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Agents - How to Prompt AI Voice Agents

This article will help you prompt, optimize and troubleshoot your AI Voice Agents. Use it as a baseline for your prompting.

Updated over a month ago

This tutorial outlines the steps to effectively prompt an AI voice agent for optimal performance in customer interactions.

1. Define the Vision of a Perfect Call

  • Start by envisioning what a perfect call should look and sound like.

  • Identify the key steps the AI voice agent should follow during the call.


2. Understand the Structure of the Prompt

  • Use symbols like pound signs or curly brackets to structure the prompt.

  • Consider using numbers or bullet points to organize information clearly.


3. Identify the AI's Role and Background

  • Clearly define the AI's identity (e.g., 'You are Sarah, a human-like AI voice travel agent').

  • Provide the AI with the company's unique selling points to keep them top of mind.


4. Set the Objective of the AI

  • Clearly state the primary goal of the AI (e.g., 'Your primary goal is to answer customer inquiries about travel options').

  • Define the main action, such as transferring calls to an expert when necessary.


5. Provide Use Case and Context

  • Give context about the call (e.g., inbound call from a customer with travel inquiries).

  • List common customer intents and service options the AI should be aware of.


6. Outline Conversation Flow Guidelines

  • Choose between a script-based or guideline approach; guidelines are preferred for flexibility.

  • Define the main steps of the conversation flow, such as greeting, understanding the inquiry, providing information, and transferring the call.


7. Implement Objection Handling Techniques

  • Train the AI to acknowledge customer objections empathetically.

  • Encourage the AI to ask clarifying questions and reassure customers about the benefits of speaking with an expert.


8. Closing and Call Transfer

  • Instruct the AI to confirm the transfer to an expert once the customer agrees.

  • Ensure the AI ends the call politely with a friendly sign-off.


9. Fine-tune Tone and Language

  • Optionally, adjust the AI's tone to be natural, friendly, and engaging.

  • Allow for conversational fillers to enhance the naturalness of the interaction.


10. Final Checks Before Launch

  • Double-check the opening line of the AI agent as it is the first thing customers will hear.

  • Ensure to click 'publish' to save changes before testing the agent.

Cautionary Notes

  • Avoid overly complex prompts; simplicity often yields better results.

  • Ensure that the AI's guidelines are not too scripted to maintain a natural flow in conversations.

Tips for Efficiency

  • Regularly review call recordings to identify areas for improvement.

  • Experiment with different prompts and guidelines to optimize performance.

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