled by default.

• You can turn it off before starting the call.

• A recording indicator shows when recording is active.

4. After the Call Ends

When you end the call, SmartDialer prompts you to log call details.

Log Call Details

You can add:

• Purpose (e.g., Qualification Call)

• Tags

• Notes (up to 500 characters)

Click Submit to save.

If you skip logging:

• The call will still be saved

• But it won't include purpose, tags, or notes

You can choose:

• Skip for Now

• Or go back and complete logging

If the client's network drops during the call, you'll see a "Your call was disconnected" message. The partial call will still be logged in the timeline, and you can click Call Again to reconnect.

View Transcript

When the call is ended, if transcript generation is complete, you'll see:

"Call recording and transcript are now ready for review."

Click View Transcript to open it.

If transcript generation is still processing, it will appear in the timeline shortly after the call ends.

5. Call Logging & Timeline

Every call is automatically logged inside the lead's Master Inbox timeline.

You'll see:

• Call date

• Duration

• Time range

• Recording section

• Transcript section

• Edit option

This ensures:

• Calls are linked to the correct lead

• Call activity sits alongside emails and subsequences

• Sales history remains centralized

Transcripts are generated automatically after the call ends.

Features:

• Timestamped sections

• Speaker separation

• Scrollable transcript view

Best Practices for Using SmartDialer

• Always confirm phone number before calling

• Keep recording enabled for transcript benefits

• Add purpose and tags immediately after call

• Use transcript timestamps to review objections

• Call while referencing email history for contextual follow-ups

• Use a Call sequence step for leads you want to prioritize for a live conversation partway through your outreach

SmartDialer Pricing

SmartDialer plans start from $9/month and go up to $699/month, depending on the number of minutes and users selected.

• Calls are billed per minute

• Call recording & transcription are billed at a higher per-minute rate

• Higher plans offer more minutes and lower per-minute costs

• Some tiers include unlimited minutes

US local and toll-free numbers start at $1 per number / month.

You can view available plans, pricing tiers, and estimated minutes inside your account:

Profile → Settings → Subscription → SmartDialer

Pricing updates dynamically based on your selected plan.