An Important Note on Maximizing Answer Rates with ConnectionBoost
If leads are not expecting your outbound calls - and they tend to hang up on you swiftly (if they even answer at all) - then you are operating at a business-model disadvantage in this space - and will be treated accordingly by US mobile carriers.
US mobile carriers employ proprietary, dynamic algorithms to determine whether or not the dreaded “spam likely” tag should be applied to a call - based on your number's verification status and its history.
In the long run, there is no substitute for calling warm leads when it comes to avoiding spam flags. That is one of the many reasons Kixie provides workflow action tools (like send sms, or make a call) in HubSpot and Zapier to allow you to engage leads instantly when they become warm.
- For example: HubSpot email opened -> send auto-text asking for a call -> lead agrees to call -> rep calls -> has long conversation -> number reputation is increased with carriers
That being said, there are concrete steps you need to take, to give your numbers the baseline chance to succeed - regardless of your ability to generate strategic warm engagement.
📋 Next-Level ConnectionBoost Checklist
✅ 1. Enroll in the ConnectionBoost Number Health Reputation Manager
This single enrollment activates Kixie’s complete, automated number reputation system — combining three layers of performance and protection:
ConnectionBoost — Automatically rotates local presence numbers for every outbound call, matching local area codes to boost answer rates.
Number Health Automation — Continuously analyzes your trailing 30-day call activity across all North American area codes, automatically adding, replacing, and retiring numbers based on reputation and performance.
Carrier Registration Integration — Automatically creates and maintains your First Orion business registration, ensuring all Kixie numbers are recognized as legitimate across U.S. mobile carriers.
💰 Cost:
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$1/month per number acquired by Merlin
Most nationwide teams end up requiring ≈350 numbers (~$400/month total)
$50/month per ConnectionBoost user on your Kixie account
✅ 2. Enable Automatic First Orion Registration
Once enrolled:
Your First Orion business profile is automatically created through Kixie’s direct carrier partnership.
All current and future Kixie numbers are automatically registered in carrier reputation databases.
No separate First Orion sign-up is required.
📎 If you’re not 10DLC-registered:
We need to collect your business details separately using this form, and we will create your First Orion profile automatically with this information. Just login with your Kixie email address.
Even if your 10DLC campaign isn’t approved, the registration alone establishes your First Orion presence (approval is not required).
✅ 3. Use Kixie for STIR/SHAKEN-Verified Calling
All calls placed through Kixie are STIR/SHAKEN-verified, and provide your calls with the highest carrier attestation level available — A-Level Attestation - which is the bare minimum credibility requirement that carriers look for when evaluating the legitimacy of your calls.
🪪 Optional: Branded Calling via First Orion Inform
If you’d like to take it further by branding your calls (displaying your company name or logo on recipients’ phones):
Create a direct First Orion Inform account.
Manually register specific numbers you want branded through their Inform product suite.
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Keep in mind branding is a separate service billed directly through First Orion, and is particularly not cheap.
Discounts are available though our referral link, and the larger the call volume you can deliver to First Orion - the more of a discount (per branded call) you can negotiate.
🔁 The Fully Automated Reputation Loop
Once these steps are complete, your number health management runs automatically:
ConnectionBoost keeps local presence fresh and active.
Reputation Manager analyzes and replaces underperforming numbers.
First Orion integration keeps all numbers carrier-registered.
STIR/SHAKEN verifies every call at the network level.
Result: Your outbound calls appear as trusted, local, verified business calls — automatically, at scale.
Optional Extra Resources
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Number Warm-Up Strategies
- To Help Avoid Early Spam Flagging
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Spam Remediation Links for Direct Numbers
- When you or your Number Health Reputation Manager Report suspects an agent's direct number has been flagged as spam
Maximizing SMS Delivery Rates + Minimizing Carrier Blocking
- See here for our article covering SMS Delivery.