Ivr

Automated voice prompts are prerecorded human directions or a guide to help callers/customers get the information they need to make a transaction or solve a problem. These are used in cars, message-on-hold systems and other voice processing tools. Some automated voice prompts are referred to as interactive voice response systems, or IVR.

As a business, you are probably always looking for ways to run more efficiently and cost-effectively. An automated voice prompt can help give your customer, caller or client an efficient way to get their question answered, problem solved and directions given. Not only does it help things run more efficiently, an automated voice prompt can be like a personal guide or host to everyone that interacts with your business.

If that’s the case, you need a voiceover that is personable, warm, professional and friendly. We’ve all experienced the frustrations of being guided by stale, disconnected and hard to understand voice prompts. Isn’t it the worst? Especially if the on hold music is unbearable. If first impressions are everything, that’s not the first impression you want your company to make. You need someone that is helpful and makes the caller, client or customer feel comfortable and taken care of.

My friends joke that I’m the hostess with the mostest. I am that person that makes guest baskets with water, snacks and mini toiletries for people that come stay at our house. I most recently began providing slippers and robes as well. I know…maybe a little overboard. Growing up, our house was always crazy. I’m the oldest of four and for most of my life we lived in a 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom house. I remember wanting friends to come over but feeling frustrated they had to come into such chaos. I honestly don’t think it bothered anyone but me. However, my grandmother’s house was totally different. When we’d visit her in Birmingham, Alabama she had a cooler full of soft drinks set out for us, Pecan Sandies and Famous Amos cookies and everything about the stay was welcoming and inviting. I’ve always wanted to make others feel that way when they come to my house or our voiceover studio.

I share that story to tell you it’s more than my voice. I’m just the person that wants to welcome others, guide them, host them and help them feel comfortable. Yes, you’ll get a friendly, kind and relatable (or natural) voice for your automated voice prompt but it goes beyond just my voice. That’s just who I am.

Most people think of automated voice prompts as IVR or Interactive Voice Response messages…specifically when they call a company. However, I think automated voice prompts will become even more widespread over the next few years due to more companies embracing AI or artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing businesses, helping save time and money. You’ll see artificial intelligence (AI) in everything – from cars (like Knight Rider…now I’m showing my age), more virtual assistants (like Siri and Alexa), healthcare and retail. We’re already seeing it in many of these areas now. Even though AI may help us be more efficient, accurate and profitable, humans still crave human connection. That will never go away.

If your business is adding artificial intelligence that needs a human connection element, consider adding a friendly, warm voice over that will guide and connect with your customer, client or caller.

The most effective automated voice prompts are those that are easy to understand. The voice needs to be clear with words enunciated so that anyone can understand them. They also need to be short and concise. We all are short on time. The quicker you can clearly guide your customer, the better impression and experience they’ll have with your company. An effective automated voice prompt doesn’t give too many options. We all have experienced that decision paralysis when trying to determine what to watch on Netflix. Don’t make it harder for your customer to make a decision. The easier it is, the longer they’ll stick with you and know that you want to guide them, not confuse them. I love Donald Miller of Building a Storybrand and he always says, “If you confuse, you lose.” The “rule of thumb” for voice prompts is no more than 3-5 prompts at once. If you know the top reasons people are calling or needing guidance, you can always prioritize your prompts in that order. This way the caller or customer doesn’t have to wait through all the prompts

I’d love to help your company guide your customers, clients and callers as your automated voice prompt voice or virtual assistant. You can contact me at: Heidi@heidirew.com or go through my agent (find the agent closest to you for convenience) here