Voice-Based TextIt Workflows

by Kellan Alexander

Did you know you can apply TextIt's workflow logic to voice messages? Voice workflows are handy for three reasons: First, they allow you to send and receive voice messages that allow for improved tone, character and length when compared with text messages. Second, they're synchronous - clients and beneficiaries are actively engaged with your workflow for the duration of the call. Third, they don't require that your contacts are literate, allowing you to reach communities with lesser access to education. 

While it's true that TextIt's voice workflows allow you to create low-cost, customizable call centers capable of triaging calls and directing clients to the appropriate team member, they're also a practical tool in aid and development contexts. In June, we brought attention to the polio-eradication efforts of UNICEF, the WHO, and the Federal and Provincial Emergency Operation Centers on Polio in Pakistan. In this context, UNICEF's Pakistan Innovations team built voice workflows to disseminate polio knowledge-check surveys designed to equip community leaders with the information they need to affect harmful discourse and raise awareness within illiterate communities.

Add a Voice-Enabled Number

You can purchase a voice-enabled Twilio number and connect it to your TextIt account in minutes, or, if you're in a country where Twilio doesn't yet provide virtual numbers, you can test your voice flows with an Android channel by simply connecting your Twilio account to your TextIt account. Your Android channel will handle inbound and outbound SMS, while Twilio's Voice API will make calls using your Android channel's sender ID.

Write a Script

Much like the "Send Message" action available to SMS workflows, the "Play Message" action allows you to script your outgoing messages based on the results of a RuleSet evaluation. Here, you're given the option of letting TextIt's built-in text-to-speech functionality give voice to your messages, or importing an audio file of your choice. 

Craft your Tone

If you'd like to add your own audio to your messages, you can grab a microphone or headset and record yourself using Quicktime or Windows' Sound Recorder. Once your messages are recorded, head over to media.io to convert them to WAV files, then click the microphone icon in the bottom right corner of the messages to add them to your workflow. 


Once uploaded, you can click the play button in the bottom right corner to listen to each message's voice file. 


Note that services like IVONA provide high quality text-to-speech voices for most languages. 

Simulating a Voice Flow

TextIt allows you to simulate a voice workflow using the nearest phone. Simply click the simulator, enter the phone number you'd like TextIt to call, and you'll experience the call as your contacts would. 

Give it a Go

If you're based in the United States or Canada, you can interact with a TextIt voice workflow by calling this toll-free number, +1 888-531-0777, or by texting it the word "Hey". You can also interact with our Twitter workflow by following us on Twitter.