We all know that first impressions matter, so if the programmed voice on your company’s IVR phone system is the first point of contact for customers, it’s a good idea to make it a good one.
If you run a call center, you know that your IVR recordings can set the tone for the whole customer experience. That’s why it’s essential to welcome callers with a polished and professional message before they ever reach an agent.
Luckily, it’s neither difficult nor expensive to get professional IVR recordings to go along with your business VoIP service.
What Makes a Good IVR Recording?
Think of the best phone call you’ve ever had with a company phone system. You were probably greeted by a friendly-sounding voice that came with no awkward pauses and no robotic tones—just smooth transitions, clear speech, and fast prompts that felt like a helpful chat.
This is the essence of a good IVR recording. The tone and delivery may vary, but it feels human without trying to be deceitful and it’s easy to follow.
On top of that, a little personality can go a long way towards creating a more memorable experience. For best results, think about your brand voice and add a touch of flavor to your recordings.
What About That Great Free IVR Recording?
Making a high-quality IVR recording is easier than you think. Several free and affordable tools can help you craft something you’re proud of, even if you’re not a voice actor or a tech genius. Here are some of the ways to get great free voice recordings:
- Free trial of an IVR recording service: Many services offer a limited-time trial, perfect for crafting a few essential recordings.
- AI text-to-speech tools: Many AI tools offer natural-sounding voices, and some of them allow you to clone your own voice to read scripts.
- DIY recording with a decent mic: If you can get your hands on a decent microphone and a quiet space, you can record and upload the individual audio files to your IVR software.
These DIY options can be great for startups and businesses with basic phone system needs, but they won’t always work for companies with large and complex menus or those who need hundreds of recordings. If your business has outgrown the homegrown solutions, you may need to graduate to a professional tier.
IVR Recording At Scale
If your business has several departments, locations, or services, you might need dozens of prompts to guide customers. Likewise, if you cater to a global audience or have several regional offices, you may need recordings in multiple languages and dialects.
That’s why professional IVR recording services exist, to help you manage your high-volume recording needs. They usually offer scalability, voice actor expertise, and efficiency beyond what an in-house team can provide.
IVR Recording Software
Say you have internal talent or you’re ready to record the greetings yourself, but you need a way to manage the workload and make changes on your own. IVR recording software can help you do all of that, in addition to offering other useful features.
IVR software is known for the following:
- Organization and management: Upload, edit, schedule, and publish your recordings with ease.
- Version control: Track revisions and rollbacks effortlessly, ensuring your callers always hear the most up-to-date information.
- Automated updates: Schedule changes and updates across multiple recordings simultaneously.
- Seamless integration: Connect your software with other business tools to personalize greetings and tailor prompts based on real-time data.
Keep in mind that recording your own greetings and uploading them into IVR software may be the most cost-efficient way to manage your recordings, but it’s certainly not the simplest. That would be hiring professional services to record your prompts.
IVR Recording Services
If you need recordings in French, Mandarin, or Swahili—or a “bright, upbeat voice with a Western accent,” there’s a solution for that. IVR recording services like Voices or Voquent feature thousands of professional voice actors offering different languages, crystal-clear audio, and lightning-fast turnaround times. In fact, many of these voices are recognizable from popular commercials, podcasts, and even the IVR systems of your competitors.
Some IVR recording services charge per word—which is ideal for short, dynamic prompts—while others charge per recording. If you’re looking for a simple place to find help, freelance marketplaces like Upwork and Fiverr offer different ways to work with incredible talent. From hourly rates to package deals, you’re sure to find something that fits your budget.
At the end of the day, investing in professional IVR recordings is about more than just sound quality. It’s about boosting customer satisfaction, improving efficiency, and strengthening your brand image. If you take the time to explore your options, listen to demos, and find voices that harmonize with your brand, both you and your customers will be happy you did.
