Custom wake words are the voice of your brand. 

When customers say your brand’s name several times a day to wake up your voice-enabled device, they are developing greater affinity, loyalty, and familiarity with your products. A custom wake word that starts an interaction with your wholly-owned voice assistant gives you control of your brand, product roadmap, and customer relationships—unlike using a big tech solution. 

A wake word can define your voice experiences—but you only get one chance to get it right. Not only must it evoke your brand personality, it must also be accurate enough to only wake when the user intends it to and not when other, similar words are spoken—leading to user frustration. A custom wake word may only be a few syllables long, but it has many parts that must work together. Knowing the best practices and avoiding pitfalls is essential for success. 

 Want to give your brand a voice? Get our guide to learn the six essential elements of a custom wake word.