Launch an AI-Powered Calling Agent in Just 15 Minutes

In this tutorial, you’ll build an AI-driven calling agent capable of making real phone calls. You’ll set up the agent, purchase a low-cost phone number, and upload a contact list for automated outreach. The full setup takes about 15 minutes and can be tested at no cost.

Who This Is For

• Sales teams running outbound campaigns who want to pre-qualify leads before human follow-up
• Small business owners who need consistent outreach without spending hours on cold calls
• Consultants and agencies automating bookings, check-ins, or event confirmations

What You’ll Create

A complete AI calling agent that dials a list of contacts, holds natural conversations based on your prompt, handles objections, and records full transcripts—all powered by a simple CSV upload.

What You Need to Start

• ElevenLabs account (free or $9 plan)
• Twilio account (free signup with credits)
• A list of phone numbers
• A clear idea of your call script or objective

Step 1: Set Up Your AI Agent in ElevenLabs

Log in to ElevenLabs and navigate to the Agents section to create a new agent.

Select a voice that matches your tone from the voice library.

Add context by including your business website in the agent’s knowledge base so it can respond accurately during calls.

Write a concise system prompt defining:

• Who the agent is
• What company does it represent
• The goal of the call

Example structure:

A friendly sales rep introduces your service and aims to book a short meeting, while staying conversational and respectful.
Set a natural conversation opener, then publish the agent.

Pro tip: Keep prompts short and focused. The AI handles conversation flow without needing detailed scripting.

Step 2: Configure Twilio and Get a Number

Create an account on Twilio and use the provided credits for testing.

Purchase a phone number (low monthly cost), then collect:

• Your phone number
• Account SID
• Auth Token

These credentials will connect your calling system.

Pro tip: Twilio operates on a pay-as-you-go model, and free credits are enough for extensive testing.

Step 3: Link Twilio with ElevenLabs

Return to ElevenLabs and open the Phone Numbers section.

Create a new entry and input:

• Twilio phone number
• Account SID
• Auth Token

Once connected, your AI agent can place real calls.

Step 4: Upload Contacts and Launch Calls

Go to the Outbound section in ElevenLabs and create a new batch using Telephony.

Download the CSV template, keep only the phone number column, and add your contact list.

Upload the file and choose one of the following:

• Send immediately
• Test with your own number
• Schedule for later

Select your agent and number, then launch the campaign.

Pro tip: You can override prompts for specific batches without changing your main agent settings.

Take It Further

Enhance your setup with additional features:

• Call transfers: Route interested prospects directly to your phone
• CRM integrations: Connect with tools like HubSpot or Salesforce
• Scheduling automation: Integrate with tools like Cal.com
• Lead qualification: Add questions to your prompt for automated scoring

This system can also handle appointment reminders, feedback calls, RSVP collection, and more. Just adjust the prompt and contact list.