Thoughtly Office Hours - April 21, 2025


Join us weekly for Office Hours to discuss all things Thoughtly. RSVP here to be notified about upcoming sessions.

Sending Metadata to Calls [00:05:00]

  • Discussion on how sending metadata into calls improves flexibility by allowing specific information such as an address or booking details to be referenced during the call.
  • Example provided of using a web hook with client details like date of birth and claim numbers. To improve clarity, numbers were converted into a more natural format using an advanced prompt.
  • The metadata is passed into the conversation to prevent confusion and make the call more natural and smooth.
  • Emphasis on manipulating data from web hooks to provide a rich conversational experience by scraping URLs and generating summaries dynamically.

Using Mid Call Actions [00:15:00]

  • Clarification on the inconsistency of mid call actions, specifically when scheduling or retrieving data. Performed effectively when using singular actions such as sending a text message.
  • Troubleshooting discussed for a scenario where a text message link is sent for booking an appointment. The key is allowing the agent to communicate each step calmly to the caller.
  • Recommendation to let the caller confirm receipt of a text message and, if not received, re-confirm their phone number before resending.
  • Mid call actions were reported to be intentionally set to focus on completing the action, possibly causing abrupt transitions.

Calendar and Scheduling Challenges [00:30:00]

  • Discussion of challenges when using versions 1 and 1.8 of Thoughtly for booking applications with different calendar providers.
  • Queries on whether to practice with version 1 until version 1.8 is stabilized. V1.8 has known issues despite efforts to streamline scheduling through fewer interactions.
  • Announcement of work underway to simplify scheduling into one concise action node to address the complexity and reduce redundant steps in booking workflows.

New Feature Discussions: Prompts and Instruction Templates [00:35:00]

  • Introduction of using concise prompts instead of extensive script nodes for conversational agents, improving dynamic interaction.
  • A feature for instructional improvisation allows agents to understand user sentiment and respond more naturally without always following a strict path.
  • Prompts are discussed using instructions within normal brackets and parentheses to guide the conversation seamlessly.
  • Debate on the format for instructions, highlighting the importance of clarity for engineering and users.

Automation and Workflow Integration [01:00:00]

  • Clarifications sought regarding workflow automation, particularly with verifying caller details like addresses for tasks such as sending postcards.
  • Insight shared into the use of forms and text message confirmations to verify user-provided information, ensuring high accuracy despite regional accents.
  • Exploration of extracting preferred contact numbers to remedy initial communication errors and refining workflow calls with web hooks.

Demographics via Geography [01:15:00]

  • Tutorial on utilizing a combination of triggers and automation to segment calls based on geographic information derived from area codes.
  • Insight into defining strategic modules for demographics, enabling regional identification and tailored engagement.

Feature Requests and Roadmap Insights [01:35:00]

  • Discussion on quality-of-life improvements sought for caller ID allocation across agents and campaign consistency.
  • Offer of additional visibility on past-requested features for transparency and follow-up.
  • Ongoing improvements were noted, with assurances of strategic focus despite present constraints on resources impacting deliverable timelines.

Conversational Intelligence and Response Generation [02:00:00]

  • Review of external product integrations, including using third-party tools to enhance caller experiences through iPhone messaging and brand-integration.
  • Suggestions and future plans for applications with high pickup rates due to caller ID display and message color correlation.
  • Reflection on AI’s perceived trivial features having significant user perception and efficacy impacts.

Thoughtly Office Hours - April 21, 2025


Join us weekly for Office Hours to discuss all things Thoughtly. RSVP here to be notified about upcoming sessions.

Sending Metadata to Calls [00:05:00]

  • Discussion on how sending metadata into calls improves flexibility by allowing specific information such as an address or booking details to be referenced during the call.
  • Example provided of using a web hook with client details like date of birth and claim numbers. To improve clarity, numbers were converted into a more natural format using an advanced prompt.
  • The metadata is passed into the conversation to prevent confusion and make the call more natural and smooth.
  • Emphasis on manipulating data from web hooks to provide a rich conversational experience by scraping URLs and generating summaries dynamically.

Using Mid Call Actions [00:15:00]

  • Clarification on the inconsistency of mid call actions, specifically when scheduling or retrieving data. Performed effectively when using singular actions such as sending a text message.
  • Troubleshooting discussed for a scenario where a text message link is sent for booking an appointment. The key is allowing the agent to communicate each step calmly to the caller.
  • Recommendation to let the caller confirm receipt of a text message and, if not received, re-confirm their phone number before resending.
  • Mid call actions were reported to be intentionally set to focus on completing the action, possibly causing abrupt transitions.

Calendar and Scheduling Challenges [00:30:00]

  • Discussion of challenges when using versions 1 and 1.8 of Thoughtly for booking applications with different calendar providers.
  • Queries on whether to practice with version 1 until version 1.8 is stabilized. V1.8 has known issues despite efforts to streamline scheduling through fewer interactions.
  • Announcement of work underway to simplify scheduling into one concise action node to address the complexity and reduce redundant steps in booking workflows.

New Feature Discussions: Prompts and Instruction Templates [00:35:00]

  • Introduction of using concise prompts instead of extensive script nodes for conversational agents, improving dynamic interaction.
  • A feature for instructional improvisation allows agents to understand user sentiment and respond more naturally without always following a strict path.
  • Prompts are discussed using instructions within normal brackets and parentheses to guide the conversation seamlessly.
  • Debate on the format for instructions, highlighting the importance of clarity for engineering and users.

Automation and Workflow Integration [01:00:00]

  • Clarifications sought regarding workflow automation, particularly with verifying caller details like addresses for tasks such as sending postcards.
  • Insight shared into the use of forms and text message confirmations to verify user-provided information, ensuring high accuracy despite regional accents.
  • Exploration of extracting preferred contact numbers to remedy initial communication errors and refining workflow calls with web hooks.

Demographics via Geography [01:15:00]

  • Tutorial on utilizing a combination of triggers and automation to segment calls based on geographic information derived from area codes.
  • Insight into defining strategic modules for demographics, enabling regional identification and tailored engagement.

Feature Requests and Roadmap Insights [01:35:00]

  • Discussion on quality-of-life improvements sought for caller ID allocation across agents and campaign consistency.
  • Offer of additional visibility on past-requested features for transparency and follow-up.
  • Ongoing improvements were noted, with assurances of strategic focus despite present constraints on resources impacting deliverable timelines.

Conversational Intelligence and Response Generation [02:00:00]

  • Review of external product integrations, including using third-party tools to enhance caller experiences through iPhone messaging and brand-integration.
  • Suggestions and future plans for applications with high pickup rates due to caller ID display and message color correlation.
  • Reflection on AI’s perceived trivial features having significant user perception and efficacy impacts.