This tutorial explains how to manage the "Tidy Bot" AI chat assistant within a CRM system. The presenter details how to handle existing contacts versus new leads to prevent the AI from messaging current contacts inappropriately. The core process involves bulk-tagging all current contacts with an "ai_off" tag to disable the bot by default. Conversely, new contacts will enter the system with the AI enabled automatically. The video also demonstrates how to manually re-enable the AI for a specific contact and explains that the bot only fully activates once the contact responds to an initial manual text message.
0:00 – 0:15: Introduction to the Tidy Bot launch and the purpose of the tutorial.
0:15 – 0:55: Bulk Disabling AI: How to use the "ai_off" tag to bulk-disable the bot for all existing contacts so they don't receive automated messages.
0:55 – 1:15: New Contact Logic: Explanation that any new contacts added to the system moving forward will have the AI on by default (since they lack the "ai_off" tag).
1:15 – 1:40: Manually Enabling AI: How to open a specific contact record and toggle the status to "AI On" if you want the bot to take over.
1:40 – End: Activation Trigger: Clarification that switching the AI on doesn't start the conversation immediately; you must send a manual message, and the bot activates only after the contact replies.
Navigate to Contacts: Go to the main Contacts list in your CRM.
Select Contacts: Click the checkbox at the top to select all contacts currently in your system.
Add Tag: Click the "Add Tag" icon in the top menu.
Type Tag Name: Type in ai_off (ensure it matches exactly).
Confirm: Click Add to apply this tag to your list.
Note: This ensures the bot is disabled for everyone currently in your database.
If you decide you want the AI to manage a specific conversation with an old contact:
Open Contact: Click on the name of the contact you want to enable.
Locate Bot Settings: Look for the "Message Bot Status" or controller area (usually in the details sidebar).
Toggle Status: Change the status or tag from AI Off to AI On.
Save: Click the Save button at the bottom of the section.
Simply turning the setting to "AI On" does not start the bot immediately.
Send Manual Message: While in the contact's conversation view, type and send a manual text message (e.g., "Hey, are you still interested?").
Wait for Reply: The bot is triggered by the contact's response. Once they reply to your manual text, the AI will take over and continue the conversation.
