IVR Demos

Kim White · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007, 17:36 (GMT) Post subject: IVR Demos

For those of you who do quite a bit of IVR work, could you give me some guidance in assembling and IVR demo? How many pieces should I choose? Any suggestions on assembly? What makes a good IVR demo? I've listened to many on the site, but would really appreciate additional guidance...

I've been doing some IVR work lately, and the gentleman I'm working with has requested a demo. Thank you for your help!

Claire Dodin · **Voice Talent** Joined: 16 Aug 2005 Posts: 400

Bettye Zoller · **Voice Talent** Joined: 03 Aug 2003 Posts: 163

On this site you can hear some demos I've produced on some vo talents I use on my messaging work and also hear my phone demo. The demo should be fully produced if possible with music under on at least a few of the cuts. Show various types of cuts: "Sold on Hold," more serious reads, more relaxed reads, you see...the vocal tone and the scripts vary according to the type of business: Legal or medical advice would be serious while a florist or a pet sitter or a beauty salon would be different still...that's why you need to show variety. For those who think that all phone messaging work must be "dry and serious," times are changing fast and many national firms are doing comedy and even skits! The small businesses and the medical folks are still doing the serious reads, often with no backgrounds or effects, but those who can spend more are doing post production. And as for the scripting...well, we advise our clients and I hope you can do the same to not BORE their callers but instead, inspire and invite callers showing their company's warmth and sincerity! Hope this helps. Oh...another tip: USE YOUR PHONE to call and LISTEN to the big firms and their telephone voiceover recordings. That's how you learn a lot!I also do a great deal of "European" and "British" and "German" phone work. Remember to use those skills if you have them!!I have attached one of my telephone vo demos here for you to listen...all the best in your endeavors!

Claire Dodin · **Voice Talent** Joined: 16 Aug 2005 Posts: 400

Bettye Zoller · **Voice Talent** Joined: 03 Aug 2003 Posts: 163

Ah--interesting thread here. Yes, multi-national corporations we serve are requesting fully produced IVR phone messaging and especially love the "sold on hold" commercials we produce and voice so callers listen to our messages while waiting for someone to talk with them. Instead of just "music" which is supposed to be about six seconds before we say something again like "thank you for waiting. You'll be connected soon" the corporations want our commercial messaging. That is a good dimension because we charge much more for "sold on hold" service over and above just the usually phone stuff. Also, everyone in the medical field and even our veteranarians are wanting the sold on hold stuff we do. Everything is post produced with music and effects when needed such as a dog bark or a child saying "oh look daddy..." etc. every merchant or corporation differs. Our homebuilders want info delivered on their kitchen designs and their heat and AC units and...we also script when needed. That's a nice extra billing item. Several multi-national airlines are using comedy spots now. Multi-voiced. Fun. And yes, it's true we also have the small business owner. Those are the clients who just get "dry voice." We don't do "dry voice demos." We do fully produced demos showing all of our client services.

Kim White · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007, 15:50 (GMT) Post subject:

Wow! Such great information! Thank you both!

I work with a gentleman who has a production studio in the midwest. He also composes the music used in the messages, and produces them for the client. I'm just the voice... we have some projects we've already finished which will be included in the demo, but I wanted to add more variety... so we could branch out more (mostly telecommunications companies, insurance companies, etc. right now).

Thank you both for taking the time to answer my question... you've given me a starting point. When it's done, I'll post it in L&R. This newbie really appreciates your help.

Claire Dodin · **Voice Talent** Joined: 16 Aug 2005 Posts: 400