// Frequenty Asked Questions //

Voice Prompts

Voice prompts are used to guide millions of callers through interactive voice response (IVR) and voice user interface (VUI) systems, directing users through keypad menus or data input procedures. Other applications that use voice prompts include on-hold messaging, speech recognition, website narration, promotional voice mail, sales demos, and GPS navigation devices. By a careful selection and application of the appropriate voice talent, production team, and script, businesses are incorporating voice prompts as an integral element of their brand identity.

It takes an experienced, specialized, and talented team to create effective voice prompts. Composing informative and unambiguous scripts requires an in-depth understanding of end-user usability paired with product details. Voice prompts should not be needlessly redundant; it is tedious for listeners and wastes time. Voice prompts that impart critical information should be conveyed in a way that highlights their difference from other prompts by giving the user a warning and opportunity to signal their readiness (e.g. "I am about to give you your account balance. When you are ready to proceed, please press '1'"). Additionally, voice prompts should provide the caller with the opportunity to have the system repeat the information immediately afterward.

The most common variety of voice prompts, selection prompts, should adhere to basic usability guidelines. The most frequently used options should come first, the same grammatical structure should be used when listing menu options, the number of choices should be limited to three or four, and callers should be able to make their selections without having to hear the menu in its entirety.

Additionally, the human voice should be an experienced professional in order to convey the appropriate professional image. In addition to voice prompts, female voice talent Janet Ault has hundreds of voiceovers to her credit in all types of media including television, e-learning, corporate industrials, radio imaging, audio tours, store-casting, jingles, interactive kiosks, characters, and animation.

	"Janet Ault is a true professional. I have had the great fortune to work with Janet for the past four years. Whether it's an on camera role that requires a highly polished corporate professional or a voice over narrative that's animated and hilarious, I have no doubt that Janet will execute. She's the kind of delightful talent who makes the producer/director look good every time." Marie V. Strohm President Hummingbird Productions