Announcements are the recorded messages callers hear — welcome messages, after-hours messages, IVR menu prompts and similar — and you manage them at Tools / Setup → Announcements.
¶ Create an announcement
- Go to Tools / Setup → Announcements.
- Click Add Announcement (①).
- Enter an Announcement Name.
- Choose a Setup Method and complete the steps for that method below.
| Setup method | Use it to |
|---|---|
| Text-To-Speech | Type your message and have the system read it in a chosen language and voice. Use Play sample to preview before saving. |
| Create Audio Recording | Record your own audio in the browser. Start Recording gives a countdown, then records. |
| Upload Audio File | Upload an audio file you already have. |
| Order Professional Audio Recording | Order a professionally produced recording from VocPhone. |
¶ Text-to-speech
Type your message, choose a language and voice, then click Play sample to hear it before saving.
Text-to-speech supports SSML tags for finer control:
| To do this | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Insert a pause | <break time="1.2s"/> |
Mary had a little lamb <break time="1.2s"/> whose fleece was white as snow. |
| Separate paragraphs with a pause | <p>...</p> |
<p>First paragraph.</p> <p>Second paragraph.</p> |
| Read digits as a phone number | <say-as interpret-as="telephone">...</say-as> |
<say-as interpret-as="telephone">1300 663 222</say-as> |
¶ Record in the browser
Choose Create Audio Recording, then click Start Recording. A countdown runs before recording begins, so you have a moment to get ready.
Background noise is picked up by the microphone — record in a quiet room.
¶ Upload an audio file
Choose Upload Audio File and select the file to upload.
Accepted formats are MP3, OGG, WAV, PCM. Maximum file size is 2 MB.
¶ Order a professional recording
Choose Order Professional Audio Recording to have VocPhone produce the recording for you:
- Select a voice artist and style.
- Listen to a sample of the different options.
- Type your script.
You're charged the order price shown on the form, and the professional recording takes 1 to 3 working days to complete.
¶ Example scripts
Replace BUSINESS NAME with your own business name.
Generic voicemail
Thank you for calling BUSINESS NAME. Unfortunately all lines are currently busy. Please try again later, or leave your name and number and we will return your call. Thank you.
After hours
Thank you for calling BUSINESS NAME. We are currently closed. Please call back during business hours, 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, or leave your name and number and we will return your call. Thank you.
¶ Where announcements are used
Announcements are played by Interactive Voice Response menus and can be selected as steps in Call Routes.