A press 1 campaign (also called interactive voice broadcasting) dials a list, plays a short recorded message when someone answers, and invites them to press a key to talk to a live agent. Only people who are interested reach your team.
How it works
- The system dials numbers from your list at a pace you set.
- If a person answers, they hear your recorded message.
- Pressing 1 transfers them to an available agent; another key (often 9) adds them to your do-not-call list.
- Voicemail, no-answer and busy outcomes are logged for follow-up or removal.
Where it works well
- Re-engaging existing customers — renewals, appointment reminders, service updates.
- Event and webinar reminders with an option to speak to someone.
- Collections and account notices where a quick human follow-up helps.
- Small teams who cannot staff a full predictive campaign but want live conversations.
The rules come first
Prerecorded calls are tightly regulated in many countries. In the United States, for example, prerecorded telemarketing calls generally require the recipient's prior express written consent, must identify the caller and must offer an automated way to opt out. Other markets have similar or stricter rules.
Plan capacity
Pace the campaign to the number of agents ready to take transfers. If dozens of people press 1 and only two agents are free, callers wait — or hang up. Start slow, watch the transfer queue and increase the rate gradually.
Measure the full funnel
- Answer rate: how many calls reached a person.
- Press-1 rate: how many of those chose to talk.
- Connection rate: how many were connected to an agent without waiting too long.
- Opt-out rate: a rising number is a sign your message or list needs work.
The message itself has the biggest effect on results — see our guide to writing voice broadcast scripts.
