Some writing tips for successful recorded calls
Some writing tips for successful recorded calls
For messages intended for a call read out by a synthetic voice, it is best to write the message in a spoken style.
Here are some simple suggestions to ensure that messages are read out clearly.
a) Keep your sentences short, ideally with only one idea, and to the point.
b) When writing your text, imagine you are speaking to someone in a context that is neither too formal nor too familiar. This will help you to adopt a conversational style.
c) Be as concise as possible.
Example:
Say:
Public swimming pools remain open to citizens during the heatwave.
Instead of saying:
In addition, public swimming pools will remain open to better accommodate citizens who wish to use them during the heatwave.
d) Avoid inverted sentences.
Example:
Say :
The premises open at 8:30 to accommodate you better!
Instead of saying :
From 8:30, the premises will be open, to better accommodate you!
e) Where possible, conjugate verbs in the present tense.
Example:
Say:
The Founders' Bridge is open.
Instead of saying:
The Founders' Bridge was reopened at 18:00.
f) Use varied and appropriate punctuation.
Remember that with a synthetic voice, punctuation influences the rhythm of how the message is read. To slow down the flow, you can use a semicolon (;) and ellipsis (...) to make the sentence more pleasing, which will make it easier to understand the message.
Listen to your message before a massive transmission. This way, you can determine if changes are needed.