It's really not an IVR (Interactive Voice Response) system, but it looks like www.gotvoice.com can handle some of the tasks a normal 800 Lead capture system can do, with a couple extra features.

We use Freedomvoice for our 800 Lead capture system. If you are unfamiliar with IVR, it is simply a voice mailbox in which  you record messages and provide the extensions to listen to the message. (example: 1-800-255-3254 x123) IF you do not use an 800 number, I highly recommend them. We pay around $30 a month for 100 mailboxes. (100-599). Mailboxes 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 all point to the same mailbox, but this allows you to track the incoming phone call. For example, If I make a message and set that message to mailbox 1, the extension will be 101, 201, 301, 401, and 501. mailboxes in the 100 range are from for sale sign calls, 200 are from Craigslist, 300 are from the newspaper, etc… The IVR systems will capture most phone calls, but the new VOIP, especially skype numbers do not get captured. For an extra service fee you can even capture address information for the phone number that called your mailbox.

There is a new FREE service from gotvoice.com that allows you receive all your voicemails on your computer. I know that service is not new, but there are a couple features of this service that I really think are interesting. 

1. You can record a message and broadcast it to all your contacts. I can see this used the same way we use our e-newsletters…create a service that broadcasts "Good Deals" or "Must Sells". You create a short message (they only allow 16 seconds) then broadcast it out to your contacts. It can ring the contacts phone or go directly to voicemail.
2. Call capture - although, I'm pretty sure this will not capture as many phone numbers as Freedomvoice. Freedomvoice captures all numbers including restricted numbers.
3. Check, and listen to all your messages online. I don't know if it is just me, but I hate checking voicemails on my phone…something about having to hit a bunch of numbers and listening to the recorded voice on my phone. I'm much more adept to check my messages from my computer.

This is going to be fun to play with. It will not replace our 800 number, but I can see some cool uses and it's just the beginning. If Freedomvoice allowed me to record my messages online like gotvoice, I would be in heaven. That would save me so much time, and keep me organized…

Of course you can probably see how this can be used to send mass messages (Spam) to people…Here is gotvoice's short list violations from their terms of service:

• Use the Communication Service in connection with surveys, contests, pyramid schemes, chain letters, junk voicemail, spamming or any duplicative or unsolicited messages (commercial or otherwise).
• Defame, abuse, harass, stalk, threaten or otherwise violate the legal rights (such as rights of privacy and publicity) of others.
• Publish, post, upload, distribute or disseminate any inappropriate, profane, defamatory, obscene, indecent or unlawful topic, name, material or information.
• Publish, post, upload, distribute or disseminate any topic, name, material or information that incites discrimination, hate or violence towards one person or a group because of their belonging to a race, a religion or a nation, or that insults the victims of crimes against humanity by contesting the existence of those crimes.
• Upload, or otherwise make available, files that contain sounds, voices, software or other material protected by intellectual property laws, including, by way of example, and not as limitation, copyright or trademark laws (or by rights of privacy or publicity) unless you own or control the rights thereto or have received all necessary consents to do the same.
• Use any material or information, including sounds or voices which are made available through the GotVoice Service in any manner that infringes any copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, or other proprietary right of any party.
• Upload files that contain viruses, Trojan horses, worms, time bombs, cancelbots, corrupted files, or any other similar software or programs that may damage the operation of another's computer or property of another.
• Use of meta tag searches on the web sites.
• Advertise or offer to sell or buy any goods or services for any business purpose, unless such Communication Service specifically allows such messages.
• Download any file posted by another user of a Communication Service that you know, or reasonably should know, cannot be legally distributed in such manner.
• Falsify or delete any author attributions, legal or other proper notices or proprietary designations or labels of the origin or source of software or other material contained in a file that is uploaded.
• Restrict or inhibit any other user from using and enjoying the Communication Services.
• Violate any code of conduct or other guidelines which may be applicable for any particular Communication Service.
• Harvest or otherwise collect information about others, including e-mail addresses.
• Violate any applicable laws or regulations.
• Create a false identity for the purpose of misleading others.
• Use, download or otherwise copy, or provide (whether or not for a fee) to a person or entity any directory of users of a GotVoice Service or other user or usage information or any portion thereof.

 

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