Text-to-Speech (TTS)
Text-to-Speech (TTS) is a technology that converts written text into spoken audio. For small businesses, it allows AI systems to talk to customers on the phone, read back appointment details, or answer questions without a human being present.
Why Text-to-Speech (TTS) Matters to Your Small Business
TTS allows you to provide 24/7 customer service without hiring extra staff. Instead of customers reaching a silent voicemail when you are busy, they hear a clear, professional voice that can provide information or book appointments immediately.
It ensures consistency in how your business sounds to the public. Whether a customer calls at 2 AM or 2 PM, they receive the same professional greeting and accurate information regarding your services, pricing, and availability.
This technology also saves you time. You can update your business hours or service descriptions in a dashboard, and the AI instantly learns how to say those changes to your callers without you needing to record new voice clips.
How SkipCalls Uses Text-to-Speech
SkipCalls uses advanced TTS to power your AI receptionist. When you input instructions or service details into your SkipCalls dashboard, our system converts that text into a natural-sounding voice that speaks directly to your callers. This allows the AI to handle complex conversations, like confirming a specific address or listing available time slots, in real-time.
Related SkipCalls Features:
- •AI Receptionist
- •Voice Cloning
- •Automatic Appointment Booking
- •Custom Greetings
The Tech Behind the Voice
Modern TTS engines break down written text into small phonetic units. A deep learning model then predicts the melody and rhythm (prosody) of the sentence to ensure the audio flows naturally, rather than sounding like a string of disconnected words.
Real-World Examples
Handling After-Hours Inquiries
A customer calls a landscaping company at 8:00 PM to ask about pricing. The AI uses TTS to read the standard price list provided in the dashboard, ensuring the customer gets an answer even though the office is closed.
Confirming Appointment Details
A salon owner updates their schedule. The AI uses TTS to call the client and say, 'Your haircut with Sarah is confirmed for Thursday at 3:00 PM,' reading the specific name and time dynamically from the booking system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Text-to-Speech sound like a robot?
Modern TTS technology, like the kind used by SkipCalls, uses neural networks to create 'human-like' voices. These voices include natural pauses, inflections, and tones that sound very similar to a real person.
Can I choose a different voice for my business?
Yes. Most TTS systems offer a variety of voices, including different genders and accents. With SkipCalls, you can even use Voice Cloning to make the TTS sound exactly like you.
Is TTS better than a pre-recorded greeting?
TTS is more flexible. While a recording only says one thing, TTS can say anything. It can read out a customer's specific name, a unique appointment time, or a new price that you just updated in your settings.
Related Terms
Give Your Business a Professional Voice
Stop missing leads and start answering every call. Use SkipCalls and our advanced Text-to-Speech AI to handle your phone lines for just $3.99 a week.
