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The first few seconds of a call are crucial - they determine whether the customer stays on the line. You have two options for your assistant’s first greeting: text-based initial message or custom initial audio.

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Initial Message

This is the first thing your AI assistant says when starting a call. The message is read exactly as written, so:

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Best Practices

  1. Keep it Short
    • Aim for 5-10 seconds
    • Get to the point quickly
    • Avoid long company introductions
  2. Write Exactly as Needed
    • Include proper diacritics (é, ñ, ü, etc.)
    • Use punctuation for proper pausing
    • Write numbers as they should be spoken
  3. Example Formats

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Initial Audio

For the best first impression, you can use a pre-recorded audio file:

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Benefits

  • Professional quality
  • Perfect pronunciation
  • Human warmth
  • Consistent delivery
  • Higher customer retention

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Setup Process

  1. Record your greeting with a professional voice actor
  2. Upload the audio file in the Greeting section
  3. Clone the same voice for the rest of the conversation
  4. Enable initial audio playback

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Best Practices

  1. Recording Quality
    • Use professional equipment
    • Record in a quiet environment
    • Maintain consistent volume
    • Save in high quality format
  2. Voice Matching
    • Use the same voice actor for cloning
    • Maintain consistent tone and style
    • Match energy levels
  3. Content Guidelines
    • Keep under 10 seconds
    • Include company name
    • State purpose clearly
    • Sound welcoming

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Example Script Structure

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Using Audio and Text Together

When you upload an initial audio file, keep the initial message as well — and write it as the transcript of what the audio says, word for word.
  • The audio is what the caller hears
  • The initial message tells the assistant what it just said
  • If the two differ, the assistant believes it said something else and greets a second time
Do not treat the initial message as a backup with different wording. It is the transcript of your audio file.

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Testing

Before going live:
  1. Call your assistant
  2. Listen for:
    • Clear pronunciation
    • Natural pauses
    • Proper volume
    • Smooth transition to AI conversation

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Language Considerations

  • Each language needs its own initial message/audio
  • Use native speakers for recordings
  • Consider regional accents
  • Test with target audience
Pro Tip: Record several versions of your initial audio and test which one gets better response rates.